Three major problems plague American health care. The cost of premiums is eating up an ever larger share of take-home pay. The cost of our public health care programs is eating up an ever larger share of the federal budget. And millions of people who need insurance are priced out of the market.

October 17, 2009
By Michael Barone

The legislative process can also be a learning process, and as Congress considers health care legislation -- the latest act being the Senate Finance Committee's vote in favor of Chairman Max Baucus' bill, or "conceptual language" -- we have been learning something useful. It's that legislators would like to provide generous, even gold-plated health insurance coverage to almost all Americans, but that no one wants to pay for it.

By Ezra Klein  |  October 16, 2009; 5:42 PM ET
 
My final question to Olympia Snowe was a bit of a throwaway. But it yielded the most telling answer of the interview.

What’s the single idea you’d most like to see in the bill but that you don’t think is politically feasible?

That’s a good question. You mean politically feasible?

Read more

October 15, 2009
By George Will

WASHINGTON -- Demure Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, but since then has not made many waves. It might, however, be part of a political wave a year from now, thanks to a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin.

Without a unifying national leader, talk-show demagogues were able to hijack the party.

By Dick Polman
Inquirer National Political Columnist

Ever so slowly, sane Republicans and conservatives are finally marshaling the courage to confront the unhinged broadcasters in their midst - and not a moment too soon, given the fact that these loons now seem to be running the asylum.

By Dan Balz
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Three forces threaten Democrats in the 2010 elections: populist anger on the right, disaffection in the middle and potential disillusionment on the left.

By James V. DeLong Tuesday, October 13, 2009

In 2009 about 40% of income taxes will go towards debt interest payments.
By LAWRENCE KADISH

If you think those town hall meetings over health care were fierce, wait until Americans come to understand the threat to our national financial survival posed by the interest on the government's credit card.

October 12, 2009
By David Boaz

American voters have been demonstrating a lack of confidence in both parties lately. George W. Bush nearly destroyed the Republican Party, but Barack Obama is giving it a chance at resurrection.

Karl Rove dreamed that he and Bush, like strategist Mark Hanna and President William McKinley in 1896, would create a generation of Republican dominance. Instead, he delivered both Congress and the presidency to the Democrats.

September 29, 2009
Op-Ed Columnist
The Next Culture War
By DAVID BROOKS

Centuries ago, historians came up with a classic theory to explain the rise and decline of nations. The theory was that great nations start out tough-minded and energetic. Toughness and energy lead to wealth and power. Wealth and power lead to affluence and luxury. Affluence and luxury lead to decadence, corruption and decline.