Category Archives: The destruction of the middle class

John Deere Strike: A Union Member Explains How Bad Faith Dealings Produced Today’s Grievances

A backgrounder from TroyIA, a Naked Capitalism reader and John Deere worker, on what drove union members to strike.

Spike in Energy Prices Suggests That Sharp Changes Are Ahead

Gail Tverberg expands her focus beyond energy to provide an analysis of what is going terribly wrong in the world economy

Insurance Focused on Virtual Visits? The Pros and Cons of a New Twist in Health Plans

The pandemic has made patients more comfortable with telemedicine for doctor visits. Insurers are betting that some patients will now embrace new types of health coverage that encourages video visits — or outright insists on them.

Wolf Richter: The Amazing Explosion of New Businesses Continues as Americans Strike Out on their Own

Including Wolf’s 2 cents about the high “failure rates” of new businesses, being a small-business owner himself.

Central Asia’s Neoliberal Tragedy

How the post-USSR neoliberal land grab played out in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Needless to say, not pretty.

10,000 John Deere Workers Reject Contract, Strike 14 Plants

A round-up on the John Deere strike: The contract dispute, and the correlation of forces between labor and management.

Michael Hudson: Super Imperialism, 3rd Edition

Michael Hudson’s Super Imperialism strikes again!

The Supply Chain Crisis: How We Got Here

On some of the key management practices and fads that produced dependence on extended and revealed-to-be-fragile supply chains.

The Neverending Brexit: Flailing Johnson Set to Try to Renege on Commitment to Respect Good Friday Agreement

Boris Johnson is expected to eyepoke the EU by reneging on the Norhtern Ireland protocol, presumbly to distract from domestic shortages.

Why America Needs a National Program of Paid Sick and Family Leave

Family leave is productive as well as humane, but American management has been keen to keep its boot on workers’ necks.

Reallocation Effects of the Minimum Wage

Raising minimum wages is good for workers and (surprise!) company operations! Too bad those whiny managers worry they will skim less.

‘This Is a Battle Between What People Need & What Money Wants.’ How’s That Going to End?

Class warfare, American style, is ever more obvious. But how much are ordinary people taking note?

Why Does Congress Fight Over Childcare But Not F-35s?

Details on why Congress is addicted handing out military pork as opposed to spending money on citizens’ needs.