"It's dangerous to discount as mere theater what the Republicans do," notes Rebecca Dana of the Daily Beast.  She points out that a lot will depend on who controls Congress in 2012--symbolic moves to repeal health care reform will be a lot less symbolic if the Senate is under Republican control as well.

Rebecca joins guest host John Fugelsang to discuss the ongoing political debates over health care, over Sarah Palin, and over political language itself.

In the first week of 2011, the now defunct Tunisian regime made a series of arrests in an effort to silence online activists critical of former president Ben Ali and his supporters.  A young rapper known as "El General" was among those arrested.  Most Tunisians agree that it was the internet release of the rapper’s song, “President, Your People Are Dying,” that prompted the arrest of young Hamada Ben Amor.

President Hu Jintao of China is visiting the U.S., but regardless of what happens, Americans will no doubt keep buying Chinese consumer goods. And while Republicans grandstand, Obama's up in the polls--but for how long? And as the GOP candidates for 2012 begin to move and jockey for position, which ones will make it and which ones will be left holding the mic at Fox News?

Comedian Jeff Kreisler joins guest host John Fugelsang take a look at the week in news.

Finally, John has a few words for House Republicans on why they should take on pushing for a public option themselves.