The quality that defines us as Americans is the courage to respond to being hit. The courage to root out and destroy the killers. And, most importantly, the courage to hold on to our values and protect our hard-won freedoms while doing it.

Social Security is at last on the nation's front burner.

Currently, 94 out of 100 of us pay the Social Security tax all year round.

In matters large and small, many people seemed concerned about churlishness, an ugliness in our relationships that appears to be increasing rather than decreasing.

America, the temple of invention and industry, doesn't make things anymore.

In economic panics throughout history, the wiping out of the savings accounts of lower earners and the middle class has often led to social revolution, sometimes violent upheavals.

It is statesmanlike for the administration and Congress to look to our nation's welfare beyond their terms in office.