AltWeeklies Wire
The Hustle: Comfortable Rich Men Debate Our Futurenew
This week will be a pretty good indicator of whether President Barack Obama is Keynesian, a Shakespearean, a Vatican II guy, or a Burkean. He will either boldly hammer home a courageous, thorough-going reorganization of health care policy, or Obama will punt on all that and instead gives us a nuanced, lawyered parsing of current practice.
Artvoice |
Bruce Fisher |
09-11-2009 |
Commentary
Ignorance Unbound in the Health Care Debatenew
Among the most persistent and far-fetched of modern myths is the one that says government is always wasteful and inefficient, and the private sector never is. We've seen this mantra repeated in this summer's debate over health care, as fearful and unenlightened citizens inadvertently reveal that not only do they not know how the various programs run, they don't know who's running them.
Arkansas Times |
Editorial |
09-11-2009 |
Commentary
Meet Ohio Demagogue Dave Daubenmirenew
Though he has been "living his faith" over the airwaves and in the public square for the past decade, the attention of mass media broadcasters has come largely over the course of the past year, particularly during the past few months of Town Hall mayhem.
The Other Paper |
Kitty McConnell |
09-11-2009 |
Politics
Those Who Know Him Best Say Gavin Newsom's Got the Wrong Stuffnew
As San Francisco's mayor gears up for his gubernatorial campaign, former supporters say he's "narcissistic," "thin-skinned," "disloyal," and "friendless."
Van Jones and the Right-Wing Attack Machinenew
The Oakland activist and Obama adviser resigned after critics tied him to an impolitic 9/11 petition. The affair again exposed the weakness of Democrats.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
09-09-2009 |
Commentary
Conservatives Need to Leave Afghanistan & the Neocons Behindnew
Now is the time to make the case that American soldiers shouldn't be the world's policeman, liberal utopianism is not sound foreign policy, and nation-building is not conservative. George Will has and serious conservatives should follow suit.
Charleston City Paper |
Jack Hunter |
09-09-2009 |
Commentary
So What Would Jesus Do About Health Care Reform?new

Think Barack Obama's a socialist? He's practically Calvin Coolidge if you compare his ideas on health care to those of Jesus.
Birmingham Weekly |
Courtney Haden |
09-08-2009 |
Commentary
Reading The Bills: Health Care Reformnew

The government of the United States is not trying to kill your grandmother. Or at least, if it is, no one saw fit to include that detail in the broad proposals for the reform of the American health-care system. Putting aside the name-calling for a moment, here's a look at some of the major proposals in the House and Senate versions of the bill.
Baltimore City Paper |
Chris Landers |
09-08-2009 |
Politics
Kennedy's Giant Shadownew
Though he won't be on the ballot, Ted Kennedy's influence will be keenly felt in the special election to replace him.
Boston Phoenix |
David Bernstein |
09-03-2009 |
Politics
Single Payer: A Slow Train Comingnew
Later this year "something" called health care reform will make its way to the president's desk, to much fanfare and with formerly mortal enemies gathered around the president for the signing, warbling about how the process "worked." It'll all be noise, because the only thing that'll have happened is that the greatest progressive opportunity in two generations was completely missed.
Weekly Alibi |
Gene Grant |
09-01-2009 |
Politics
Even as Theater, Health Care Town Halls are Turning into a Major Painnew
Only a few days ago, Rep. Bart Gordon's town hall would have set off a frenzy of national chatter. Now, it's all too predictable -- merely yet another humiliation of a member of Congress by the far right.
Nashville Scene |
Jeff Woods |
08-28-2009 |
Politics
How the National Death Panel Hysteria Spiraled Out from Little Old Oregonnew
It makes sense that the national "death panel" hysteria has its roots here in Portland. Oregonians have dealt with tricky end-of-life issues in the political arena for over a decade now.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
08-28-2009 |
Politics
Who Will Replace Ted Kennedy in the Senate?new

The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning hastens the issue of succession to the seat he has held since he was elected in 1962, a topic that has gripped the state's political class since Kennedy's brain tumor was discovered more than a year ago.
Boston Phoenix |
David S. Bernstein |
08-27-2009 |
Politics
How the Mark Sanford Scandal Could Shape South Carolina's 2010 Gov. Racenew

Based on recent national polling and events surrounding a scandal-plagued GOP Gov. Mark Sanford, the blood-red political waters of the state could turn blue when it comes to the 2010 governor’s race.
Columbia Free Times |
Corey Hutchins |
08-27-2009 |
Politics
Experts Give Us the Skinny on Health Care Reformnew
We spoke with two health industry experts and asked them to cut through the noise and give real answers on what health care reform means, and how you can stay abreast of the facts and avoid the fiction.
Good Times Santa Cruz |
Curtis Cartier |
08-27-2009 |
Politics