CHRISTOPHER SERRA FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Mass. moderate?

By almost every important factual measure — economic, educational, and socioeconomic — Massachusetts is vastly better off than the nation’s most right-wing states.By Tom Keane

Opinion | LAWRENCE HARMON

Visiting the ‘friends and favors’ office

A spotlight is shining powerfully on the “friends and favors’’ culture in Massachusetts politics, and what it reveals is not flattering.

Jackee Budesta Batanda

Cutting aid to Africa won’t help gay rights

Withdrawing US aid seems to be an ineffective way to deal with an issue that has roots in Western-based evangelical groups pushing an anti-homosexuality agenda.

Editorial

In his attacks on ‘RomneyCare,’ Santorum paints a false picture

While state officials grapple with new proposals to reduce insurance premiums, the Republican presidential candidates are flooding the airwaves with bogus assertions about Massachusetts’ “RomneyCare’’ health plan.

editorial | Obama’s musical score

Crank up the campaign tunes

The race for the presidency promises to be a rough campaign, and the White House iPod needs to be prepared for what’s likely to come.

Editorial cartoon: Upside-down pyramid

Cartoonist Michael Ramirez gives his opinion on the current political makeup of Egypt.

“When you hire someone, you make nine enemies and one ingrate.’’

John Moffitt, chief secretary for former Mass. governor William Weld

Ideas

“For American enthusiasts of the Kagame regime, the Ingabire case points to a dilemma: Rwanda’s remarkable reconciliation and success have gone hand in hand with severely curtailed freedom of speech.”

Peter Canellos,  on free expression in Rwanda

Editorial cartoons by Dan Wasserman

Sinking into super PACs

Dan Wasserman, editorial cartoonist for The Boston Globe since 1985, comments on the decision by President Obama to accept super PAC funds for his reelection campaign.

Letters to the Editor

letters | THE DREADED FEB. 14

Valentine dog treats were for sale last month at the Bone-A-Patreat store in Des Moines.

Leave schools out of ritual of requirement

“You want all parents, even those who can hardly afford a valentine card for their own children, to be compelled to buy cards for every other child in class?” — Megan Brook

Previous columns

Joan Wickersham

A valentine to Ella

My patron saint of Valentine’s Day is Ella Fitzgerald, whose singing makes you believe love makes sense.

Previous editorials

Editorial

Wynton Marsalis: Telling a love story

Wynton Marsalis recently gave the third of six epic lectures that he is slated to give at Harvard University. Three hours into the show, his agenda became clear: He was telling a timeless story about love.

Mormonism in America

The Mormon arrival

Though long distrusted, Joseph Smith’s faith embodies American values.

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