Features

Fed Audit Moves Forward

"There was a major victory for accountability this week in the financial reform fight. Rep. Alan Grayson got an "audit the Fed" amendment into financial regulation legislation But there was also a demonstration that when it comes to protecting the profits of bankers at the expense of ordinary people, no institution does it better than the Party of No."

Isaiah J. Poole: "Watchdogs And Lapdogs On Financial Reform" | » read more

» Robert Johnson: "Congress' Choice: Real Derivatives Reform Or Another Wall Street Earthquake"
» Isaiah J. Poole: "Labor Exec Shows How To Demolish Banking Industry Facade"
» Sam Pizzigati: "Against Wall Street, Prosecutors Are Striking Out"

 PLUS 
» William Greider: "Why Not Tax Wall Street?", "Charitable Capitalism"
» Paul Krugman: "The Big Squander"
» Robert Reich: "The Great Disconnect Between Stocks and Jobs"
» Nomi Prins: "Don't You Think It's Time to Reinstate Glass-Steagall?"
» Robert Parry: "The Ugly Truth about Jobs"
» David Moberg: "Out of Control"
» Simon Johnson: "What Did TARP Do?"

"There was a major victory for accountability this week in the financial reform fight. Rep. more »

How should we reshape our relationship with China in ways that create good-paying jobs here at home and global prosperity based on fair trade? Robert Borosage and our blog team weigh in, plus we add the perspectives of leading progressive writers. Join the conversation. more »

A planned $1.5 billion dollar Texas wind farm—seeking financing with U.S. stimulus money—will create only 30 permanent jobs in America, but 2,000 wind-turbine manufacturing jobs in China. We asked Energy Secretary Steven Chu to prohibit this type of use of Recovery Act funds and have called on the Obama administration to use taxpayer dollars to foster the creation of a green manufacturing sector, with good-paying jobs, here in our own country. These articles explain the issue and why it is important. more »

We need policies that will ensure American workers get good jobs in the new economy. The old prescriptions won't work, but entrenched interests aren't letting go easily. Participate in our online forum, where we explore new progressive industrial, trade and public investment policies in advance of our "Making It In America: Building the New Economy" conference in Washington October 29.

READ AND DISCUSS
$raquo; ROBERT BOROSAGE: Recovery requires fundamental reform of America's economic strategy. The old shibboleths of the conservative era must be discarded, like yesterday's rotted fruit. more »

As the House Financial Services Committee begins markup on Wednesday of key financial reform legislation, the stakes are clear. Without strong regulation of the banks and the shadow banking system, large banks will feel free to gamble with the assumption that taxpayers will cover their losses. This is a recipe for another financial debacle. Now is the time for Americans to stand up for common sense progressive reforms to clean up the financial system.

» Robert Borosage: Will We Curb Wall Street's Casino?

» Isaiah Poole: Voters Want The Banks Reined In

» Robert Borosage: A Recipe For Another Financial Debacle

» Dave Johnson: Stopping Banks From Fleecing, Looting, Scamming, Conning and Generally Ripping Us Off more »

Did President Obama seize the opportunity at the G-20 summit to set a new foundation for job growth and fair trade? We examine the issues that preceded the summit and critique what it accomplished for American workers.

» Read Dave Johnson's blogs from the G-20 | Other G-20 blogs and commentary

» THE CONTEXT: Robert Borosage: It's not yet time to declare victory over the recession.

» G-20 PREVIEW REPORT: Lessons to Learn, Choices To Make | Blog by Eric Lotke more »

"The Wrecking Crew"—Book event and signing with author Thomas Frank, featuring special guest David Donnelly from Public Campaign Action Fund.

Eight years of calamitous conservative government has come and gone. Or has it? The damage left by right-wing hacks at the highest levels of our government going back decades still hobbles us today. And the network of special interest lobbyists embedded in the Washington establishment continues to thwart public demands for real change.

How we understand what we are up against? Thomas Frank's latest book, "The Wrecking Crew," is now updated and out in paperback. To celebrate, on Thursday, October 1 Frank is coming to the scene of the crime—Washington —to detail how conservatives deliberately destroyed the underpinning of effective government, and how their efforts are stifling us today. Click here to RSVP. more »

Finally, a President with the Guts to Enforce Trade Laws

When the US endorsed China entering the World Trade Organization the agreement was that if any of our industries were significantly disrupted, we could call “time out” and give those industries 3 years to adjust. In case after case President Bush refused to enforce this agreement as China took over one industry after another. Since we then had to buy what we used to make, our balance of trade deteriorated and we now owe China vast sums.

Now President Obama has signaled a new direction in America's trade policies by deciding to enforce the ITC's recommendation to impose tariffs on Chinese tire imports.

» Dave Johnson: "President Obama Enforces Trade Law In China Tire Case!"

» Leo Gerard: "Finally, a President with the Guts to Enforce Trade Laws"

» Dave Johnson: "Myths of Protectionism: Stories You Are Likely to Hear in the Wake of the China Tire Trade Tariff Case"

» Dave Johnson: "China Tire Case - Financial Times Op-Ed Says Tariffs Needed! Update - Reid Says Tariffs Needed"

» Mike Elk: "Washington Post Spreads Lie That Trade Enforcement Will Hurt Climate Change Agreements"

» Marcy Wheeler: "Why Auto Parts?" more »

The G-20 summit in Pittsburgh gives the Obama administration the opportunity to forge a new industrial and trade policy that will lay the foundation for solid job growth. What choices will the administration make? Our latest report concludes that Obama and other world leaders should learn from Pittsburgh's efforts to revive itself when the steel industry came under assault from foreign imports.
Read the report »

Blog by Eric Lotke: The G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh is an opportunity to move beyond shibboleths of free trade and protectionism to a more balanced global economy.
Listen to a news conference featuring Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, economist Jeff Madrick and Robert Borosage discussing the G-20 summit and how leaders should address job creation and trade.

more »

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission on September 17, 2009 officially launched its probe into the causes of the economic crash. more »