Gaius Publius

Sometimes, a broken institutionNeeds a public burned enough to fight.by Gaius PubliusIn an article in Rolling Stone entitled "Give 'Em Hell, Bernie," Matt Taibbi weighs in on the Sanders presidential run. About that run, the bottom line, as far as I'm concerned, includes these three items: 1. Bernie Sanders appears to be serious about challenging both Clinton and the system, which are, in my view, somewhat coextensive. 2. If elected, he'll certainly do what he says he'll do. He won't be one more Mr.

In this video, "Gap" is a proxy for the whole industry, including Nike. To learn about the problem with subcontractors, start watching at 10:30.by Gaius PubliusNike is ground zero for "made in Asia" shoe apparel. President Obama is ground zero for "let's send more jobs to Asia and claim the opposite." I'm not sure it benefits either to put the two together.

Logo of the Greek Golden Dawn political partyby Gaius PubliusI haven't written much about Greece lately, but there's quite a story going on. It's not that difficult to follow, but you have to be careful whom you read. Conventional wisdom (backed by corporate, pro-austerity media outlets here and abroad) says it's a morality tale — bad Greeks who went into too much debt and now they can't pay up.

The world, as the very very rich are making itby Gaius PubliusI've been listening for days and days about how bad are those bad people in Baltimore, breaking windows and such. And listening to the media give honoring hours and hours to the calls for peaceful protest.And through my head runs the one message this intends — Violence belongs only to the State.

How the Tea Party sees Fast Track (source)by Gaius PubliusIn covering the TPP battle between President Obama and the CEO class on the one side, and most of the rest of the country on the other, I've noted that the Tea Party right is as opposed as the "professional" left. (My own TPP coverage is collected here.)Now comes more evidence of that.

Democrats playing "Follow the Neo-Liberal Leader" by Gaius PubliusThis is a "bring you up to date" post for those following TPP.

by Gaius PubliusYour Open Rebellion Caucus at work, featuring Dem-on-Dem violence on trade. As usual, the press is enjoying this, and those opposed to TPP appreciate the spotlight. Thanks are due to President Obama for being so obvious about what he wants, and for not downplaying Sen.

Ron Wyden, one second prior to sayingF-U to progressives who oppose TPPby Gaius PubliusIn a late afternoon and evening session, the Senate Finance Committee has approved the Wyden-Hatch Fast Track bill, 20-6. The bill now goes to the Senate floor. The Hill has the story (my emphasis):

Operators are standing by: (202) 225-3121.Seriously. Please call. by Gaius PubliusYou can't make this stuff up; it invents itself faster than you can find and print it. Two quick points, both about TPP and Ron Wyden's Fast Track sell-out.First, AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka testified before the Senate Finance Committee in opposition to Wyden and Hatch's Fast Track bill.

The very very wealthy, eating the world (source)by Gaius PubliusWhen we first reported on the introduction of Fast Track legislation — the bill that makes it possible for Obama and corporate Congress men and women to pass TPP, the next NAFTA-style "trade" agreement, by neut