ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

GOP congressional leaders met recently to discuss their 1999 agenda. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker-designate Bob Livingston say they will focus on buttressing Social Security, cutting taxes and improving schools. Fine and dandy.

The test for these lawmakers will be what they do and not what they say on these issues. For the last two years, congressional leaders -- especially Mr. Lott -- have seemed paralyzed by public-opinion polls and afraid to act boldly, especially on much-needed tax cuts. For this timidity and inaction Republicans paid a dear price Nov. 3, as somewhere between two and three million conservatives stayed home. And instead of gaining, the GOP lost five House seats. These voters want action -- not talk -- and they will respond when they see concrete steps being made toward enacting this agenda. Not before and not unless.