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OpEd News Member for 922 week(s) and 3 day(s)
20 Articles, 36 Quick Links, 184 Comments, 2 Diaries, 0 Polls
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Saturday, January 7, 2012
Working Together SHARE
This is an historic opportunity for the labour and co-op movements. They have a unique opportunity to remind people of the tools they have to create change, as well as an obligation to play a leading role in offering new strategies for economic justice. For unions, this agreement is an opportunity to explore the potential of co-operative ownership instead of the usual adversarial relationship with capital. For the co-op movement, it is an opening for greater solidarity with working people everywhere -- not just in their own co-ops. It is also a reminder of one of Mondragón's core principles for success: investment in community development, job creation and expanded co-operative ownership.
Working Together SHARE
This is an historic opportunity for the labour and co-op movements. They have a unique opportunity to remind people of the tools they have to create change, as well as an obligation to play a leading role in offering new strategies for economic justice. For unions, this agreement is an opportunity to explore the potential of co-operative ownership instead of the usual adversarial relationship with capital. For the co-op movement, it is an opening for greater solidarity with working people everywhere -- not just in their own co-ops. It is also a reminder of one of Mondragón's core principles for success: investment in community development, job creation and expanded co-operative ownership.
(3 comments)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
What's the Problem With Unearned Income? by William Spademan SHARE
For William Spademan, "making a fortune and living off the interest is central to the American Dream. We aspire to luxury and leisure." Keith Olbermann lends credence to this argument with his April broadcasts regarding "Lotto Nation".
Spademan says that "economic justice boils down to one question: Am I producing more goods and services than I am consuming?"
If extortion and freeloading are unfair, then how are we to view what the IRS calls "unearned income" -- that is, investment income: rent, interest, dividends, capital gains, and other passive profits? Return on investment is an exponential function in a finite environment, siphoning credit from the poor to the rich.
Many environmentalists and economists insist Americans need to 'get a new dream'. Spademan's proposed alternative is what he calls "Common Good Finance", and it's worthy of serious consideration.
What's the Problem With Unearned Income? by William Spademan SHARE
For William Spademan, "making a fortune and living off the interest is central to the American Dream. We aspire to luxury and leisure." Keith Olbermann lends credence to this argument with his April broadcasts regarding "Lotto Nation".
Spademan says that "economic justice boils down to one question: Am I producing more goods and services than I am consuming?"
If extortion and freeloading are unfair, then how are we to view what the IRS calls "unearned income" -- that is, investment income: rent, interest, dividends, capital gains, and other passive profits? Return on investment is an exponential function in a finite environment, siphoning credit from the poor to the rich.
Many environmentalists and economists insist Americans need to 'get a new dream'. Spademan's proposed alternative is what he calls "Common Good Finance", and it's worthy of serious consideration.
(1 comments)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Lotto Nation: by Keith Olbermann SHARE
How are the Republicans getting the principal victims of Republicanism to dig their own political graves? The answer is startlingly simple. Those who are unwittingly collaborating with the radical right, those who should want the government to spend every dollar on the people who need it (like themselves), those who are interested in protecting the rich are convinced -- utterly, profoundly, life-alteringly convinced -- that they themselves are going to BE rich. It's 'Lotto Nation', the myth of 'upward mobility', 'The American Dream'. The mice have been convinced, or have convinced themselves, that they will someday become -- cats.
Lotto Nation: by Keith Olbermann SHARE
How are the Republicans getting the principal victims of Republicanism to dig their own political graves? The answer is startlingly simple. Those who are unwittingly collaborating with the radical right, those who should want the government to spend every dollar on the people who need it (like themselves), those who are interested in protecting the rich are convinced -- utterly, profoundly, life-alteringly convinced -- that they themselves are going to BE rich. It's 'Lotto Nation', the myth of 'upward mobility', 'The American Dream'. The mice have been convinced, or have convinced themselves, that they will someday become -- cats.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Mondragon Experiment: by Greg MacLeod SHARE
A corporation is considered by the law to exist as a legal person. The corporate person receives great benefits from society -- and, in return, it must exercise great responsibilities. One of the most basic responsibilities is job creation, a fundamental need in any society.
The Mondragon Experiment: by Greg MacLeod SHARE
A corporation is considered by the law to exist as a legal person. The corporate person receives great benefits from society -- and, in return, it must exercise great responsibilities. One of the most basic responsibilities is job creation, a fundamental need in any society.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Remedies for the Perversion of Business Corporations: by Greg MacLeod SHARE
Scientific and technological discoveries do not start from zero; they presuppose a vast accumulation of pre-existing science. The body of science and knowledge that we possess today is the result of generations of investments by a host of governments and public bodies. In many countries universities are a major source of invention and new knowledge. Since governments and society in general support universities it seems unfair that university researchers are allowed to sell their knowledge to the highest bidder as intellectual property. Clearly, it is a distortion when corporations claim absolute ownership of knowledge contents.
Remedies for the Perversion of Business Corporations: by Greg MacLeod SHARE
Scientific and technological discoveries do not start from zero; they presuppose a vast accumulation of pre-existing science. The body of science and knowledge that we possess today is the result of generations of investments by a host of governments and public bodies. In many countries universities are a major source of invention and new knowledge. Since governments and society in general support universities it seems unfair that university researchers are allowed to sell their knowledge to the highest bidder as intellectual property. Clearly, it is a distortion when corporations claim absolute ownership of knowledge contents.
(3 comments)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Mondragon: Reclaiming Regional Production Capacity by Judith D. Schwartz SHARE
Zero unemployment is not merely a byproduct of the Mondragon system. It is their primary objective. Replication of this model in the U.S. requires, not just a transfer of systems, but a transformation of fundamental values. The good news is it only takes four or five like-minded individuals to change the world forever. So which of us brave Americans will step up to the plate and become "The Beatles" of the 21st Century?
Mondragon: Reclaiming Regional Production Capacity by Judith D. Schwartz SHARE
Zero unemployment is not merely a byproduct of the Mondragon system. It is their primary objective. Replication of this model in the U.S. requires, not just a transfer of systems, but a transformation of fundamental values. The good news is it only takes four or five like-minded individuals to change the world forever. So which of us brave Americans will step up to the plate and become "The Beatles" of the 21st Century?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Case for Worker Co-ops by Nancy Folbre SHARE
Since many of our most prestigious economic institutions have embarrassed themselves at our expense over the past two years, maybe it's time to look around. Worker-owned and -managed businesses combine entrepreneurship with solid family values and commitment to community. With more complex goals than maximizing profit, they are less growth-oriented than other companies. Don't tell Wall Street, but that could be a good thing.
The Case for Worker Co-ops by Nancy Folbre SHARE
Since many of our most prestigious economic institutions have embarrassed themselves at our expense over the past two years, maybe it's time to look around. Worker-owned and -managed businesses combine entrepreneurship with solid family values and commitment to community. With more complex goals than maximizing profit, they are less growth-oriented than other companies. Don't tell Wall Street, but that could be a good thing.
(1 comments)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Steelworkers-Mondragon Talk by Rob Witherell SHARE
This article is submitted with some apprehension. In a genuinely democratic workplace, anonymous, absentee "shareholders" don't exist, so there are no directly opposing interests. This arrangement typically renders "bargaining" and "worker protection" unnecessary in the traditional sense. But perhaps the USW has something else in mind. Nevertheless, this article does seem important regarding the Mondragon-USW collaboration.
Steelworkers-Mondragon Talk by Rob Witherell SHARE
This article is submitted with some apprehension. In a genuinely democratic workplace, anonymous, absentee "shareholders" don't exist, so there are no directly opposing interests. This arrangement typically renders "bargaining" and "worker protection" unnecessary in the traditional sense. But perhaps the USW has something else in mind. Nevertheless, this article does seem important regarding the Mondragon-USW collaboration.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
U.S. Steelworkers to experiment with factory ownership, Mondragon style: by Carl Davidson SHARE
The vision behind the agreement is job creation, but with a new twist. Since government efforts were being stifled by the greed of financial speculators and private capital was more interested in cheap labor abroad, unions will take matters into their own hands, find willing partners, and create jobs themselves, but in sustainable businesses owned by the workers.
U.S. Steelworkers to experiment with factory ownership, Mondragon style: by Carl Davidson SHARE
The vision behind the agreement is job creation, but with a new twist. Since government efforts were being stifled by the greed of financial speculators and private capital was more interested in cheap labor abroad, unions will take matters into their own hands, find willing partners, and create jobs themselves, but in sustainable businesses owned by the workers.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Steelworkers Form Collaboration with Mondragon, the World's Largest Worker-Owned Cooperative SHARE
What we are announcing today represents a historic first â€" combining the world's largest industrial worker cooperative with one of the world's most progressive and forward-thinking manufacturing unions to work together so that our combined know-how and complimentary visions can transform manufacturing practices in North America.
Steelworkers Form Collaboration with Mondragon, the World's Largest Worker-Owned Cooperative SHARE
What we are announcing today represents a historic first â€" combining the world's largest industrial worker cooperative with one of the world's most progressive and forward-thinking manufacturing unions to work together so that our combined know-how and complimentary visions can transform manufacturing practices in North America.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Who's Afraid of the Independent Press? SHARE
Some powerful points here, particularly that the relationship between journalists and political powers should be adversarial, exposing the lies of the latter to the general public. But if the goal of journalism is to challenge and ultimately to eliminate the role of a ruling class along with their lies, then what incentive will remain for anyone to become a journalist? With no battle to fight, what need is there for soldiers?
Who's Afraid of the Independent Press? SHARE
Some powerful points here, particularly that the relationship between journalists and political powers should be adversarial, exposing the lies of the latter to the general public. But if the goal of journalism is to challenge and ultimately to eliminate the role of a ruling class along with their lies, then what incentive will remain for anyone to become a journalist? With no battle to fight, what need is there for soldiers?
(4 comments)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
'Capitalism' not a love story SHARE
Moore never really defines “capitalism†so that you can understand how these abuses are unique to it. I left the movie thinking that the real villains are government officials. By systematically stripping away sensible regulations, our elected representatives have left the capitalist system defenseless against greed, indifference and all the darker forces of human nature.
'Capitalism' not a love story SHARE
Moore never really defines “capitalism†so that you can understand how these abuses are unique to it. I left the movie thinking that the real villains are government officials. By systematically stripping away sensible regulations, our elected representatives have left the capitalist system defenseless against greed, indifference and all the darker forces of human nature.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Corporations Moving In: By Scott Cooper SHARE
Distracted by extremes in the health care shoutfest and updates on the Gosselins' break-up, few will notice a move by corporations to cement their control over our politics. Any reforms to our broken health care will be rendered toothless if limits to corporate powers — accountable to none but boards of directors seeking wealth — are lifted while our attentions are elsewhere.
Corporations Moving In: By Scott Cooper SHARE
Distracted by extremes in the health care shoutfest and updates on the Gosselins' break-up, few will notice a move by corporations to cement their control over our politics. Any reforms to our broken health care will be rendered toothless if limits to corporate powers — accountable to none but boards of directors seeking wealth — are lifted while our attentions are elsewhere.
(1 comments)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Economics - Profitability: By Gerhard Adam SHARE
If we acknowledge that the market cannot solve every problem and address every circumstance, then questioning the free market status of health care is a reasonable position to take. The first thing to establish when examining a company or industry is whether its function is rightly subject to free market considerations and competition. If not, then whatever else it is, conventional supply and demand models do not apply.
Economics - Profitability: By Gerhard Adam SHARE
If we acknowledge that the market cannot solve every problem and address every circumstance, then questioning the free market status of health care is a reasonable position to take. The first thing to establish when examining a company or industry is whether its function is rightly subject to free market considerations and competition. If not, then whatever else it is, conventional supply and demand models do not apply.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Single Payer 101 SHARE
This primer endeavors to articulate the nature and advantages of a single payer system. Importantly, the term "single payer" is different from "socialized medicine" and "universal health care." Single payer does not specify a health care delivery mechanism; it specifies a health care financing mechanism.
Single Payer 101 SHARE
This primer endeavors to articulate the nature and advantages of a single payer system. Importantly, the term "single payer" is different from "socialized medicine" and "universal health care." Single payer does not specify a health care delivery mechanism; it specifies a health care financing mechanism.
(1 comments)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Health Insurance - The Smoke and Mirrors Industry SHARE
We might all be better off eliminating the health insurance companies and negotiating directly with doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceuticals to obtain better prices. In fact, a strong argument could be made, that the costs of health-care are artificially high because the health industry knows that their bills will be paid by insurance companies.
Health Insurance - The Smoke and Mirrors Industry SHARE
We might all be better off eliminating the health insurance companies and negotiating directly with doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceuticals to obtain better prices. In fact, a strong argument could be made, that the costs of health-care are artificially high because the health industry knows that their bills will be paid by insurance companies.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Economics of Health Care SHARE
Most people believe that you cannot buy and sell health care like other goods and services. They believe that health care is different. This is what is sometimes called a "common-sense" approach to the issue. Economists approach the same question rather differently. They analyse the question of health care and markets from a theoretical perspective. The main theory they use is called market failure.
The Economics of Health Care SHARE
Most people believe that you cannot buy and sell health care like other goods and services. They believe that health care is different. This is what is sometimes called a "common-sense" approach to the issue. Economists approach the same question rather differently. They analyse the question of health care and markets from a theoretical perspective. The main theory they use is called market failure.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Health Care and the Demand Curve SHARE
Government is the only way that health care will ever be accessible to those who need it because there is no downward sloping demand curve. The demand curve charts the quantity of a good or service demanded at any price. It is downward sloping because the higher the price, the lower the quantity demanded will be...UNLESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WILL SAVE MY LIFE.
Health Care and the Demand Curve SHARE
Government is the only way that health care will ever be accessible to those who need it because there is no downward sloping demand curve. The demand curve charts the quantity of a good or service demanded at any price. It is downward sloping because the higher the price, the lower the quantity demanded will be...UNLESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WILL SAVE MY LIFE.
(1 comments)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"Mad as Hell" tour of doctors demands single payer and "taking back" our democracy SHARE
It is happening, folks... a brave group of doctors from Oregon, sick and tired that the political process has been coopted by corporate America, and that our democracy is as good as the money you have to buy it, is getting on the road to express their outrage. The "Mad as Hell" tour will start in Portland, Oregon, make about 14 stops, including Philadelphia, and arrive in DC around September 29.
"Mad as Hell" tour of doctors demands single payer and "taking back" our democracy SHARE
It is happening, folks... a brave group of doctors from Oregon, sick and tired that the political process has been coopted by corporate America, and that our democracy is as good as the money you have to buy it, is getting on the road to express their outrage. The "Mad as Hell" tour will start in Portland, Oregon, make about 14 stops, including Philadelphia, and arrive in DC around September 29.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Why we must vote on the public health care plan SHARE
Insurance companies don't really do anything to make people healthier. They need to be efficient gatekeepers on behalf of their shareholders. They rely on a formula to provide as little health care as possible for each dollar they take in. With taxpayers, consumers and workers paying an enormous amount more than necessary because of this model, it seems odd that we would be so concerned about protecting it.
Why we must vote on the public health care plan SHARE
Insurance companies don't really do anything to make people healthier. They need to be efficient gatekeepers on behalf of their shareholders. They rely on a formula to provide as little health care as possible for each dollar they take in. With taxpayers, consumers and workers paying an enormous amount more than necessary because of this model, it seems odd that we would be so concerned about protecting it.
