Professor and Netroots Nation panelist Lawrence Lessig delivered a devastating presentation on how our government has become distorted and corrupted by the chase for corporate money. Not only are members swayed by campaign contributions that help them stay in office, but also by the promise of lucrative lobbying jobs after they leave it. Indeed, the promise of post-congressional soft landings for loyal congresscritters probably makes it easier for them to risk being voted out by angry constituents.

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Bullies. They're loud, obnoxious, and usually filled with fear. All they seem to be able to do is shout, tease, and fight. They get their kicks by making others feel small and doling out pain. Behold the GOP approach to civil discourse.

Are the Birthers facing the death of their movement?

Mike Stark has been up on the Hill all week whipping Democrats to hold fast on the public plan, and in his spare time, he decided to ask Republicans if Barack Obama was born in the United States. Not only do they not want to answer -- they run. He asks Republicans Tom Price, Thaddeus McCotter, Jeff Fortenberry, Charles Bustay, Aaron Schock, Greg Harper, Mike Coffman and others what they think.

Man, I really hate to find myself nodding along to a David Brooks column. Sure, he's a conservative columnist looking to score points off of a Democratic president and Congress, but that doesn't make him wrong. At least not today:

Tom Perriello  wanted to vote against the bill as an act of conscience. He had his arm twisted and wound up voting yes,  giving cover to Blue Dogs like Gene Taylor so they could vote "no."

Gene Taylor is utterly and completely safe.  He won 74.6% of the vote in 2008, and 79.8% in 2006.  He's beloved.

Periello, on the other hand, was a photo finish at 50.1% to Virgil Goode's 49.8%.

Whatever this is about, it ain't about protecting "vulnerable" Blue Dogs at risk of losing their seats.  

My biggest question for months was not whether or when Monica Conyers would accept a plea deal in a pay to play bribery scandal--as she did today. But whether or not her legal problems would make her husband, John Conyers, timid in his role as House Judiciary Chair.

Norm's staffers bailing as the MN Supreme Court decision looms...

"It's not politically smart, but morally it's the right thing to do," Ghaemi concluded