If Obama Was a Liberal We'd Have a Better Bill

Taylor Marsh, 12.29.2009

Political analyst, commentator, with foreign policy focus

If we had more liberals in Washington, instead of blathering about perfection being the enemy of the good, we'd have heard a rallying cry that mediocre is the enemy of effective.

Improving the Health Care Bill After It Passes Will Not Be Easy

Lincoln Mitchell, 12.23.2009

Harriman Institute, Columbia University

Progressives who oppose this bill are not being obstructionist. Rather, they are taking the position that when real opportunities to reform health care arise, it is essential to get it right.

Gun Lobbyists Against 'Wellness And Health'

Paul Helmke, 12.22.2009

President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

While our massive health care reform package was hammered out in the back offices of the Capitol, Senators still found time to bend over backwards for the Gun Owners of America.

From Right to Wrong: Daycare, Abortion and a Health Care Bill with Women at the Center

Marie Wilson, 12.22.2009

An advocate of women’s issues for more than 30 years

Those fighting the passage of landmark health care policy are, once again, using the bodies of women and the care of our children as pawns. "Oh no, here we go again."

On Individual Mandates

David Sirota, 12.22.2009

Newspaper columnist, radio host (AM760), bestselling author

I agree with with those who note the danger of progressives attacking individual mandates in the health care bill, and how such attacks could be const...

Save Social Security: 10 Questions for the Deficit Commission

Dave Johnson, 12.22.2009

"Dave Johnson is a fantastic grandfather of the blogosphere."

It is possible that there is going to be a "deficit commission" to reduce our country's budget deficits. I have some questions for them to ask to help get things started in the right direction.

The Scarlet Letter Revisited: Sen. Nelson and Abortion Shaming

Sally Steenland, 12.22.2009

It's been a while since we made women stitch scarlet A's to their clothes as one of their many punishments for having babies out of wedlock. That kind...

Does the Senate Bill Hurt Retirees?

Eric Schurenberg, 12.22.2009

Editor in Chief, CBSMoneyWatch.com

The Senate bill is all but certain to be approved, but the question has been raised: Does reform make things worse for retirees?

Who You Callin' Moderate?

Laura Flanders, 12.22.2009

Author, Broadcaster, host of GRITtv

To get so-called moderate Democrat Ben Nelson on board, Harry Reid had to agree to a decidedly un-moderate compromise on abortion rights.

Mangled Package

Jonathan Richards, 12.23.2009

www.jonrichardsplace.com

Sometimes these things get a bit battered in delivery ...

Do American Taxpayers Receive Dividends on Repaid TARP Funds?

Ben Arnon, 12.21.2009

Social commentary about digital media, culture, and society

I diligently followed the TARP debate and happenings early on. However, at this point there have been so many versions, revisions, and debates about the TARP program that I have lost track.

What the Media and Obama Never Understood About the Public Option

Cenk Uygur, 12.21.2009

Host of The Young Turks

What I'm afraid of is that this bill makes private insurance larger and stronger -- and thus, gets us further away from curing the main problem of our health care system: perverse incentives.

Healthcare: A Christmas Present of Epic Proportions

Philip Lee Miller, 12.21.2009

Founder and Medical Director of Los Gatos Longevity Institute

Here is your Christmas present -- a big lump of coal. You are ill and need help. You want the best. Whose wise counsel and help do you seek? You want someone who is sympathetic, skilled and competent.

Are Progressives "Special Interests Who've Prevented Health Care Reform for Decades"?

David Sirota, 12.21.2009

Newspaper columnist, radio host (AM760), bestselling author

"By standing up to the special interests -- who've prevented reform for decades, and who are furiously lobbying against it now -- the Senate has moved...

Tobacco Lobbyists Join Wall Streeters on Debt Crusade

Dean Baker, 12.21.2009

Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research

The quality of the society we pass on to our children is what determines their well being, not the government debt.

Health Care: Some Doctors Are Healers, Others Are Destroyers

SaraKay Smullens, 12.21.2009

Family therapist and educator

Long ago I learned that not all doctors are healers. But this man was a destroyer. I do not remember leaving his office, or walking over a mile home in the bitter cold. I do remember vomiting at a street curb.

Cartoon: Obama's Predicament

Sunil Adam, 12.21.2009

Editor, "The Indian American"

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Gutted Health Care Bill Ignores This Nation's Best Opportunity for Reform

Judy Patrick, 12.21.2009

What does it say about our society when government requires us to purchase health insurance and fines us for not doing so yet provides no support to make this possible?

'Let's Talk About Health Care.' 'Please, God, No!'

Michael Wolff, 12.21.2009

Author of Newser.com's Off the Grid column

What is in the health care bill? The Senate version? The House version? I have been looking through the coverage--the vast sturm und drang about it--...

Islands of Excellence in a Sea of Mediocrity

D. Brad Wright, 12.21.2009

Doctoral candidate in the department of health policy and management at the University of North Carolina

We value health care, our health care is of an exceptionally high quality, ergo we pay a lot for our health care. But what if the middle part of that statement isn't quite true?

Leadership Lessons for Obama from Health Care Reform

C. Clinton Sidle, 12.21.2009

Dear Mr. President, what have you learned from the health care debate? Hopefully you now know it was a mistake to delegate your top priority