AlterNet.org: Economy

5 Right-Wing Governors Gutting Schools to Fund Prisons, Tax Breaks for the Rich...And a Bible Theme Park

Sarah Jaffe, AlterNet — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:01 PST

When state after state slashes education dollars, we see what matters to them--and where they spend while cutting schools tells us even more.

Fashion Model/Filmmaker Launches Workers' Rights Organization for the Modeling Industry

Paul Harris, The Guardian — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

Model Sara Ziff, who made a film called "Picture Me" that revealed the seedy underbelly of the fashion industry, wants to help models fight for their rights.

Runaway Greed Is Destroying America: Should There Be a Lid on How Much Someone Can Make?

Sam Pizzigati, AlterNet — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:01 PST

Today we take the idea of a minimum wage for granted. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Will Obama's New "Made In America" Ideas Be Enough To Bring Our Jobs Back?

Scott Paul, AlterNet — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:01 PST

Obama's latest ideas for kick-starting American manufacturing are a good start, but there's plenty more we can be doing.

Wired Magazine's Embarrassing Whitewash of Apple's Electronics Supplier Foxconn

Yves Smith, Naked Capitalism — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:01 PST

An attempt to assuage the guilt of gadget-owners over Foxconn's suicide-inducing work conditions does not pass the smell test.

Facebook IPO Will Boost 1%, But the Rest of Us Won't Be Sharing

Lynn Parramore, AlterNet — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:01 PST

When it comes down to business, FB just looks like another triumph of the superrich. With friends like that, who needs enemies?

Charles Murray's New Book 'Coming Apart' Shamelessly Blames the Victims of Our Economic Collapse

June Carbone, Naomi Cahn, AlterNet — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:01 PST

The self-appointed moral Czar condemns working people for lack of character while ignoring economic realities.

I'm on Food Stamps: My Shame and Pride in Signing up for the Most Stigmatized Benefit

Christopher D. Cook, Salon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

I call myself frayed white collar -- part of the privileged poor. I'm a semi-accomplished, mid-career journalist and writer, but now I'm hurtling precipitously toward poverty.

How to Score a Foreclosure Fraud Settlement Deal

Richard (RJ) Eskow, Campaign for America's Future — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:01 PST

There are well-established facts to guide us, and the principles involved are clear.

Profiting From Catastrophe: If Fossil Fuel Companies Burn All Their Reserves We're Undeniably Screwed

Bill McKibben, TomDispatch.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

Here are the facts: The business models at the center of our economy are in the deepest possible conflict with physics and chemistry.

Why Going 'Back To Normal' Is No Longer An Option for the American Economy -- And Where We're Headed Now

Sara Robinson, AlterNet — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

Stop waiting around, because "normal" as we know it isn't coming back.

Spitzer: The Philosophical, Economic and Political Case for Raising Capital Gains Taxes

Eliot Spitzer, Slate — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

Mitt Romney's large investment income has spurred arguments about whether to raise the tax on capital gains.

Has Personal Finance Goddess Suze Orman Lost Her Luster?

Lynn Parramore, AlterNet — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

If she doesn't find a way to offer a mea culpa, some of her devotees may desert her shrine and find another idol.

Thomas Frank Talks to Joshua Holland About the 'Hard-Times Swindle' and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right

Editorial Staff, AlterNet — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:00:01 PST

Frank talks about Communism, the Tea Party and his new book, "Pity the Billionaire."

How Liberals are Getting Spun in the Mortgage Settlement Debate

William K. Black, New Economic Perspectives — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:01 PST

The propaganda of Holder and Obama can't hide the fact that the administration is not serious about prosecuting mortgage fraud.

How Rich Executives Extract Concessions From Workers -- While Playing the Good Guy in Public

Laura Clawson, Daily Kos — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:01 PST

That's what's on the rise: Management attempting to exercise control over their workers -- in a brutal display of power. Give in to us or lose your paycheck right now.

6 Things You Should Know About Arizona's Worse-Than-Wisconsin's Attack on Public Workers

Sarah Jaffe, AlterNet — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:00:01 PST

Jan Brewer has decided to get in on the union-busting action, introducing a bill that makes Ohio's and Wisconsin's attacks on public workers look mild.

How Privatizing Government Shovels Cash to Parasitic Corporations and Undermines Democracy

Mike Konczal, Salon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:00:01 PST

From schools to prisons, outsourcing government's works typically ends with cronyism, waste and unaccountability

Wal-Mart Warehouse Workers Move Ahead in Fight for Justice

David Moberg, In These Times — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:00:01 PST

Warehouse workers in two distribution centers fight back against mass layoffs, threats, wage theft, and awful working conditions--and win support from a judge.

Obama Brags on Saving Detroit--But Auto Industry Bailout Came on the Backs of Working People

Laura Flanders, The Nation — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:00:01 PST

To make the deal that saved the auto industry, Treasury demanded concessions from workers and a ban on strikes. Now Obama's bragging that he saved workers.