(2021-01-05). In 2021, the best way to fight Neofascist Republicans is to fight Neoliberal Democrats. nationofchange.org What's imperative for progressives is not to "speak truth to power" but to speak truth about power — and to drastically change an economic system that provides humongous wealth to a very few and worsening misery to the countless many.
(2021-01-05). Foodbanks at risk of closure due to new coronavirus strain. thecanary.co Independent foodbanks are at risk of closure due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus variant and are calling on the government to provide cash to hungry families to "protect public health". | The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) has written to the prime minister calling on him to give struggling families money to reduce food bank reliance over the new year lockdown. | The letter says that distribution of emergency parcels "cannot address worsening poverty" and with the number of infections rising "could well contribute to the spread of Covid-19". | Meanwhile, the need to self-isolate could mean services reduc…
(2021-01-05). A Medical and Scientific New Year's Wish List. jamanetwork.com The last 4 years have been difficult for science and medicine. The relentless attack by members of the executive and legislative branches of government on science and federal agencies that conduct science has shaken the fundamental pillars of great US institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and in some regards the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Although the 2020 NIH budget increased to almost $42 billion, more individuals are uninsured, and although health care costs have not increased substantially over the past 4 y…
(2021-01-04). All in for $2K. counterpunch.org A few weeks ago I had exchanges with people on Twitter in which I argued against across the board payments to individuals. I was concerned that these were likely to come out of other provisions (most importantly unemployment insurance) in the pandemic relief package. Since most people have actually not seen their income cut from
(2021-01-04). 2020: Annus Horribilis, The Worst Is Yet to Come? Poverty, Unemployment, Despair. globalresearch.ca
(2021-01-03). The Richest 500 People in the World Added $1.8 Trillion to Their Wealth in 2020. truthout.org Bloomberg's year-end report on the wealth of the world's billionaires shows that the richest 500 people on the planet added $1.8 trillion to their combined wealth in 2020, accumulating a total net worth of $7.6 trillion. | The The historic hoarding of wealth came as the world confronted…
(2021-01-02). [Editorial] Health as a foundation for society. thelancet.com In 2020, a virus that thrived on chronic disease and inequality became the great revealer. COVID-19 revealed the fragility of civilisations built on social injustices, short-term policies, and a dangerous disregard for the environment. The need to become more resilient to crises of all kinds is almost universally agreed on. But to construct that resilience, a philosophical change in how we care for each other and our environment must be made. Health improvement is the guiding principle to lead a recovery away from regressive policies that harm the most vulnerable (and will result in future catastrophes) and point…
(2021-01-02). Family Faces Eviction By Agency Meant To Help Them. popularresistance.org Philadelphia, PA – Imagine being a parent, hustling "gig economy" jobs, without a home during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Jasmine and Ariel, this has been the reality since May. They are a couple in their 30s, both with children from previous relationships, and navigating the minefields of poverty and pandemic. They had an apartment, but when Jasmine missed a check-in with her probation officer, she was sent to prison, leaving Ariel with no way to pay the rent and without a home. | According to a recent study conducted by geographers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, there are 10 abandoned properties for eve…
(2021-01-02). Centuries of Inequality in the U.S. Laid Groundwork for Pandemic Devastation. zcomm.org "All the social pathologies of our nation come to the fore during epidemics"
(2021-01-02). Amid Warnings of Surging Worldwide Poverty, Planet's 500 Richest People Added $1.8 Trillion to Combined Wealth in 2020. commondreams.org Bloomberg's year-end report on the wealth of the world's billionaires shows that the richest 500 people on the planet added $1.8 trillion to their combined wealth in 2020, accumulating a total net worth of $7.6 trillion. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/elon_musk.jpeg …
(2021-01-02). Activists Say Wealthy Universities' Property Tax Exemptions Hurt Public Schools. truthout.org When the University of Pennsylvania said it would pay $10 million a year for 10 years to address environmental hazards in Philadelphia's public schools, Gerald Campano's reaction was complicated. | "Of course it's important that Penn at least recognizes the profound challenges that the School District of Philadelphia faces with things like lead poisoning and asbestos," Campano, a professor at Penn's Graduate School of Education, said. "But charity is not the same as social and racial justic…