After all when the world looks to America they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history.

Throughout human history the American Idea has done more to help the poor than any other economic system ever designed.

History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them.

It is imperative for the health and safety of millions of workers that we ensure that breathing systems needed for protection are widely available convenient and economical.

The war on terrorism has made national security a legitimate concern and a rising deficit changes brought on by globalization and even the price of oil have thrown the nation's economic health into question.

But the dollars spent on economic incentives and new investment strategies are wasted unless we seriously address the two most important economic issues in Kansas: education and health care.

I was for civil unions and believed strongly that the flow of benefits and protections that would be provided in a civil union for same-sex couples the decisions that have to be made when health hardships are faced when economic hardships are faced I wanted all of those protections. I never strayed from them.

Raising taxes is the last thing we should do amid the weakest economic recovery since World War II. Unfortunately even if we avoid the full 'Taxmageddon' scenario President Obama's health care law also contains a new surtax on investment that will take effect in 2013.

While some people are certainly seeing economic benefits many others are unemployed underemployed without health insurance and struggling to make ends meet.

Coal is absolutely critical to our nation's economic health and global competitiveness.