AltWeeklies Wire
Oba-Meh: Some Oregonians are Losing Hope in Their Presidentnew

Today, Roey Thorpe is still thoroughly behind Obama. But after a year of incremental progress on the economy, heavy compromises on healthcare reform and escalation of the war in Afghanistan, Thorpe hears from Democrats who are losing hope.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
01-20-2010 |
Commentary
Medical Necessities: What's So Terrible About Rationing Health Care?new
I agree that the rich should pay more to support the health care of those who have less. But taxes won't cover it all. There will be rationing. Indeed, there should be rationing -- also known as rational choosing between interventions that are needed and those that are only wanted; those that justify the risks and costs and those that don't.
Seven Days |
Judith Levine |
12-09-2009 |
Commentary
The World's Greatest Dysfunctional Body: Why the U.S. Senate Can't Governnew

Ever wonder why the federal government can't get anything done -- like health care or immigration reform -- despite one party's control of Congress and the presidency? It's because of a procedure that allows the threat of a filibuster to obstruct action more easily than a real filibuster.
Reno News & Review |
Dennis Myers |
11-30-2009 |
Politics
All Eyes on Joe Liebermannew

Jumpin' Joe Lieberman has once again managed to freak out Connecticut Democrats of nearly every persuasion. Left-wingers are firing rockets into the blogosphere, some longtime Lieberman loyalists are sadly shaking their heads, and establishment types are seething at what Joe may be doing to his old buddy Chris Dodd's reelection chances.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
11-10-2009 |
Politics
Congressman Brian Higgins Makes the Case for the Health Care Reform Billnew

When Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the Democrats' 1,900-page reform bill, Higgins was one among those Democrats who jumped out front to defend the proposal against relentless Republican opposition.
A Different Kind of Reality TV is Keeping Health Care Reform Alivenew
I'm optimistic -- uncharacteristically -- that something good might come of the great debate on health care legislation. If it does, it will because the people -- and their real stories -- will rule.
Arkansas Times |
Max Brantley |
10-22-2009 |
Commentary
As 2010 Senate Race Draws Near, the Health Care Debate Reminds Us Why Primaries Matternew
Joe Lieberman might have veto power over health reform. Establishment Democrats might remember that when they support Arlen Specter over progressive challenger Joe Sestak in 2010.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Brendan Skwire |
10-19-2009 |
Commentary
Why We Need a Public Optionnew
I'm not so naive as to think any government bureaucracy will get it all right. But a public option will change the playing field so that the patients -- the American citizens -- get a fair break.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Dr. James Kahn |
09-28-2009 |
Commentary
Why Jerusalem Mattersnew
It is not a stretch to say that much, perhaps most, of the vague distemper that arose and exploded around health care this summer can be traced pretty directly to the failure to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Arkansas Times |
Ernest Dumas |
09-24-2009 |
Commentary
Does Team Obama Risk Losing Momentum Over Health-Care Reform?new

As some former Obama fans see the president's stance on health care shift from his pre-election promises, a new question has arisen. Will they be more loyal to their president or to their own vision for health care?
Philadelphia City Paper |
Julia Harte |
09-22-2009 |
Politics
Why We Should Feel Sorry for Joe Wilsonnew
His priorities were these: With his numbers dropping, Joe wanted to make himself an instant hero to the far right -- something that is indeed starting to happen. He got to be on a Fox network talk show Sunday; last week, he probably would have had to buy a ticket to be in the studio audience.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
09-22-2009 |
Commentary
Health Care Reform is On its Way -- But Will it Be Just a Band-Aid Solution?new
This is how screwed up the debate about health care is: When reform critics predict dire results of government intervention, their worst-case scenario is pretty much what we already have.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Chris Potter |
09-21-2009 |
Politics
Health Care Debate Suggests the U.S. Suffers from Delusions of Invincibilitynew
When it comes to health care reform, the U.S. reminds me of a relative I had who suffered paranoid delusions, likely due to brain tumours. Trying to help her led to accusations that I was trying to harm her.
NOW Magazine |
Jacob Scheier |
09-21-2009 |
Commentary
The Health Care Status Quo is Hardly Working, but Will We Get Something Better?new
If Congress fails to pass meaningful healthcare reform, it can only be attributed to mass stupidity, not to mention a lobbying juggernaut that spends $1.4 million a day bending Congress' ear.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Nick Welsh |
09-14-2009 |
Commentary
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