Inequality

The Dirty Little Secret in McCain’s 'Socialism' Charge

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:43:08 -0400

by Robert Freeman

John McCain’s drowning campaign has grasped at the straw of “socialism” to try to smear Barack Obama’s economic proposals. The dirty little secret is that socialism is much more characteristic of McCain’s policies than Obama’s. But it’s socialism for the rich.

It has been an explicit tenet of Republican economic policy since at least Ronald Reagan that the rich need more money and that it is the essential job of government to make sure they get it.

Thinking About Shrinking: A Green Path Through Hard Times?

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:43:22 -0400

by Stan Cox

As the most serious economic crisis in 80 years rolls across the planet, financial panic has shoved food shortages, public-health emergencies, and ecological disasters into the background. With fantastic fortunes at stake, the number-one priority of governments and businesses must be economic growth; those "green" initiatives announced not long ago with such fanfare have already been deferred or forgotten.

Grandfather’s Apology

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:22:29 -0400

by Robert Barkley Jr.

Dear Spencer, Sarah, and Brooke:

First, I must tell you once again that I love you dearly. And the same was and is true of my two children who are, with their spouses, your parents. But in their case, I was fairly confident I would be there to protect and guide them through tough times -- as well as to celebrate the many good times. And luckily, so far, there have been far more good times than bad.

No Child Left Behind Fails Us All

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:43:39 -0400

by Demitrious C. Sinor

The last question in the final presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama had to do with what moderator Bob Schieffer suggested might be the most important issue of all: education.

Maybe the Rich Are the Problem

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:36:32 -0400

by Linda McQuaig

John McCain clearly thought he'd found a winning issue last week when Barack Obama was caught on tape defending his plan to tax the rich and "spread the wealth around."

Gotcha! For days, the faltering Republican nominee relentlessly harangued Obama for saying such a thing, championing "Joe the Plumber," whose confrontation with Obama had provoked the remark.

Of course, many were surprised when Joe the Plumber turned out to be neither a real plumber nor a guy named Joe.

Spreading the Wealth Around? Why Not?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:36:54 -0400

by Robert Buzzanco

According to the Republican candidate for U.S. president, John McCain, whose family wealth exceeds $120 million, and who owns eight houses and thirteen cars, Democrat Barack Obama poses a grave threat to our democracy and economy because he will, as he told a voter in Ohio, "spread the wealth around."

The Great Reagan Pyramid Scheme Comes Crashing Down

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:30:01 -0400

by Juan Cole

The Republican Party that Nixon invented melded the moneyed classes of the Northeast with the white evangelicals of the South. This odd couple went on to simultaneously steal from and oppress the rest of us. The moneyed classes were happy to let the New Puritans impose their stringent morality, since they could always just buy any licentiousness they wanted, regardless of the law.

Priorities of the Financial System

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:20:54 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2008

Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)

Taking to the Streets for the Poor

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:16:50 -0400

by Fran Quigley

Last week, I participated in a day-long downtown Indianapolis fast and demonstration asking Senator Bayh to join Senator Lugar in co-sponsoring the Global Poverty Act and Jubilee Act. By committing the U.S. to help reduce extreme poverty and cut the debt burden of struggling countries, these two pieces of legislation would address the obscene fact that 16,000 children die each day simply because they are poor.

The Communist Manifesto Turns 160

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:25:34 -0400

by Barbara Ehrenreich

This year marks the 160th anniversary of The Communist Manifesto and capitalism--a k a "free enterprise"--seems willing to observe the occasion by dropping dead. On Monday night, some pundits were warning that the ATMs might run dry and hinting that the only safe investment left is canned beans. Apocalypse or extortion? No one seems to know, though the populist part of the populace has been leaning toward the latter.