The “Populist” Right’s Anti-Immigrant Arguments Don’t Add Up
The ugly new bipartisan immigration bill fortunately failed to pass the Senate. Mass deportations won’t benefit the US working class.
248 Articles by: Ben Burgis
Ben Burgis is a Jacobin columnist, an adjunct philosophy professor at Rutgers University, and the host of the YouTube show and podcast Give Them An Argument. He’s the author of several books, most recently Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why He Still Matters.
Biden Is Backing Israel’s Genocide — and Risking Reelection
Democratic voters increasingly view what Israel is doing in Gaza as genocide. Don’t be surprised if Joe Biden’s support for it tanks his reelection chances.
Obsessive Culture War Is a Dead End. Just Ask Ron DeSantis.
Ron DeSantis went all in on the niche fixations of online right-wing culture warriors. In the process, his failed presidential campaign proved that the Right’s obsessive “anti-wokeness” is a political cul-de-sac.
The GOP Is Melting Down About Immigration
This electoral cycle, the Right has been talking nonstop about “the border,” painting an apocalyptic picture of an immigrant invasion threatening to plunge America into chaos. In the process, they’re revealing themselves as scapegoating pseudo-populists.
The Democrats Love Democracy — When It’s Convenient
A consistent feature of Democrats’ messaging is that we should vote for them to preserve democracy. But from canceling primaries to ignoring voters’ opinions on Medicare for All and Palestine, they aren’t acting like they care about the will of the people.
John Fetterman Keeps Defending the Indefensible in Gaza
Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman has always been staunchly pro-Israel, but the events of the last few months have shined a particularly harsh light on his indifference to Palestinians.
Israeli Draft Resister Tal Mitnick Is a Hero
Eighteen-year-old Israeli Tal Mitnick has just been sent to prison for refusing to enlist in the army and participate in what he calls a “war of revenge” in Gaza. He’s a hero.
Nationalize Greyhound
A publicly owned intercity bus service with dedicated highway lanes could do for travelers what the US Postal Service does for letters and packages: let them criss-cross the country cheaply and quickly at their own convenience.
Instead of Taking Trump Off the Ballot, Democrats Should Run a Better Candidate
The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled to remove Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 election ballot. The attempt will likely fail and backfire — but it’s indicative of American liberalism’s current distaste for the unpredictable messiness of democracy.
Right-Wing “Populists” Like Tucker Carlson Are Just Elitists in Disguise
Seeking to distance himself from rank elitism, Tucker Carlson called conservative luminary William F. Buckley one of the “great villains of the 20th century.” He’s right — but Carlson himself hasn’t broken with Buckley’s contempt for the working class.
Hunter Biden’s Corruption Is a Symptom of Grotesque Inequality
Hunter Biden, the president’s problematic son, has finally been indicted for his years of tax evasion. Only in an egregiously unequal society like ours do the children of the rich and powerful get away with corruption for as long as Hunter Biden has.
It’s Long Past Time to Abolish the British Monarchy
The best time to abolish the British monarchy was centuries ago. The second-best time is right now.
Congress Is Absolutely Wrong to Equate Anti-Zionism With Antisemitism
The US Congress has passed an absurd resolution proclaiming that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism.” It ignores the many Jewish Americans who oppose Israel’s apartheid state and slanders advocates for universal democratic rights as antisemites.
George Santos Isn’t Unique Because He’s Corrupt. He’s Unique Because He’s So Bad at It.
Washington is full of dishonest and corrupt politicians. Congressman George Santos, who managed to get himself expelled for his wild shenanigans, just flouted the norms of what polished DC corruption is supposed to look like.
If Donald Trump Wins Next Year, Don’t Blame the Voters. Blame Joe Biden.
It’s the job of politicians to appeal to voters. Right now what Joe Biden is selling is two wars and an economy that isn’t working for far too many ordinary people. If Donald Trump wins, don’t blame the electorate: this is Biden’s election to lose.
The “Human Shields” Defense of Bombing Gaza’s Civilians Is Morally Bankrupt
Apologists for Israel’s bombing spree of schools and hospitals in Gaza say Hamas is using the civilians there as “human shields.” But that justification makes no sense even if we accept the premise — in a hostage situation, you don’t just kill the hostage.
Capitalism Isn’t Just Buying and Selling Things. It’s a System of Domination.
Capitalism’s proponents often defend it by pointing to the virtues of markets. But capitalism isn’t defined by the presence of markets — it’s defined by capitalists’ domination of workers.
“From the River to the Sea” Is a Call for Democracy and Equality
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is not a hateful slogan or a call for violence — it’s a call for democracy and equal rights for all.
A Lack of Money Means a Lack of Freedom
Capitalism’s defenders often claim that it protects “negative freedom” — an individual’s freedom from others interfering with their choices. But Marxist philosopher G. A. Cohen showed that capitalism systematically denies people just this kind of freedom.
A Pro-Israel Super PAC Is Smearing Rashida Tlaib for Standing Up for Palestinian Lives
Pro-Palestine congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is being smeared as pro-terrorism in a massive new ad by the Democratic Majority for Israel. But the pro-Israel group’s lies are transparent — and polls show that Democratic voters are more on Tlaib’s side.