Economic Update

Economic Update - Tax Injustices - 04/17/14

Updates on how inequality persists across generations, the nonsense of "taxes are job killers", governor uses tax revenues to prevent unionization in a private enterprise. Major discussion of state and local taxes in the US, the economics of paying executives very high incomes, and the privatization of public services. Response to listener's question on recent Medicare report on oversize payouts to doctors.

Economic Update - Bankers and Presidents - 04/10/14

Updates on O'Reilly vs de Blasio, Greek bonds, millions for Detroit's athletes, and who pays federal taxes. Interview with Nomi Prins, ex-Goldman Sachs banker, on new book All the Presidents' Bankers. Response to listener on where and why Congress refuses to act (taxing rich, helping poor, reducing inequality, etc.) despite US poll results showing big majorities supporting those actions.

Economic Update - Building Worker Coops - 04/03/14

Updates on Supreme Court McCutcheon decision on campaign financing, global meaning of French municipal elections, special impacts on women of raising minimum wages, and corporations' cash hoards cause unemployment and cut government services. Interview with Vanessa Bransburg who supports and builds successful worker coops in Brooklyn, New York. Response to listener on scarcity and its economic effects.

Economic Extremes - 03/27/14

Updates on labor struggles at Univ of So Maine, low interest rates hurt retirees, super-rich get state subsidies, Northwestern Univ athletes move to unionization, BBC on US unemployment, Nestle's CEO vs human right to water. Major discussions on income distribution vs redistribution; Maryland cuts taxes on rich and leaves tipped workers' min wages at $3.63/hr.; final segment on criticisms of capitalism. Response to listener's questions on Bill Gates' C-Span interview.