The Bush Administration's economic policies have been disastrous for American families. Gas is now $4 a gallon, and grocery prices are rising steadily. Incomes have stagnated while home values have declined. Health care costs continue to climb faster than most families can afford.

Now, more than ever, middle class Americans need to keep more of what they earn. That means Congress needs to find ways to lower taxes for hard-working families. This is an important step that can make a real difference and ease the financial stress that families are facing due to skyrocketing prices for food and energy.

Consumer protection must also be a priority. Washington has to level the playing field by cracking down on credit card companies and banks that prey on hard-working families and homeowners. Rather than bailing out special interests, as the Bush Administration has done in the current home mortgage crisis, relief has to go to the families who need it.

We also need economic policies that encourage innovation. Our world faces complex problems that require comprehensive and timely solutions, and the federal government has long played an important role in supporting this kind of research. We need to invest in alternative fuel sources, cleaner technology, and transportation solutions that make us more productive, independent, and prosperous.

Finally, we must bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington. Individuals and families have to manage their finances to pay the bills - the federal government should too. The first spending on the chopping block must be the tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies that go to special interests - nearly $100 billion a year according to some estimates. Something's wrong when oil companies are receiving billions of dollars in tax breaks and raking in record profits at the same time. Congress has to put an end to irresponsible tax cuts and budgets bloated by pork-barrel earmarks.