| Jan 31, 2018 | Economy / Business|Rights / DemocracyCalifornia can be an annoyingly trendy state. Think avocado toast, In-N-Out Burger, Hollywood fashion, even legal pot. But Californians are now in the vanguard to fix the serious problem of how to pay for public higher education. Over 44 million households in the U.S....
| | Economy / BusinessOn Friday, January 26, I was in a good mood. I was about to start teaching for the spring semester on Monday. I had set everything up online, and my syllabus was ready. I’d even emailed my students to let them know which textbook to buy. Then I got a phone call...
| | Economy / Business|Rights / DemocracyGovernors and mayors insist that giving our tax dollars to corporations to lure them to move to our cities is good public policy. The corporations create jobs, those workers pay taxes, and — voila! — the giveaway pays for itself! Does it really work that way?...
| Jan 24, 2018 | Economy / Business|Environment / Health|Rights / DemocracyIt’s common knowledge that our political system is awash with money. And that money, despite some flimsy legal barriers, comes with strings attached. One coal baron’s efforts to set an entire administration’s energy agenda are the perfect case study....
| | Economy / BusinessAnother semester is about to begin at the community college where I teach. Some of my students come from middle class backgrounds. They went to excellent high schools, enjoy financial and emotional support from their parents, and have what it takes to excel in...
| | Economy / BusinessIn September, the giant retail monopolist Amazon announced its intention to build a second corporate headquarters in Someplace, North America. Where’s that? Aha, that’s the trick in a corporate game called “Fleece the Taxpayer.” CEO Jeff Bezos...
