Our representative form of government must continually be nurtured, continually tended.

This is why our founding fathers crafted our government as they did: So that we the people can problem solve for ourselves.

I am a firm believer in allowing people to have a voice.

I also believe in differences of opinion as the best crucible for creating the best laws.

The work of maintaining a democratic government is ongoing, from inkling to inception, to this very day, and right on into the future.

Democracy is a delicate thing.

Compromise is part and parcel of legislative work, not a weakness.

Everyone is here, and everyone is voting. This is how our legislative process is supposed to unfold.

Every citizen must do his or her share if our democratic form of government is to survive.

Risk-taking is part of the political process, and the decision to form this coalition carries enormous risk… Our leaders convinced us the risk is worth it.

It is the education and negotiating, the convincing and compromise, the persistence and rewriting – that transform a good idea into law.

Serving as chairman of a major committee is perhaps the most challenging part of the legislative process.

Writing a bill doesn’t guarantee it will get anywhere.

It is imperative that we maintain two strong political parties if our government is to function as a representative democracy.