Concerns about the size and role of government are what seem to leave reformers stammering and speechless in town-hall meetings. The right wants to have a debate over fundamental principles elected Democrats seem incapable of giving it to them. – Thomas Frank
Money has transformed every watchdog, every independent authority. Medical doctors are increasingly gulled by the lobbying of pharmaceutical salesmen. – Thomas Frank
This aesthetic quality, then, is what politics is all about. Its authenticity that separates winners from losers, good politics from bad, and he-man leader-types from consultant-directed puppet-boys. – Thomas Frank
Yes, Democrats can prove that America pays more for health care than other countries yes, they have won the dispute that private health insurance is needlessly expensive. But what theyve lost is the argument that we are a society. – Thomas Frank
In a very weak economy, when you say cut government spending, what you mean is youre laying off school teachers and youre de-funding various programs that put money into the economy. This means you have more unemployed people that then draw unemployment benefits and dont pay taxes. – Fareed Zakaria