Stephen Kapos – Holocaust Survivor Message to US Campus Protesters – Brave New Europe
News Blog
“The authors argue that although often justified as reflecting shared strategic interests or compelling moral imperatives, the U.S. commitment to Israel is due primarily to the activities of the ‘Israel Lobby.’ This paper goes on to describe the various activities that pro-Israel groups have undertaken in order to shift U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction.”
“Some readers will find this analysis disturbing, but the facts recounted here are not in serious dispute among scholars. Indeed, our account relies heavily on the work of Israeli scholars and journalists, who deserve great credit for shedding light on these issues. We also rely on evidence provided by respected Israeli and international human rights organizations. Similarly, our claims about the Lobby’s impact rely on testimony from the Lobby’s own members, as well as testimony from politicians who have worked with them. Readers may reject our conclusions, of course, but the evidence on which they rest is not controversial.”
Good to see Prof. Walt still on the faculty list after Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government tried to prevent a scholar critical of Israel from joining the faculty last year: “Harvard reverses decision on role for Israel critic after outcry” – Guardian The Israel Lobby at work.
“Galloway, who was on the show to promote his new book, said the economy is ‘purposely’ transferring money to the super rich from the other classes and from the young to the old. For instance, about the tax system he said: ‘Two biggest tax deductions — capital gains and mortgage interest. Who owns homes and stocks? People my age. Who rents and makes their money from current income? Young people.'”
The Human Face of American Decline – Atlantic
THE SUBURBS HAVE BECOME A PONZI SCHEME
Left out: A framework for non-contributory paid parental leave – Niskanen Center
Like much of the Niskanen Center’s work, this report is thoughtful and detailed. However, it fails to adequately explore and address distributional issues facing paid family leave and other social insurance programs.
CCSE work on this issue:
Biden won’t sanction Israeli units accused of human rights violations in West Bank – ABC
Read the story and watch the video report. Typical of much US news coverage, the headline does not agree with the report’s content and sanitizes it. The headline talks about “accusations” of human rights violations. The story leads with this statement: “The Biden administration has determined that three military battalions with the Israel Defense Forces committed ‘gross human rights violations’ against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank…”
US penalties aren’t stopping Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians – Al Jazeera
“Israel has expanded illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank despite signing the 1993 Oslo Accords, which initiated a peace process obliging Israel to freeze settlements to create a Palestinian state. However, the US effectively approved of Israel’s settlement expansion when President Donald Trump’s administration declared them legitimate, contravening international law. Trump’s decision emboldened the Israeli government – and settlers – to step up the confiscation of Palestinian villages, according to Juma.
“’The settler-colonial project was always there but it needed legitimisation and Trump legitimised Israel’s entire colonisation of historic Palestine,’ he told Al Jazeera.
“Under President Joe Biden, the US restored its former position by labelling Israeli settlements illegitimate in February, but only after Israel approved in the same month plans to build 3,300 new homes in illegal settlements.”
‘The 401(k) industry owns Congress’: How lawmakers quietly passed a $300 billion windfall to the wealthy – Politico
“Greased by lobbying and campaign cash, tax breaks for retirement savings are one thing Congress agrees on. But they also blow out the deficit and add to income inequality.”
Important retrospective by Politico. Here’s what CCSE wrote before the horses left the barn and Congress passed the Secure Act 2.0:
Here’s how to include all US workers in the retirement savings system – 2 essential ingredients needed:
Half of Americans have no retirement savings — here’s how Congress can look out for them
And how the current system is adding to economic inequality:
How the American Retirement Savings System Magnifies Wealth Inequality – Society of Actuaries