The botched attempt to inflict mortal wounds to the health care law, which all but assures that it will be implemented as planned, reminded me of another moment when reform opponents fumbled at a critical time.

This week, President Obama announced a bold series of new gun control regulations. The roster of actions went far beyond the expectations of gun control advocates, while blunting some of the paranoid delusions of the gun lobby and the Republican Party.

The Occupy movement seems to have all but disappeared from media coverage over the past months. Is this due to the fever pitch of the presidential campaign, or has the movement's time come and gone?

The Tea Party of late, whether it sits well with our prejudices or not, is changing and detoxifying in the US.

Clearly winner-take-all amplifies partisanship and polarization in Congress; it is therefore antagonistic toward the goal of achieving a more collaborative and collegial legislature.

We need Democrats who are willing to stand up to K Street, Wall Street, and big business special interests, so that this election becomes a clear contrast over who will take the big boys on. Pennsylvania's primary results are a great symbol that it is happening.