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Beyond Obamacare: 5 opinions on health care reform

Health care reform remains a contentious issue in the United States. The Supreme Court will decide this year on President Obama's health care law, known as Obamacare. Meanwhile, Americans spend a higher percentage of GDP on health care than other advanced nations, for care that many argue isn't as good. Here writers explore five key aspects of US health care reform.

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Beyond Obamacare: 5 opinions on health care reform

Health care reform remains a contentious issue in the United States. The Supreme Court will decide this year on President Obama's health care law, known as Obamacare. Meanwhile, Americans spend a higher percentage of GDP on health care than other advanced nations, for care that many argue isn't as good. Here writers explore five key aspects of US health care reform.
Nigeria dispatches troops to north to stop Boko Haram attacks

The Christmas Day attack on a church is only the latest in string of attacks by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, who has given Christians living in the north three days to leave the region.
Move over Boko Haram, Nigeria's MEND rebels set to restart oil war in Niger Delta

Leaders of Nigeria's MEND rebel group – and other militia commanders in the oil-rich Niger Delta – say they're ready to launch fresh attacks after two years of relative quiet following a 2009 amnesty.
The New Economy
Iraq war will cost more than World War II

Iraq war, now winding down with US troop exit by December, has cost more than $800 billion so far. But ongoing medical treatment, replacement vehicles, etc., will push costs to $4 trillion or more.
Revulsion over Nigeria rape video shows power of social media

In Nigeria, rape video depicting an apparent gang attack on a woman by college students sparks a criminal investigation, and raises questions of how much smartphones have changed Nigerian society.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: Ahmadinejad and the UN theater, Hollywood's machine gun preacher

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech sends a third of the UN to the exits, while Hollywood introduces us to a 'Machine Gun Preacher' on the hunt for an African warlord.
Is Nigeria's Boko Haram group really tied to Al Qaeda?

A string of increasingly brutal attacks – along with reports that Boko Haram may soon hit Nigeria's predominately Christian South – is bringing fresh scrutiny of the Islamist group.
An enduring, and emotional, allure

Gold is attractive to wear and look at, but even more attractive to own as a commodity these days.
Social Security: a target without a cause

Conservative Republicans want to cut Social Security, even though it's not a major contributor to US debt. A better solution to future Social Security shortfalls is a thriving economy.
Estate taxes: States will want their cut, too

Nineteen states already have estate taxes. Expect them to raise rates and other states to impose estate taxes.
How best to boost the 'working poor'?

Nearly 1 in 3 working families now qualify as 'working poor.' More affordable college – and a more progressive tax system – would help.
Editor's Blog
A fond farewell for a 50-year journalist -- and his unique archiving system

Veteran financial journalist David Francis, whose "Economic Scene" column first appeared in the Monitor in 1964, ends his reporting run.
Is honesty waning in American business?

US slips from 19 to 22 in latest ranking of perceived public corruption.
Fed basher Ron Paul should focus on outcome, not process

Rep. Ron Paul wants to reform how monetary policy is made. Other reformers suggest looking at policy outcomes.
Not much stimulus from tax-cut deal

How much did the $862 billion stimulus package really help? Will the new tax cuts make any difference?
Bankers arouse public anger. But will they change?

Bankers from Lehman Brothers to Ireland and beyond are increasingly unpopular, but that hasn't impacted their salaries much.
Cut America's debt, but spare Social Security

Congress can cut the budget without hurting Social Security, Medicare, and other social insurance programs.
Slow decade ahead for US, not a lost one

US economy won't endure a 'lost decade' the way Japan did.
Don't understand the economy? It's not your fault.

Even economists don't fully understand the complicated global economy..
Letters to the Editor - Weekly Issue of November 29, 2010

Readers write in about budget cuts and Britain, billionaires and giving, honesty and US business, and rebranding American government.
Letters to the Editor - Weekly Issue of November 8, 2010

Readers write in about the US Navy and partisan politics; deficit reduction and entitlements; government and the economy; and the middle class's deferred dreams.
Want to slash poverty? Look to Latin America.

While poverty has grown in the United States, it's been shrinking in Central and South America.
Afghanistan's linchpin: Kandahar

Kandahar is the Taliban's stronghold and target of an allied assault in Afghanistan. Can NATO win hearts and minds as well as territory?
The other recovery to watch: world trade

World trade suffered its worst slump since the Great Depression in 2008 and 2009.
Post election, Congress can't ignore the deficit

After midterms, Congress must tackle $1 trillion budget deficit. Proposed: crack down on tax evaders, cut non-war defense spending, and let tax cuts for the wealthy expire as scheduled.