This week in OtherWords, Sonali Kolhatkar calls out the politicians who, for years now, have been attacking various minority groups — including immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community (especially trans people), and others — in the name of “protecting women and children” from predators.
But as we’re learning in sickening detail from the growing trove of Epstein files, many of the worst predators of women and children happen to be wealthy, powerful men of that same elite class. And the response of some politicians, Sonali argues, suggests that for them, “sex trafficking of women and minors is perfectly acceptable as long as wealthy white men do it.” Sonali condemns the Trump administration’s defense of the bipartisan “Epstein class” and calls on regular Americans to hold them accountable.
Also this week, working mom Lindsay Saunders illustrates the growing economic precariousness of “middle class” life in the United States as affordability gets further out of reach. Stewart Schwartz explains why caring for our veterans needs to include funding for public transit. And Alliyah Lusuegro calls on the retailer Target to stop collaborating with federal immigration agents.
New This Week…
The Epstein Class: They Are the Elites They Pretend to Hate | Sonali Kolhatkar
For years, MAGA has attacked minority groups in the name of “protecting women and children.” It turns out the real abusers are wealthy and powerful.
Affordability Is a Vanishing Promise for the Middle Class | Lindsay K. Saunders
The president’s policies are making it harder for working families like mine to get by.
Keeping Our Promise To Veterans Includes Funding Transit | Stewart Schwartz
For many veterans, the question of how to get to a doctor’s appointment, job interview, or classroom determines whether civilian life is stable or precarious.
Target Needs to Kick ICE Out of Its Stores | Alliyah Lusuegro
Immigrant and human rights advocates are calling on the iconic retailer to stop cooperating with abusive federal immigration agencies.
In Case You Missed It…
Trump’s Assault on Immigrants Hurts U.S.-Born Workers, Too | Sarah Lazare
The research is clear: when immigrant workers are targeted, it threatens all workers’ ability to fight for better pay and conditions.
Trump and Vance Can’t Be ‘Pro-Life’ While Committing Violence Against Children | Jordan Liz
Children aren’t exempt from ICE’s violence. And for administration hardliners, that’s the point.
One Woman’s Refusal | Eric Morrissette
The importance of Fed Governor Lisa Cook’s stand against presidential pressure.
The GOP’s Solution to Corruption: Just Legalize It | Jim Hightower
The party’s so-called “stock trading ban” still allows members of Congress to own and sell stock in corporations they oversee.
