Nancy S. Lind, PhD, is professor of political science at Illinois State University.Erik T. Rankin, MPS, is assistant to the Department Chair of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.Gardenia Harris, PhD, is associate professor in the School of Social Work at Illinois State University.

When the new Congress and a new president take up their responsibilities, they as well as everyday citizens can turn to these to understand where the interparty fault lines lie on issues such as defense spending, free trade, income inequality, student loans and debt, tax-code reform, and others awaiting thoughtful resolution.

• Foreword by Joseph R. BlaneyIntroductionBankruptcyCorporate TaxationCorruptionDebt CeilingDefense SpendingDeficits and Balanced BudgetsEarmarksEnergy PolicyEstate TaxFinancial Industry RegulationFlat TaxFood Stamps/SNAPFree TradeGreen Energy SubsidiesHealth CareImmigrationIncome InequalityIncome TaxInflationJob Creation ProgramsMedicaid/MedicareMinimum WageNo-Bid ContractsPensionsProgressivity of TaxationRoad Infrastructure InvestmentScientific and Medical ResearchSmall BusinessSocial SecurityStimulus SpendingStudent Loans and DebtTANF—Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesTax Code ReformTax CutsTax SheltersUnemploymentUnionsWall Street BailoutGlossaryBibliographyIndexAbout the Contributors

Nancy S. Lind, PhD, is professor of political science at Illinois State University.Erik T. Rankin, MPS, is assistant to the Department Chair of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.Gardenia Harris, PhD, is associate professor in the School of Social Work at Illinois State University.

When the new Congress and a new president take up their responsibilities, they as well as everyday citizens can turn to these to understand where the interparty fault lines lie on issues such as defense spending, free trade, income inequality, student loans and debt, tax-code reform, and others awaiting thoughtful resolution.

• Foreword by Joseph R. BlaneyIntroductionBankruptcyCorporate TaxationCorruptionDebt CeilingDefense SpendingDeficits and Balanced BudgetsEarmarksEnergy PolicyEstate TaxFinancial Industry RegulationFlat TaxFood Stamps/SNAPFree TradeGreen Energy SubsidiesHealth CareImmigrationIncome InequalityIncome TaxInflationJob Creation ProgramsMedicaid/MedicareMinimum WageNo-Bid ContractsPensionsProgressivity of TaxationRoad Infrastructure InvestmentScientific and Medical ResearchSmall BusinessSocial SecurityStimulus SpendingStudent Loans and DebtTANF—Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesTax Code ReformTax CutsTax SheltersUnemploymentUnionsWall Street BailoutGlossaryBibliographyIndexAbout the Contributors

Nancy S. Lind, PhD, is professor of political science at Illinois State University.Erik T. Rankin, MPS, is assistant to the Department Chair of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.Gardenia Harris, PhD, is associate professor in the School of Social Work at Illinois State University.

When the new Congress and a new president take up their responsibilities, they as well as everyday citizens can turn to these to understand where the interparty fault lines lie on issues such as defense spending, free trade, income inequality, student loans and debt, tax-code reform, and others awaiting thoughtful resolution.

• Foreword by Joseph R. BlaneyIntroductionBankruptcyCorporate TaxationCorruptionDebt CeilingDefense SpendingDeficits and Balanced BudgetsEarmarksEnergy PolicyEstate TaxFinancial Industry RegulationFlat TaxFood Stamps/SNAPFree TradeGreen Energy SubsidiesHealth CareImmigrationIncome InequalityIncome TaxInflationJob Creation ProgramsMedicaid/MedicareMinimum WageNo-Bid ContractsPensionsProgressivity of TaxationRoad Infrastructure InvestmentScientific and Medical ResearchSmall BusinessSocial SecurityStimulus SpendingStudent Loans and DebtTANF—Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesTax Code ReformTax CutsTax SheltersUnemploymentUnionsWall Street BailoutGlossaryBibliographyIndexAbout the Contributors