Category Archives: economy

When capitalism goes haywire

Posted on December 19, 2011 by jerrylanson

As a kid, I used to pore over baseball statistics. These days, I’m increasingly finding myself obsessing over statistics about income inequality instead. I try to keep in mind that economics, at best, is a shaky science. And, as a … Continue reading →

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Has America simply gone numb?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by jerrylanson

Nine days ago, New York Times columnist Charles Blow wrote a short passionate column alongside statistics showing the United States had sunk to the bottom of developed countries in a wide range of measures signifying national health and social justice. Began Blow: … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, income inequaity, indifference, social justice, Uncategorized, US decline | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

So who is waging class warfare again?

Posted on October 13, 2011 by jerrylanson

A new nonpartisan report suggests that many millionaires are paying taxes at a lower rate than the middle class, supporting the assertion of billionaire Warren Buffett in a New York Times opinion piece that he pays taxes at a lower … Continue reading →

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‘Occupy’s’ crystal clear message: Quit ripping us off

Posted on October 9, 2011 by jerrylanson

In just the last week, the Occupy Wall Street movement, shortened in some places to simply “Occupy,” has swept across this country, staging protests in 45 states. Writes London’s Guardian newspaper, “From Seattle and Los Angeles on the west coast to … Continue reading →

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GOP legislator wants to reinstitute ‘dwarf tossing’ to foster economic growth

Posted on October 8, 2011 by jerrylanson

If this story doesn’t say something about how bizarre American politics has become, I don’t know what will. I opened my morning Boston Globe to find this small news item on Page A2: “Fla. lawmaker says dwarf tossing could help jobless.” You … Continue reading →

Posted in dregulation, dwarf tossing, economy, legislative extremism, Republican philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Excesses of NY police will spur Occupy Wall Street movement

Posted on October 3, 2011 by jerrylanson

In this time of corporate excess and escalating income inequality, perhaps the political elite and their well-heeled supporters have forgotten that this is a nation that was born of revolution. On Saturday, the New York Police Department arrested more than 700 … Continue reading →

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Occupy Wall Street movement links ’60s to the interactive age

Posted on September 30, 2011 by jerrylanson

Protest defined my college years. Drawing a page from the courageous and disciplined Civil Rights marchers of the early ’60s, the more ragtag, anti-war students of the late ’60s took to the streets to protest the war in Vietnam. And … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Occupy Wall Street, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Mr. President: Your moment of truth has arrived

Posted on August 22, 2011 by jerrylanson

A lot can happen in 15 months. But I believe this September will be Barack Obama’s time of reckoning. Either he will engage and lead the American public — and continue to engage and lead it until the election — … Continue reading →

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A billionaire comes clean on unjust tax breaks for the rich

Posted on August 15, 2011 by jerrylanson

Thank you, Warren Buffett. There’s no better way to understand the injustice of the American tax system than to read the story of one of the richest men in the world. Today, in a New York Times opinion piece titled … Continue reading →

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Class warfare? The wealthiest wage it relentlessly

Posted on August 14, 2011 by jerrylanson

Extreme income inequality causes a cultural separation that is unhealthy on its face and corrosive over time…. It is hard to imagine an adequate answer to the problems we face that doesn’t involve greater redistribution of wealth. “Can the Middle … Continue reading →

Posted in class warfare, deficit, economics, economy, taxes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment