Meet the 237 millionaires of the US CongressOf the 535 politicians in the United States Congress, 237 of them — that’s 44% — are millionaires. Check out their staggering wallet sizes for yourself. The richest Congressman, California Republican Darrell Issa, is worth more than $250 million.
Politics / The World / United States
revealed 
US security contractor planned a $1m cover-up of Iraqi civilian killings
The US military security contractor formerly known as Blackwater paid $1 million in an attempt to buy Iraqi officials’ silence over the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians by Blackwater guards in 2007, claims the NYT.
15 years later, can Clinton finally reform US health care?
Bill Clinton has paid a visit to Capitol Hill Democrats, urging them do what he never could: pass a health care reform bill. Don’t miss the audio of the speech: “It’s my Secretary of State calling!”
The Tea Partiers’ next target: the climate
After kicking up a stink about health-care reform and just in time for Copenhagen, members of America’s Tea Party Movement have zoned in on a new target: Obama’s climate bill.
A right return to the centre
There’s a surprising global political trend occurring, even in traditionally liberal countries: a rise of the right. But it’s a right lean on economics — not social issues — that’s popular. Pollies are balancing the centre, says Fareed Zakaria.
Krugman: How the lunatic Right could bring down America
The Republican Party’s “lunatic fringe” — your Birthers, teabaggers, etc — isn’t really a fringe at all, says Paul Krugman: it’s taking control of the party. And if paranoid, far-right candidates win state office, the entire country could become “ungovernable”.
Inside Palin’s closed-door anti-abortion rally
Sarah Palin banned the media from a recent speech before a right-to-life group, but Politico snuck an operative in. Amongst the usual Bible-bashing and fist-pumping, she also floated an interesting conspiracy theory about the new design of US dollar coins.
A lot to be said for socialism in an American ER …
The Democrats passed their health-care reform legislation in the House of Representatives over the weekend, though a Senate vote will be even tougher, writes Jason Whittaker. The legislation may be imperfect, but it’s a start.
The US suddenly looking a whole lot healthier
US President Barack Obama’s quest to reform the country’s health-care is almost a reality, with the House of Representative just passing a bill that will finally see the majority of Americans get access to health coverage. Just one last hurdle now…
Islamophobia: the real horror of Fort Hood
Thursday’s Food Hood shooting, which left 12 dead on a US Army base, was indeed the “horrific outburst of violence” condemned by Obama. But equally horrific is the torrent of anti-Muslim hatred it has inspired, writes John Nichols.
The untold story behind the words that rocked the Obama campaign
Barack Obama’s notorious campaign remark in that “bitter” Pennsylvania blue-collar voters “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them” was almost his undoing. Mayhill Fowler provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into why he said what he did.
Former UK ambassador: CIA sent people to be “raped with broken bottles” in Uzbekistan
The former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan claims the CIA sent terror suspects to the country as part of its extraordinary rendition program, where they were “raped with broken bottles” and were forced to watch their children tortured in front of them, to gather intelligence.
The Tea Party descends on DC
10,000 members of America’s right-wing Tea Party movement have swarmed DC to “scare” members of Congress from voting for health care reform. 10 have been arrested, while an All-Star line-up of GoP Reps showed up. Can they actually “kill the bill”?
New Jersey turns a deep, dark shade of purple
If people still bought newspapers in America, they’d be reading about a Republican resurgence today, with the Republicans winning their first election in New Jersey since 1997, writes Jason Whittaker.
Republicans stage a comeback
On the one-year anniversary of Barack Obama’s landslide win, the winds of change appear to have shifted, with two Republican candidates winning seats in this year’s state elections. Is this a sign that voters are becoming increasingly disaffected with the new President and his party?
Dowd: Rush Limbaugh is immature and narcissistic
Shock jock Rush Limbaugh is one of the key media mouths of the Republican Party and he loves to insult at Obama. Too bad he forgets the actions of his good mate Dubya, because it wasn’t Obama who stuffed the economy or brought about the war in Iraq, notes Maureen Dowd.
weird 
The most bizarre CIA programs of all time
The CIA has funded some odd programs throughout its history. Like, luring men with prostitutes and then drugging them to observe the effects of acid and LSD. And implementing cats with microphones to spy on the Russians. Fun!
Clinton and Bush to face-off
Billed as “The Hottest Ticket in Political History”, former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will face-off in a public debate in February next year. A ringside ticket will set you back US$1250, but the slugfest promises to be worth every penny.
What would Candidate Obama think of President Obama?
It’s been a year since Barack Obama won the US election, and the man who once shouted “Yes we can!” has had to grapple with the reality that, quite often, no we can’t. How would the Obama of a year ago view himself today? muses Arianna Huffington.
leaked 
The lost Sarah Palin speeches
Read the concession speech the Republican Party wouldn’t let Sarah Palin make after the 2008 US Presidential election, plus the victory speech she never got to make.
Half of all American kids receive food stamps
It seems that food stamps aren’t just for those in the ghetto. A new study shows half of all US kids will receive food stamps at some time in their childhood. Even more disturbing, 90% of black children will use them.
The FBI’s 400,000-strong terrorist watch list
Recently released FBI data shows 1600 new names are nominated every day for the agency’s terrorist watch list, which contains more than 400,000 unique names and over a million entries.
