I'd like to see a revival of state legislatures, in which I am a true Jeffersonian.

Although the notion of one god may give comfort to those in need of a daddy, it reminds the rest of us that the totalitarian society is grounded upon the concept of God the father. One paternal god, one paternal leader. Authority is absolute.

Obviously I'm in favor of protecting the rights of everybody: gay, black, women, what have you, American Indians.

Most writers are middle-class and are the children of doctors or lawyers.

American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.

Traitors who prevail are patriots; usurpers who succeed are divine emperors.

Eisenhower's career demonstrated how it is possible to fool all the people all the time...'I may be stupid,' he once said at a press conference, 'but at least I'm sincere!' Actually, he was neither, but it suited his purpose to play the part of the bumbling man of good will who was 'not an expert in these matters' but somehow would do his best.