A new book, American Amnesia, is out explaining how we got in this mess, but not strong on solutions.
If you plan on becoming an activist this article might be helpful:Activist Tool Kit
We did not really discuss "Free Trade". This video explains why the US or multinational corporations want the agreements: Insight into TPP and other trade agreements. Also Hufposts' article: Free Trade Was Never Free.
We did touch on the media, but did not go into any depth. Even with streaming media so wide spread they tend to be one-sided creating their own bubbles. The major media are owned by the oligarchy as described by Noam Chomsky.
We do not have time to watch Capitalism is the Crisis, but it would be worth your time to watch it on your own computer
Alan suggested an excellent article on the health care death spiral. While the article predicts a failure in the system, I believe that their are ways to make it functional. These include: The elderly are healthier than before; There are revolutionary medical advances coming; Universal health coverage would take the profit and advertising cost out; Improving our food supply and consumer education would make us much healthier; Controlling the cost and use of drugs would be a big help.; As he states proper incentives are needed; Changes in the way we deliver health care are very possible to reduce costs; Seriously attacking fraud; and Reducing unnecessary tests and doctors' insurance costs could go a long way.
Some places have done some of these successfully.
I believe we can lick this problem, if we find the will to make some very difficult changes. If not, the costs will certainly be unmanageable. One worry is the drug problem. If it keeps on getting worse, I doubt that there will be anything that will help.
Alan suggested an excellent article on health care that
we should read because of the vital importance of the topic.
Another example of socialism for corporations
Alan suggested an excellent article on health care that
we should read because of the vital importance of the topic.
Another example of socialism for corporations
Meanwhile, the public share of the cost for a new stadium hosting baseball’s Texas Rangers might be more than advertised. In theory, it’s a 50-50 public-private split. In practice, it might be something different.
“Tucked in the agreement,” says a report from WFAA-TV, “is a clause called the ‘admissions and parking tax’ that allows for a 10% surcharge on event tickets and up to $3 additional surcharge on parking. State law allows cities to collect and use the taxes to build their stadiums. Arlington's agreement, however, allows the Rangers to use the admissions and parking tax revenues to help pay their half of the construction costs.”
That’s “verbal gymnastics,” says Villanova professor Rick Eckstein. "It's relatively unprecedented in terms of stadiums I've studied over the last 20 years."
