In the First Amendment to the Constitution, the Founders made it clear that this was not to be a sky-god nation with a national religion like that of England, from whom we had just separated. It is curious how little understood this amendment is-yes, everyone has a right to worship any god he chooses but he does not have the right to impose his beliefs on others who do not happen to share in his superstitions and taboos.

I don't seem to be cynical to myself but how what I say goes down with others is their problem. I'm realistic.

My family helped start [this country], we've been in political life ... since the 1690s, and I have a very possessive sense about this country.

The last best hope of earth, two trillion dollars in debt, is spinning out of control, and all we can do is stare at a flickering cathode-ray tube as Ollie answers questions on TV while the press, resolutely irrelevant as ever, asks politicians if they have committed adultery. From V-J Day 1945 to this has been, my fellow countrymen, a perfect nightmare.

U.S. certainly are not warlike. We don't want that. We want to make money, which I always thought was one of the most admirable things about Americans.

Miss Rand now tells us that what we have thought was right is really wrong. The lesson should have read: One for one and none for all.

Teaching has ruined more American novelists than drink.