American Exceptionalism

In more than 160 countries worldwide, workers enjoy a legal entitlement to paid sick leave. The US is not among them. Instead, like such bastions of individual liberty and economic efficiency as Mongolia, Angola, and Mozambique, we leave our workers free to choose between their health and their job.

The Union Makes Us Strong, and Fox’s Corporate Backers Can’t Stand That

My friend and mentor Big Stu provides a succinct answer to the question, “Are unions still relevant?“ The story itself is classic Fox: feigned objectivity while implicitly slanting the story in favor of the corporate narrative. Yes, “the numbers don’t lie”. But the numbers have a history, one that Fox and other corporate outlets persistently [...]

Capitalism explained

(From David Ruccio’s Occasional Notes & Commentary)

Survey reveals little faith in “free market capitalism”, widespread support for regulation and redistribution

A BBC survey finds a high degree of skepticism about “free market capitalism” across 27 countries. Even in the U.S., fewer than one-quarter of respondents agreed that it “works well and increased regulation will make it less efficient”. Overall, “free market capitalism” garnered uncritical support from only 11% of respondents, while nearly a quarter agreed [...]

Union Busting 101

A great resource exposing the nasty and often illegal tactics of the real “labor thugs”: corporations and their hired lackeys who block workers from exercising their legal and human right to organize for their mutual aid and protection.

Coming soon to this location: charming ruins.

In response to a question from Ed Cone in comments to a post of his about the AIG brouhaha, I offered a capsule summary of the type of economic and financial system I’d ideally like to see in place of existing arrangements: The short answer is that I’d favor an economy in which democracy did [...]

Don’t throw out the lifeline ’til they’re clean out of reach

I made this myself. I’m very proud.

Capital, it fails us now!

Even though I’m sure it will end badly, I can’t help but regard this as good news.

Nice work if you can get it

Speaking of unjustifiable executive pay: Mr. Fishman [deposed CEO of failed bank Washington Mutual], who has been on the job for less than three weeks, is eligible for $11.6 million in cash severance and will get to keep his $7.5 million signing bonus

And another one gone, and another one gone

Another one bites the dust.