Vol. 168 No. 18
COVER
In the days just before the election and as the U.S. population tops 300 million, TIME takes a close look at the country. Who are we, really? How do we live? What do we believe? How much do we earn?
What We Buy... (America By The Numbers)
Consumer spending on everything from Apple iPods to Axe body spray powers 70% of the U.S. economy. A look at average daily purchases of popular products
NATION
G.O.P. operatives are targeting scandal-weary but vital Christian conservatives -- all but begging parishioners to give them one more chance even after the Foley scandal
Dean Leaves No State Behind (Strategy)
The Hill Monitor (Watchdog)
How an influential left-wing whistle-blower got people to listen
NOTEBOOK
You Gotta Have Faith
Numbers
Milestones
If You Break It, You Pay for It (In the Arena)
Fighting Dirty on the Net
Verbatim
Punchlines
Danger! Kids Playing Tag
Doing the Splits
What's Next
The Ana Log
Reporting from her Washington base camp, ANA MARIE COX dishes the dirt on D.C.
WORLD
Vice President Cheney welcomes fresh ideas on Iraq but maintains the war will be seen as visionary
Why Beijing is so Reluctant to Cut off Trade with North Korea
It has less to do with China's economy and more to do with the damage it could cause to North Korea's
BUSINESS
The once beloved carmaker is counting on a fleet of new models to win back American fans
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Cornell economists claim to have linked autism to tots' watching TV, but the real picture is much fuzzier
SOCIETY
At all-deaf Gallaudet University, protesters say the new president isn't part of their cherished culture
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
those ultraviolent movies are coming from? Meet horror's new blood
The Power of Babel (Movies)
Unraveling the fragile threads that connect us
Tough Subjects and Teens (Books)
slavery
5 TV Food Shows to Sink Your Teeth Into (Worth Your Time)
From surly chefs to sizzling sautes, here is fall's most delectable entertainment
YOUR TIME
Quicker Cleanups (Technology)
PEOPLE
TO OUR READERS
LETTERS
ESSAY
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Seniors are signing up for semi-communal enclaves, with separate homes but a supportive community
Online Wisdom (Time Bonus Section November 2006: Generations)
Folks 60 and up are putting their life experience to good use on an advice-giving website
Thin Gray Line (Time Bonus Section November 2006: Generations)
Eating disorders are surprisingly common at midlife
Rock Survivor (Time Bonus Section November 2006: Generations)
In a new memoir, singer-songwriter David Crosby celebrates his tumultuous life--onstage and off
Extra Value (Time Bonus Section November 2006: Generations)
Life-insurance policies can be resold to investors for more than just pin money. No more premiums either