Tag: Economy
New economics for the people
by Wade Rathke March 2, 2022 Pearl River Traditional economics is under assault from all corners. The pandemic has forced some reevaluations of neoliberal scripture on everything from climate change to just-in-time supply chains to…
‘Can’t afford’ Build Back Better? US billionaires saw $1 trillion wealth boom in 2021 alone
A new analysis shows that Sen. Ron Wyden’s proposed tax on billionaires “would be more than enough to cover the expansion of the child tax credit in the Build Back Better Act.” by Jake Johnson, Common…
All-cash companies. Too good to be true?
Even if these companies are not intrinsically predatory, their play for the most part seems to be using their databases to get around the exorbitant real estate agent, appraisal, and closing fees, and I suspect collect…
Sinema targeted over tax break for rich
“It’s time for her to decide who she works for: Arizonans, or private equity billionaires.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Tuesday, December 7, 2021 A group of wealthy investors and business leaders who support progressive…
As executives hike prices, US corporations rake in biggest profits since 1950
“Prices are high,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, “because corporations are raising them—so they can keep paying themselves with ever-larger executive bonuses and stock buybacks.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams November 30, 2021 New data released by…
The pandemic has made it harder for one in three Americans to obtain healthy, affordable food
by Sheril Kirshenbaum, Michigan State University and Douglas Buhler, Michigan State University October 26, 2021 COVID-19 has made food access more challenging for many communities. In Michigan State University’s Fall 2021 Food Literacy and Engagement Poll,…
‘It’s gonna be $3.5 trillion’: Sanders holds the line against right-wing Democrats
“That’s the compromise that’s already been made,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders. “The truth is $3.5 trillion is not enough.” by Kenny Stancil, Common Dreams September 15, 2021 Pushing back against conservative Democrats’ attempts to shrink the…
Why Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Whitey on the Moon’ still feels relevant today
Recent space flights by multi-billionaires highlight the extreme economic inequality in America. Joe Raedle/Getty Images A.D. Carson, University of Virginia Not long after the July 20, 1969, Moon landing, Gil Scott-Heron – a poet hailed as…
GOP Governors’ termination of jobless aid could cost local economies over $12 billion
“If states proceed with their plans to end these critical programs, they will be ripping the rug out from under millions of Americans and further hindering our economic recovery.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, June…
Anger grows as GOP Governors cut off jobless benefits
‘Attempting to Starve People Back to Work’ Meanwhile, the Biden administration is under fire for claiming it is powerless to prevent states from ending the $300 weekly unemployment boost. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, May…
As hiring undershoots expectations, Biden urged to go big with $10 trillion jobs plan
“Millions of people are out of work, and the unemployment rate is rising. The real risk isn’t doing too much—it’s doing too little.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer May 7, 2021 Analysts expected Friday’s April…
Pay a Living Wage or ‘Flip your own damn burgers’: progressives blast right-wing narrative on jobs
“If one in four recipients are making more off unemployment than they did working, that’s not an indictment of $300 a week in UI benefits. It’s an indictment of corporations paying starvation wages.” by Kenny Stancil,…
With enough political will, all new US car and truck sales can be electric by 2035: study says
“Every year America stalls… we miss the ever-narrowing window to address the climate crisis and ensure a livable planet.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, April 15, 2021 A study released Thursday morning by researchers at…
Politicians face off over ESG investing
by Wade Rathke Friday, March 5, 2021 New Orleans Free marketeers are caught in a crisis of contradictions. They want to pretend that market forces exist independent of any interference from government or other factors,…
Rural Americans in pharmacy deserts hurting for Covid vaccines
by Markian Hawryluk March 3, 2021 As the Biden administration accelerates a plan to use pharmacies to distribute covid-19 vaccines, significant areas of the country lack brick-and-mortar pharmacies capable of administering the protective shots. A recent…
No venues, no sales, no money
by Wade Rathke March 1, 2021 New Orleans One week, we have the southern end of the polar vortex. The next week, it’s spring, while I’m still hacking away at freeze-damaged night-blooming jasmine, bougainvillea, and the…
John Thune’s childhood $6 wage—$24 adjusted for inflation—sure helps make the case for at least $15
“The worst thing is that these people aren’t dumb. They know about inflation… They just don’t think people who make their food and clean their bathrooms deserve the same things they got.” by Kenny Stancil, staff…
Tribes revive traditional hemp economies
A post-petroleum transition plan. by Winona LaDuke February 16, 2021 More than 20 years ago, Alex White Plume, a leader of the Oglala Lakota, planted his first hemp crop on Wounded Knee Creek, on the Pine…
Slave-built infrastructure still creates wealth in US, suggesting reparations should cover past harms and current value of slavery
by Joshua F.J. Inwood, Penn State and Anna Livia Brand, University of California, Berkeley Sunday, February 14, 2021 The Port of Savannah used to export cotton picked by enslaved laborers and brought from Alabama to Georgia…
Yellen bolsters demand for Biden to enact bold FDR-style agenda,
‘Smartest Thing We Can Do Is Act Big’ “Instead of feel-good talk of unification,” said journalist John Nichols, “FDR called out the Wall Street speculators, the bankers, and their conservative apologists.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer…
Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief plan: $400 unemployment boost, $1,400 checks, and billions in additional aid
“Congress should immediately move to pass President-elect Biden’s plan,” said Claire Guzdar of the Groundwork Collaborative. “And we can’t stop there.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 14 With less than a week until he…
COVID-19 and the resulting border closures have had a devastating impact on the economy of Nogales, Arizona.
by Delaney White, Cronkite News December 14, 2020 COVID-19 and border closures have had a devastating impact on the economy in Nogales, Arizona. (Video by Delaney White, 3:48) This story produced by Cronkite News on December 14,…
New Year, higher minimum wages in 24 states and 50 municipalities thanks to fight for $15
‘Raises From Coast to Coast in 2021’ “These increases are a testament to the power of workers coming together and fighting for what real people and families need.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Thursday, December 31,…
McConnell advances another Trump judge as Covid relief bill remains unfinished
‘This Is His Top Priority’ “As a government shutdown looms, and as the pandemic rages on across America, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to push through Trump’s judges until the very end.” by Jake Johnson,…
