Governors of both political parties face a stark choice between unpopular tax increases and drastic cuts in Medicaid, education, public safety and other essential services.

Brick and mortar businesses – and the communities that depend on them – cannot continue to bear an unfair sales tax burden from which their on-line competitors are effectively exempt.

In essence this is the culmination of a concern that I have shared for some time now and its an effort to bring to the attention of the Congress the conduct of Mr. Karimov, one of our partners in the so-called ?coalition of the willing,? ... I think it?s time that we be very clear, draw a very bright line, and disassociate ourselves from the Karimov government.

Its hard to exaggerate the importance of preserving the financial integrity of Social Security.

Uncollected sales taxes on Internet purchases cost the states more than $16 billion in 2001.

If we're going to preach about democracy we're going to have to make difficult decisions. We're not going to sell our values out for basing rights, particularly when (Defense) Secretary (Donald) Rumsfeld himself noted that there were options to the base in Uzbekistan

Brick and mortar businesses - and the communities that depend on them - cannot continue to bear an unfair sales tax burden from which their on-line competitors are effectively exempt.

What passes for real debate in Washington often seems more like an echo chamber, with politicians talking at politicians.

This is a chance for me to listen and learn. There's no more important and rewarding part of my job.

It's hard to exaggerate the importance of preserving the financial integrity of Social Security.