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.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

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.

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.