Alan Siegel Quotations

Too many politicians are shifting the critical themes of our national conversations from a 'big ideas' American Brand Platform to narrowly focused, polarizing sound bites that put party philosophy before what used to be heralded as the common good. These ideas, more often than not, divide us rather than serve to bind us.

Wal-Mart isn't the only company making corporate contributions. Several companies are actively contributing. At the end of the day, this company still has a very steep hill to climb because its problems are too endemic.

Representative government demands an ongoing conversation between legislators and constituents.

Politicians must be simple and clear about how their ideas will serve the national cause. We can no longer use the complexity of today's problems as an excuse for inaction, rhyme or rhetoric that does not meet the challenges before us.

Our government should speak a common language with the American people - plain English.

Our national purpose, not our party differences, must define the American Brand. We must change the conversation from one centered around what defines our differences to one that hangs a lantern on what binds us, supports our collective well being and makes us all stronger and more productive as a result.

We try to make things user-friendly. We try to use information designed to facilitate quick understanding.

If we don't re-charge the American Brand, all future challenges - economic, social and political - are destined to be driven to the brink, further jeopardizing the strength and competitiveness of our country and its citizens.

What Republicans need to do is to go back to their roots - starting with Lincoln - and remind the nation that they are the party of national growth, racial equality and unity of purpose. These Lincolnian themes will serve Republicans - and the nation - much better than becoming the party on the lookout for the supposed rat head of higher taxes.

I don't think people hold United responsible for what happened, and the story is really a story of courage by the crew and passengers in fighting back. It's sort of a positive story out of a horrible situation.