COMMENTARY: The door to real change is wide open
Let me begin with a simple observation: If the last 30 years were an era of reaction, then the coming decade could turn into an era of reform, even radical reform. Six months into the Obama presidency, I would say without hesitation that the landscape, atmosphere, conversation, and agenda have strikingly changed compared to the previous eight years.
Push begins for new stimulus bill
As the reality of a recession far worse than anyone believed it was earlier this year takes hold, labor and its allies are laying the groundwork for another stimulus battle this fall. They are making their plans even as the Obama administration and Democratic leaders say it’s still too early to consider another recovery package.
Health industry lobby buys 350 former government officials
The country’s biggest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members, including former members of Congress, in order to influence the health care debate taking place in the nation’s capital, the Washington Post reports.
Immigrant-bashing ballot measure fails
PORT ANGELES, WA.—A far right-wing outfit, Respect Washington (RW), failed to collect enough signatures to qualify their immigrant-bashing initiative for the ballot in Washington State this November.
Wells Fargo loses an important round in predatory lending case
A federal judge ruled recently against Wells Fargo's request to dismiss a suit charging it with racially motivated predatory lending. The case is being brought against Wells Fargo by the city of Baltimore which claims the bank was practicing “reverse red-lining.”
Jena Six case comes to an end; shone light on racism in criminal justice system
In September 2007 more than 40,000 demonstrators descended on the small town of Jena, La. to protest unequal justice for the Jena Six, a case in which charges were brought against six black teens following a series of racially charged incidents sparked by the hanging of nooses in a public schoolyard. Facing South followed the case closely as it thrust a small central Louisiana town into the national spotlight and drew the eyes of the country to the lines of racial inequality still present in the modern-day South.
Supreme Court holds that states may investigate national banks
In its 5-4 decision in Cuomo v. Clearing House Assn., L.L.C. this week, the Supreme Court ruled that states, not just federal authorities, can enforce their own fair lending and consumer protection laws against national banks. Consumer advocates say the ruling will play a major role in how consumer protection and civil rights laws are enforced.
July 4th demonstrator's cry: Health care now!
PORT ANGELES, WA., July 5---Thousands of onlookers stood and applauded along the July 4 parade route in this paper-mill town as marchers walked by with banners demanding health-care reform and chanting “48 million uninsured. SHAME!” and “Health Care Now!”
President's Weekly Address: On the 4th of July, Overcoming Americas Challenges
Hello and Happy Fourth of July, everybody. This weekend is a time to get together with family and friends, kick back, and enjoy a little time off. And I hope that’s exactly what all of you do. But I also want to take a moment today to reflect on what I believe is the meaning of this distinctly American holiday.
Celebrate our shared history of struggle, declare your independence from health care tyranny
Right now, I'm on a train from New York City, where the Battle of Brooklyn took place and our first capital, to Boston, land of the real Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord, the shot heard around the world, Paul Revere and lots more. Then I plan to go on to Worcester, my hometown, and, more importantly, the city where the first national convention for women's suffrage took place, and also an early hotbed of abolitionist activity.
