We've all heard the story about Medicare. That once upon a time, about 40 years ago, it was an idea that had very little support and that many said would never succeed. Well, it did and many are saying it should serve as a model for a single payer healthcare system.

Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army writes in the Nation that Blackwater founder Erik Prince “may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company,” according to the sworn testimony of a former Blackwater employee and an ex-US marine.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and political consultant Karen Finney discuss healthcare reform and Washington politics. As members of congress head home for the summer, are the astroturf tactics of the opposition working? And what can single payer advocates do to fight for healthcare reform in August? Finney says that this may be the single best opportunity for real reform and that what happens over the next month will be decisive.

Comedienne and provincetown provocateur Kate Clinton seems to have caught a bug -or perhaps something is just bugging her...

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Karen Finney on healthcare reform and Washington politics. Who's behind the astroturf tactics and opposition to healthcare reform? Dr. David Scheiner, President Obama’s former physician, Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York’s 9th district, Bob Fertik, founder of Democrats.com on whether single payer will ever really be on the table and what needs to be done this August. Finally, Jeremy Scahill discusses his new article in the Nation and revelations surrounding Blackwater founder Erik Prince.

Keith Olbermann wrote to me apropos my F Word on Monday. Following news of a corporation-brokered truce between MSNBC and FOX, I’d written that while the two networks pose as divided – and play up social divides for ratings - they actually stand united when it comes to corporate profits.

Gigi Sohn of Public Knowledge says that one of the biggest issues being discussed at the Federal Communications Commission is whether wireless telephone companies should be able to control the devices and applications a subscriber can use on its network. Today they have that control and that's why you can only use your iphone on an AT&T network only.

Kate Clinton reflects on our nation’s teachable moment, Sarah Palin our poet laureate, and Republican Senators, the other white meat.

By now it’s clear that the Senate Finance Committe won’t cough up a heathcare bill before the summer recess. As Nick Bauman points out in Mother Jones, the delay is sure to sap momentum for reform. Worse, the break will give healthcare reform’s opponents more time to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

In an explosive report published yesterday on the Nation website, investigative reporter JEREMY SCAHILL reveals that Blackwater founder Erik Prince has been implicated in murder, viewed himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims from the globe, and that the company smuggled weapons into Iraq. Will he face charges? Then, Dr.