Jim Leach

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

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

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.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.'

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics.

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

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

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.

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