Kyrsten Sinema is a politician from Arizona. As a U.S. Senator, she brings a unique perspective and independent voice to the table. Known for her colorful style and bipartisan approach, she strives to find common ground and work towards positive change.
1) I'm very concerned about the tone of politics in recent years. We've seen a decline in civility and bipartisanship, and a rapid increase in hostility between those who have differing opinions. I think this has led to the alienation of the public in governance, which jeopardizes democratic participation.
I'm worried about how politics has changed. It's become less polite and cooperative, and more angry and divided. This makes people feel disconnected from the government and puts our democracy at risk. We need to find a way to come together and work things out.
2) I think what endurance sports teach you is to stay dedicated, stay focused, and also to understand you're going to have ups and downs, but you need to keep running right through them.
Endurance sports teach valuable life lessons. They show us the importance of dedication, focus, and perseverance. Just like in sports, we face challenges in life, but it's crucial to keep pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles we encounter.
3) I have great respect for the LDS church - their commitment to family and taking care of each other is exemplary. I just don't believe the tenets of the faith that they believe.
I admire the LDS Church for its strong emphasis on family values and supporting one another. While I don't personally share their religious beliefs, I appreciate their dedication to creating a tight-knit community and fostering love and care among its members.
4) My number 1 priority is common sense because we don't see a lot of that in the state capitol.
Having common sense as your top priority means valuing practical and logical thinking, which can be lacking in political settings. It's about making decisions based on reason and practicality rather than getting caught up in bureaucratic complexities.
5) I lived for two years in an abandoned gas station with no running water and no electricity after my parents got divorced and my stepdad couldn't get a job. So I think a lot about families like mine who were middle class and struggled. So that experience really drives my philosophy.
Having lived in an abandoned gas station for two years, without basic amenities, due to family circumstances, I gained a deep understanding of the struggles faced by middle-class families. This experience strongly influences my beliefs and values, fueling my empathetic approach to life.
6) My parents are very conservative. They taught me the value of hard work - don't depend on other people, do it yourself.
Growing up with conservative parents, they instilled in me the importance of self-reliance and the rewards of diligent effort. Their lessons taught me not to rely on others, but to take charge and accomplish things independently.
7) Arizona is in the midst of a fiscal crisis. We've cut school funding. And they pass a bill questioning Obama's citizenship? For real?
Arizona is facing money problems. They reduced funding for schools, but instead of focusing on important issues, they wasted time passing a bill questioning Obama's citizenship. It's hard to believe they would prioritize something so unnecessary during a crisis.
8) A huge dollar bill is the most accurate way to teach children the real motto of the United States: In the Almighty Dollar We Trust... Until the average American realizes that capitalism damages her livelihood while augmenting the livelihoods of the wealthy, the Almighty Dollar will continue to rule. It certainly is not ruling in our favor.
Using a big dollar bill helps kids understand America's true motto: Money is most important. But when regular people realize capitalism hurts them while benefiting the rich, money won't control us anymore. Right now, it's not helping us.
9) I'm just really proud of the Democratic caucus. I look around in our meetings, and I think we really look like America.
I'm proud of the Democratic caucus. When I see us together in meetings, it feels like a true reflection of America's diversity. It's inspiring to see different voices and perspectives coming together to shape our country's future.
10) On most holidays, you'll find me in Mexico. Actually, on most holidays you won't find me. I'm at a beach, and it's wonderful.
During holidays, I love going to Mexico. In fact, I disappeared during those times. I escape to the beach, and it's pure bliss. It's my favorite place to be, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
11) I remember when I was a young social worker, the first time I went to the state capital in Arizona, where I eventually served for seven years, I was so nervous to go and lobby my state legislators. Because I only had a master's degree at the time in social work.
When I was a young social worker, I vividly recall my first visit to Arizona's state capital. I was nervous to lobby the state legislators, having just a master's degree. However, I persevered and ended up serving in that role for a remarkable seven years.
12) Hardworking families can no longer afford to wait for a Congress that gridlocks on ideology. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both parties to get things done.
Families who work hard can't wait for a Congress stuck in disagreements. I'm excited to collaborate with politicians from all sides to accomplish tasks and make progress for the people.
13) You should never take military intervention off the table. When you do so, you give an out to a rogue nation or rogue actors.
Keeping military intervention as an option is important because it prevents rogue nations or actors from taking advantage of a situation. It's like having a backup plan to ensure safety and discourage harmful actions that could threaten peace and stability.
14) As you know, I did not support the United States' engagement in Iraq and have long had concerns about Afghanistan... But I obviously have always been 100 percent supportive of our military.
While I disagreed with the US involvement in Iraq and had concerns about Afghanistan, I've always backed our military wholeheartedly. It's possible to question decisions while respecting the bravery and dedication of our troops who serve our country.
15) Bisexuals are gay people - we're all gay. Some people don't like that.
Bisexuals are people who are attracted to both men and women. Being bisexual doesn't mean they are exclusively gay, as they can have relationships with people of different genders. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts or understands bisexuality, which can lead to prejudice and discrimination.
16) When I first started campaigning, I was really excited. Two-thirds of the way through, I thought, 'Why am I doing this?' Then I got really excited when I realized I was going to win.
When I started campaigning, I was thrilled. In the middle, doubts crept in. But then, as victory seemed near, my excitement returned. It's a rollercoaster, but the anticipation of winning makes it all worthwhile.
17) I was not a Democrat; I was an independent. Here's the thing: You can't win that way. But I didn't know that.
I used to be neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I thought being independent was the way to go, but I later realized it's hard to win elections that way. I didn't know it back then.
18) I don't think Arizonans are interested in having the Mormon religion dictate public policy to them.
Arizonans prefer not to have the Mormon religion influence their public policies. They value their freedom to make decisions based on personal beliefs and want a separation between religious influence and governance.
19) I speak my mind. I'm not really afraid of things. I actually don't think that's that unusual.
Speaking your mind means expressing your thoughts and opinions openly without fear. It's about being honest and true to yourself. Many people are not afraid to do this, as it's a natural way of expressing oneself and can lead to better understanding and communication.
20) I think there's this pressure to get rid of the fun that makes us human. It hasn't worked on me.
There's a constant push to eliminate the fun and uniqueness that defines us as humans. But for me, that pressure hasn't succeeded. I embrace the joy and individuality that make life interesting and refuse to conform to a dull existence.
21) I'm an environmentalist; I recycle.
As an environmentalist, you actively participate in recycling. By separating waste and sending it to recycling centers, you give materials a new life instead of letting them go to waste. Your efforts contribute to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
22) I kind of grew up with a mix of two things. One was kind of this individual work ethic that my father my stepfather and my mother all taught me, which was never to depend on anyone else to do things for you and to work really hard on your own. At the same time, I benefited from the help of the church family, and government my whole life.
I learned two important things while growing up. First, the value of hard work was instilled by my parents - never relying on others and working diligently. Second, the support from church, family, and government played a positive role in my life.
23) I'm not a member of any faith community, and I think faith is a deeply personal issue that individuals should deal with in their private lives.
Not being part of a faith community is your personal choice. Faith, or belief, is something people should handle privately. It's a personal journey, and everyone has the right to decide what they believe in without external pressure or interference.
24) I was just born involved in politics. My family is conservative Mormon, and so I was born - although the Mormon faith is not inherently political, their faith requires some political stands, and those are ones that I happen to disagree with vehemently - so I was just political from a very early age.
Growing up in a conservative Mormon family, politics became a part of my life from the moment I was born. While the Mormon faith itself isn't inherently political, certain political positions are tied to it. However, I strongly disagreed with those positions, shaping my political awareness from a young age.
25) Sometimes when troops are overseas working these incredibly long hours in a difficult situation, they're not always hearing how much they're appreciated.
When soldiers are far from home, working tirelessly in tough conditions, they may not always hear how much we value them. It's important to express gratitude and show support for their hard work and sacrifices.
26) While I am grateful for the friendships and relationships that I have with my Republican colleagues, it would be naive to pretend that those friendships will change the way that major policies are enacted in Arizona.
I appreciate my Republican friends, but I can't expect our personal connections to sway Arizona's policy decisions. It's important to acknowledge the reality that friendships alone may not always influence significant political actions.
27) I spent nearly two decades as a social worker and an educator with kids. So, my whole life has been about helping middle-class families. So it's just kind of a hollow argument to say I'm not a family person.
I dedicated almost 20 years to being a social worker and educator, working closely with children and supporting middle-class families. My life has revolved around helping families, so it's unfounded to claim I'm not invested in family matters.
28) I have great respect for Sandra Day O'Connor. She has broken so many barriers for women in the law and was a master negotiator and pragmatist in her days on the Supreme Court.
Sandra Day O'Connor is an inspiring figure who shattered barriers for women in the legal field. As a Supreme Court justice, she skillfully navigated complex issues, using her negotiation skills and practical approach. Her achievements and impact on gender equality deserve great respect.
29) I didn't really have an interest in politics when I first entered the workforce. What I wanted to do was help people who grew up like me. When I was a kid growing up in Tucson, my father lost his job and we lost everything - including our home. We lived in an abandoned gas station for two years until we were able to get back on our feet.
When I started working, I didn't care much about politics. Instead, I wanted to assist people who faced similar challenges to me. As a child in Tucson, my family lost everything, even our home. We lived in an old gas station for two years until we recovered.
30) The number one thing I will take with me is my experience as a social worker who saw what happened to families who couldn't find jobs, struggled to take care of their health, and saw opportunities slipping away for their kids. I ran for Congress because politicians were fighting with each other instead of looking out for these families.
As a social worker, I saw families suffer without jobs, healthcare, and opportunities for their kids. That's why I ran for Congress. Instead of politicians arguing, I wanted to protect these families and ensure they had a better future.
31) My family was actually homeless for several years when I was a kid. It's a bit unusual for a member of Congress.
When I was a kid, my family didn't have a home for many years. It's not something you often hear about from a member of Congress, but it shows that anyone can overcome challenges and achieve great things.
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