DAVID IGNATIUS IS one of our great writers and political columnists. Please read his column from this week, called "When The Bleed-Out Begins."

Here's the link: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/04/AR2007070401212.html?sub=AR

He correctly shows us how our politics today has us less prepared for the next 9/11. It's a good wake-up call for Americans who need to really assess the people we have in Washington.

As I am advocating, we need to rid ourselves of the old guard in D.C. People like Ted Stevens, Robert Byrd, and many others should be removed immediately. Their ways of doing things—pandering to special interest money—are hurting our economy and our security.