Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.

People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.

At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.

Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can't get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.

In politics, the number of women in the cabinet has fallen and, if current poll trends continue and Labour loses a number of marginal seats, the number of female MPs is likely to drop significantly.

Indeed, when all parties campaign effectively the overall effect is to push up voting rates, as you see in tight marginal seats or close general elections. That must be good for democracy.

Today the demands are for even higher standards in the quality of care, for greater flexibility and convenience in treatment times, and for more prevention through screening and health checks.

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.

In Scotland, the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least, Labour voters are satisfied with their government.

Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

For you and me today is all we have tomorrow is a mirage that may never become reality.

I decided that I would write one story about each thing that I knew about.

Teachers who are not actively involved in the learning process themselves, force their students to drink from stagnant water

Love goes away when your mind goes away and then you're someone else.

I have been a director who has starred, participated on both sides of the filmmaking process.

People inspire me. Curiosity inspires me. Mystery inspires me.

I want to be the victim of his errors.

Love on the rocks, ain't no surprise. Pour me a drink and I'll tell you some lies.

It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours.