AlterNet.org: Politics

VIDEO: Stand With the Vets, Say No to Obama

Robert Greenwald — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:01 PST

News reports indicate that in the next few weeks, President Obama plans to announce his decision to send up to 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

Immigrants and Health-Care: What Part of LEGAL Doesn't Washington Understand?

Marielena HincapiÃ©, New America Media — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:01 PST

Congress inexplicably restricts low-income legal immigrants from the federal Medicaid and Medicare programs, which provide a modicum of security for the most vulnerable.

Afghanistan Is Worse Off Than Ever, Thanks to the Sham Army We're Propping Up

Chris Hedges, Truthdig — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Cultural barriers and naked corruption have rendered the Afghan National Army completely inept.

Recent Democratic Victories May Grease the Wheels for Immigration Reform in Congress

Marcelo Balive, New America Media — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:01 PST

The House's shift is modest. But it might be just what's needed to enact meaningful changes to our immigration policy.

What Obama Is Up Against in His Own Branch of Government

Russ Baker, TruthOut.org — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:01 PST

Americans harbor a quaint belief a new president takes charge of a govt. eagerly awaiting his orders. But there are huge power centers that have their own agendas.

4 Ways the Stupak Amendment Deprives Women of Access to Abortion

Jessica Arons, The Wonk Room — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:01 PST

The health-care bill passed by the House will expand access to health care. But millions of women are about to lose coverage they currently have and need.

10 of the Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in the Health Care Battle

Joshua Holland, AlterNet — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Wild, over-the-top rhetoric and bizarre conspiracy theories about health reform aren't just coming from the right-wing blogs and talk-radio loudmouths.

Obama's First Year: It Ain't No Crystal Staircase

Robert L. Borosage, Campaign for America's Future — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Obama will increasingly have to choose -- whether to hold to his vision and raise the stakes, or compromise his vision to cut the deal.

What Michelle and Barack's Marriage Has in Common with 56 Million Other Ones

Annabelle Gurwitch, AlterNet — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

The first couple has tried to preserve their "date night tradition." So have my husband and I.

Falwell Power Play: Jerry's Liberty University Students Grease the Partisan Political Machine in Virginia

Joseph L. Conn, Church and State — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:01 PST

Falwell spent months developing the students at his university into a Republican voting bloc. But was what he did legal?

Why Congress' Health Care Bills Are Better Than You Think

Maggie Mahar, Health Beat — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

The health care bills wending through Congress are getting a bad rap. And the major culprit is the Congressional Budget Office, and its chief, Doug Elmendorf.

Thousands of Right-Wingers Rally at Capitol to Hear Lies About Health Care Reform, Courtesy of Bachmann and GOP Leaders

Adele Stan, AlterNet — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Days before a health bill is expected to pass the House, Republicans rallied their flock with the help of Fox News, Michele Bachmann and leading conservative groups.

Former Worker's Confession: "I Was Hired to Stand in the Way of Health Care Reform"

Robert Greenwald, Sick for Profit — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:01 PST

Hi, I'm Andy Cobb and I did all the damage I could being a spokesjerk for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Republicans and Democrats Come Together to Launch Unprecedented Attack on International Law

Stephen Zunes, AlterNet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:01 PST

This is George W. Bush's foreign policy legacy, which â€” through this resolution â€” the Democrats, no less than their Republican counterparts, have now eagerly embraced.

30 Hours Clashing with Corporate Lobbyists on a White House Committee Showed Me How Hard "Change" Really Is

Sarah Anderson, Foreign Policy in Focus — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:01 PST

The "cow-boy" model of capitalism has failed dramatically, but corporate America still wants to roam the planet free of regulation.

Why Unemployment Is More Important Than Health-Care Reform

Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Blog — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Has Obama spent too much political capital on health-care reform, and not enough on keeping families afloat in a flailing economy?

Is the Right-Wing Tea Party Kettle Starting to Losing Its Steam?

Stephanie Mencimer, Mother Jones — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

What if they gave a Tea Party and nobody came? Michele Bachmann and company promised a barrage of protest calls to the Capitol but, so far, things are kind of quiet.

Want to Save Our Economy from Almighty Greed? Here Are 10 Crucial Fights and Key Fighters to Watch

Zach Carter, AlterNet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

If the economic crisis taught us anything, it's that bringing to heel the whiz kids of finance is a top priority.

"Pro-Israel" Group's Money Trail Veers Hard Right

Eli Clifton, IPS News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:01 PST

StandWithUs, a pro-Israel group known for challenging the credentials of more moderate Israel lobbyists, has accepted contributions from a slew of hard-right beneficiaries.

The Execution of a Potentially Innocent Man Less Scandalous Than an Affair?

Michelle Goldberg, The American Prospect — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

There's something really rotten in the state of Texas.