We loyal lefties have had to endure some hits this go around. From the ACA (“ObamaCare”) without a public option, to necessary bank bailouts with no strings attached, to continued wholesale tax giveaways for the rich and corporate welfare for Exxon/Mobil and the like, to watered down legislation of all varieties, it hasn’t been a perfect ride.… [Read more]
After watching President Obama’s Ohio Speech on the Economy last week, I structured my Black Politics lecture around the contributions and obstructions of federalism – the union of state and federal power – to the “African-American quest for universal freedom.” In that context, we discussed four episodes in our nation’s history which speak to the expansion of federal power, and the utility of “Big Government.” They are: Reconstruction, The Great Depression and the Great Recession, and the Civil Rights Era.… [Read more]
7,700,000 American seniors living in poverty
16,200,000 American children living in poverty
21,600,000 Americans living in poverty
45,800,000 Americans receiving food stamps
49,900,000 Americans with no health insurance
12,580,000 unemployed Americans
14,000 Americans controlling 40% of America’s wealth
To the above, fold in Paul Ryan’s budget, cuts to Medicare, food stamps, unemployment insurance, welfare and Social Security benefits.… [Read more]
Sometimes the best approach to moving forward is to take time to look back in order to see what we’ve come through and what, if any, lessons we’ve learned. While economists say that America’s economy is pulling itself out of the economic downturn, with the global economy still on shaky ground it is clear that America still a long way to go to achieve across-the-board economic stability.… [Read more]
