A Brave New Baucus Bill Primer

Staff / Truthdig Sep 29, 2009 As this commentary from the vigilant videographers over at Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films outfit points out, Sen. Max Baucus' health care reform bill definitely would serve the interests of at least some interested parties -- namely, the health insurance companies themselves. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kennedy’s Seat Is Temporarily Filled

Staff / Truthdig Sep 24, 2009 With Ted Kennedy's death, the Democrats fell one vote short of the 60-seat threshold needed to stop a filibuster in the Senate. But now the governor of Massachusetts has named former Democratic Party Chairman Paul Kirk to temporarily fill Kennedy's seat, giving the Democrats a major tool in the fight for health care reform. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Baucus Planning Health Care Bill 2.0

Staff / Truthdig Sep 22, 2009 After receiving a less-than-spectacular reception from his congressional colleagues for his health care reform bill last week, Sen. Max Baucus is going back to the drawing board to work on some big changes in an effort to win more of his aforementioned peers to his side. Meanwhile, Sen. Olympia Snowe remains undeclared about his first draft. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Baucus, Beck, Missiles and Money

Staff / Truthdig Sep 19, 2009 Russia might be pleased with President Obama's decision to nix Bush's missile shield plans, but how about Eastern Europe? Meanwhile, Sen. Max Baucus' health care reform plan foundered, and Obama made a play to get through to the powers on Wall Street. All this -- plus the Glenn Becking of American political discourse -- is part of this week's discussion on "Left, Right & Center." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama’s Presidency Isn’t Too Big to Fail

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Sep 16, 2009 A president has only so much capital to expend, both in tax dollars and public tolerance, and Barack Obama is dangerously overdrawn. He has tried to have it all on three fronts, and his administration is in serious danger of going bankrupt. A president has only so much capital to expend, and Barack Obama is dangerously overdrawn. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

‘Daily Show’: Mad Men on the March

Staff / Truthdig Sep 16, 2009 After an extended vacation, Jon Stewart returned to his "Daily Show" anchor's desk Monday -- and not a moment too soon, as the national epidemic of crazitude hasn't calmed down since he left, especially when it comes to the subject of health care reform. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Whither Obamacare?; Pelosi Says No on Afghanistan; 9/11 Remembered

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2009 It was a big week in political news, what with the kerfuffle about Obama's education speech and then the hubbub over Obama's health care speech Anyone see a pattern? "Left, Right & Center" regulars Robert Scheer, Arianna Huffington and Tony Blankley just might. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Remembering the Real Deal

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Aug 26, 2009 The light has gone out, and with it that infectious warm laugh and intensely progressive commitment of the best of the Kennedys Not, at this point, to take anything away from the memory of his siblings -- Bobby, whom I also got to know, was pretty terrific in his last years -- but Sen Ted Kennedy was the real deal. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Death of Death Panels

The Rev. Madison Shockley / Truthdig Aug 22, 2009 The demise of the recent “death panels” debate was quick and painless -- unlike so many of the deaths that will occur among those who will now be without the benefit of their doctor’s knowledge of the dying process.The demise of “death panels” was quick and painless -- unlike so many deaths that will occur among those now without the benefit of their doctor's counsel. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Barney Frank’s Town Hall Throwdown

Staff / Truthdig Aug 20, 2009 Ever wonder whether it gets a touch exasperating for politicians to face angry throngs of American citizens at those unruly gatherings everyone quaintly insists on calling "town hall meetings"? Well, witness Barney Frank, here, on the brink of a town hall snap (or two) in this bit from Wednesday's "Daily Show." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

In a Reasoned Debate, Single Payer Will Come Out on Top

By Laura S. Boylan, M.D., and Joanne Landy, M.P.H. Aug 19, 2009 Single-payer advocates have been excluded from debate not because our premises or facts are wrong but because special interests, including the private health insurance industry and the big drug companies, have been allowed to define the limits of "politically feasible." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: The Return of Big Government?

Staff / Truthdig Aug 15, 2009 President Obama is gambling on America's readiness to embrace a larger, more comprehensive form of government, but will it take? "Recovering Republican" Arianna Huffington argues that the system Obama favors is currently working best for oligarchs, not those losing their homes or worried about their health care, while Tony Blankley thinks Big Pharma is pitching camp in the White House. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )