Worms, Pond Scum and Economists
-- Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research
The effort to blame the awful plight of the young on Social Security and Medicare is picking up steam.
Guest Contributor
ALEC's Plan to Kill Union Jobs Everywhere, Even Outside the U.S.
by Dave Saldana
In Ontario, 465 union workers used to make locomotive engines. Then Indiana passed ALEC's anti-union legislation, and Caterpillar moved the works to Muncie. And that's bad for everybody.
Cry Wolf: Why the Right Was Wrong About the Family Medical Leave Act
-- by Donald Cohen, Cry Wolf Project
In February 2005, Patti Phillips sat by her daughter's bedside during the weeks before Stephanie Phillips died of bone cancer. Patti was able to be at her daughter's side the day she died because of the federal law that allows millions of Americans to take family leave without risking their jobs. "You want to be there with your child.... and you don't want to worry about your job," said Phillips, 49, an inventory specialist at Coca-Cola in Atlanta. "The law gives you peace of mind."
Exposed: Whole Foods' and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor's Troubled Relationships with Workers
- by Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association and Dave Murphy of Food Democracy Now!
The union is like having herpes. It doesn't kill you, but it's unpleasant and inconvenient, and it stops a lot of people from becoming your lover. --John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market
Don’t Put a Fork in It: On the Perils of Genetically Engineered Salmon
-- by Wenonah Hauter, Food and Water Watch
While most Americans were enjoying the holiday season or stressing out over the nation's imminent leap off the so-called fiscal cliff, the Food and Drug Administration delivered some big news as quietly as possible. Fishy Genes.
The Wisconsin Legislature Is Now in Control of Credentialing Capitol Journalists: Who Gets to Cover the Capitol?
by Dylan Brogan
At the height of the collective bargaining protests, when nearly all the doors at the Capitol were locked and guarded by police officers from every corner of the state, Dick Wheeler -- the unquestioned leader of the Wisconsin Capitol press corps -- ensured that members of the media were not denied access to the building.
Duke Energy Flip-Flop: ALEC Leads Attack on North Carolina Clean Energy with Duke Funding
Corporate polluters are taking aim this year at states with renewable energy laws, starting with an attack on North Carolina's clean energy economy by American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) politicians and member companies.
Corporations in Illinois: What Have You Got to Hide?
-by George Goehl, National People's Action
Tax fairness has become a centerpiece of national debate, from the president's reelection to the recent deal surrounding the so-called fiscal cliff. In Illinois, taxpayers want to make sure corporations in the State are paying their fair share as well. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the federal corporate tax rate from 1952-63 -- a period of prosperity and a significant rise in the middle class -- was 52 percent. Today it's 35 percent. By working loopholes and exceptions many corporations are able to reduce their effective tax rate to as low as zero. As it stands corporations doing business in Illinois do not have to disclose to the public what taxes, if any, they contribute to the state.
At ALEC Meeting, Indiana Regulator Advises Coal Companies on Delaying EPA Climate Rules
-- by Connor Gibson, Greenpeace
You're probably familiar with the old "fox in the hen house" story, but what about when a hen joins the fox den?
This is the case with the recent American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) meeting in Washington, DC. Leaked documents obtained by Greenpeace reveal that ALEC's anti-environmental jamboree was inundated with coal money and featured an Indiana regulator advising coal utilities on delaying US Environmental Protection Agency rules to control greenhouse gas emissions and hazardous air pollution.
Time Gives Up on Factchecking: Corporate Media Can't Find a Way to Tell the Truth
--by Peter Hart, originally published in FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting)
In October, the inevitable was announced: Struggling Newsweek magazine would be finished as a print publication as of the end of the year. But the last mass newsweekly left, Time, also made an announcement of sorts: It was out of the factchecking business.
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