He is four seats short of one in the current parliament, forcing him to fish for parliamentary support and to compromise over important legislation, including the budget.

ECONOMIST: Portugal

It has helped the HAA win the support of a bipartisan group of 16 senators, including such Republican budget hawks as Judd Gregg.

ECONOMIST: Health care

To balance its budget last year, Jefferson County School District laid off a number of teachers and education support staff, including me.

WHITEHOUSE: Putting Our Teachers Back to Work: Stephanie Harris Walter