I respect the state workers and I respect their unions, but we simply can't afford to pay benefits and pensions that are out of line with economic reality.

I believe public education is the new civil rights battle and I support charter schools.

There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a skirmish on poverty

As my Sicilian grandfather used to say, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar, right?

I believe women still face a glass ceiling that must be shattered.

I believe we need to attract a new generation of the best and brightest to public service and I believe that government can be a source of inspiration, not degradation.

I am against the death penalty.

The time has come to return integrity, performance and dignity to New York and make it the Empire State once again.

The essential job of government is to facilitate, not frustrate, job development

People go into politics because they want the affirmation, and they want the applause.

I am fiscally prudent and socially progressive. I believe in protecting a woman's right to choose. I believe in marriage equality.

Joy is a perception of elation which keeps us moving with life.

Any master skill in practice is about comprehending myriad elements and fitting them together in inspired ways that satisfy the objective.

After such an introduction I can hardly wait to hear what I'm going to say.

Demons wait at crossroads attempting to influence our decisions.

The opportunity to go up to Canada and play was just a blessing for me and my family.

God has not abandoned us any more than he abandoned Job. He never abandons anyone on whom he has set his love; nor does Christ, the good shepherd, ever lose track of his sheep.

My own son feels I'm uncool but my grandson loves me. Being cool or uncool is a generational thing. But as a personal thing, I really love everybody in sight.

It would take one million men, one hundred years

To answer brutality with brutality is to admit one's moral and intellectual bankruptcy.

One day, someone will get too close to the television, and I will pull them into this hell with me.