Socialism and the Self-Checkout Machine
A $1,000 a month check won’t cut it, but there’s a real democratic socialist response to automation that could make us all happier and give everyone more leisure time.
20383 Article(s) by: Alex Press
Getting Andy Ngo and His Fascist Friends Off Our Streets
The far right turned liberal Portland into a site of fascist violence. The Left is battling to oust them for good.
Elizabeth Warren’s Strategy Within the Democratic Party Is All Wrong
Anyone who wants to enact “big, structural change” will find themselves stymied by the Democratic Party establishment. So why is Elizabeth Warren cozying up to that establishment?
“War Creates Its Own Weather”
Democratic socialist Tom Gallagher is primarying Nancy Pelosi, with a focus on America’s disastrous foreign policy of endless war. In a world without capitalism, he says, “we could eliminate a lot of military spending and war.”
Workers and Renters of the World, Unite!
Although unions seek higher wages from employers, much of that extra pay goes straight to the landlords. To build workers’ power, we need decommodified and democratically controlled land and housing.
Yes, the United States Needs to Withdraw From Afghanistan
When President Trump scuttled talks for a peace deal in Afghanistan, liberal media heaved a sigh of relief. But despite the risks, an end to the US occupation is a precondition for peace in the country.
Elizabeth Warren’s Health Care Plan Still Leaves a Lot of Unanswered Questions
Everyone is clear on exactly where Bernie Sanders stands on Medicare for All. But despite the release of her health care plan this week and embrace of the phrase “Medicare for All,” Elizabeth Warren’s precise health care proposal remains murky.
Ending the “Independent Contractor” Misclassification Sham
Misclassifying workers as independent contractors hurts workers and enriches bosses, and is central to the business strategy of companies like Uber and Lyft. California state legislators passed AB 5 this week to stop this exploitative model. It’s a victory that must be defended from Uber and Lyft’s fightback.
No Hugs for Rahm
Former Chicago mayor and Obama staffer Rahm Emanuel was a featured commentator during Thursday’s Democratic debate. It was, unsurprisingly, completely terrible.
Norway’s Socialist Left Is Ascendant
Norway’s Labor Party took a hit in this week’s elections. But the radical left surged — showing that socialist politics are still alive in the Nordic country.
How Medicare for All Looks From Britain
The terrifying experience of getting sick on a visit to America reminded me why Brits cherish our National Health Service. The NHS doesn’t just make the United Kingdom healthier — it creates a spirit of equality that changes people’s entire mentality about health care.
Joe Biden Cleared a Very Low Bar in Last Night’s Debate
Pundits are declaring Joe Biden the winner of last night’s debate. They’re conveniently ignoring the lies he told about his civil rights and immigration record.
Medicare for All Would Cut Poverty by Over 20 Percent
Medicare for All doesn’t just provide everyone with the care they need, free of charge. It’s also a potent anti-poverty program, reducing poverty by over 20 percent and increasing poor people’s incomes by 29 percent.
Witzel’s Unholy War
Bolsonaro’s Brazil is ruled by a politics of death: who deserves it, who is spared, and who gets to dispense it. Meet the most skilled practitioner of this politics: Rio governor Wilson Witzel.
Elizabeth Warren Is Thirty Years Too Late
Both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are political throwbacks. But whereas Warren wants to fix the policies that went astray in the Clinton era, Sanders wants to change the economic foundations of American life.
“Kashmir Turned Into an Open-Air Prison”
I was in Kashmir when India launched its brutal crackdown last month. Before I knew it, my beloved home had been turned into an open-air prison.
The Hell of Meritocracy
Today, meritocracy doesn’t actually challenge hierarchy but grounds it and allows for its reproduction. But liberals and leftists have different ideas about how to break the cycle.
Chicago Schools Are on the Verge of Two Strikes
In their 2012 strike, nearly 30,000 Chicago Teachers Union members planted a flag for labor militancy in public education. Today, they’re again on the verge of another strike — and they may be joined by 7,000 SEIU education workers.
The Walls Are Closing in on Boris Johnson
A historic election is looming in Britain and panicking Tories will be tempted to tack to the far right. It’s starting to dawn on Boris Johnson that no one will be coming to clean up the mess he’s made of Brexit.
Why Poor People Don’t Pay Attention to Politics
The poor and oppressed tend to pay less attention to politics. But it’s not because they’re dumb — it’s because they know the political system doesn’t work for them.