While I was expecting large amounts of healthcare news this week, it turned out that the only large thing about it was the $1.2 trillion price tag (or roughly $4 million per word, I kid you not). There was however a return to political topics this week, despite non-political news such as the 40th birthday of the Internet. Next week, I promise to mix it up a bit more 
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1
An intriguing look at the latest competitor to democracy: authoritarian capitalism. With the world's emerging economies teetering in their stability and selection of a governing system, India and China provide ample case studies for both sides of the debate.
2
Dennis Prager attempts to explain the left's unflinching faith in the ability of government to improve everything around us, including our healthcare system. While I admire undying optimism in society in general, that very same optimism in our political leaders typically results in tragedies of the worst kind.
3
A new California law provides the poor with the right to an attorney in civil matters such as child custody and foreclosure, extending beyond the standard "Gideon" rights to an attorney for criminal cases. While there is more than adequate justification for the new law, it is still unclear where the money will come for such expenditure, regardless of necessity. Besides, this law definitely makes more sense than the new San Francisco policy that prevents police officers from automatically impounding cars driven by unlicensed (and illegal immigrants) drivers, instead giving them 20 minutes to find someone with a valid license to drive their car. Oh California.
4
Although I feel like I include Stratfor articles all the time in these posts, the balance and insight of their articles force me to add one more. This time George Friedman looks at British and Roman history as guides to understanding American foreign policy. Friedman makes the valid point that the moment that a nation establishes full national defense is the same moment that other nations view it as a threat: defense is offense.
5
Keith Hennessey, a former director of the National Economic Council, reexamines and quantifies the probable legislative options for the healthcare bills currently facing Congress. As a major political operative, it is always fascinating to read Hennessey's insight into Washington politics, despite the troublesome nature of our current situation.
