Valerie Jarrett
Many of our advances in science and technology were seeded through government.Collection: Science
What are we going to do to make sure people get the skills they need if they are incarcerated so that when they are released to hit the ground running? And what are we all going to do to give people who've earned a second chance, a second chance?Collection: Chance
Own your choices. Don't feel ashamed about what you're doing, trust yourself that you're a good parent, don't let anybody else shame you, and, certainly, don't shame yourself.Collection: Trust
I am hopeful about our future and sure that, despite our challenges, engaging our government remains essential in the journey toward perfecting our union.Collection: Future
I don't want to just tell my story - I want to share the experiences, life lessons, and values that have shaped who I am and my ideas for the future.Collection: Future
I saw a complete lack of courage in Washington to tackle some of our biggest challenges.Collection: Courage
If left unchecked, global change will create violent conflict, torrential storms, shrinking coastlines, and irreversible catastrophe.Collection: Change
I realize that I was being the kind of parent that I thought my daughter needed. I was a good role model for her on what a working mom can do.Collection: Mom
With women composing nearly half the American workforce and increasingly serving as the primary breadwinner for families, we can't afford to treat pregnant women differently than their counterparts, especially when slight job modifications could help them stay in the workforce at no risk to their health.Collection: Health
President Obama stands ready to work with everyone, because that's what the American people expect and deserve - not for the short term political advantages, but the long term health of our country. We don't spend time trying to figure out what's in the minds of Republicans, we try to keep our focus on the American people.Collection: Health
A big part of our agenda is to position the United States for long-term sustainable growth and health, and those jobs come from the private sector.Collection: Health
I know it may be hard to imagine given how broken and gridlocked our politics truly are, but from the White House to, yes, Congress, the government is filled with hard-working, idealistic public servants working incredibly hard on tough issues, trying to make people's lives better and move the country, and our world, forward.Collection: Politics
My view has always been that marriage means love, and an excellent way of describing your love for another person is to make that permanent commitment.Collection: Marriage
The Recovery plan will put money in the pockets of the American worker, create and save millions of new jobs and invest in crucial areas such as health care, education, energy independence and a new infrastructure.Collection: Health
We need to be investing in manufacturing and small businesses. We need to be creating a workforce where Americans can compete in a global marketplace because they have the necessary skills. And we need fairness, and we need a sustainable, strong economy that's durable for the future.Collection: Future
I didn't think I'd even know a president of the United States, let alone work in the White House. Even though my parents always said you can do whatever you want to do, I never dreamed of this kind of an opportunity.Collection: Alone
Please be assured that as we move along through the implementation of health insurance reform, making sure that we find efficiencies within the existing system, is foremost on the President's mind.Collection: Health
I'm uncomfortable with men making decisions that affect women's health.Collection: Health
We know the threats - from global terrorist networks to the spread of deadly weapons. Yet we also know that embedded in this time of danger is the promise of a new day, if we have the courage and commitment to work together.Collection: Courage
The American people want change. They don't want the same old health care system that's not affordable, that doesn't offer coverage to everybody, that keeps escalating in cost. And what we've seen from the Republicans is, really, a desire to have the status quo.Collection: Health
With a rich history, a world-class interdisciplinary program, and a vibrant student experience, I can't think of a better location to continue my own lifelong learning than the University of Chicago.Collection: Learning
I care so passionately about improving the quality of life for women and girls, not just here in the United States, but internationally as well. I am a single mom and I raised a daughter who is now a young adult.Collection: Mom
I just worry a lot. I'm a worrier. Michelle and Barack are really dear to me. I mean, I love them. And I don't want to see them get hurt. Just the nature of politics is hurtful. So every time they are hurt, I get hurt. It's a lot to ask of people, and it's a lot to see your friends go through. It's hard not to get emotional.Collection: Politics
We do have to ask ourselves as a culture, what do we want to be? You know, what are our founding values? And if we are a society where everybody should have that fair shot and get a second chance, then we should take the necessary steps to implement that and make it a reality.Collection: Chance
One of the major goals of health insurance reform is to bring down the cost.Collection: Health
We want to make sure that we incentivize the health care system to be designed to provide you the best quality health care possible.Collection: Health
When you are in local government, you are on the ground, and you are looking into the eyes and hearts of the people you are there to serve. It teaches you to listen; it teaches you to be expansive in the people with whom you talk to, and I think that that engagement gives you political judgment.Collection: Government
The biggest strength we have as Democrats is encouraging people to speak up about what is in their best interest.Collection: Strength
The tech community has taken the first step by recognizing that diversity is a strength and realizing that many of them have to work on their culture.Collection: Strength
We have programs that are outdated and no longer effective - we need to get rid of those programs.
Financial regulatory reform is one of the top legislative priorities of the Obama Administration.
No child should be expelled from preschool. And so we are calling on school districts around the country to end that practice. That benefits every child.
If you're in a family unit... and the boys are having a particularly hard time, the impact on the entire family is troublesome.
What keeps me up at night is worrying about the moms who depend on ACA for all of the preventive care and not to mention prenatal care, the wellness visits, and the cost of delivery.
What do we do to just rebuild and focus on creating a big and inclusive tent, where we're focusing on making sure every child gets that fair shot, that every woman gets to compete on a level playing field, that we are true to the core values of our country, and we're making sure that we honor those values?
What we wouldn't want to see is just a piece of legislation on border security and high tech immigration without focusing on the path to citizenship for the 11 million people who are here, and other provisions.
Nondiscrimination has been the law of the land for over three decades, yet, in some workplaces, the standard for treatment of pregnant women has remained in the dark ages. Some are fired or demoted, with no hesitation, when a modest accommodation would allow them to continue to work and support their families.
I was very heartened by Rupert Murdoch's passionate interest in immigration reform. He is an immigrant himself. He understands from a business perspective how important immigration reform would be to our economy.
When you compare the relatively modest tax that will ensue from prohibiting companies from receiving a subsidy and deducting that subsidy, the benefits dramatically outweigh the costs.
You can have it all, but not all at once.
Given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one.
In any given day, our administration has about 2 million employees, and things happen. We put in process procedures to make sure if there has been any wrongdoing, there will be appropriate consequences, and we will move on.
There's a strong body of evidence that shows that the more diligent we are in ensuring that guns are in the appropriate hands, the safer our communities will be.
I'm a beneficiary of an extraordinary education, and I believe that no matter where you live, the access to education is key to social mobility.
There are certain things that Americans expect their government to do. Our infrastructure is vitally important. Putting people back to work with construction is important. Our roads, our bridges, our sewers, our waterways, our dams - this is what makes our country so special.
The whole issue of healthcare is very complicated. There have been seven Presidents who've tried to get healthcare reform passed.
One of the problems I have with the administration is that they're not tough enough. They are waiting for BP to say, 'Oh, we've got a new plan to stop the oil leak.' They need to stop it, contain it, clean it up.
By 30, I was separated from my husband, and I clearly remember sitting in my lovely office with a magnificent view, staring at a very lucrative pay stub, and bursting into tears because I was just miserable. So I had to make a decision: Keep following my plan, or be honest with myself and search for my true passion.
I was very lucky - I grew up with two parents who loved each other and gave me unconditional love. They set high expectations for me, and they gave me an infinite amount of support. So I stand on their shoulders; I follow their example in every way.
I don't know how to code. I should know how to code.