Selections from the February 15, 2012 issue

COVER/Michael Lind
Obama turns attention from Iraq to Asia

EDITORIAL
The battle is joined

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RURAL ROUTES/Margot McMillen
Bugs, biotech salesmen pester farmers

DISPATCHES
Saul Alinsky — the ‘radical’ Republicans love to hate;
States lag in health care overhaul;
Big GOP wants to shut down Newt;
Occupy inspires Newt;
Working-class voters souring on Romney;
Union targets ‘job cremator’ Romney;
Gingrich dodges Medicare tax;
Trumka to Justice Dept.: Probe banks ...

BILL JOHNSTON
Many Catholics don’t follow ‘holy’ orders

DON ROLLINS
Hitchens made the zombies think

BOB BURNETT
Tea Partiers just can’t stand Romney

JOEL JOSEPH
Obama touts free trade deals

HEALTH CARE/Joan Retsinas
Medical debt is the trifecta of misery

SAM URETSKY
Narcotics laws don’t make pharmacies safe

JOHN BUELL
GOP sheds tears for oppressed wealthy

WAYNE O’LEARY
Corporate man

ALLAN BRAWLEY
Stand with unions against workers’ enemies

SETH SANDRONSKY
Charter schools grow amid questions

PUBLIC INTEREST/Ralph Nader
Neocons prepare for war in Iran

POPULIST PICKS
Muslims become common folk in Dearborn

ROB PATTERSON
Songs were only a start for Harry Belafonte

and more ...