Venture Capitalists Want Drug Prices to Stay High
The federal government has taken some steps to lower the prices of drugs developed with public funds. Venture capital firms that have profited off of these sky-high prices are pushing back hard.
20395 Article(s) by: Karl Leffme
Karl Leffme is a socialist in New York CIty.
Indian Port Workers Refuse to Load Weapons for Israel’s War
India is a major military partner for Israel, which is why port workers across India are refusing to handle weapons destined for Israel, insisting they want no part in the massacre in Gaza.
Dior and Chanel Square Off in the Messy The New Look
Largely set in occupied France during World War II, the new Apple TV+ series The New Look zeroes in on Christian Dior’s rivalry with Coco Chanel — but it falls flat when it tries to handle Chanel’s infamous Nazi sympathies.
US Media Is Collapsing. Here’s How to Save It.
Mass layoffs are tearing through US media. To preserve a functioning media ecosystem, we need three things: immediate aid to struggling journalists, public subsidies to smaller news outlets, and eventually industry transformation into a publicly funded system.
El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele Committed Blatant Election Fraud
This month, incumbent Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele seemed poised to easily win reelection and sweep the legislature with his New Ideas party. But when his legislative supermajority appeared in doubt, Bukele and his supporters resorted to outright fraud.
A New SCOTUS Case Could Undo Decades of Regulation
Conservative business interests are backing arguments in a Supreme Court case that could open even long-finalized federal regulation to legal attacks, striking at safeguards that protect ordinary Americans.
Italians Committed Terrible Crimes, Then Forgot Them
This week in 1937, Italian Fascists and colonizers began a three-day massacre in Addis Ababa, killing up to 20,000 Ethiopians. The slaughter is all but ignored in today’s Italy, where public debate remains steeped in indulgent views of colonial rule.
Lula Is Right About Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
Brazilian president Lula forcefully condemned Israel’s brutal war on Gaza on Sunday before expelling Israel’s ambassador to Brazil on Monday. These actions are part of his decades-long commitment to standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Alexei Navalny Taught Russia’s Opposition How to Mobilize
Alexei Navalny’s movement attempted a kind of mass mobilization rare among earlier liberal dissidents. He resisted the effort to stifle Russian society — an act of defiance for which he was killed.
Gabriel Boric Is Struggling to Boost Chile’s Meager Pensions
Left-winger Gabriel Boric became Chile’s president two years ago on a wave of popular mobilization. But with a constitutional rewrite in tatters, plans to reform the country’s privatized pension system pose a tough test of his ability to make lasting changes.
Austria’s Communist Party Is Defying the Right-Wing Turn
After two years heading Graz city hall, Communist Elke Kahr was recently named the world’s best mayor. Now, her Communist Party is hoping to win power in Salzburg and show that Austria isn’t doomed to turn to the far right.
America’s Origin Story Is a Myth
The foundational myths of the United States celebrate the conquest of the frontier as the creation of a nation founded on principles of equality. Nick Estes thinks it’s time Americans grappled with the truth.
The West Is Sabotaging a Global Pandemic Treaty
International talks aimed at creating a treaty to prevent another COVID-19 catastrophe are nearing collapse. This impasse is due to the refusal of countries such as the US, Canada, and Germany to compromise on Big Pharma’s intellectual property rights.
The “Progressive” NBA Still Loves Israel
The NBA has presented itself as the most socially conscious of the major US sports leagues. But when it comes to Israel, the redlines are clear.
Are We Transitioning From Capitalism to Silicon Serfdom?
The idea that we are entering an era of techno-feudalism that will be worse than capitalism is chilling and controversial. We asked former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis to elucidate this idea, explain how we got here, and map out some alternatives.
How Football Made the Working Class
In premodern England, peasants organized football games over enclosed land. Today, fans have gotten together to buy teams from corrupt owners. The beautiful game has always shaped the culture of the popular classes, despite moneyed influences.
Guns and Opioids Are the Next Frontier for the American Novel
A new book satirizes contemporary America with the tale of a struggling gun store that rebrands to fight opioid addiction. Its successful portrait of precarity and catastrophe contrasts with its sidestepping of gun stores’ inherently political nature.
Florida’s “Communism Task Force” Is Absurd Red-Baiting
Republicans in Florida’s legislature don’t think enough is being done to indoctrinate children in the Sunshine State against the dangers of communism. Frankly, it’s a little heartening that they’re this worried about a socialist resurgence.
Democrats Have Been Panicking Over Biden’s Age for Years
For years, Democratic insiders themselves have raised concerns about Biden’s fitness to serve. The party tried to put off this discussion. It’s too late for that now.
The UK’s Economy Is Awful Because of Permanent Austerity
This week the UK was officially declared to be in a recession. The economy is suffering from a long-term refusal by the government to increase public investment — helping make Britain one of the worst economic performers among rich countries.