America’s national debt now exceeds $15 trillion, which is roughly equal to the value of all goods and services the U.S. economy produces in one year. If left unchecked, America's debt will have catastrophic consequences for the future of the nation. How did we arrive at this point?

Americans have the highest health spending on the planet. Why? Because they can afford to do so. What few people realize is that the U.S. has increased its standard of living vis-à-vis its biggest competitors despite rising health expenditures (figure 1.6c).

At the GOP debate on national security and foreign policy Nov. 22, the Republican candidates will weigh in on such hot-button topics as Iran, Iraq, China, and Israel. At the root of their remarks lies an answer to a single question:  What role should America play in the world? It's a question the American people themselves have wrestled with for decades. 

It's tempting to call the shameful taxpayer subsidy for electric cars - vehicles that are unaffordable for all but a small number of wealthy Americans - this nation's costly little secret.

President Obama is giving yet another Big Speech next week. The White House insists this address will have nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with getting Americans back to work. Well, suspend your own disbelief as best you can. But one thing is certain: The president will enter the chamber "shovel ready," as it were. Here is the speech that should be given by the president:

The latest Census figures show the United States now has 49.9 million uninsured, an increase of nearly 1 million over the preceding year. Both in terms of absolute numbers and the percentage of Americans without coverage, this is the highest figure recorded since the Bureau began asking questions about health insurance in its annual survey three decades ago.

Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana will explain just how close we are to losing our republic, and what we can do to restore it to greatness.