Paul Ryan has dreamed of slashing Medicaid since his keg-party days — and that blithe hostility is widespread. B Chauncey DeVega.

“The way they talked it was supposed to be better…” By Craig Schneider and Misty Williams.

People 60 and older don’t get picked on much in politics. Seniors have long been a sort of untouchable “third rail.” That just changed with the GOP health bill. By Danny Westneat.

The culture war over religious morality has faded; in its place is something much worse. By Peter Beinart.

From Medicaid funding to paying for over-the-counter drugs, the legislation offered by House Republicans offers a far different pathway to coverage than Obamacare. By Julie Rovner.

Attorney general nominee is the Trump administration’s “clearinghouse for policy and philosophy.” By Philip Rucker and Robert Costa.

Go way Jooz, you’re bothering us! By Rebecca Schoenkopf.

In his small-mindedness and lack of aspiration Trump resembles Putin, though the origins of the two men’s stubborn mediocrity could not be more different. Both men want to be ever more powerful and wealthier, but neither wants to be or even appear better. By Masha Gessen.

Just one week into the Trump presidency, Republicans have already shown they are unwilling to stand up to the worst of his instincts. By Joy-Ann Reid, (Jan. 27, 2016)

The fleeting solace of consuming Melania Trump as camp. By Daniel Spielberger.

In audio obtained by the Guardian, vice-president described investigation amid Trump’s unfounded claims that millions voted illegally in 2016 election. By Ben Jacobs, Sam Levin.

A few years ago, Republicans wouldn’t have sat in the same room as Matthew Heimbach. That all changed during the inauguration… By Vegas Tenold.

I asked my student why he voted for Trump. The answer was thoughtful, smart, and terrifying. By Rick Perlstein.

In normal times, nobody outside of the Netherlands takes much interest in a Dutch election. Now, a ballot on March 15 – just as the populist surge sweeps Europe and the U.S. – has raised the prospect that the Netherlands will be the next domino to fall. By Eddie Buckle.

Partying in Trump’s America. By Maureen O’Connor. (Jan. 20, 2017)

Going into the cabinet hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, the story was clear: Democrats were going to press his picks for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, secretary of state and energy secretary for past statements revealing their climate-denying views. By Andrew Freedman.

Canada is getting its own reality show politician. "Shark Tank" cast member Kevin O'Leary announced Wednesday that he is running for the leadership of Canada's opposition Conservative Party. O'Leary is a businessman and television commentator who has drawn comparisons to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. He said the party needs a candidate who can beat Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and bring jobs back to Canada.

President-elect Donald Trump and his chief strategist Steve Bannon keep confirming an argument I’ve been making for a while: conservatives are just as “politically correct” as they claim liberals and the left are. By Maximillian Alvarez.

Lawrence Kudlow explains why conservatives are so happy to embrace kleptocracy. By Jonathan Chiat.

A group of Republican lawmakers has a proposal that would slash Social Security benefits for virtually everyone. By Judy Molland.