notes from Governor Winter

"There are few words in the English language that are more recklessly used or generally misunderstood than those two verbal packages of political dynamite, "liberal" and "conservative." ... In its true sense "liberal" means generous, open, and compassionate, reflecting a willingness to accept new ideas and better ways of doing things. Most of us want to be like that, and in that sense we are liberal. On the other hand, "conservative" means stable, traditional, and respectful of established values. And most of us want to be like that, too. There really should be no contradiction in all this. One set of values is needed to support the other... This is the paradox -- the most certain and stable guarantee of our own basic rights lies in the extension of that guaranty to those with whom we disagree. We must use liberal values if we are to preserve conservative institutions."

"No matter how much the words "states rights" are spoken, it does not help the cause of states rights if the state leadership cannot command respect." He's talking about Mississippi in particular here.

"The processes of democracy will work only as they reflect a degree of self-restraint on the part of the citizenry....

I am not certain that after almost two centuries this revolutionary concept of self-government can or will be sustained. I am distressed by the evidence of so much public irresponsibility abroad in the land. I am concerned that so many political decisions are by selfish special-interest groups with no apparent concern for the welfare of others.

But the fact that we do have these abuses still does not discredit the system. What they do point up is ... that more than ever our political system just must have the participation of more ... who have the good sense and the dedication to see to it that the right attitudes prevail."

Amid pages of commentary on government and politics, I found this:

"Impatience is the forerunner of anger. Patience is the most essential ingredient of human love."