In the rush to become all things to all people the federal government has lost sight of its core responsibilities. As a result we're stuck in this frustrating paradox where Washington actually neglects things it's clearly supposed to be doing while interfering in other areas where they are neither welcome nor authorized.

Since taking office President Obama has signed into law spending increases of nearly 25 percent for domestic government agencies - an 84 percent increase when you include the failed stimulus. All of this new government spending was sold as 'investment.'

I had the privilege of practicing medicine in the early '60s before we had any government. It worked rather well and there was nobody on the street suffering with no medical care.

Just think of what Woodrow Wilson stood for: he stood for world government. He wanted an early United Nations League of Nations. But it was the conservatives Republicans that stood up against him.

In order to acquire a growing and lasting respect in society it is a good thing if you possess great talent to give early in your youth a very hard kick to the right shin of the society that you love. After that be a snob.

There is an idea abroad among moral people that they should make their neighbors good. One person I have to make good: Myself. But my duty to my neighbor is much more nearly expressed by saying that I have to make him happy if I may.

My eyesight is not nearly as good. My hearing is probably going away. My memory is slipping too. But I'm still around.

I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.

In truth politeness is artificial good humor it covers the natural want of it and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.

We have a moral responsibility to save wild places like the arctic refuge for future generations and that is why our country has remained committed to its protection for nearly 50 years.