Cover Story THE DIRTY DOZEN:  A Special Report Who let everyone from gamblers to gun nuts have the run of the House?

"Ground the spirit and learn to appreciate the absolute virtue of the ordinary world." -- Thomas Moore

FEATURES

DOES AMERICAN HAVE A SOUL?
By Thomas Moore
A spiritual critic asks us to consider what makes life worth living.

Glimpses into the soul
Four photographers examine the state of America's soul.

THERE'S NO GOING BACK TO NATURE
by Walter Truett Anderson
21st-century environmentalism will require embracing science and technology.

THE DIRTY DOZEN:
A Special Report Who let everyone from gamblers to gun nuts have the run of the House?

SIN OF EMISSIONS
by Jan Reid

BREACH OF CONTRACT
Interviews by William Saletan
E.J. Dionne, John B. Judis, Kevin Phillips, Theda Skocpol, and others on Newt's run.

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE 104TH CONGRESS

SHE DID IT AMWAY
by Rachel Burstein and Kerry Lauerman
Rep. Sue Myrick does more than just sell Amway's soap.

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE
by Jeanne Brokaw
The maker of an allegedly deadly baby product gets help from Rep. Helen Chenoweth.
PLUS: A FEW GOOD WOMEN
by Duncan Murrell and Marc Fisher
A rebel Republican and a dogged Democrat who confront congressional corruption.

SPINNING GOLD
by Robert Bryce
A mining company didn't like the news, so it bought some of its own.

DEPARTMENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE
Cleaning House.

BACKTALK
NRA letters; wage rage; child abuses; who reads anymore?

OUTFRONT
Top Twenty Activist Schools
MoJo's October Hellraiser!
Tobacco Loves NY
Nicole Hollander: Buffing Up Bob...
The Final Frontier
Coming Back For More

HOME/PLANET
Good things come without packages.

VISIONS
William Julius Wilson on jobs for the poor.

OUTSPOKEN
NOW's president, Patricia Ireland.

HOT!MEDIA
Resources for advanced hellraising.

PAULA POUNDSTONE
San Diego Dreamin'.
PLUS: Letters to Paula

Image: C.F. Payne