Filibusters Could Be Fun

Christopher Brauchli, 01.06.2010

Columnist and lawyer

In the 19th century there were only 23 filibusters, while between 1970 and 2004 there were 191. The increase in number is attributable to the Virtual Filibuster.

No More Mister White Guy

Kara Vallow, 01.01.2010

Producer for Fox Sunday primetime

Late last year, when Barack Obama trounced the McCain-Palin ticket, a phrase kept crossing my mind: "No More Mister White Guy." The signs and omen...

Republicans In League with Lobbyists to Weaken Health Care Reform

David Latt, 12.28.2009

Emmy-Winning Television Writer, Producer

Notwithstanding the tremendous efforts by the president and the Democratic leadership, the resulting bill will create a health care system as ugly and absurd as a gerrymandered Congressional district.

Christmas 2009: We Know Who's Been Naughty... Nice Is a Little Harder to Find

Arianna Huffington, 12.26.2009

Time for my annual tradition of getting gifts for my favorite -- and not so favorite -- public figures, including Larry Summers whom I'm getting a Goldman Sachs pension (after all, he's earned it). READ MORE Newsmakers Roasting on an Open Fire: Your Gift Ideas for 2009's Naughty and Nice Here are your gift suggestions, including a GPS for Barack Obama, to show him the way from Wall Street to Main Street (submitted by manx). READ MORE The Senate Health Care Bill: Leave No Special Interest Behind There are many reasons for hoping the Senate health care bill doesn't become the law of the land. But the biggest reason of all is the desperate need for a DC pattern interrupt. READ MORE

Love Thy Birther

Jonathan Leigh Solomon, 12.25.2009

Bill Kristol's illegitimate brother.

Progressives have an admirable concern for those in dire circumstances. But what's our feeling when it comes to the stranger on the train - one in the crowd which is devoted to policies counter to their own welfare?

The last refuge of a scoundrel: polls

Martin Nolan, 12.19.2009

The U.S. Senate clock neared 1 a. m. when the roll call ended on December 18. The vote was 63-33 to end debate on a large military appropriations bill...

Dr. Politics Answers Letters from Connecticut Joe, Mischievous Mitch, and Harried Harry

Rick Horowitz, 12.18.2009

Satirist and syndicated columnist

Dear Dr. Politics: I'm hoping you can help me with a problem. I'm a member of a small but important government organization located on Capitol Hill. (Hint: It has 100 members, two from each state.)

Lieberman to Filibuster with GOP if Democrats Propose Subway or Panda Express for Senate Lunch

Ben Berkon, 12.17.2009

Comedy Writer/Blogger, SomethingYouShouldRead.com

Lieberman claimed that the Democrats knew he wanted Dominos, and that he even relented last week when they forced him to order from Wendys.

Furious That Coburn's Stunt Failed, GOP Cries Foul

Matt Finkelstein, 12.17.2009

Writer and researcher, Media Matters Action Network

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) demanded that a single-payer health care amendment introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) be read out loud on the Senate floor. The clerks read for over two hours before Sanders withdrew it.

Holiday Songfest: It's Another Ho-Ho-Horowitz Christmas!

Rick Horowitz, 12.16.2009

Satirist and syndicated columnist

Jingle Bells // Sarah sells // Now she's got a book // Truth? Or lies? // While she tries and tries // To be worth a second look. // Oh, the weather outside is frightful // And the GOP is spiteful

The Year of the Man-Child

Catie Lazarus, 12.16.2009

www.doctorlazarus.com

What Did You Learn in 2009? Test your knowledge by answering these objectively scientific questions about the celebrities, politicians and fifteen minute famers who made headlines.

Limbaugh and McConnell

Jeff Danziger, 12.14.2009

Jeff Danziger is a political cartoonist syndicated by the NYTimes worldwide

...

GOP Tactics: All Hail the (Loyal) Opposition!

Rick Horowitz, 12.11.2009

Satirist and syndicated columnist

Just so you know: We're against it. We were against it before, and we're still against it. We thought it was a terrible idea when President Obama proposed it, and we still think it's a terrible idea.

Contradictory Republicans Still Flummoxed By Medicare

Bob Cesca, 12.10.2009

Political Writer, Blogger, and New Media Producer

A contradiction problem has been a feature of Bush Republicanism for a while now, but it's only during the past year that the gap between contradictory statements has narrowed down to just 24 hours.

It's too Early to Celebrate the Senate Health Care Vote

Mitchell Bard, 11.23.2009

Writer and Filmmaker

I'm not saying I don't support this weak health care bill (it's better than nothing), but if it gets any weaker and cuts into the Constitutional right of women to choose, really, does the good still outweigh the bad?

Lower Manhattan is the Proper Place to Try Khalid Sheikh Mohmammed

Julie Menin, 11.16.2009

Host of "Give and Take," seen on NBC In New York and juliemenin.com

it should indeed be a jury of New Yorkers, the community who was most adversely impacted by the horrific events of September 11th, who decide Mohammed's fate.

Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, others to finally face justice in NYC

Tom Andrews, 11.13.2009

Former Member of Congress, Maine

Put on your fear flack jackets because the right wing attacks are a-coming. So if you haven't heard yet - it's official. So-called 9/11 mastermind Kh...

The Surgeon General Is Confirmed!

Linda Bergthold, 10.30.2009

Health policy consultant

Dr. Regina Benjamin has finally been confirmed for the post of Surgeon General. And the reasons for the delay have been varied, contradictory, and byzantine.

Why Don't We Have a Surgeon General?

Linda Bergthold, 10.29.2009

Health policy consultant

There is something terribly wrong when a political minority can hold up a nomination that has the potential to affect a nation's health.

Humana: Profits Over People

Peter Dreier, 10.20.2009

Peter Dreier is E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics at Occidental College

Whoever picked the name "Humana" for the health insurance giant had a great sense of humor. Had the marketing genius in charge of picking a name for the corporation been more honest, he would have called it "Profita."

Republican Senator Olympia Snowe Controversially Decides to Deprive Country of Poor Health Care

Ben Berkon, 10.17.2009

Comedy Writer/Blogger, SomethingYouShouldRead.com

In political news, Republican Senator from Maine, Olympia Snowe, has publicly decided to sign the Senate Finance Committee's health care bill, controversially depriving the United States of its poor health care.