Let Me Down Easy

Yazmany Arboleda, 12.23.2009

At a time of debate around "death panels", Anna Deavere Smith brings to life a rich, diverse range of perspectives on how we live and die in America today.

Tips to Save (Face) this X-mas

Rosalyn Hoffman, 12.23.2009

Author, Bitches on a Budget

A bitch loves any excuse for a party (ask us about Uncle Tim's indictment soirée), but let's set some ground rules. All good parties have an element ...

Will someone help Sen. Graham with all those black folks?

Cliff Albright, 12.23.2009

Political Consultant; Race-Talk Contributor

Three weeks ago, in a previous article I wrote, I asked the question: How long will it take for race to appear in the Senate's health care debate? We...

Obama Dresses As Santa Claus, Meets With Children

Matthew Filipowicz, 12.23.2009

Comedian, Cartoonist, Satirist

After several unpopular compromises on health care reform, and after the revelation that the White House didn't put any pressure on Joe Lieberman to s...

Health Care Reform : Advancements can be Made by Transcending Sideshow Issues

Bradford Kane, 12.23.2009

Founder / Editor, The Bipartisan Bridge

It is time that the quest to achieve health care reform no longer be used to serve lawmakers ulterior agendas. Maneuvering must now take a back seat so that the American people can best be served.

Health Care Reform has More Corporate Sponsors than NASCAR

Damien Hoffman, 12.23.2009

Editor-in-Chief, Wall St. Cheat Sheet

If politicians were required to display their sponsorships like NASCAR drivers, we'd have a much easier time understanding exactly who they represent.

WATCH : This Health Bill Is America's Worst Nightmare

Lee Stranahan, 12.23.2009

Filmmaker, Writer, Photographer

The danger in the current health care bill is so great that a clear majority of people paying attention to it are opposed to its passage. But this lob...

The 2010 Elections: Bring 'em on!

Eric Lotke, 12.23.2009

Research Director at the Campaign for America's Future and author of 2044

Many dread how badly the election is shaping up. Commentators predict double digit Democratic losses in the House and further retreat from the sixty vote threshold in the Senate.

Demonizing Dean Won't Absolve This Health Care Sham

Robert Scheer, 12.23.2009

Veteran Journalist and Editor of Truthdig.com

Dean deserves much better from the left than what he got after calling for the health reform bill to be killed. His concerns as a physician and a progressive politician are worthy of serious attention.

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

Taylor Marsh, 12.23.2009

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

Assistant Professor in the Practice of International Politics, 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.