A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

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.

When I look at Social Security, I consider it the most important social program in the United States, arguably the most successful program in the world.

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

America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government.

If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature.