Child care is expensive because good child care employs a high ratio of caregivers to children. That’s good for children but a problem for working people earning on the low end (and even the middle) of the wage scale. The Economic Policy Institute took a look at child care costs and found that infant care … Read more
The AFL-CIO Paywatch program keeps an eye on the executive compensation figures public corporations are required to report thanks to the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. That’s information companies didn’t want to report, and a closer look shows why. Read it here. A few takeaways: In the past 10 … Read more
The People’s Policy Project is a think tank run by Matt Breunig, who previously worked as a lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board and as a policy analyst at the Demos Think Tank. The 3P, as they refer to themselves, took a look at the recent Federal Reserve report that tracks the distribution of … Read more
RUNAWAY INEQUALITY—This is the most pressing issue that affects all working people and the poor. After World War II the US emerged as a super power because its economy built up a strong middle class. The system at that time saw the height of union involvement so workers could negotiate with business for improved wages … Read more
Lordstown is the poster child for modern financialized capitalism and runaway inequality By Les Leopold The vacant Lordstown General Motors facility is a frightening sight—6.2 million square feet of modern industrial might spread over 900 acres doing absolutely nothing except depressing the regional economy and the spirits of northeast Ohio. Just a few months ago … Read more
Think about how much your income would go up if you didn’t have to pay for healthcare at all. That would begin to close the gap between productivity and wages for the first time in a generation. By Les Leopold Pundits and politicians repeatedly warn us that the country cannot afford costly social services. They … Read more
If you’re in North Carolina this week you’ll have a chance to see Les Leopold speak. He’s visiting the state and making a series of appearances to talk about Reversing Runaway Inequality. On May 1st he’ll be in Asheville, at the Pack Library, at 4pm. On May 2nd he’ll be in Charlotte for a May Day Panel, speaking to … Read more
You can listen to Les talk to Arthur Schwartz on this WBAI by clicking this link. The Leopold segment begins at about the 11 minute mark.
Today, a similar common denominator unites every identity group with every economic populist: All have much to gain from policies that address rising inequality by Les Leopold According to conventional wisdom, the Democrats must appeal to middle-of-the-road swing voters in order to defeat Trump in 2020. Supposedly these voters want a moderate who “crosses the … Read more