In the face of opposition from Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, and to gain his vote, Senate lawmakers first dropped the government insurance option and then an alternative plan to decrease the eligibility age for the existing government Medicare program.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

Importantly, the full financing of the independent schools comes from the local government in the form of a voucher for each student they attract.

FORBES: Lessons on School Choice from Sweden

There has also been criticism of the government from the independent Fuel Poverty Advisory Group.

BBC: Legal challenge over fuel poverty

Most communications lines to the rebels have been cut and the government bars independent journalists from where the fighting is taking place.

BBC: Sri Lanka army 'takes rebel town'