Much of the media, however unwittingly, is helping the Republicans in the health care debate. No doubt, TV and print journalists claim they’re playing the big story right down the middle: – The Republicans claim the Democrats want “socialized medicine,” the old conservative pejorative for national health insurance. The Democrats say no way. – The media simply reports the charges and the denials and calls it “fair and balanced” news coverage. This old reporter calls it biased coverage, even...

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The Weekend Must Read comes by way of Jonathan Alter on NEWSWEEK: “What’s Not to Like?” Alter, who had cancer a few years ago says: I like the fact that if I lose my job, I won’t be able to get any insurance because of my illness. It reminds me of my homeowners’ insurance, which gets canceled after a break-in. I like the choice I’d face if, God forbid, the cancer recurs—sell my house to pay for the hundreds...

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