Category Archives: Economics and the like

Greece and Democracy

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Ampersand

I’ve been following the news from Greece with horrified fascination. A few quick thoughts: 1) I don’t think there’s any legitimate argument in favor of austerity anymore – even the IMF admits that austerity is incredibly harmful. 2) And yet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and the like, International issues | 19 Comments

Supreme Court Declines To Gut Obamacare, 6-3

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Ampersand

From Chief Justice Roberts’ decision (pdf): In a democracy, the power to make the law rests with those chosen by the people. Our role is more confined—”to say what the law is.” Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137, 177 (1803). … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, Supreme Court Issues | 12 Comments

Black Unemployment and the Minimum Wage

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Ampersand

Summary: There is a lot of racism in the history of the US minimum wage – but the most important way that racism has been expressed is through exemptions to the minimum wage law which have kept workers of color … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Minimum Wage, Race, racism and related issues | 9 Comments

I Disagree With People On Tumblr About Dr. Horrible And About The Minimum Wage

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Ampersand

I disagree with people on Tumblr: Is Dr. Horrible A Sexist “Nice Guy” Narrative? I disagree with people on Tumblr part 2: Why We Should NOT Abolish The Minimum Wage

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Men and masculinity, Minimum Wage, Popular (and unpopular) culture | 32 Comments

Cartoon: Maternity Leave vs Profit

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Ampersand

This seems like a good time to announce that I’m starting a Patreon to support my political cartoons. Please check it out (and tell me if you spot any typos!). This cartoon was a collaboration with my friend Becky Hawkins. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion & reproductive rights, Cartooning & comics, Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Feminism, sexism, etc, Gender and the Economy, Health Care and Related Issues | 15 Comments

Red Pills and Ants

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Louise de Rênal's Left Shoulder

Recent events at a blog that rhymes with Shmetal-Moptimized reminded me of the existence of sociobiology and of people who imagine that human beings – and ants and bonobos and every other species — are driven primarily by biological imperatives, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-feminists and their pals, Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., Economics and the like, Feminism, sexism, etc, Fiction, Gender and the Body, Homophobic zaniness/more LGBTQ issues, literature, Men and masculinity, Popular (and unpopular) culture, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues, Sex | 14 Comments

Appeals Courts Issue Contrary Rulings On Affordable Care Act

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Ampersand

An exciting day for ACA-watchers! This morning a three-judge panel from The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that Obamacare’s federal subsidies to help people afford health insurance can be offered to people who buy their insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | 32 Comments

Corporate Discrimination Against Sex Workers Threatens Everyone’s Freedom

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Ampersand

Some headlines: • Chase Bank Is Shutting Down Porn Actors' Bank Accounts • Porn stars battle stigma with sex awareness amid bank account closures • Amazon is deleting sex workers' wish lists without warning • The Soapbox: How PayPal & … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Pornography | 13 Comments

Pelosi didn’t say Congress would have to vote for the ACA to know what’s in it

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Ampersand

In another thread, Ron wrote: The ACA is one example, when even the then-Speaker of the House said that Congress would have to vote for it to find out what’s in it… Ron, regarding that Pelosi quote, here’s how Politico … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | Comments Off on Pelosi didn’t say Congress would have to vote for the ACA to know what’s in it

Two Reasons The American Action Forum’s New Minimum Wage Study Shouldn’t Convince Anyone

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Ampersand

Fox News reports: A new report from the conservative-leaning American Action Forum, shared exclusively with FOXBusiness.com, shows hiking the minimum wage hurts hiring. The study looks at the 19 states that have minimum wages above the national rate of $7.25 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and the like, Minimum Wage | 11 Comments