The battle for Congress—otherwise known as the 2010 midterm elections—is underway, and it seems that every bill that comes up for a vote is a campaign issue. Republicans are voting in a bloc against any money Obama asks for, including billions to help states continue to pay teachers, and Tea Party activists decry all government spending as bloated. Meanwhile, our wars continue in Iraq and Afghanistan, and once again a major media outlet—Time magazine in this case—is using the body of a woman to make the case for occupation.

Betsy Reed, executive editor of The Nation, joins Laura in studio to discuss these stories and more for The Nation on GRITtv.

The Nation on GRIT TV is a weekly video collaboration between The Nation and GRIT TV with Laura Flanders. Watch for Monday briefings, Wednesday commentaries, weekend conversations and more at TheNation.com. For full half-hour episodes of The Nation on GRIT TV, or local television air times visit www.grittv.org.