There is talk from all corners about the state of the economy: job gains and losses, the stock market going up and down, government and its role in the marketplace. We are told what government can do for us and what it should do to help create more jobs. We believe it is important to remember that government best serves the country when it returns power and resources to Americans, enabling them to chart their own course.

In the last issue, we began to develop a governing philosophy of The American Sound. Conservatives believe that government should only do a few things for people, but it should do those things well. In other words, we are defining ourselves in practical terms, and encouraging liberals to do the same, in the belief that this will open areas of political consensus.

One such area is economic policy. The great lesson of the last several decades is the importance of encouraging the private economy. No agenda, whether liberal or conservative, can move forward in recessionary times; everything we want to accomplish for education, health care, national defense, the environment-whether we intend to use public or private means to accomplish it-depends on sustained prosperity. Even those with a redistributionist agenda should acknowledge that there must be wealth to redistribute; and even those who are not normally friends of the private sector should recognize that it will produce more if the government stimulates rather than punishes growth. That is why both sides of the political spectrum should be interested in reducing the cost of government on the private sector, either by targeted regulatory or liability reform or tax cuts.

The Value of Free Trade and Democratic Globalism: by Sen. Cornyn

Addressing the Flaws in Our International Tax Rules: by Sen. Grassley

Financial Aid and Taxpayer Privacy:
Rep. Sam Johnson

The Congressman and the Food Fight:
Rep. Ric Keller

How Alaska Can Help Meet America's Energy Needs: Sen. Murkowski

The American Miracle: Rep. Mike Oxley

Reforming Social Security: Rep. Pat Toomey

Build America Bonds: Sen. Jim Talent  

A Western Point of View: Sen. Larry Craig

Stick to the Basics: Rep. John Boehner

Addressing the Tuition Crisis: Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon

The Effort to Fight Government Waste:
Rep. Jim Nussle

Freeing Alternatives to Speedy Transportation: Rep. Mark Kennedy