William 'Bill' Usery Jr., former Labor secretary

When I grew up in Georgia, D.C. was some far-off place, you know. It was some place you read about. I never got to be an elected politician, but I made it somehow to D.C.

When Gerald Ford became president of the United States, I became secretary of Labor. I've had the great opportunity to sit with a number of presidents, one-on-one. I felt more comfortable with some than with others. [Ford] was really easy to talk to. [Dick] Cheney was chief of staff at that time. I remember one time I was at the White House, and Cheney asked me, "You got a moment?" I said, "Why?" And he said, "Well, the president is getting a haircut, and he always enjoys talking to you." And we went in after he got his haircut, and we chatted.

We have an annual meeting every year with the Cabinet and senior people who were part of the Ford administration. The Henry Kissingers, Rumsfelds and the Cheneys of the world are there. We had one a couple of months ago. We spend several hours reminiscing and talking, and reflecting upon the time we worked in the administration.

The world has changed greatly from the time that we were there. The politicians are different, too. I don't recall politics being as bitter as they are today. We had partisan politics, but not to the extent that we see it today. I try to be an optimist, but I'm very pessimistic. We have to find middle ground. We have to shake hands. It doesn't mean that we have to agree on everything, but we have to keep advancing as we have in the past. I've spent my whole life trying to get people together to come to an agreement and mediation. Today, you go to a conference table, and people don't even want to get into a room with each other.

I think about the past, but I don't live in the past. But I certainly try to take as many things in the past that are wise, and use wisdom for the future. I've had a lot of experiences. For a country boy to get to where I am today -- this nation offers a lot. I always wanted to leave it better than I found it. But I'm not so sure we're doing that.

Interview by Cathy Areu