My problem with public sector union leaders, the bosses, has been they stood in the way of protecting the taxpayer.

If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world.

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.

My kids were targeted on Facebook by protesters.

Now things have changed for the better. Our reforms end seniority and tenure so we can hire and fire based on merit and pay based on performance. That means we can put the best and the brightest in our classrooms - and we can keep them there.

I believe that smaller government is better government. But I also believe that in the areas where government does play a legitimate role, we should demand that it is done better.

Governors should be defined not just by what they do and say, but who they surround themselves with.