Marlo Thomas, 9/9/11

Award-winning actress, author and activist

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with three remarkable young women who all had parents who died in the north tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. And here is what I learned: America, you need to listen to your daughters.

Dan Rather, 9/9/11

Host, 'Dan Rather Reports'

A decade after 9/11, we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunity to remember in the first place.

Robert Reich, 9/9/11

Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley; Author, 'Aftershock'

Two cheers -- for both the president's style and his words Thursday night before Congress. And one jeer: He failed on substance and strategy.

Rev. Al Sharpton, 9/9/11

President, National Action Network

The depth of our current economic crisis is so complex -- there are no easy answers. But if we are to maintain our strong standing in the world, we must begin to follow through on the president's suggestions.

Huffington Post, 9/8/11

From survivor stories to taking on religious, political and global ramifications, here is our collection of the very best opinion, analysis and heartfelt expression from our valued contributors.

Larry Diller, 9/9/11

Author and Clinical faculty UCSF

As with most things in America, money factors rule. But a society that chooses to cope by using drugs, in the long term, does so at its own peril.

Bishop Gene Robinson, 9/9/11

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire; Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

While I believe ours to be the greatest country on earth, one that has done so much to improve the world, I also believe we have much for which we should repent.

Mohamed A. El-Erian, 9/8/11

CEO and co-CIO, PIMCO

Judging from President Obama's impactful speech this evening, the administration has at long last recognized the severity of America's unemployment crisis and the need for a comprehensive policy response.

Wajahat Ali, 9/9/11

Researcher, Center for American Progress

Regardless of whether we were born in this nation or have recently adopted it as our home, we are committed to working with our fellow Americans to create a more perfect union.

Syreeta McFadden, 9/9/11

Brooklyn based Writer, Photographer and Professor of English.

America is a young nation with old systems in play. All that American ingenuity we've been taught about has laid fallow for too long.

Michael Shaw, 9/9/11

Publisher of BagNewsNotes, topping LIFE.com's 2011 Best Photo Blogs

This frame leaves me wondering how the political cycle will be any different from before: a deft speech leading to appeasement leading to mostly a brick wall.

Alec Baldwin, 9/8/11

Actor

As unimaginable and cowardly as the 9/11 attacks were, it's important to ask ourselves what we must learn from them. Not just about terrorism, but about our country and ourselves as well.

Jeffrey Sachs, 9/9/11

Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia U. Author of "The Price of Civilization"

Obama is right that the Republican vision of relentless tax cuts, deregulation, and shrinking government is the road to ruin. Yet Obama's alternative of short-term and shortsighted stimulus is only marginally better. Neither approach is getting America back on track.

Sharon Brooks, 9/9/11

Author of "If Your Parents Divorced, Will You Too?: How to Break the Cycle of Divorce and Create a Successful Relationship of Your Own"

A conscious awareness of desperate dating can help to avoid relationship mistakes.

Andy Ostroy, 9/9/11

Political & pop culture analyst

The speech should've been short and sweet. Fifteen minutes. And delivered from the Oval Office. Instead what we got was the standard pomp and circumstance show, complete with all the odd merriment that typically accompanies these bi-partisan charades.

Maegan Carberry, 9/9/11

Political Analyst, co-host of Variety's 'Wilshire & Washington'

New innovations don't alleviate all the pain we still feel when we think of the people we've lost ten years ago. But they have offered lessons along the way, as we journalists rededicated ourselves to the work of telling meaningful stories that make the world a better place.

Robert Creamer, 9/8/11

Political organizer, strategist and author

What was needed was a package of proposals that were bold, projected urgency, and will create jobs now. The president delivered.

Imam Mohamed Magid, 9/8/11

President, Islamic Society of North America

I believe in an America that will overcome these difficult times in the next 10 years and help create a better future for people of all faiths (or people of no faith), be they Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

Russell Simmons, 9/8/11

Founder of GlobalGrind.com

My challenge to Republicans: get into the game now -- don't wait for the election. You can make your case to the American people without holding them and their aspirations hostage.

Jared Bernstein, 9/9/11

Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

I thought the president introduced a great jobs plan Thursday night -- a plan that accomplished a number of important goals.

Tom Rhodes, 9/8/11

Comedian

When I came on, my opening line was: "Well, I don't think I have ever seen a foreign audience so happy to see an American before."

Steve Mariotti, 9/9/11

Founder, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

I have just one question for the jobs debate: If entrepreneurship is this vital to the American economy, why aren't we teaching every high school student in this country how to start and operate a small business?

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 9/8/11

Civil rights activist

The time to act is now. Congress - Democrats and Republicans alike - must swiftly move from debate to passing the President's positive, job creating, legislative proposals.

Sec. Kathleen Sebelius, 9/8/11

Secretary of Health and Human Services

The common sense ideas that President Obama has proposed will provide an immediate spark to our economy. That's why Congress should act quickly to pass the American Jobs Act and send it to the president to sign.