Whatever his motives, and plenty of people will speculate on that, Sen. Barack Obama made a gutsy and appropriate move when he told an audience in Springfield, Ill., that he opposes slavery reparations and even apologies for the darkest corners of our nation's history. He'll be lambasted by all sides for saying it, of times, but we give him credit for putting it out there. ...more

August 3, 2008

A Bush administration proposal aimed at protecting health care workers who object to abortion and birth control methods they consider tantamount to abortion has escalated a bitter debate over the balance between religious freedom and patients' rights. ...more

July 31, 2008

Outsourcing isn't just being done to American jobs these days. It has spread to congressional representation in South Florida's 19th District, and all Floridians should be angry. ...more

July 30, 2008

Four dollar-a-gallon gasoline has done something few Republicans thought possible a few months ago: given them hope. United behind a renewed push for offshore oil drilling, Republican members of Congress and the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, think they have found their best political issue of the 2008 campaign. ...more

July 27, 2008

A federal grand jury is investigating mortgage lenders Countrywide Financial Corp., New Century Financial Corp. and IndyMac Bancorp Inc., a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday. ...more

July 25, 2008

With gas prices soaring to record highs and approval ratings for Congress hovering in the low 20s, there is great temptation for members of Congress to do something. Anything that appears constructive will do, thank you. This apparently is what Sen. John Warner, R-Va., had in mind last week when he suggested the country could save energy by lowering the national speed limit to 55 miles per hour. The idea is a throwback to the 1970s, a piece of nostalgia that isn't worth revisiting. ...more

July 22, 2008

Freshman Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, is the second Tampa Bay area congressman to raise at least $1 million for his re-election bid this fall, exceeding $1.05 million. ...more

July 18, 2008

With energy prices soaring, Americans are reacting by changing their basic routines and opting for smaller, more fuel-efficient automobiles. I'm not surprised; I saw the same response following the nation's first "energy crisis" in the 1970s. ...more

July 6, 2008

One of the nation's largest insurance companies is lobbying Congress for permission to sell policies that cover damage from both wind and floodwater, a plan billed as a way for insurers and homeowners to avoid costly litigation after disasters like Hurricane Katrina. ...more

June 26, 2008

SEBRING — A total of 26 federal agencies annually offer more than 1,000 grant programs in various categories and maneuvering through the process may be difficult and confusing. Congressman Tim Mahoney's office wants to help people get through the maze. Mahoney's office and the Highlands County Economic Development Commission are co-hosting a workshop from 10 a.m. – noon Wednesday, July 9 at the Sebring Civic Center. The grant application process for federal grants and new grant opportunities will be reviewed during the workshop. Best practice strategies will be discussed. ...more

June 21, 2008