41.   Both Clinton and his Republican foes have pledged to use projected budget surpluses to pay down the national debt.

42.   Both parties have agreed to use any excess Social Security revenues to pay down national debt.

43.   Bush and Gore should shift some of their campaign promises to paying down the national debt and making the United States energy independent.

44.   But how does paying down debt benefit Social Security?

45.   But Gore is correct that the surpluses lying ahead offer an extraordinary opportunity to pay down the debt and soften the harsh inequities dealt by the economy.

46.   But Margolis said it has the cash and working capital to pay down debt and move forward.

47.   But McCain insists it is more conservative course to want to pay down debts.

48.   But now, with the expected surpluses, Congress cannot agree with the president whether to cut taxes, expand government programs or pay down the federal debt.

49.   But Mexico did deliver its share of the treaty water in each of the past two years, even if it made little progress at paying down the debt.

50.   But that price will be paid down the road by politicians not yet elected.