United States

Analysis Politics United States

Why are the Teamsters endorsing Greg Abbott?

Workers in Texas suffer under this crushing weight coming at them from all sides because of Abbott. Oxfam America’s “The Best States to Work In The US 2025” reported that Texas is 45th out of 50 U.S. states in wage policies, worker protections, right to organize and the minimum wage, which is still $7.25 per hour. It mirrors the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour that’s been frozen since 2009. 

Analysis Economy United States

Stagflation and the K-shaped economy

Rising inflation is one thing.  But it is being accompanied by a weakening jobs market as employment growth slows to a trickle and wage rises, especially for the lower paid, have slowed. Unemployment among Hispanic workers — who swung significantly towards Trump last November — rose to a year-high of 5.5 per cent in September, compared with 4.4 per cent overall.

Analysis Politics United States

The key characteristics of Trump’s second term

In line with other authoritarian politicians, Trump has leveraged his position to turn the state into a cash machine for him and his cronies, using his position of power to extract wealth through various means, including extortion based on legal threats, sales of Trump-themed trinkets, lavish gifts, and crypto-currency trading.

Analysis Politics United States

Trump’s leap into irrationalism?

Beyond a handful of commitments, mostly revolving around ways to boost his own power and to line his pockets, Trump is completely mercurial. Perhaps this is part of his projection of a “strongman” image, but it can also produce a situation where, among his minions, “the knives are out for everyone,” as Trump biographer Michael Wolff said.

Analysis Politics United States

Trump uses Charlie Kirk’s murder as an excuse to crack down further on free speech

Developments since Kirk’s death should clarify some points amid the noise and social media vitriol. They have exposed the lie that conservatives and the far right are somehow champions of “free speech” against a censorious left “cancel culture.” When billionaires like X’s Elon Musk and Fox’s Rupert Murdoch own massive communications platforms from which they spread conservative and far-right ideology into the body politic, it’s hard to take the claim seriously. With few exceptions, the right’s pretensions to “free speech” were always phony and mostly raised when others used their free speech to criticize the right’s bigotry.