Drawing on President Bush's reform plan, which would allow citizens to transfer part of their Social Security contributions into personal accounts, an alteration of the current system is needed to make necessary change.

Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.

The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.