Abolish the House of Lords
No democratic parliament should include hereditary peers or lifetime appointees. It’s time for Britain to abolish the House of Lords.
20404 Article(s) by: Julia Goodman
Joe Biden Beat Donald Trump — Then Stole His Immigration Policy
Until recently, denying refugees the right of asylum, sending migrants to be killed in Mexico, and keeping kids in cages were policies considered so evil that for liberal America there was no higher priority than ending them. Then Joe Biden became president.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Workers Are on Strike for Incredibly Reasonable Demands
Some of the lowest-paid workers at UPMC, Pennsylvania’s largest private-sector employer, are on a one-day strike. Their demands — a living wage, safe staffing — are shocking only in how incredibly reasonable they are.
Do Not Welcome Our New Billionaire Overlords
Billionaires now hold so much of the world’s wealth, their apologists argue, there’s no choice but to rely on them for philanthropy. But we can’t take our eyes off the ball: We need to tax the ultrarich out of existence.
The American Ruling Class Has Never Let Us Build Back Better
The nation’s original failure to “build back better” was Reconstruction, the attempt to radically remake society in the wake of the Civil War. Then as now, the most powerful people in the country went out of their way to maintain the status quo.
In Cities Around the US, Redistricting Is a Major Threat to Progressive Politics
Cities have long been the sites of major advancement for progressive and socialist politics. But for over a century, city leaders have tried to halt those advancements with a potent tool: redistricting.
The COP26 Deal Was Another Betrayal of Climate Justice
Western governments have tried to blame China and India for the COP26 flop. But it was the rich capitalist states of Europe and North America that refused to accept the just demands of the world’s poorest nations, leaving us still on course for disaster.
Afeni Shakur Took on the State and Won
Pregnant and facing decades in prison, the mother of Tupac Shakur fought for her life — and triumphed — in the trial of the Panther 21.
Far-Right and Fascist Organizations Are Leading Australia’s Anti-Vax Movement
In Australia, a growing protest movement is challenging public health measures intended to counter COVID-19. Although its organizers claim to be defenders of freedom, it’s clear that far-right and fascist groups are at the heart of this movement.
Big Pharma’s Favorite Democrats Saved the Drug Industry Half a Trillion Dollars
Corporate Democrats like Senator Kyrsten Sinema saved Big Pharma $450 billion by watering down the party’s drug pricing plan.
Puerto Rico Is Facing Down Another Undemocratic, Austerity-Obsessed Bankruptcy Deal
Financial vultures are pushing a new round of bankruptcy and austerity in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans themselves, meanwhile, continue to fight for pensions, basic services, and a democratic say in their lives that has been denied them so long.
The US Is Blocking Climate Reparations
At COP26, the US and its rich allies refused to consider how to pay for the damage their emissions are wreaking on developing nations.
Portugal’s Election Is About Whether Austerity Is Really Over
Portuguese premier António Costa has called a snap general election in a bid to end his dependency on left-wing parties’ votes in parliament. The split owes to his refusal to roll back attacks on labor rights imposed by the previous right-wing government.
Young People Don’t Need Climate Lectures From Barack Obama
Barack Obama’s trademark schtick — soaring rhetoric about transformational change while cynically catering to the status quo — was on display at COP26 in his address to young people. But young people already learned the hard way that Obama’s act is hollow.
Facebook’s “Metaverse” Must Be Stopped
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse is no utopian vision — it’s another opportunity for Big Tech to colonize our lives in the name of profit.
Cubans Don’t Want Regime Change
The US hoped the protests in Cuba would overthrow Cuba’s government. That didn’t happen. Talking to average Cubans on the island reveals why: Despite criticisms of the government, many Cubans want to further the revolution, not scrap it.
Ontario’s Government Is Transferring Billions From Workers’ Compensation Funds to Bosses
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is planning to transfer billions of dollars from workers’ injury compensation to employers. The board has claimed the funds are excess savings — but they were made through neoliberal cost-cutting.
By Backing a Huge Tax Giveaway to the Rich, Democrats Are Giving the GOP a Perfect Midterm Gift
By demanding new tax breaks for the rich, Democrats are helping Republicans portray them as hypocritical elitists just before a midterm election.
Spencer Is an Early Christmas Gift for Gothic Melodrama Fans
If you, like me, despise the British monarchy, you may expect Spencer, the new Princess Diana movie, to be insufferable. But the film is so bonkers, you may put aside all desire to watch the House of Windsor drown in the River Thames and actually enjoy the show.
Elizabeth Holmes Swindled Henry Kissinger, and We’re Not Complaining
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is a living embodiment of what’s wrong with the Silicon Valley venture capital sinkhole. But we can’t get too mad at her for defrauding some of the worst rich people in the world.