Where's Our Stephen Douglas?

Why Health-care Reform Is Worth the Political Price

Melinda Henneberger

Who on the national stage today would knowingly blow up his or her political future for the common good, no matter how important the issue? Pushing through health-care reform could be politically perilous for today’s Democrats, but wouldn’t that be better than caving on such an important moral issue?

What Now?

The Editors

As President Obama said in his State of the Union speech, members of Congress were sent to Washington to govern, not to engage in an endless political campaign. If the Democrats hope to convince voters that they can govern, they must take full ownership of the health-care reform package.

Who Approves This Message?

The Supreme Court Overturns Campaign-finance Reform

Steven H. Shiffrin

Last month’s 5–4 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission did not surprise students of this conservative-leaning Court. Still, the Court’s privileging of the “rights” of artificial legal entities over the democratic needs of the American public remains indefensible.

'Finish the Kitchen'

Why Democrats Can't Abandon Health-care Reform

E. J. Dionne Jr.

If President Barack Obama gets to sign a health-reform bill, as I believe he will, one reason may be Rep. Jay Inslee's difficult experience renovating his kitchen.