Category: politics

The United States is “the last industrialized country in the world that doesn’t have” universal healthcare. Maybe because we spend more on defense than the next 15 nations combined. Maybe because our governement is controlled by corporate healthcare interests rather than concern for it’s citizens well-being. Howard Dean, Walter Conkrite, Margeret Cho, Chuck Close and others share their ideas on universal healthcare, defense, protection of individual freedoms and other issues.

Yesterday Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma called attention to himself and his home state when he expressed outrage that some Americans are outraged by the maltreatment of prisoners held at Abu Ghraib. I say there’s not enough outrage, that Americans are generally too quick to forgive abuse committed by U.S. Troops. Thankfully not all Oklahomans agree with their Senator.

Why is it ok for Bush, Cheney, et al to attack John Kerry’s exemplary military service record, but when their own records are questioned they call foul? Either a candidate’s military service and what it implies about that person’s character is an issue or it’s not. Can’t have it both ways guys. Kerry was willing to leave this issue out of the campaign. If Bush Co. wants to focus on it, “Bring it on.”

In addtion to the Times article below, see Linda Wertheimer’s Essay, Back to Vietnam, Again at NPR’s website.

The U.S., particularly under the “leadership” of the current administration, has handled it’s finances like the worst of this country’s corporations….think Enron. Check out William Greider’s article while it is still available to non-subscribers.