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

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena.

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

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.

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

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.