social / justice

Ugly Reminder – Now is the Time for a Federal Ban on Assault Weapons 2

By Daniel McKay

Dec

14

2012

I’m doing some moving (starting a new job) so I will keep this short (I also have the “right to work” idea on my plate). Today Connecticut experienced one of the worst school shootings in US history. At least 28 have been killed among them 17 children. This would rank up at the second most deadly school ...

The Rolling Jubilee – Occupy Still Taking on the Banks

By Daniel McKay

Nov

10

2012

I was recently informed of a new movement being orchestrated by Occupy Wall Street group (OWS), called Rolling Jubilee. Coming from the previous position that OWS was well-intentioned but lacked real movement potential I didn’t expect to see much of them – so with this I was surprised. The idea? Buy debt that is sold from the ...

Are We Subsidizing the Wal-Marts and McDonalds of America? 1

By Daniel McKay

Nov

4

2012

I’m not a huge fan of Wal-Mart, although I can say I’ve strolled the aisles. For me it isn’t just their employment policies, their enormous size and leverage on domestic suppliers, or that they aimed to profit off the deaths of their employees. It’s my compassion for fair employment and the burden it places on ...

Mortgages and Housing: The Noose Around America’s Neck 1

By Daniel McKay

Oct

24

2012

A couple of nights ago before bed I couldn’t stop thinking about our economy and what medicine is needed to put us back on track. I recently wrote “Cutting Taxes on Millionaires DOESN’T Increase Economic Growth” in which I suggest that the American economy is driven by consumers demanding products (the argument deserves an entire ...

Congressional Gridlock: The Public Chain Gang 2

By Daniel McKay

Oct

19

2012

If you want to help stop the Gridlock in Congress, please take a few seconds to sign the Citizen’s pledge to hold Congressmen accountable. You can sign the pledge at http://stopthegridlock.com The People are no fans of gridlock, from both the Right and Left, constituents are fed up with the ways of our recent congressional ...

The Disenfranchisement of the American Middle-Class 2

By Daniel McKay

Oct

18

2012

In a well-functioning representative government, people irrespective of status and resources can voice their opinions to their representatives. The United States is NOT a well-functioning representative government. Repeatedly, and almost relentlessly the government has ignored the sentiments of the masses in favor of the few. The reason for the continued disregard for public opinion comes ...

Want To Learn About Entitlements? Part 1: The Facts 6

By Daniel McKay

Oct

14

2012

Welcome to part 1 of our 3 part US entitlements series: The Facts Definition: Entitlements are guarantees to benefits by right or law. In the United States entitlements are Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Food Stamps, veterans benefits, Welfare, unemployment insurance, supplemental security income, student loan programs, school food programs etc… The list ...

The American Caste Society – In Class Warfare Money Rules 6

By Daniel McKay

Oct

13

2012

The United States comes closest to the ideal of prosperity for all in a classless society. – Richard Nixon to Soviet premier Nikita Khruschev, 1959 I wish this could be said today, as it was said in 1959. The real prospect of the “American Dream” is more folklore than a reality for many Americans today. ...

Does Free Trade Cause Economic Growth And Reduce Poverty? 2

By Daniel McKay

Oct

8

2012

For many years, people have been convinced that openness to international trade was the key determinant for economic growth and poverty reduction. In 2000, WTO’s Mike Moore said that the surest way to help the poor was by opening markets. This idea has been accepted by many multilateral organizations (like the WTO). Recent empirical evidence, ...

Why Do People Vote Against Their Self-Interests? 3

By Daniel McKay

Oct

2

2012

Do People Consistently Vote Against Their Own Self Interests? Well, people at least think they aren’t – and the reason is asymmetric information. In laymen’s they don’t know what the heck they’re doing. While writing “Who Said Money Can’t Buy Happiness?” and reading a recent pew report, I started to ask myself – do people actually vote with their ...