Wall Street Sodbusters
Big-money speculators are buying up farms, charging tenants to farm it and boxing young, real farmers out of the market. Of course, the Wall Street plowboys don’t soil their own soft hands by actually farming.
Union-Made Miracle on the Hudson
From Captain Sully to the ferry crews, it's union-trained workers who saved the passengers on Flight 1549.
Paul Ryan’s Hot New Idea: More Rank Corporate Giveaways
Some were excited when Speaker Ryan called a major press conference to present his idea for fixing the economy. But, sheesh. The House speaker's "economic agenda" would fix the economy in the same way a vet fixes your dog.
There’s No More Denying It: Trump Is Openly Racist
Donald Trump is not just plainspoken, nor is he merely trying to get media coverage. He’s deranged and openly racist, and a manic threat to anyone he dislikes — which is everyone not named Trump.
What Are We Paying Mitch McConnell For?
Why should you and I have to keep paying Mitch McConnell’s salary? The Kentucky Republican is the Senate majority leader, but he doesn’t lead much. In fact, he really doesn’t do much of anything. McConnell says “no” to every task at hand.
You Don’t Matter to Drugmakers
If you wonder why Congress critters keep ignoring what the people want them to do — while doing things that people don’t want them doing — take a peek at the unique PR campaign now being run by the pharmaceutical industry.
Political Poison
The Flint lead disaster exposed the callousness of people like Michigan’s governor, who blame the poor for all of their misfortune.
Sanders Proves the Pundits Wrong
Not only is Bernie defying the odds, but he’s doing it by showing that an authentic candidate with an authentic message can generate an authentic people’s movement.
This Global Ruling Is Just Not Cool
They say that if you get up in the morning and swallow a live toad, nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day. Well, we Americans have just been fed a live toad by the World Trade Organization.
Put This Coal Kingpin in the Stocks
“Guilty,” declared all 12 West Virginia jurors, who convicted Don Blankenship, former CEO of Massey Energy, of willfully conspiring to violate America’s mine safety laws. As a result of that conspiracy, 29 miners were killed.
What Thanksgiving Stories Share: Welcoming the Stranger
With so many voices urging us not to embrace refugees fleeing the terror of ISIS, it is fitting to remember a common thread that connects the stories of the first Europeans who set foot on America's shores.
Who Can Corral the Crazy Caucus?
House Speaker John Boehner gave up the job because he couldn't stand it. Rep. Kevin McCarthy stepped up and quickly bowed out. Rep. Paul Ryan doesn't really want the job, but might take it anyway. Who really wants to lead the crazy caucus?
A Perfect Portrait of Corporate Crime
Volkswagen has long been known for strict, top-down decision making, with even minor matters requiring the OK of its governing officials. The company’s premeditated, systemic betrayal of consumer trust is no small thing
Non-Candidates for President
Once upon a time, presidential contenders and their political parties raised the funds needed to pay for the campaigns. How quaint. Now, thanks to the Supreme Court’s meddling in the democratic process, corporations have taken charge.
How Not To Give Employees A Raise
Paying to get good behavior would reward bad behavior, completely absolving CEOs and wealthy shareholders of their guilt in creating today’s gross inequality.
Shielding Wall Street from the Ravages of Bigotry
Former right-wing senator Phil Gram seems to have developed a new empathy for people who are demonized. He turned up on Capitol Hill recently, wailing that overpaid corporate chieftains are actually — get this — victims of public bigotry.
The Money Primary
Thanks to the Supreme Court’s corporate-friendly Citizens United ruling, running for America’s highest office in our democratic republic has been perverted into a gold rush.
GOP Climate Denial Syndrome Sweeps Wisconsin
It’s well-known that harsh climate conditions can mess with your mind — from cabin fever to heat delirium. But America is now experiencing an even more dangerous disease: Climaticus Non-Vocalism Extremism.
Where Are the Populist Democrats?
It’s futile to hope that the GOP’s gaggle of corporate-hugging, right-wing presidential candidates will seriously address the issue of rising inequality in our land. How about the Democrats?
Odd Bedfellows, Lying Together
The TPP isn’t some sort of futuristic flying machine. It’s just another global trade scam coming at us like a volcanic eruption straight out of hell. Now, TPP's supporters have begun a PR campaign to sell it to us.
A Quiet Corporate Coup on Capitol Hill
Corporate lobbyist understand that congressional staffers have gained far-reaching control over legislation. Lately it's dawned on lobbyists that instead of wooing staff with flattery and gifts, they should simply become the staff.
The Nincompoop Caucus Sets a Record
The GOP-led House of Representatives has already achieved a historic legislative record. A record in futility, that is. And absurdity. House Republicans have voted over 50 times to strip away Americans' health care.
Not Lovin’ It
McDonald’s is scrambling, and I’m not talking about eggs. Its McManagers illegally reduced the hours (and therefore the pay) of hundreds of those who joined the “Fight For 15″ campaign.
Wal-Mart Scrooges Us All
Once again, the Waltons — the exploitative multibillionaire heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune — get the goldmine, while workers and taxpayers are stuck with the shaft. It's shameful. But shameful is one of Walmart's core values.
Revealing Corporate Largesse
Corporations are funneling money to anti-consumer, anti-worker, anti-environment, right-wing governors who work against the interests of their customers and employees.
The Nouveau Sodbusters
We know from the childhood song that Old MacDonald had a farm. But e-i-e-i-o — look who’s got his farm now. It’s outfits like American Farmland, Farmland Partners, and BlackRock. These aren’t dirt farmers wearing overalls and muddy boots.
Let Them Eat Tips
Just when you thought the plutocratic profiteers running America’s low-wage economy couldn’t get any more clueless, self-serving, pious, and mingy — along comes Lady Maria of Marriott, magnanimously saying: “Let them eat tips."
Ferguson Exposes the Creeping Militarization of Police Forces
Where did Ferguson's police get their military weapons and attitude? From the Pentagon. Your town and mine are being militarized too. Your town and mine are being militarized too. We must halt this perversion of policing.
Astoundingly Legal Corporate Tax Thievery
If you get a speeding ticket, do you get to deduct the fine from the income tax you owe? Then why should JPMorgan Chase be able to deduct from its taxes a $20 billion fine for wrongdoing as a cost of doing business?
North Carolina’s Moral Freedom Summer
They’ve outed the extremist governor and legislators who have cut taxes for corporations and the rich, while raising taxes on low-income people. Now, Moral Mondays is going after political kleptocrats in their districts.
