Obama’s education bully pulpit
by David SafierIn the heady days of the presidential campaign, I had a thought that made my eyes mist over. I imagined President Obama delivering a short speech at the beginning of the school year urging students to do everything they can to make the most of their educations. I hoped for a dose of … Read more
Special Session Update: The GOP insane clown posse has a budget, if they can keep it
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The House passed the final bill in the budget package Tuesday, repealing the state equalization property tax, but deliberately failed to convey the measure to the Senate, a maneuver intended to stall the process while Republican leaders try to convince Gov. Jan Brewer to sign the bills. (h/t Arizona Guardian). The maneuver … Read more
A genuine question about Medicare
by David SafierHere's something I honestly don't know the answer to. People say Medicare is heading into massive debt, and I believe that's true over the long haul. But my question is: does that means it's spending too much, or it's underfunded? Here's how I want to pose the question. Let's say we take the … Read more
The Dempire Strikes Back – The Public Option Returns
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Over the weekend, Obama administration spokespersons including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and President Obama himself, appeared to signal a a retreat on the public option. There was gnashing of teeth and loud wailing from the base of the Democratic Party. The netroots went into action immediately to remind … Read more
Housekeeping
I just installed threaded comments. That means you can now reply directly to a comment, or even to a comment on a comment. Your comments will feel more like a genuine conversation now. The drawback is that you have to sign in and create a free Typepad comment account. This prevents the need to use … Read more
A Simple Question
Sometimes the most basic questions are the most powerful. Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) appeared on Joe Scarborough's show on MSNBC to talk about his "Medicare for all" alternative to the omnibus healthcare reform bill rumbling through various committees (which now looks in danger of dropping any 'public' option). Weiner asked Scarborough what value the private … Read more
Sen. Jack Harper – dazed and confused
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: State Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, likened the behavior of legislative Democrats during budget talks this year to that of Sunnis who ruled Iraq with an iron fist for more than two decades. Political Insider: Sen. Harper: Capitol Democrats behaving like Sunnis and Saddam Hussein: The minority Sunnis, led by dictator Saddam Hussein, … Read more
