Great piece by Michael Lind in today’s Salon on the timid liberalism of Obama’s policies, an absolute must-read. Here’s an excerpt: I’m sympathetic to the argument that the public, after nearly half a century of conservative anti-government propaganda, will oppose the direct ...

“So we’ll let you continue to rape and pillage - just not as often. And you won’t be paid as much for it.” WASHINGTON - Just four months ago, the pharmaceutical industry was prepared for the worst. Drugmakers feared that Barack Obama would press for price controls on prescrip...

The horror goes on. And in the meantime, Congressional “moderate Dems” are fighting to make sure the only people who will get real help are on Wall Street! (Thanks, Rahm, for insisting we starve all the progressive primary candidates of cash. Have you explained that stategy yet to your n...

George Clooney: We all know why we’re here and it’s not simply to report the status quo. Even though this status quo is beyond the pale of what is acceptable. It’s beyond our understanding of how much a person can take. Nothing new to report—except the shame of what man can do to man. An...

On cramdowns, via Chris Bowers....

The faces behind the foreclosures....

Republican mouthpieces. But you already knew that!...

Robert Reich: Presidential budgets are aspirations. They’re not real, in the sense that no one really has to adhere to them. Obama’s budget now goes to Congress, where budget committees will draw up their own versions. Even these congressional budgets are mere guidelines for appropriatio...

The main reason I decry the way the political classes hire from the children of the well-off and well-educated is that so few of the policy wonks understand the consequences of legislation on those not so well educated or well off. And now, someone needs to fix this: A federal law designed to protec...

Digby: All day I see Republicans on television, filled with sanctimony and phony concern, keening about the deficit and reckless spending and fiscal responsibility. Today, they’ve even resurrected the “tax and spend” trope. These are the same Republicans who gave away the budget su...