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.

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

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

Civility is not simply about manners.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling.

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.