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Poverty in America: Bigger than ever and rapidly spreading. The flood of poor people in this Land of Plenty is being swollen by turbulent economic waters sweeping millions of Americans downstream from the middle class. This is our nation's true economic crisis. Unlike the manufactured "fiscal cliff" hysteria that continues to consume Washington politicos and pundits, the present pace of poverty really is dragging down our economy and our nation's potential for greatness.
Recent Commentaries
Cantor's con would steal workers' overtime pay
Monday, May 20, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
Little Eric Cantor, the prancing political prissy who serves as the GOP's House majority leader, apparently thinks he's too slick to get caught in an outright legislative lie – or maybe he thinks we rubes... [read more]
World-class political nincompoopism
Friday, May 17, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
My state of Texas seems to have an inordinate share of nincompoops in public office. But it's only fair that office holders from other states be considered before deciding which one is the nincompoopiest of... [read more]
Turning people who report corporate crime into criminals
Thursday, May 16, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
In most state legislatures today, bizarre is not unusual, and off-the-wall has become the political center.
Still, it seems strange that legislators in so many states – from California to Vermont... [read more]
On-call shifts: The latest corporate shame
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
Step right up, folks, and take your chances in the Amazing New American Workplace. Constantly high unemployment! Low wages always! No employee bargaining power! A corporate paradise!
This paradise has enriched... [read more]
Putting happy-face stickers on America's middle-class pain
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
At last, some excellent economic news for folks long-mired in the stagnant labor market!
"Jobs Spring Back," exclaimed a typical headline on recent reports that 165,000 private-sector jobs were added in... [read more]
Diverting shareholder funds into "dark money" politics
Monday, May 13, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
If corporations are people, as the Supreme Court pretends, they certainly are loudmouths, constantly telling us how great they are and broadcasting their brand names everywhere.
Amazingly, though, these corporate creatures... [read more]
Oh joy – the branch bank of the future is here!
Friday, May 10, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
The giant banks that wrecked our economy are thriving today, thanks to public funds that Washington continues to make available to them, even as the middle class continues to sink. Yet, those same narcissistic bankers... [read more]
Ag biz gags on its own gag law
Thursday, May 9, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
Amy Myer was curious. Then she was appalled. Then she was charged with the "crime" of using a cell phone to video what appalled her.
Welcome to the Brave New World... [read more]
Politicking by corporate cowards
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 | Posted by Jim Hightower
Hide & seek can be a fun game for kids, but when huge corporations play it in our elections, fun becomes infuriating.
Last year, corporate interests sought to elect their candidates... [read more]
The chilling reality of America's jobs crisis
"Stock Market Soars," exulted a typical headline in early May, when the Dow Jones Average topped 15,000.
But this index of Wall Street wealth gives a false picture of our... [read more]