At least 250 new laws have been proposed in 43 states to limit mail, early in-person and Election Day voting. In the interest of shoring “up public confidence in the integrity of elections after the 2020 presidential contest”, proposed voting law changes in 43 states would actually decrease the amount of people … Continue reading New proposed voting laws could create hurdles for tens of millions of voters
In 2013, the court gutted a key provision of the law, citing that Section 2 of the act still bars discrimination in voting nationwide. Now, Section 2 is in the conservative court’s crosshairs. The remaining part of the voting rights act that overwhelmingly protects minorities in rural areas is itself in danger … Continue reading Supreme Court Weighs Future Of Voting Rights Act
The former Bernie Sanders adviser on why the pandemic has shown the US and UK governments can never run out of money. The pandemic showed the public that the government really does create money and doesn’t require tax dollars to run. Trump showed this to be a fact with the policies he enacted, even … Continue reading MMT economist Stephanie Kelton: “Donald Trump changed the terms of economic debate”
For months, our leaders have known that the Covid-19 crisis could force millions of people from their homes. They decided to let it happen. Capitalism at its finest. Source: How the United States Chose to Become a Country of Homelessness Continue reading How the United States Chose to Become a Country of Homelessness
The benefits of a $15 minimum would greatly outweigh the costs. The “common sense” fears, such as “low paid workers losing their jobs” with a hike in the minimum wage turn out to not actually happen in real life. A raise in the minimum wage turns out to not be the death … Continue reading The Counterintuitive Workings of the Minimum Wage – The Atlantic
Advocates of cheap and widely available vaccines thought the pandemic might change business as usual. They were wrong. Oxford University surprised and pleased advocates of overhauling the vaccine business in April by promising to donate the rights to its promising coronavirus vaccine to any drugmaker. A few weeks later, Oxford—urged on by … Continue reading Oxford University pledged to donate rights to their COVID vaccine but then sold them to AstraZeneca | Fortune
The pandemic has shown the limits of the market … a book that takes its cue from the Apollo 11 mission is full of vital ideas for progressives who want to change … Continue reading Mission Economy by Mariana Mazzucato review – the return of the state | The Guardian
The commitments mark a victory for lawmakers and advocates who want the Biden administration to enlist Treasury’s sweeping influence to address the dangers that climate change poses to the economy. Climate change can be addressed and actually benefit the economy as a whole if it’s handled properly. Perhaps Yellen is starting to … Continue reading Yellen vows to set up Treasury team to focus on climate, in victory for advocates
On Twitter, the Russian dissident Aleksei Navalny wrote: “This precedent will be exploited by the enemies of freedom of speech around the world. In Russia as well. Every time when they need to silence someone, they will say: ‘This is just common practice, even Trump got blocked on Twitter.’” Preventing the incitement … Continue reading Deplatforming Trump Could Work. But at What Cost? – The New York Times
It’s time for the world to get more ambitious with its emissions targets. It’s up to Biden and his administration. Source: 2020 ties 2016 for the hottest year on record – Vox Continue reading 2020 ties 2016 for the hottest year on record – Vox
In October 2020, the Pentagon’s Inspector General released a new report titled, “Audit of Excess Property Issued Through the Department of Defense Law Enforcement Support Program.”… The demilitarization of the police is a good first step towards improving the relationship between the police and the people they serve. Source: New Pentagon IG … Continue reading New Pentagon IG report finds that police don’t need all those hand-me-downs of military hardware
The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule limiting which scientific studies the agency can use in crafting public health protections. So let’s keep science out of the equation when determining if something is dangerous for you, ummm.. OK. Source: EPA finalizes scientific transparency rule limiting which studies can be used to … Continue reading EPA finalizes scientific transparency rule limiting which studies can be used to protect public health – The Washington Post
