The Uneven Playing Field

The Uneven Playing Field:

Under unilateral disarmament, Trump stays, Conyers goes, Moore stays, Franken goes. Remember "when they go low, we go high?" Yep. So do I. via Pocket

How Do Politicians Get Away With Cutting Taxes for the Rich?

How Do Politicians Get Away With Cutting Taxes for the Rich?:

A substantial majority of Americans believe that rich people ought to pay more taxes. For example, consider public opinion about the "Buffett rule," named after its most prominent backer, the billionaire investor Warren Buffett. via Pocket

To Save the Internet We Must Own the Networks

To Save the Internet We Must Own the Networks:

In late October, Ajit Pai, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, proudly announced, "We've been energetic in advancing the public interest…over the past nine months, the Commission has voted on 63 items at our monthly meetings, compared to 103 in the preceding three years. via Pocket

The Movement for Free College Tuition Is Growing

The Movement for Free College Tuition Is Growing:

In 2015, President Obama proposed making community college free nationwide. He pointed to a pilot free tuition program just being launched by Tennessee for recent high school graduates and might not have been aware of a free tuition program operating in Louisiana for almost two decades. via Pocket

We’re witnessing the wholesale looting of America

We're witnessing the wholesale looting of America:

Over the course of 2017, both in Congress and in the executive branch, we have watched the task of government devolve into the full-scale looting of America. via Pocket

Newsweek on Twitter

Newsweek on Twitter:

U.N. "shocked" at the level of poverty in rural Alabama. "It's very uncommon in the First World" http://bit.ly/2ycnWFl via Pocket

Our National Narratives Are Still Being Shaped by Lecherous, Powerful Men

Our National Narratives Are Still Being Shaped by Lecherous, Powerful Men:

And the stories keep on coming: about how political pundit Mark Halperin rubbed his erect penis against younger female colleagues (a claim he denies); how Artforum co-publisher Knight Landesman touched young female employees against their will and told one of them that she needed to be "more ope via Pocket

How Our Broken Justice System Led to a Sexual Harassment Crisis

How Our Broken Justice System Led to a Sexual Harassment Crisis:

Amid the latest wave of sexual harassment allegations, you might conclude, with some relief, that predators are finally being held accountable for long-repressed abuse. But while several men have lost their jobs, there's been little accountability in a legal sense. via Pocket

The Trump Presidency: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

The Trump Presidency: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO):

One year after the presidential election, John Oliver discusses what we've learned so far and enlists our catheter cowboy to teach Donald Trump what he hasn't.Connect with Last Week Tonight online…Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens: www.you via Pocket

Rigged: How Voter Suppression Threw Wisconsin to Trump

Rigged: How Voter Suppression Threw Wisconsin to Trump:

You can't say Andrea Anthony didn't try. A 37-year-old African American woman with an infectious smile, Anthony had voted in every major election since she was 18. via Pocket

America is facing an epistemic crisis

America is facing an epistemic crisis:

Over at the Gothamist, Jake Offenhartz has an astounding and richly symbolic story about the latest bit of "fake news" burped up by the alt-right. [Ugh, that link now goes to the "Gothamist is dead" page. Here's a Jesse Singal story about the incident.] via Pocket

The research is clear: Waiting periods can curb gun deaths

The research is clear: Waiting periods can curb gun deaths:

It's no secret this country is extraordinarily divided on the issue of gun rights, and common ground has been hard to come by. via Pocket

How test scores can block black students from the University of Minnesota

How test scores can block black students from the University of Minnesota:

The University of Minnesota is currently sponsoring an exhibit that examines the actions of university administrators from several decades ago. via Pocket

Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort

Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort:

The rule would have helped poor Americans move to more expensive neighborhoods with better schools. The zip code where a child grows up can have a huge effect on that kid's entire life. via Pocket

The Resegregation of Jefferson County

The Resegregation of Jefferson County:

In 2013, a flier began making the rounds in Gardendale, Ala., a suburb of Birmingham. via Pocket

Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge Over Blacks (but Don’t Know It)

Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge Over Blacks (but Don't Know It):

For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think is earned by an average black family? Wrong. You're actually too pessimistic. Black families in America earn $57.30 for every $100 in white family income. via Pocket

The Only Problem in American Politics Is the Republican Party

The Only Problem in American Politics Is the Republican Party:

Political scientist Lee Drutman argues in a Vox essay that American politics is descending into what he calls "doom-loop partisanship. via Pocket

Our Broken Economy, in One Simple Chart

Our Broken Economy, in One Simple Chart:

The poor and middle class used to see the largest income growth. Note: Inflation-adjusted annual average growth using income after taxes, transfers and non-cash benefits. via Pocket

This miracle weed killer was supposed to save farms. Instead, it’s devastating them.

This miracle weed killer was supposed to save farms. Instead, it's devastating them.:

BLYTHEVILLE, ARK. — Clay Mayes slams on the brakes of his Chevy Silverado and jumps out with the engine running, yelling at a dogwood by the side of the dirt road as if it had said something insulting. Its leaves curl downward and in on themselves like tiny, broken umbrellas. via Pocket

City governments are raising standards for working people—and state legislators are lowering them back down

City governments are raising standards for working people—and state legislators are lowering them back down:

On August 28, 2017, low-wage workers in St. Louis, Missouri, became the latest victims of state preemption laws. "Preemption" in this context refers to a situation in which a state law is enacted to block a local ordinance from taking effect—or dismantle an existing ordinance. via Pocket