SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " republic " 5,983 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Lahn talks agriculture, water quality at Edgewood forum
EDGEWOOD, Iowa — On Wednesday, Republican gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn made his campaign pitch to voters in Edgewood, where he addressed topics such as Iowa’s water quality and cancer crises,
Wildlife science demands effective communication
Wildlife management has come a long way from the days of Aldo Leopold traversing the New Mexico mountains on horseback and the Wisconsin River Valley by canoe. Back then, most decisions were based primarily on observation and experience. Today, highly trained wildlife biologists use sophisticated research, technology and mountains of data to understand everything from population dynamics and habitat needs to disease transmission and predator-prey relationships.
Three takeaways from Joe Mitchell at the Register Political Soapbox
Republican Iowa 2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell laid out his anti-corruption platform during the Register's political Soapbox.
Republican National Committee announces lottery for midterm convention tickets
Organizers expect 20,000 attendees at the event.
DeSantis says he doesn’t support Republican Rep. Cory Mills in Tuesday’s primary
The congressman is running for a third term under a cloud of controversy.
The Science of Fiction: Three AI Scenarios
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in the systems we use every day, it is up to government leaders, technology experts and the general public to decide what comes next.
US Rep. Russell Fry endorses Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina Republican Senate runoff
Congressman Russell Fry says he’s supporting Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff
Trump’s Kennedy Center and ballroom fixations are political malpractice for the GOP
Republicans are facing a potentially ugly 2026 midterm election in less than three months. And nobody seems to be able — or perhaps even cares to try — to prevail upon President Donald Trump to mitigate the damage.
Survey: Healthcare costs potent political issue in Georgia, but more for Democrats than Republicans
As Georgia approaches its gubernatorial election, candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson offer opposing solutions to rising healthcare costs amid a University of Georgia survey showing widespread bipartisan concern over affordability and price transparency.
Collins vows to push for ICE reforms
In recent weeks, Democrats and Democrat-aligned groups have been critical of Collins, a Republican running for her sixth term, for supporting increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
How Aka hunters and Fulani chiefs helped health workers locate CAR’s missed-out children
In the southeast of the Central African Republic, a special cadre of experts filled in the blanks on the healthcare map.
Donald Trump to give speech on crime and safety during New York visit
President visiting police academy in Long Island as he looks to boost Republicans in battleground races ahead of November midterms
Ken Paxton tries to tamp down growing Republican concerns about his Senate campaign
After years of battling fellow Republicans and helping lead the culture wars in Texas, Ken Paxton is campaigning on tax deductions, appearing with state lawmakers who once voted to impeach him, and openly appealing to the Washington establishment for financial help.
Georgia GOP push politics of the past, including Communism and Shariah
Republican candidates are campaigning on the types of culture war issues that have animated the GOP base for years. Some fear that could alienate voters in the middle.
Sizing up the 2028 Republican presidential contenders
Can anyone win by distancing themselves from President Donald Trump?
False claims about miscarriage risk from Covid-19 vaccines are spreading online. They use a faulty interpretation of data
Numerous studies have shown that Covid-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy, but Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials have recently stirred up false and misleading claims that are now spreading on social media.
Iowa Republican Zach Lahn confronts curiosity, and concerns, in outsider bid for governor
Zach Lahn, the Republican nominee for Iowa governor, says he's bringing a different message to Iowans.
Business and labor groups both backed Golden in 2024. Now they’re split over LePage v. Dunlap
With U.S. Rep. Jared Golden on his way out of Congress, the business and labor groups that united behind him are once again at odds in the 2nd District. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Republican Paul LePage in the race Thursday. In contrast, Democrat Matt Dunlap has the backing of several major unions. It’s […]
Cardinals vs Raiders score updates, highlights from NFL preseason game
What's the Las Vegas Raiders vs Arizona Cardinals score? Follow our live score updates for latest news, highlights, analysis from NFL preseason game.
Luján, hospital leaders talk Medicaid 'headwinds' and rural health gaps at Rio Rancho roundtable
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat from New Mexico, told hospital administrators at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center that Republican-backed federal Medicaid cuts won’t just hurt New Mexicans enrolled in the program — they’ll raise care and insurance costs for everyone else, too. Presbyterian Delivery System President Chad Aduddell told Luján the nonprofit system — […]
Republicans see Minnesota fraud scandal as a chance to go on offense in a blue state
The newly minted GOP ticket wasted no time before hammering Democrats over fraud. Dozens of people have been convicted of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars meant to provide food, shelter, healthcare and childcare to people in need.
Hegseth criticized for locking Democrats out of closed-door defense budget talks
Republican lawmakers express concern after US defense secretary repeatedly excluded Democrats from briefings
How Lisa Demuth’s Republican rivals gave her a lane in the governor’s race
Plus: DFLers are winning the enthusiasm race.
Ramstad: A good governor’s race is at hand for Minnesota businesses
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is the best Republican, but DFLer and U.S. Sen. Klobuchar is a heavy favorite who is liked by businesspeople.
After years of landslide victories, Klobuchar faces a tougher political fight against Demuth
The governor’s race will be Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s toughest test in a statewide election, following a series of easy reelections to the U.S. Senate. Republicans see Lisa Demuth as their best shot at capturing anger over fraud scandals and fatigue with the Walz administration.
Mission Improbable: A onetime Republican is trying to prove Democrats can win in Florida
David Jolly, a former Republican now running for Florida governor as a Democrat, is trying to revive the state’s political battleground status
Mission Improbable: A onetime Republican is trying to prove Democrats can win in Florida
David Jolly, a former Republican now running for Florida governor as a Democrat, is trying to revive the state's political battleground status.
Three districts that will answer key Colorado political questions
Colorado’s legislature used to be a place where neither party was dominant. Dozens of seats were competitive and House and Senate majorities switched regularly. From 2010 to 2020, the House was predominantly Democratic with one two-year assembly under Republicans. The Senate had two assemblies from 2015 to 2018 under Republicans. John Hickenlooper was governor and […]
Sen. Carla Nelson Earns Perfect Score on Small Business Voting Record
State Senator Carla Nelson (Rochester) received a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a national organization representing small business owners, according to a scorecard the group released this month. Sen. Nelson was one of 26 Minnesota senators who voted to support local business priorities on every bill NFIB tracked during the...
Sen. John Jasinski Earns Perfect Score on Small Business Voting Record
State Senator John Jasinski (Faribault) received a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a national organization representing small business owners, according to a scorecard the group released this month. Sen. Jasinski was one of 26 Minnesota senators who voted to support local business priorities on every bill NFIB tracked during the...
Asia-Pacific parliamentarians urge bolder action for universal health coverage, climate resilience and responsible AI
Parliamentarians representing 16 countries from across the Asia-Pacific region concluded the Ninth Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH) today, reaffirming their key role in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) amid the risks and opportunities posed by AI and climate change. In adopting the Phnom Penh Communiqué, parliamentarians urged fellow legislators regionwide to strengthen sustainable financing for UHC to widen access to health for all, including the most vulnerable populations; promote responsible governance of AI amid ethical concerns over this fast-evolving technology; and build climate-resilient health systems to anticipate and respond to mounting pressures ranging from rising sea levels in coastal areas to air pollution and other environmental degradation.The National Assembly of Cambodia, with support from Cambodia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted the Forum in Phnom Penh from 11 to 13 August 2026 – the first time the Forum has convened in a Mekong country.Parliamentarians urge action to close gaps in accessIn the Communiqué, parliamentarians recognized that at-risk and marginalized groups are the ones most severely affected by gaps in access to health services. These groups include people living in poverty, women and children, persons with disabilities, older people, migrants, refugees, and those in rural, remote or island communities. The Communiqué urges fellow parliamentarians and policy-makers to advocate for laws and policies that support sustainable financing to protect people from financial hardship, with a focus on primary health care, prevention and equity. "The Communiqué is a call to action. It sets out ambitious, concrete measures that deliver meaningful impact on the ground. We are all accountable for advancing universal health coverage and translating our commitments into tangible results. Cambodia is fully committed to advancing UHC, including the promotion of ‘healthy people, prosperous country’ campaign,” said Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia.His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia, highlighted the need for collaboration beyond the health sector. “Universal health coverage cannot be achieved by the Ministry of Health alone. It requires support, particularly from parliamentarians, across political, legislative, financial, social protection, education, infrastructure, and environmental domains. While each country follows its own path, one factor is universally critical for success: strong governance and leadership. We all believe in this principle, and in our respective political roles, we remain committed to strengthening these key success factors to ensure that no one is left behind.”Promoting responsible AI adoption Parliamentarians acknowledged that, while AI has already demonstrated its ability to improve access to health services and support delivery, careful and ethical governance is necessary to safeguard quality, safety, privacy and public trust. This underscores the importance of parliamentarians in promoting legal and regulatory frameworks addressing liability, records ownership and data governance, while embracing innovation that protects ethical practice.“Without strong governance, safeguards for privacy and data security, sustainable financing, and attention to those most at risk of exclusion, new technologies may widen existing gaps instead of closing them. This is why parliamentarians matter. We pass laws. We approve budgets. We scrutinize government action. We represent communities. We can ask whether health services are reaching rural, remote, ageing, poor, and marginalized populations. We can ask whether innovation is being guided by equity, evidence, and ethics,” said Hon. Man Hee Lee, President of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health.Building climate-resilient health systemsParliamentarians also reiterated that the climate crisis is a direct threat to people’s health and to achieving UHC more broadly, deepening the same gaps in access already faced by at-risk and marginalized communities. They recognized the need for WHO Member States to ensure sufficient national appropriations and oversight, and for parliamentarians to raise awareness in their constituencies and mobilize local action in building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems.“Universal health coverage, climate change and AI cannot be addressed in isolation. The same communities struggling to access health services today are often the ones most exposed to climate shocks, and most in need of the opportunities AI can offer if this technology is governed responsibly,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Having served previously in this Forum myself as a parliamentarian from Tonga, I recognize how the Phnom Penh Communiqué reflects the shared resolve of legislators across the Asia-Pacific region: the laws parliamentarians pass and the budgets they approve help ensure this progress reaches the people who need it most.”As the Forum drew to a close, delegates reflected on what they would carry back to their own parliaments and constituencies.“I wish to share three points here worth carrying home from Phnom Penh: we need to invest in primary health care as the foundation of coverage; we need to remove the barriers that keep people from care, whether financial, geographic or social; and we need to build systems that are inclusive by design, protecting those most at risk of being left behind,” added Hon. Ouch Borith, First Vice-President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia.###Notes for editors:The Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH) is a platform for parliamentarians to exchange ideas, build political will, strengthen capacity and foster collaboration towards sustainable health action. This was the ninth meeting of the APPFGH, with the theme “Universal Health Coverage in the era of Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence”. Target 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls on countries to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health services, and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. In the Western Pacific, UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1) rose from 63 in 2000 to 81 in 2023 (figures include Indonesia), and roughly one in four people in the Western Pacific have experienced financial hardship (SDG 3.8.2). Progress towards UHC in the Asia-Pacific region remains uneven, with hundreds of millions of people still lacking access to essential health services or facing financial hardship due to health-related expenses. Strengthening the role of parliaments – through legislation, financing and oversight – is central to closing this gap and accelerating progress towards UHC across the region.Parliamentarians participating in APPFGH in Cambodia this week include: Hon. Pehin Dato Adanan YUSOF, Brunei Darussalam; Hon. Rosmawatty ABDUL MUMIN, Brunei Darussalam; Hon. LORK Kheng, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. YOS Phanita, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. KHOUN Khundy, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. HENG Halim, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. KHOENG Noupheap, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. SENG Nhak, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. LY Sukry, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. NHOEURN Raden, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. Dr Ratu Atonio LALABALAVU, Republic of Fiji; Hon. Vijay NATH, Republic of Fiji; Hon. Man Hee LEE, Republic of Korea; Hon. Dr Jiho CHA, Republic of Korea; Hon. Jonghun BAEK, Republic of Korea; Hon. Youngsuk SEO, Republic of Korea; Hon. Dr Phayvanh KEOPASEUTH, Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Hon. Suhaizan Bin KAIAT, Malaysia; Hon. Dr Perpetua KONMAN, Federated States of Micronesia; Hon. Ganmaa DAVAASAMBUU, Mongolia; Hon. Charmaine SCOTTY, Republic of Naoero; Hon. Vincent Ambance KUMURA, Papua New Guinea; Hon. Dr Edwin CRUZADO, Republic of the Philippines; Hon. AUUAPAAU Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola, Samoa; Hon. ASIATA TAVUI Tafu Salevao, Samoa; Hon. Dr Alani Petelo TANGITAU, Tonga; Hon. Paul PAOLO, Republic of Vanuatu; Hon. Franklyn Ezra WILLIAM, Republic of Vanuatu.For more information, contact: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific: wprocom@who.int National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia (International Relations Department): ir.nacambodia@gmail.com
In Senate race, Flanagan and Tafoya bring vastly different politics, experience
Democrat Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya have come to politics from very different routes and backgrounds. As the two battle it out for an open U.S. Senate seat, analysts expect a large amount of money to flow into the race.
How Crowley’s win could impact the campaign for WI-03
Incumbent Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden expected Francesca Hong to win the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.
Warnock Leads Inquiry into State Department Efforts to Seek Personal Health Data in Exchange for Aid to Developing Nations » Reverend Raphael Warnock
In a new letter, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock presses the Trump Administration on their efforts to obtain personal health data from African countries in exchange for global health funding The Trump Administration has requested direct, real-time access to the health data of citizens in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, and several […]
Georgia governor candidate Rick Jackson proposes plan to revive Sweet Auburn, other historic Black business districts
Republican nominee for governor Rick Jackson is proposing a state program aimed at revitalizing six historic Black business districts across Georgia.
Minnesota is first state to set all-female matchups for the biggest races
Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya are running for Senate, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth are running for governor.
Peggy Flanagan wins Senate primary in Minnesota, notching another victory for progressive Democrats
Flanagan defeated centrist Rep. Angie Craig with a pledge to fight the influence of corporations and confront Republican President Donald Trump.
Trump-backed Michael Alfonso wins crowded GOP primary for his father-in-law's former Wisconsin seat
Michael Alfonso, Sean Duffy's 26-year-old son-in-law, defeated a crowded field to win the Republican nomination for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
How California's primary election reflects the perils facing the national Democratic Party
Low turnout among young and non-white voters in California signals that Democrats should focus on organizing to beat Republicans nationally.
Fact check: How Tim Scott and a Republican attack ad misleadingly snipped key context from El-Sayed’s ‘dangerous’ speech
The leader of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, Sen. Tim Scott, said in a Sunday interview on CNN that people should believe something Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed supposedly said about himself. But Scott took El-Sayed’s quote out of context. So did an attack ad released last week by the group Scott chairs.
Six ways Minnesota’s primary upended political assumptions
Progressives gained momentum, Republican voters bucked party leaders and Trump and Minnesota set up a historic race for governor. Here are six takeaways from Tuesday’s primary.
Dems eye pick-up in Wisconsin swing district as Rep Van Orden set for rematch in key House race
Rebecca Cooke won Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary, setting up a rematch with Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden this fall.
Republican survives primary on Tim Walz's old congressional turf as Dems eye seat flip
Brad Finstad faced challengers Gregory Goetzman and Oliver Morlan in the Minnesota 1st Congressional District Republican primary on Tuesday.
'They all happen to be Republican': Curley not surprised WA ranked 38th best state to start a business
KIRO host John Curley wasn't surprised to find out Washington was ranked near the bottom on WalletHub's list of best states to start a business.
Senator Darline Graham advances to runoff in South Carolina Republican primary
Lindsey Graham’s sister, appointed to replace him, is seeking full term in special Senate primary
Trump officials tout Medicaid financing changes ahead of midterms
Republican-sponsored changes in Medicaid will lower hospital prices and Americans’ health insurance premiums, the White House contends in a new report.
A tale of two candidates in LD 14: Biggs’ political name versus Walsh’s career experience
Legislative District 14 is reliably Republican, making a Democratic upset this November a long shot.
Democrats swap candidates in key metro State House race
New Mexico Democrats are swapping candidates in a key State House race in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights where they have their target set on unseating one of the few Republicans representing a House or Senate district in Albuquerque. This story was originally published at New Mexico Political Report, a nonprofit news service covering politics and policy […]
Live Results: Vermont midterm primaries
Vermont Democrats will try on Tuesday to do something they’ve been unable to do in five previous attempts: nominate a gubernatorial candidate who can beat the Republican governor.
Alabama Republicans to pick nominee to challenge Democratic Rep. Figures in redrawn district
Six Republicans are competing in a special primary election Tuesday to challenge Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures in November. the district's Black voting age population dropped from 48% to 40%, making it more favorable for Republicans.
Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former GOP Mayor John Giles as running mate
Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has selected a Republican-turned-independent as her running mate in a tough reelection campaign.
In a partisan age, a Democratic governor goes outside her brand for a running mate
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), facing a tough reelection fight, chooses former mayor John Giles, a lifelong Republican who recently became an independent.
Wisconsin Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results
See live results from the 2026 Wisconsin Governor primary election as Republican and Democrat votes are counted by candidate and county.
Live Results: South Carolina special primary election to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham
Ten Republicans will compete in a special primary election Tuesday to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on South Carolina's general election ballot.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former Republican as running mate in re-election bid
Hobbs faces a competitive re-election race against GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, former chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
Knights Of The Old Republic Was Censored In The Weirdest Way
Prepare to sit back and say 'damn' when you learn what Lucasfilm saved us from hearing
MAHA Political Endorsements Shape August Republican Primaries
MAHA political endorsements target state Republican primary elections with medical freedom legislation. Analysis of Kennedy's health policy impact on 2026 races.
WHO receives US$4 million from CERF to sustain health services and strengthen health system resilience across Syria
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, 11 August 2026 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has received US$4 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to protect access to essential health...
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
GOP senators rally behind 9/11 families in push to ban Mamdani from anniversary ceremony: 'He's a disgrace'
Republican senators back 9/11 families' petition to block Zohran Mamdani from attending the 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero.
‘Fiercely independent’ South Carolina votes on Lindsey Graham’s Senate successor
Republicans, including Graham’s sister Darline, expedite campaigns to replace late senator in special primary race
Darline Graham faces battle for her brother's seat in South Carolina senate primary
Republican voters in South Carolina return to the polls Tuesday for the second time in two months to decide who will take the place of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Video: How We’re Covering an ‘Identity Crisis’ in Politics
Recent primary wins have posed critical questions for both Republicans and Democrats as they head into the fall midterms. Carolyn Ryan, managing editor of The New York Times, shares how reporters approach coverage of shifting political dynamics.
Steve Hilton talks cutting costs, achieving balance in California politics
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton joined KTVU to talk about his proposals for cutting costs in the state and achieving balance in California politics.
Republic Business Credit Partners with Family Office on $2.5MM Credit Facility
Republic Business Credit partnered with a family office to provide a $2.5 million receivables financing facility for its precision metal coating company. The
Deadline passes for Rep. Max Miller to be replaced on Ohio ballot as he faces domestic abuse claims
Embattled Republican Rep. Max Miller is staying in the race for his Ohio congressional district
Cook Political Report shifts Max Miller seat to toss-up
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted Rep. Max Miller’s (R-Ohio) seat from “Likely Republican” to “Toss Up” on Monday, underscoring the growing political fallout from allegations of domesti…
Top Science Body Deletes Climate Chapter From Judges’ Manual
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine had been under pressure from Republican leaders, including President Trump.
When politics becomes a duel
The Burr-Hamilton clash showed how humiliation and revenge could turn public rivalry into private ruin, leaving a republic with nothing gained.
Johnson turns Democrats’ socialist civil war into new weapon for midterms
House Republicans launch "Contrast for America" website targeting DSA-linked Democrats, echoing the 1994 "Contract with America" midterm strategy.
How Troy Jackson went from Maine logger to the Democratic nominee for Senate
Troy Jackson's path to politics started during his time as a logger in Maine's north woods. Now he's the Democrat challenging five-term Republican Susan Collins for a Senate seat that could determine control of the chamber in November.
Trump Family Business Empire Faces Fresh Scrutiny as Republicans Join Calls for Answers
President Donald Trump’s family businesses are facing renewed scrutiny over billions of dollars in earnings, a paid service offering faster access to his social media posts and financial transactions ...
A Blog, If We Could Keep It
In 1797, a Philadelphia socialite asked Benjamin Franklin, of the new American nation, “What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Reader, Off Tackle Empire makes no claim to be important; rather, it is a silly place on the internet. But I hope you’ll indulge me at least that introduction in the hopes of […]
Candidate deadline nears for Ohio Republicans over Max Miller domestic abuse allegations
Monday is last day Miller can resign and give his party time to find a replacement candidate
Wisconsin health providers worry new Medicaid work requirement hurts doctor-patient relationship
The new rule, which was included in Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" last year, provides exemptions for a number of groups, including people who are pregnant, have children under age 19 who live with them and people with a recognized disability.
Mike Lindell touts Trump ties in race for governor of Minnesota, where Trump has lost
Lindell, of "MyPillow," plays up his ties to Trump, who endorsed him for Tuesday's primary. But the state Republican convention backed one of his opponents.
Preventing a Health Service Continuity Crisis in Syria - Donor Briefing Note - Evidence period: 2025 and 2026 Impact of Underfunding of Health Sector Syria June 2026
Other in English on Syrian Arab Republic about Health and Humanitarian Financing; published on 16 Jul 2026 by Health Cluster and WHO
The Messy Mixture of Old Age and Political Power
Is it really true that the excessive influence of the elderly is corrupting government? If so, it raises the question of what we can — or should — do about it.
Trump has a Carter-style Iran problem as the economy drags before the midterms
Donald Trump is staring down two stark liabilities that threaten to damage his Republican Party in the midterms and ruin his second term-legacy.
HD 10 candidate has yearslong history with White nationalist secessionist group
Marshall Rawson appeared alongside League leaders at a conference the local Republican Party had publicly repudiated.
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Ohio Republicans now have no path to replace Max Miller after the ballot deadline passed despite domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife.
Trump’s Hold on Republicans Tested in Race to Replace Lindsey Graham
The rush to succeed the late senator on the South Carolina ballot will test the durability of President Trump’s endorsement.
Don't let Abdul El-Sayed's identity eclipse his actual politics
The concern is how easy it is for Republicans to "other" El-Sayed, so when he questions our spending priorities it can be painted as un-American or antisemitic.
Anti-populism is reshaping American politics
Democrats are winning on data center opposition. So are Republicans.
Business Briefcase: Open-air downtown farm market underway
SHENANDOAH — Schuylkill County’s longest running seasonal outdoor downtown farm market is continuing its run from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays through November along the east side of the first block of South Main Street. Launched in …
The rise of socialism and the return of history
Why would Democrats stick to their post-World War II political ways if Republicans won't?
As Trump drastically rolls back rules for Head Start, some Republicans are wary
GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Jim Justice and Thom Tillis are among the lawmakers signaling reservations at the idea of a preschool program overhaul.
Asking Eric: Mother says ‘no politics’ but keeps talking politics
Dear Eric: I’m a 58-year-old daughter to a 94-year-old father and an 83-year-old mother. I love my parents dearly, but we have had no contact for nearly a year. I know that at any time my father and/or mother could pass. This is the one stressor in my life – that I will lose one or both of my parents when we are at odds.
Trump has squandered Republicans’ typical advantages in 2 key areas
President Donald Trump’s political stature is so poor right now that he has squandered the Republican Party’s typical advantage on both the economy and national security.
Here's why both of New Mexico's senators voted against Todd Blanche for Trump's Atty General
By a one vote margin, 50-49, the United States Senate voted early Saturday morning to approve President Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche, his former personal attorney and acting attorney general, to be the permanent Attorney General of the United States. Todd’s nomination was opposed by every Democrat and two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine […]
Max Miller, Republican Accused of Abuse, Won’t Drop Out, Spokeswoman Says
Mr. Miller, who has faced pressure from fellow Republicans to end his campaign and avoid endangering a solidly red seat in Ohio, will stay in the race, his spokeswoman said.
Graham replacement hopefuls make final pitches before special election: Iran war, DSA, Flock cams and more
Nine Republican candidates clashed over the Iran war, flock cameras and the filibuster ahead of South Carolina's Aug. 11 Senate primary vote.
Senate Bows to Reality, Leaving Trump’s Voting Bill Undone
The summer exit confirmed what had been apparent for weeks: that Republicans lacked the votes to pass the voting restrictions the president has made a top priority.
Darline Graham tests value of a famous name vs. lack of experience in South Carolina primary
Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, is running in a crowded Republican Senate primary on Tuesday
Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as Trump's attorney general in overnight vote
The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political enemies.
Fauci contempt vote reflects the enduring politics of COVID
Republican lawmakers and Secretary of Health RFK Jr. continue to scrutinize the legacy of COVID-19, recently voting to hold retired immunologist Anthony Fauci in contempt after his refusal to testify before a Senate committee.
Fact-Checking 3 Competitive Senate Races in Maine, Michigan and Ohio
Republican attacks have focused on terrorism and illegal immigration, while Democrats have sought to capitalize on the unpopularity of President Trump’s cuts to Medicaid.
Data centers are a political issue crossing party lines, driving voters to candidates
Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor Francesca Hong called for a moratorium on data centers. So did Ohio Republican governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, as data centers begin to dominate campaigns.
Schumer caves, hands Republicans shutdown win after months of uncertainty
Senate Democrats relented on shutdown threats, with John Thune accusing Chuck Schumer of making a political calculation ahead of midterm elections.
LGBTQ advocates prep for a difficult campaign against 'Protect Girls Sports in Arizona Act'
Arizona already forbids trans girls from joining school sports teams that align with their gender identity, but Republicans want to ban them from school locker rooms and private sports leagues, too.