With the debt ceiling theatre nearly reaching its climax, remarks about spending cuts, tax increases, ending tax loopholes, and other sorts of deficit reduction approaches are being tossed out daily by politicians and political commentators. In addition to being a bit abstract, the debates surrounding these topics often devolve into a muddled mess. One of… Continue reading Ways to think about government distribution policy
Author: Matt Bruenig
Reconsidering the DREAM Act
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) is a piece of legislation which aims to provide paths to permanent residency for undocumented youth. Organizations like United We Dream and the United States Student Association have come out in support of the legislation, arguing primarily that not providing permanent residency for undocumented… Continue reading Reconsidering the DREAM Act
Enormous productive potential being wasted as unemployment creeps higher
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their June employment report today, and almost all of the findings recorded in the report were awful. Unemployment is up to 9.2 percent, more than 0.4 percent higher than it was two months ago. This puts the total number of unemployed people — a term which only includes those… Continue reading Enormous productive potential being wasted as unemployment creeps higher
Medicaid study provides support for the program
It almost goes without saying these days that America’s approach to providing health care is totally dysfunctional. The United States spends more money than any other country in the world while simultaneously insuring fewer people than every other industrialized nation. Meanwhile, it delivers poor outcomes, and the World Health Organization famously ranked it 37th in… Continue reading Medicaid study provides support for the program
Good labor news for once: Connecticut mandates paid sick days
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy announced Tuesday that he had signed into law a bill which requires employers to provide paid sick days to their workers. The bill is the first of its kind in the country. Under the new rules, firms with 50 or more employees are required to provide their workers one hour of… Continue reading Good labor news for once: Connecticut mandates paid sick days