News Blog

To regain working class support, the Democratic Party needs to move to the left on economic issues and the center on cultural issues. That means moving away from identity politics and fighting equally for all struggling people regardless of color or sexual identity. In recent years, leaders from both parties have prioritized the wishes of higher-income people sitting alongside them in policy discussions. It’s time to take a close look at what the rest of the country needs.

Despite Trump’s War on Workers, Labor Movement Notched Crucial Wins in 2025 – truthout

What we learned about the state of the Trump coalition in conversations with 50 voters – NBC

Policymakers Must Address Earnings Instability – CPER

“There are two policy pathways that could potentially ease stress over unstable work hours and incomes. First, local, state or federal policy measures could support workers in low-wage jobs with frequently unpredictable scheduling. Currently, several cities — such as San Francisco, Emeryville, Seattle, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Evanston, Berkeley, and Los Angeles — and one state (Oregon) have passed scheduling laws. At least ten states have considered the legislation.

“Second, a monthly child allowance is another option for policymakers concerned about those with children — particularly unmarried parents in low-wage jobs — and wanting to offset some financial stress caused by work-hour insecurity.”

Study: Wages drive 95% of upward financial mobility, not investments – msn

“In A Nutshell

  • Researchers tracked nearly 300,000 Norwegians over 26 years and found that 95% of people who moved up the income ladder did so through wage increases alone or wages plus investment gains—only 5% rose through investments alone.
  • For those who climbed through both income sources, wage increases averaged $38,000 while investment gains averaged just $9,200, with the typical person seeing wages rise by $31,000 versus investment income of only $308.
  • The pattern reverses on the way down: capital losses played a bigger role than wage cuts when single income sources drove people down the income rankings, while about half experienced declines in both simultaneously.
  • The asymmetry exists because wages follow predictable career progression patterns while investment income is highly concentrated, volatile, and exposed to sudden losses from market downturns and business failures.”

Gaza’s New Normal: Persistent Limited Conflict Is More Likely Than Peace – Daniel Byman/Foreign Affairs

Sea change?:

Chris Van Hollen isn’t afraid to take a stand against Israeli brutality – Hill

“…Polls show that an increasing number of Jews, particularly progressives and young people, oppose Netanyahu’s policies and support Palestinian rights. So do most Americans overall…” 

Members of GU Jewish Community Publicly Oppose Deportations – Hoya

“…Wessel said she signed the letter to make it clear that members of Georgetown’s Jewish community oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and the Trump administration’s deportation efforts…”

Elise Stefanik’s fall from grace and favor is a cautionary tale – Haaretz

“Elise Stefanik’s embrace of Donald Trump seemed set to earn her the Republican nomination for Governor of New York. But now the lawmaker who rose to fame by labeling pro-Palestinian campus protests as antisemitic, is facing the downside of aligning too closely with the famously transactional president.”

The American Evangelical Pastors Supporting Genocide in Gaza – CounterPunch

Dear VP + possible Trump successor Vance: If you can get past the “white men” BS intro, this short article and the slaughter/starvation/land theft in Gaza and the West Bank challenge your statement that the US “will always be a Christian nation.” Read the NT + 10 commandments, ask the Pope, watch the streaming…

References:

Check out #s 6 and 8 (and the first two if your religion is capitalism or socialism):

Condensed version:

Matthew 22:36–40

Ferguson backs income tax on WA residents earning over $1M – WA State Standard

“The so-called ‘millionaires tax’ could raise $3 billion annually, starting in 2029. It would likely face legal challenges and need to go to voters for approval.”

“If the tax is adopted, Ferguson said he wants to explore limiting sales taxes on personal hygiene products, like shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste, as well as eliminating the levies on baby products, like formula and diapers, and ‘essential and affordable clothing items.’

“‘Progressive tax reform cannot just mean increasing contributions from those who can afford it,’ Ferguson said. ‘We must use the gains from the millionaires tax to return money directly to working families and small business owners who have been hit hard by the affordability crisis.'”

Trump administration to resume student loan wage garnishments – Newsweek/WaPost

“According to a report from the Education Data Initiative in August, around 42.5 million student borrowers hold federal loan debt, with a total outstanding balance of nearly $1.7 trillion.

“Prior to resuming collections on defaulted payments in May, the Department of Education estimated that more than 5 million borrowers had not made a monthly payment in over a year—placing them in default—and that 4 million were in late-stage delinquency.”

Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Flips With Least Educated Americans – Newsweek

The poverty line is a lie: how the rising cost of living is leaving many Americans behind – MS Now

“Donald Trump tried to use his address to the nation to gaslight the country into thinking that the economy is doing better than it actually is. Despite what he says, the cost of living is much higher than it used to be and many people in the lower rungs of society are being squeezed out by the one-two punch of rising prices and the shrinking social safety net.”

A middle-class family’s only option: A $43,000 health insurance premium – msn/WaPost

“C’est moi.”

Sen. Rand Paul does not want Vice President J.D.Vance to be the next president – Washington Times

Vance tries to weather the MAGA storm at Turning Point – Politico

This early in President Trump’s second term, does suddenly surging debate about JD Vance as the 2028 Republican presidential candidate also reflect growing concern that the VP might be called to replace the president sooner?

Political calculus:

y = f(x), where: y = probability of DT resignation/impeachment

x = (Trump mental, physical, moral fitness) + (US economic pain index/eg health exchange blow up) + (political scandal/Epstein files) + (who knows what?)

Nobel Prize winner warns GOP health plan will hike costs, force millions off insurance – msn

“Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman warns that the GOP’s proposed health care plan would make insurance far less affordable for most Americans. Writing on Substack, Krugman explained that while the plan superficially replaces government subsidies with direct payments, Republicans are unlikely to provide enough support to keep coverage accessible. As a result, millions could drop insurance, leaving a sicker, older pool behind and driving premiums even higher.”

Republicans are still clueless on health care – Will Marshall/Hill

“The ‘solutions’ Republicans are hawking don’t ameliorate the core problem: Surging medical costs are putting immense strain on family budgets, cutting deeply into take-home pay regardless of whether they buy their own insurance or get it through work…”

Americans Split on Meaning of the American Dream – Gallup

“Americans divide nearly evenly when asked if the American Dream is more about opportunity, the ability to improve life through education, better jobs and other resources, or stability, defined as being able to support a family with a job and safe place to live…”

Tax Promises As Congress Heads Home For The Holidays – TPC

“About two-thirds of families are expected to get an average tax cut of $1,030, but only 16 percent of families in the bottom income quintile will see a cut (about $220 on average), compared with 91 percent in the top quintile (about $2,300). And because refunds reflect how much people had withheld during the year, not just their final tax liability, many families will see refund changes that do not match the size of their underlying tax cut.”

But:

U.S. hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic – PBS

Changing tariff treatment and the exports of developing countries – VoxEU/CEPR

India’s key export state says US tariffs decimating industries – msn/Bloomberg

“US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs of 50% on Indian goods in August, one of the highest rates in the world, slashing exports to India’s biggest market and threatening Modi’s manufacturing ambitions. Despite months of negotiations and New Delhi officials expressing optimism of a deal soon, both sides remain locked in talks without any clear sign whether the tariffs will be lowered.”

Salve Lucrum: The Existential Threat of Greed in US Health Care – Donald Berwick/JAMA

“The grip of financial self-interest in US health care is becoming a stranglehold, with dangerous and pervasive consequences. No sector of US health care is immune from the immoderate pursuit of profit, neither drug companies, nor insurers, nor hospitals, nor investors, nor physician practices…”

People debate whether access to health care is a “right” or just another good or service in the marketplace that should be distributed by ability to pay. Like food, water, and shelter, medical care is a necessity for sustaining life. The US has the resources to provide everyone with necessary medical care and also pay providers fairly. Unchecked greed now drives up costs — and prices out millions of people.