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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Democracy is a delicate thing.