In 1960 Americans chose John F. Kennedy because they were ready for change. They were ready for new and better ideas. After six years of scandals and failed policies under the Reagan Administration, Americans are again ready for change and stronger leadership. I love my country. That is why I am seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

People asked me what I want as an epitaph: 'He tried'

We are disgusted by the things that we desire, and we desire what disgusts us.

The closed circle of materialism is clear to us now - aspirations become wants, wants become needs, and self-gratification becomes a bottomless pit.

Decide exactly what you want to achieve. Do you want to help people, or do you want to be powerful?

I watched a small man with thick calluses on both hands work 15 and 16 hours a day. I saw him once literally bleed from the bottoms of his feet, a man who came here uneducated, alone, unable to speak the language, who taught me all I needed to know about faith and hard work by the simple eloquence of his example.

The American people need no course in philosophy or political science or church history to know that God should not be made into a celestial party chairman.