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Paul Buchheit , Op-Ed: Lakoff emphasizes the need to place words in conceptual frameworks, as Republicans do with "tax relief" to portray taxes as an undue burden that must be relieved. In this spirit, Mike Lofgren proposes that the negatively charged 'entitlements' be reframed as "earned benefits." After all, Americans pay for their retirement benefits. Or how about the emotionally unstimulating "financial transaction tax"? 
Ian Millhiser, News Report: So Akin believes that school lunch programs are unconstitutional, which probably isn't all that surprising, since he has also believes that Medicare — and likely all federal health programs — violate the Constitution. He is, of course, wrong. The Constitution gives the United States authority to "to lay and collect taxes" and to "provide for the . . . general welfare of the United States." 
Rebecca Solnit, Op-Ed: Every woman knows what I'm talking about. It's the presumption that makes it hard, at times, for any woman in any field; that keeps women from speaking up and from being heard when they dare; that crushes young women into silence by indicating, the way harassment on the street does, that this is not their world. It trains us in self-doubt and self-limitation just as it exercises men's unsupported overconfidence. 
Valeria Fernández, News Analysis: "Carmen Cornejo, an advocate at ADAC, said she's been flooded with phone-calls from students who tried to take the GED exam but were turned away because they didn't own a state issued ID. Cornejo said she has been encouraging those students to insist on taking the test, given they can provide a passport or matriculation card. For undocumented students who need to take the GED exam but can't afford to pay for private classes, there are several other options." 
Dean Baker, Op-Ed: The defense budget is currently a bit over 4.0 percent of GDP. Ryan has indicated that he would like to maintain or even increase this level of spending. The arithmetic is then straightforward. In 2040, Ryan would leave less than 0.75 percent of GDP for areas of spending that currently require more than five times this amount. In 2050, all these areas of spending would literally have to be zeroed out as defense spending will take up every cent and more that Ryan has left in his budget. 
Amantha Perera, News Report: A ray of hope came when the families of Pakistani hostages among the crew, including captain Jawaid Khan, launched a public appeal to raise funds. The ship's owner, reportedly a Malaysian citizen of Iranian descent, had indicated a willingness to pay half the demanded amount. The Sri Lankans were given the impression that they too would be released if the deal went through. 
Kiley Kroh and Michael Conathan, Video Report: As Shell waits for heavy sea ice to clear and the Coast Guard to certify its containment barge, the fact remains that this region has far fewer resources to contain an oil spill than did the Gulf of Mexico. Even with the Gulf's warm water and weather, large population centers, and decades of research and drilling experience, oil flowed unabated for three months in 2010, wreaking economic havoc and devastating the environment. 
Thomas Magstadt, Op-Ed: Few public policy issues are more confusing and convoluted that our bizarre federal income tax code. The system, like the political and business elites who created it and now shamelessly perpetuate it, is designed to deceive most of the people most of the time. Most middle-class taxpayers know the system is rigged in favor of corporate interests and wealthy individuals, but few understand when or how it happened – or the real reasons why. 
Dave Lindorff, Op-Ed: Pollsters and political handicappers are saying this race is close because while Obama is way ahead among people who say they are not likely to vote. Clearly his biggest problem then is that many people who voted for him in 2008 just don't believe in him any more. He's disappointed too many people. Here's an issue that would fire most of them up. Throw in a Jubilee debt forgiveness program for student debt and underwater homeowners and it's a landslide. 
Mary Elizabeth King, Op-Ed: Most of the defectors thus far have been Sunni Muslims and are breaking ranks from a regime dominated by the Alawite minority, which represents only 13 percent of Syria's population, including the Assad family. Even if Bashar were to step aside, his system is largely made up of Alawites, whose associates might continue their fighting and retaliate. Former Prime Minister Hijab recently said from Jordan, "Based on my experience and my position, the regime is falling apart morally, materially, economically." --
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