January 30, 2007

One Important Question in the Blossoming Health Care Debate

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Universal health care is already shaping up to be a central theme of the 2008 presidential campaign, with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards all strongly in favor.

Here’s my question. If

(1) Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are prepared to stand by their pledges to provide health care for all Americans, and

(2) Congressional democrats are prepared to stand by their pledges for a balanced budget, then

(3) Are the aforementioned candidates prepared to raise taxes?

Edwards is on the record with a response, and I respect it. “Edwards: Universal Health Care Trumps Balanced Budget.” Barack and Hillary, what say you?

Update: More evidence that Edwards has taken the lead on this from Ezra Klein. Worth checking out; the man speaks honestly and openly about the tough choices America will have to make when setting its priorities for the next presidential term.

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With just 4 days left, we need a huge surge in reader support to get to our $400,000 year-end goal. Whether you've given before or this is your first time, your contribution right now matters. All gifts are 3X matched and tax-deductible.

Managing an independent, nonprofit newsroom is staggeringly hard. There’s no cushion in our budget—no backup revenue, no corporate safety net. We can’t afford to fall short, and we can’t rely on corporations or deep-pocketed interests to fund the fierce, investigative journalism Mother Jones exists to do. That’s why we need you right now. Please chip in to help close the gap.

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