PHILIP REISS A s my title suggests, I present what most Americans don’t know and those who do know are reluctant to acknowledge. One percent of Americans have wealth exceeding that which seventy-five percent of other Americans have. This miniscule minority obviously possesses privileges the vast majority of Americans lack. This one percent has political … [Read more...] about The Privileged Minority and the Struggling Majority
inequality
A Runaway Inequality Problem
One of the great unexamined questions of our times is why there is so much suffering, despair, misery and rage in the midst of unimaginable wealth. Naturally, pundits and politicians wish to avoid this question because an open public discussion of the widening wealth gap can impart critical insights into the nature and logic of the capitalist system they’ve worked so hard to … [Read more...] about A Runaway Inequality Problem
Against Hierarchy
ROBERT JENSEN It’s getting harder for people in the United States to turn away from the sexism, racism, and inequality that is woven into the fabric of society. From the women’s march of 2017, to the ongoing protests against white supremacy in policing and other institutions, to the wider attention being paid to extreme disparities in wealth — the demand for justice … [Read more...] about Against Hierarchy
‘Dear White People…’
Former Texas Longhorn and NFL player Emmanuel Acho has a strong message for white people what they can do to help. In what he says is the first video in a series titled, “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” the Austin resident addresses many questions he’s been asked by white people. I recommend this as a good thing to show your friends who still don't get … [Read more...] about ‘Dear White People…’
Covid & Capitalism
Neither of these articles has any shocking revelations, but both are worth reading for the way they fill in some gaps in the mainstream narrative. “No. It’s Capitalism, Stupid.”, by Gary OlsonCovid-19 Profiteers Are Making a Killing, by Amber Colon-Nuñez … [Read more...] about Covid & Capitalism
Class War and the 2020 Election
by Alex Fischer Class war is heating up in America. Endemic to capitalism, class war is a crude term for the general struggle led by the poorer classes against the war led by the bourgeoisie or capitalist class over the fruits of the national economy.1 Basic human rights such as food, housing, healthcare, education, and transportation are increasingly unaffordable. The … [Read more...] about Class War and the 2020 Election
The Myth of Meritocracy
The concept of 'meritocracy'—a system in which government leaders and officials are selected based on merit or competency for the job—seems sensible enough at first glance. After all, haven't we had enough of candidates who are elected because they had the best marketing team and people who are appointed because someone owes them political favors? The problem is that campaigns … [Read more...] about The Myth of Meritocracy
Why the Occupations are so important
The Occupy movement has sparked new levels of discussion of critical aspects of U.S. government, economy, and power structures. While people may quibble over the exact numbers, the 1%/99% image does clearly reflect the fact that economic & political power is held by a tiny percentage of people. It seems as if discussing this has been taboo for years, even though it's common … [Read more...] about Why the Occupations are so important