In times of crisis what has made America amazing has been the fact that, throughout our history, throughout the more than 200 years of our history, there have been men and women of courage, who stood up and decided it was more important to look out for the future of their children and their grandchildren than their own political futures.

You see, here in America there's a reason why we celebrate the 4th of July and not April 15th because in America we celebrate our independence from the government, not our dependence on it.

The music has to be as interesting. It has to keep taking you into places that you're at least not used to.

A wise governor told me a long time ago, political capital you don't get more of by keeping it. You get it by using it.

Political leaders in Illinois kicked the can down the road, raised taxes, and ignored fiscal realities. Now, they're realizing the consequences of their actions: credit downgrades and negative outlooks.

I just think this is people who are chronically looking for ways to be upset about things.

In my teenage years I was as addicted to great pop as I was to free jazz, electronic music, and hardcore blues.