Category Archives: Banana republic

Coronavirus Magical Thinking, US Style: Contact Tracing Versus Masks

With bad coronavirus outcomes, America seems set on continuing to do dumb things.

Neoliberalism Is Over. Welcome to the Era of Neo-Illiberalism!

Big tech, nationalist politics, and the billionaire class have propelled a novel political economy. What impact will the virus have on this new status quo?

Tom Ferguson: Big Business Takes Cash as Workers Laid Off, States and Cities Go Bust

Tom Ferguson and Paul Jay discuss how Democrats and Republicans distaste for accountability by finance and big corporations is playing out in the coronacrisis

Some Communities Are Being Forced to Fight School Closures and Privatization in the Midst of the Pandemic

Citizens opposing a school restructuring plan in Minneapolis remind local officials: “The educational system actually belongs to us.”

Tale of Two Cities Redux: HK to Ease its COVID-19 Restrictions, While NYC Situation Remains Dire

Hong Kong’s public health authorities protect its population from COVID-19, via use of masks; NYC, by contrast, flounders.

Pandemic Profiteering: How the Military Goes to the Head of the Covid-19 Bailout Line

How the coronavirus has helped the US military up its grifting game.

Finance Capitalism vs Industrial Capitalism: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Are Destroying Us

Another Michael Hudson star turn on debt dynamics, this time focusing on the coronavirus bailouts are shoring up rentiers.

Covid-19, The Coming Developing Country Debt Crisis and The Argentina Debt Reduction Proposal

Even the IMF backs the new debt put forward by Argentina. Could it be a model for Covid-shocked emerging economies?

‘No Consequences for Negligence That Kills’: McConnell Wants Corporate Immunity From Covid-19 Lawsuits

Not content with pursuing pro-business judicial nominations alone, Mitch McConnell seeks to circumscribe corporate COVID-19 legal liability.

Public Health and Private Profits Under COVID-19 Pandemic

More discussion of how the private sector is undermining responses to Covid-19.

In a Slap in the Face to Progressives, Biden Appoints Larry Summers, a “Literal Architect of Neoliberalism,” to Economic Advisory Role

If you need proof that Biden doesn’t give a damn about oridinary people, his bringing Larry Summers in from political exile should convince you.

CalPERS Out of Control: Stunningly High Number of Personal Trading Violations, Yet Board Ignored the Misconduct

CalPERS yet again manages to exceed expectations in a bad way.

‘No Warming, No War’: Report Details How US Militarism and Climate Crisis Are Deeply Interwoven

“In the face of both COVID-19 and the climate crisis, we urgently need to shift from a culture of war to a culture of care.”