Chicago Tribune, Feb. 5: Four years ago, Iraqis defied terrorist threats and went to the polls. They went proudly, defiantly, brandishing their purple-stained fingers as proof that they had voted in the nation’s first free elections in decades. The news of those elections – of Iraqis in long lines, celebrating their new freedom from Saddam Hussein – captivated the world.

Last Saturday, Iraq held another election, to fill provincial councils. Unlike earlier times, these elections didn’t require overwhelming American security. They didn’t draw worldwide attention. But the Iraqis were just as enthusiastic. One amazing fact: 4,000 of the more than 14,000 candidates were women. Another: Unlike earlier balloting, the Sunnis didn’t boycott the election, they turned out in huge numbers.

The final results haven’t been tallied yet, but the most important results are already in. Iraqis voted in a safe, peaceful and fair election. There’s every reason to believe Iraq is on a trajectory toward becoming a self-sustaining democracy that guarantees the rights of all.

Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 5: Finally, a bailout idea that helps individuals and not just Big Business.

The Senate on Tuesday added a worthy provision to the economic stimulus bill that would allow most Americans to deduct the sales tax and loan interest on the purchase of a new car.

The provision is expected to cost the government $11 billion in lost tax revenue. But it could help spur car sales and give skittish buyers an incentive to hit the showroom.

Given all of the attention devoted to corporate bailouts, Wall Street bonuses, and Washington tax cheats, it’s about time average consumers got something.

San Jose Mercury News, Feb. 5: Improves Americans’ health? Check. Has bipartisan support? Check. Pays for itself? Check.

It still boggles the mind why President George W. Bush so vigorously opposed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to bring health care to 4 million uninsured kids. Talk about no child left behind.

With the stroke of a pen Wednesday, President Barack Obama made that a bad memory, authorizing $35 billion over the next five years to provide essential care for needy children.

A 62-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tax on cigarettes will pay for the expanded care. If a few people give up smoking as a result, all the better.

Charlotte Observer, Feb. 5: Most Americans are fed up with overpaid CEOs who run their companies aground while pocketing multimillion-dollar salaries and bonuses or golden parachutes. Restricting the pay of executives whose companies get federal bailout money, as President Obama announced Wednesday, is entirely appropriate.

Further, in a time of swelling joblessness, shrinking services and genuine economic pain, Wells Fargo should have realized a 12-night Vegas extravaganza billed as “employee recognition” would go over with the public about as well as a 12-night root canal. The bank – which received $25 billion in taxpayer bailout funds – got the message and, on Tuesday, scrapped the event.

Similarly, Bank of America has been flayed by public opinion after ABC News reported it spent $10 million for a five-day Super Bowl carnival, part of a sponsorship deal with the NFL. (The bank says the event, owned by the NFL, was part of its business relationship with the league, which generates millions in revenue for the bank. It says the $10 million report is wrong, that it spent only “thousands,” and part of the proceeds went to at-risk youth in Tampa.)

Call it the new Puritanism. If you’re getting taxpayer money, curb your excesses.

Washington Post, Jan. 30: Vicky Crawford was approached in 2002 by a human resources officer in her Tennessee government office and asked whether she was aware of inappropriate behavior by a male supervisor. Crawford, a 30-year employee of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Metro), responded by citing several episodes of sexual harassment.

Metro eventually declined to bring charges against the supervisor but shortly thereafter accused Crawford of embezzlement and fired her. Crawford sued, claiming she was the victim of retaliation, but lower courts in Tennessee dismissed her lawsuit, concluding that federal law protects those who lodge such complaints but not those, such as Crawford, who merely substantiate the claims of others.

In a blow both for common sense and a clear reading of the law, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled this week that federal law does protect Crawford and the myriad others in the workplace who have the courage to respond truthfully to queries about inappropriate behavior.

The court’s ruling does not mean that Crawford will prevail in her lawsuit. But what it does mean is that she and others like her will be protected by federal law from employers intent on retaliating against those who speak out against wrongdoing.