With all that ‘s been happening in the U.S. and the world this year, it has sometimes been difficult to concentrate on the many steps of getting this publication together. This includes, of course, the war in Ukraine — an illegal and immoral attack, even if partly triggered by years of quiet, U.S.-led provocation; the continuing expansion of neo-Nazism and … [Read more...] about Welcome to our 21st issue!
democracy
The Spirit of the Laws: Constitutional Republics, Capitalism, and the Future of Socialism
STEPHEN ERIC BRONNER The liberal republic is today the fulcrum of progressive politics. Protecting liberal principles, the democratic character of the republic, and existing social rights from white nationalist reactionaries in the United States and anti-immigrant and racist parties in Europe has been the over-riding issue for Western radicals since the election of President … [Read more...] about The Spirit of the Laws: Constitutional Republics, Capitalism, and the Future of Socialism
What did you do when you knew?
it's 3:23 in the morningand I'm awakebecause my great great grandchildrenwon't let me sleepmy great great grandchildrenask me in dreamswhat did you do while the Planet was plundered?what did you do when the Earth was unravelling? surely you did somethingwhen the seasons started failing? as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?…. did you fill the streets with … [Read more...] about What did you do when you knew?
This Freedom
by Elaheh Farmand I came to America 21 years ago with rose-colored glasses,a suitcase of memories,and my mother’s dreams unfolded. I came to Americawith little Englishand a lot of bitterness becauseour struggle as new immigrantsembarrassed me. But I came with hopeand from my mother,I learned that I was lucky,privileged,fortunateto be livingthe American … [Read more...] about This Freedom
FYI: ‘Stuff, Wealth, and the End of Democracy’
An economy based on expansion and consumerism is destructive to humanity and the planet's environmental health, and the greed that drives globalization and capitalism is also driving the so-called Trans-Pacific Partnership, yet another 'free trade agreement' that has a little to do with trade & is destructive of freedom & democracy. Some excellent articles — all well … [Read more...] about FYI: ‘Stuff, Wealth, and the End of Democracy’
FYI: Capitalism, Financialism, & Democracy
Here are some recent news articles and blog posts that are 'must read' if you're concerned about the extent to which unregulated capitalism & financialization of the economy are strongly anti-democratic: The Next American Revolution Has Already Begun (interview with Gar Alperovitz) Capitalism in Crisis: Opportunity for a new System, by Margaret Flowers & Kevin … [Read more...] about FYI: Capitalism, Financialism, & Democracy
FYI: Whistleblowers for democracy [UPDATED]
The mainstream media seem to parrot the government line that whistleblowers are a threat to national security. [In reality, they are only a threat to the corrupt officials who are the real threat to our nation.] Why the Ruling Class Is So Upset About Edward Snowden, by Gary Leupp on CounterpunchThe Anti-Empire Report #118, by William BlumEdward Snowden: Profile in Courage, … [Read more...] about FYI: Whistleblowers for democracy [UPDATED]
Ted Morgan: From Occupation to Democratization
From Occupy Wall Street to Occupy (Everywhere) Together and now to Saturday’s Global Occupation protests, the protest moment has spread like wildfire. For me, this brings to mind the way a four-student sit-in at the Woolworths’ lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina grew and spread rapidly until, in two short months, over sixty southern cities were experiencing student … [Read more...] about Ted Morgan: From Occupation to Democratization
Two Republicans Who Saw the Danger
Among the many Republican presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower anticipated the current self-reinforcing aggregation of wealth and power to corporations and the already-wealthy. In 1864, in a letter to William F. Elkins, Lincoln wrote: “As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power … [Read more...] about Two Republicans Who Saw the Danger
Class Warfare in Madison WI
by Gary Olson — Describing what's happening in Madison, Wisconsin as class warfare is neither an exaggeration nor meant to be inflammatory. It's simply a fact. The financial elite who run this country are seeking to solve the financial crisis on the backs of middle income, public sector workers, especially unionized ones. Only 11.9 percent of all workers are organized and … [Read more...] about Class Warfare in Madison WI