Earmarks have not disappeared, and the problem is back in the public eye with the $410 billion omnibus spending bill.

In the area of lobbying reform, it is time for both houses to bite the bullet and make the real change: an independent ethics panel.

In a recent column, The Washington Post’s Fact Checker declared Rep. Ron Paul votes against “virtually every piece of legislation that could be interpreted as government overreach or interference with the free market.” There one small problem with the analysis: It ignores the fact that Paul is one of the biggest pork-barrel earmarkers on Capitol Hill. 

Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles are challenged with unrealities in handling the country's toughest economic truths.

This return to two-party government creates a tougher political climate for the White House in implementing health care reform.

Recent congressional ethics scandals could prompt necessary changes, such as enforcing ethics standards, implementing greater transparency, and enacting earmark reform.

If a value added tax is adopted, the revenue should be used to eliminate the corporate income tax and the Medicare portion of the payroll and self-employment taxes.

While the Democratic leadership in the House wants to vote on health care reform, many Democratic members fear for their electoral prospects.