Those of you who follow the national debt will notice that this is the largest increase we've had since 1996 or so and the only time we've had such a large increase while running a substantial surplus. Some of this increase may be due to the events of September 11, but we will not be able to tell until the Treasury's final Monthly Statement is out later this month. As of August 31, the national debt had risen $95.7 billion (see TUFF report).

At a time when the people have been shaken to their souls by the events of September 11th, we need a government we can depend upon. We need a government that will not only "provide for the common defense" but one that is straightforward with us. A government that does not lie to us or try to lull us into a false sense of security. A government that is as honest as possible without giving away any of its covert plans against the enemy.