To the Point

Shrinking Surplus

As the economy and budget surplus spiral downward, and the Congressional Budget Office projects a need to tap into the social security surplus, the political rhetoric heats up. Democrats are denouncing President Bush for breaking his campaign pledge not to touch social security. The President uses the shrinking surplus as a rationale to scale back big spenders. We consider the political and economic implications of the shrinking surplus with a former Labor Secretary, members of the House Budget Committee, an anti-tax advocate, and a state Senator proposing an income tax for his state. (Marcia Brandwynne, of KTLA and Tribune Broadcasting, guest hosts.) Newsmaker: Conflict in the Middle East - Israeli troops have occupied a Palestinian town, vowing to remain as long as necessary in the latest episode in the continuing cycle of violence in the Middle East. Alan Sipress, of The Washington Post, explains what prompted Israel to act, this country's lack of involvement, and response from the international community. Reporter's Notebook: Former Research Director Rates US News and World Report's Annual College Rankings - This September's US News & World Report issue on "America's Best Colleges and Universities" is under attack. Former research director, Amy Graham has written a scathing criticism, claiming the rankings are muddled and the ratings criteria all wrong. Peter Cary, who oversaw the latest annual issue, defends the magazine's standards.