US Politics
More revelations of Justice Department crackdown on the press
By Ed Hightower, 24 May 2013
The Obama administration’s investigation into a leak to James Rosen, the chief Washington correspondent of Fox News, extends well beyond what was originally thought.
Los Angeles: Newly-elected mayor promises more cuts and privatization
By Dan Conway, 24 May 2013
The election was most notable for its extremely low turnout, with only 19 percent of registered voters taking part.
Employers to offer bare-bones coverage under health care law
By Kate Randall, 21 May 2013
US employers will be able to avoid penalties under the Obama-backed health care legislation, while offering token plans to their workforces.
Obama to college graduates: “No room for excuses”
By Andre Damon, 21 May 2013
US President Barack Obama used his commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday to insist that if young people are poor or unemployed, it’s their own fault.
On network news show, Nation editor rushes to the defense of Obama
By Andre Damon and Barry Grey, 20 May 2013
Katrina vanden Heuvel, the editor and publisher of the Nation magazine, sprung to the defense of the Obama administration and dismissed charges that its attacks on democratic rights were comparable to those of Nixon and Watergate.
Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier campaigns at Eastern Market
By Thomas Gaist, 20 May 2013
Collier spoke to workers and youth about his mayoral campaign, the fight against the emergency manager and the conditions facing Detroiters.
The AP spying scandal and the crisis of American democracy
By Joseph Kishore, 17 May 2013
The Obama administration’s secret seizure of the phone records of Associated Press reporters is the latest attack on core democratic rights in the United States.
House hearing whitewashes US government seizure of AP phone records
By Barry Grey, 16 May 2013
A House committee that heard testimony from Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday initiated a bipartisan whitewash of the virtually unprecedented assault on press freedom carried out by the Obama administration.
Benghazi and the deepening crisis of the Obama administration
By Bill Van Auken, 16 May 2013
The controversy over last year’s assault on US facilities in Benghazi, Libya has been revived, even as the real issues underlying it remain hidden.
Obama Justice Department secretly seized Associated Press telephone records
By Barry Grey, 15 May 2013
In a brazen attack on press freedom, the Obama administration secretly subpoenaed the telephone records of AP editors and journalists.
US Supreme Court attacks right to a speedy trial
By Alan Gilman, 13 May 2013
The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees all persons accused of criminal wrongdoing the right to a speedy trial.
White House seeks to shorten sentence of former Enron executive Jeffrey Skilling
By Andre Damon, 10 May 2013
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has reached a deal with former Enron executive Jeffrey Skilling that would result in a 10-year sentence reduction.
Obama’s budget calls for restrictions on public housing recipients
By Nick Barrickman, 9 May 2013
The expansion of the “Moving to Work” program will allow states to enact stringent restrictions on eligibility for housing benefits.
Obama warns against “cynicism” at Ohio State commencement address
By Andre Damon, 7 May 2013
The US president, whose tenure in office has underscored the corporate control of both political parties, counseled students not to be “cynical” about government.
Obama visits Mexico and Central America to push for economic integration
By Don Knowland, 6 May 2013
With trade between the two countries totaling nearly half a trillion dollars last year, Mexico is Washington’s second-largest trading partner.
Obama nominates billionaire backer as commerce secretary
By Kristina Betinis, 6 May 2013
Penny Pritzker, Obama’s nominee for commerce secretary, would be the wealthiest person in US history to serve in the cabinet.
California governor Brown travels to China
By Julien Kiemle and Marc Wells, 6 May 2013
Governor Brown’s recent trip to China aims at attracting Chinese capital with promises of poverty wages in California.
Obama administration appeals ruling on emergency contraceptives
By Matthew MacEgan, 4 May 2013
The Obama administration has filed an appeal against a court ruling which sought to end all age restrictions for access to the Plan B emergency contraceptive pill.
Barack Obama pays tribute to George W. Bush at presidential library opening
By David Walsh, 26 April 2013
The dedication ceremony for the George W. Bush Presidential Center was an opportunity for the US political elite, Democratic and Republican wing alike, to express its essential unity and singleness of purpose.
Obama comes to Boston
By Bill Van Auken, 19 April 2013
In this, his fifth speech in the wake of an incident of mass violence in America, Obama followed what is by now a tired template, invoking scripture, blaming evil and explaining nothing.
The US Justice Department brief for the assassination of US citizens
Part one
By Tom Carter and Eric London, 18 April 2013
Since the publication of the white paper, leading figures in the US political establishment have declared that the asserted power to assassinate includes the power to kill US citizens on US soil.
Arrests of New York politicians reveal systemic corruption
By Philip Guelpa, 17 April 2013
The recent arrests of numerous New York Democratic and Republican politicians on charges of bribery and influence-peddling provide a glimpse of the corruption that is an integral part of capitalist politics.
Media rush to judgment in Boston Marathon bombing
By Barry Grey, 16 April 2013
At least three people were killed and 144 wounded, including 15 with critical injuries, by two bomb explosions in downtown Boston.
US Secretary of State blackmails China over North Korea
By John Chan, 15 April 2013
Kerry made clear that the US would continue to deploy advanced weapons in the region, unless Beijing “put some teeth” into forcing North Korea to denuclearise.
The petty-bourgeois “left” promotes the CIA war in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 12 April 2013
The petty-bourgeois “left” has reacted to the publication of detailed reports on the CIA’s role in backing Islamist forces for the US proxy war in Syria by intensifying their support for the war.
Obama budget slashes Social Security, Medicare
By Andre Damon, 11 April 2013
US President Barack Obama unveiled his budget proposal Wednesday, calling for a historic attack on Medicare and Social Security.
Obama on gun control: An exercise in concealing harsh social truths
By David Walsh, 10 April 2013
President Barack Obama spoke Monday in West Hartford, Connecticut on gun violence, calling on the American people to pressure Congress to pass new federal weapons controls.
Obama defends plan to cut Medicare and Social Security
By Andre Damon, 9 April 2013
After media reports that the Obama administration plans to slash Medicare and Social Security in its latest budget proposal due to be released Wednesday, government officials have been seeking to diffuse popular opposition to the cuts.
Obama’s second term: a new stage in the social counterrevolution
By Andre Damon, 8 April 2013
In the first three months of his second term in office, Barack Obama has presided over an assault on the social rights of the US working class unparalleled in its scope and ferocity.
Obama, Republicans plot sweeping attack on Medicare
By Fred Mazelis, 30 March 2013
The plan that is being discussed would restructure Medicare to impose major increases in deductible payments on millions of beneficiaries.
US Supreme Court hears arguments on gay marriage
By Barry Grey, 30 March 2013
There is a clear issue of democratic rights in the same-sex marriage question. Having said that, claims that recognition of same-sex marriage signifies a new flowering of democratic rights lack any credibility.
US sequester cuts and the fraud of “political gridlock”
By Andre Damon, 27 March 2013
The Democrats’ passage of a bill that makes the US sequester cuts permanent this year underscores their support for slashing social spending.
Michigan unions ram through concession deals ahead of right-to-work law
By Naomi Spencer, 27 March 2013
Public employee unions throughout the state have rushed through long-term contracts that secure their dues base before the right-to-work law takes effect.
US Senate budget proposes $975 billion in spending cuts
By Kate Randall, 25 March 2013
The Democratic proposal contains $975 billion in spending cuts, including $275 billion in new cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
Obama talks “peace” in Israel while preparing war
By Bill Van Auken, 22 March 2013
In a speech delivered in Jerusalem Thursday, Obama identified US interests unconditionally with Israel, while reiterating war threats against both Syria and Iran.
US Senate budget bill makes sequester cuts permanent
By Andre Damon, 21 March 2013
The US Senate passed a “continuing resolution” bill to fund the US government through September, while paving the way for the implementation of furloughs for about 1 million federal government employees.
US appeals court rules against Obama administration on drone assassination secrecy
By John Burton, 18 March 2013
An appellate court has rejected the Obama administration’s argument that the CIA can refuse to confirm or deny it has records about the US government’s drone assassinations.
US sequester cuts target jobs, vital social services
By Kate Randall, 15 March 2013
The sequester will result in hundreds of thousands of layoffs, benefit cuts to the long-term unemployed, cuts to nutrition and mental health services, and reduced funding for research, disease prevention and national parks.
US budget debate targets Social Security and Medicare
By Andre Damon, 14 March 2013
While the media is once again seeking to create the appearance of deep and fundamental conflicts—with endless talk of congressional “gridlock” and the “partisan divide”—there has never been greater bipartisan agreement on basic policy.
Too big to jail
By Joseph Kishore, 12 March 2013
At a Senate Judiciary Committee last week, US Attorney General Eric Holder declared that major financial institutions engaged in criminal activity are too big to prosecute.
Former Detroit mayor convicted of racketeering and extortion
By Jerry White, 12 March 2013
After a five-month trial a jury on Monday found Detroit’s former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, guilty of 22 corruption charges.
The New York Times defends drone murder
By Patrick Martin, 11 March 2013
A front-page article in the Times detailing the assassination of Anwar al-Awlaki reveals both the criminal character of the killing and the liberal establishment’s contempt for democratic rights.
US Supreme Court hears case on constitutionality of taking DNA samples from arrestees
By Kevin Kearney and Don Knowland, 9 March 2013
The Supreme Court considered whether the US Constitution forbids police from routinely taking DNA samples.
ISO whitewashes role of Chicago Teachers Union in school closures
By Kristina Betinis, 9 March 2013
In whitewashing the betrayal of the Chicago teachers strike by the Chicago Teachers Union, the ISO seeks above all to cover up its own role in preparing the subsequent school shutdowns.
US Senate approves John Brennan, tied to torture and drone assassination, as CIA director
By David Walsh, 8 March 2013
The Senate vote confirming the mastermind of Obama’s drone program followed a revealing quarrel within the establishment about the government’s right to assassinate Americans on US soil.
Obama, Republicans conspire to attack Medicare, Social Security
By Andre Damon, 8 March 2013
President Barack Obama has initiated what commentators called a “charm offensive,” including dinner with Paul Ryan, aimed at a “Grand Bargain” with the Republicans.
The Obama administration’s persecution of Bradley Manning
By Naomi Spencer, 8 March 2013
The Obama administration intends to make an example out of the accused whistleblower.
Obama administration claims right to assassinate citizens within the US
By Joseph Kishore, 7 March 2013
The administration claims the power to order extrajudicial assassination of citizens within the US under undefined “extraordinary circumstances.”
After US sequester, Wall Street demands cuts in Medicare and Social Security
By Andre Damon, 6 March 2013
As Democrats and Republicans move to make $1.2 trillion in sequester cuts permanent, Wall Street is clamoring for more cutbacks.
Obama signals cuts to remain in place
Sequester initiates new austerity drive against US workers
By Barry Grey, 4 March 2013
Obama and the Democrats continue to pose as opponents of the sequester cuts even as they maneuver with the Republicans to make them permanent.
Kerry pushes for new IMF deal in Egypt
By Johannes Stern, 4 March 2013
US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cairo this weekend for talks with Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
Sequester cuts: A new stage in the assault on the US working class
By Andre Damon and Barry Grey, 2 March 2013
The across-the-board cuts in health care, housing, education, public transit, jobless benefits, nutrition assistance and other vital services establish a new base line for even deeper cuts to come.
Los Angeles mayoral candidates offer no choice for the working class
By Kevin Martinez and Don Knowland, 25 February 2013
The leading candidates in the Los Angeles mayoral race have sought to outdo each other in promising pension reform and other cuts for workers.
Obama administration denies Congress drone assassination memos
By Bill Van Auken, 22 February 2013
The administration has worked out a cynical strategy to keep the documents secret while assuring Senate confirmation of its nominee to head the CIA, John Brennan.
Billionaires pour cash into campaign to dismantle public education in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 22 February 2013
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and several high-profile donors are spending millions of dollars to elect “pro-reform” candidates to the board of education in Los Angeles.
Obama calls for more spending cuts to prevent “sequestration”
By Andre Damon, 21 February 2013
US President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to implement billions in spending cuts to head off the so-called “sequestration” scheduled to take effect at the end of the month.
Draconian White House immigration reform leaked to press
By Kate Randall, 19 February 2013
Undocumented immigrants would have to wait an estimated eight years for the chance to receive a “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa.
The increasingly right-wing, pro-Democratic Party ISO
By David Walsh, 16 February 2013
The response of the International Socialist Organization to Barack Obama’s February 12 State of the Union address is telling about the group’s evolution.
Obama defends drone assassinations in State of the Union address
By Barry Grey, 13 February 2013
The real question, completely evaded in Obama’s demagogic and dishonest speech, is what in the state of the American union gives rise to the accelerating movement toward police state forms of rule.
The Nation magazine and Obama’s assassination program
By David Walsh, 13 February 2013
The liberal-left downplays the threat to basic rights and expresses continued support for the Obama administration and the Democratic Party.
On eve of State of the Union speech
Obama pushes austerity in the guise of defending the “middle class”
By Patrick Martin, 12 February 2013
Obama is calling for further deficit-reduction measures, including cuts in core social programs.
US food assistance benefits face cut in November
By Shannon Jones, 12 February 2013
A family of three could lose up to $300 a year in food benefits this coming November.
US to expand assassination program to northern Africa
By Joseph Kishore, 11 February 2013
Discussions over extending the “kill list” to northwest Africa are taking place, as the Obama administration and congressional leaders work to institutionalize the global policy of extra-judicial assassination.
The US drone assassination program and the threat of dictatorship
By Bill Van Auken, 9 February 2013
Thursday’s confirmation hearing for John Brennan, Obama’s nominee for CIA director, provided a spectacle of the disintegration of democratic rights in the United States.
Senate hearing on John Brennan whitewashes US assassination program
By Bill Van Auken, 8 February 2013
A Senate hearing on the confirmation of John Brennan as CIA director whitewashed the US drone assassination program, largely ignoring its violation of core constitutional and democratic rights.
The police state implications of Obama’s assassination program
By Joseph Kishore, 7 February 2013
The Obama administration’s “white paper” on the assassination of US citizens must be taken as a dire warning to the working class. The American ruling class, steeped in lawlessness and violence, is moving toward dictatorship.
Firms make billions as middlemen in government cover-up of Wall Street crimes
By Andre Damon, 7 February 2013
US financial regulators increasingly rely on “independent investigators” who, in the guise of helping regulators find wrongdoing, help financial firms cover up their fraudulent activities.
Justice Department memo sanctions state assassinations of US citizens
By Bill Van Auken, 6 February 2013
A Justice Department white paper places unlimited power in the hands of the American president to order the assassination of perceived enemies of the state.
Obama’s contraception climb-down and the separation of church and state
By Tom Carter, 6 February 2013
President Obama’s repeated cave-ins to religious organizations on the issue of birth control underscore the rightward evolution of American liberalism and its abandonment of core democratic principles.
Ed Koch: The right-wing trajectory of a Democratic politician
By Fred Mazelis, 6 February 2013
Koch’s political trajectory reflected the sharp turn to the right of a broad social layer, beginning in the 1970s.
White House zeros in on Medicare
By Patrick Martin, 4 February 2013
Both President Obama and a top economic adviser said this week that the administration would propose significant cuts in Medicare.
Further cave-in by Obama on contraceptives
By Kate Randall, 4 February 2013
The Obama administration has caved in once again to religious critics on requirements that employers provide their employees with free access to contraceptives as part of their health insurance packages.
US Defense nominee Hagel bows to right on Israel, Iran and militarism
By Bill Van Auken, 2 February 2013
The confirmation hearing for Chuck Hagel assumed the tone of an inquisition, with Obama’s nominee for defense secretary recanting previous positions critical of Israel and affirming his support for US militarism.
US health care “individual mandate” will leave 30 million uninsured
By Kate Randall, 1 February 2013
Details released on the “individual mandate” show that Obama’s overhaul leaves millions without insurance, while disqualifying other low-income families from receiving federal subsidies.
Obama announces his immigration “reform” plan
By Kate Randall, 30 January 2013
Obama outlined a proposal involving the further militarization of the US-Mexico border and implementation of enhanced verification of immigrants’ status.
Forty years after Roe v. Wade: Abortion rights under sustained attack
By Matthew MacEgan, 28 January 2013
Four decades later, women’s reproductive rights are under severe attack, particularly regarding the affordability and accessibility of services for working class women.
Obama names ex-federal prosecutor with Wall Street ties to head SEC
By Barry Grey, 26 January 2013
The appointment of Mary Jo White, far from signaling a crackdown on the banks, points to a continuation of the de facto amnesty for the financial elite.
Federal Reserve transcripts show top US policymakers vastly underestimated crisis
By Andre Damon, 26 January 2013
In the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis, top regulators and monetary policy officials were largely blind to the impending financial collapse, according to Federal Reserve transcripts released last week.
The Nation defends John Brennan, Obama’s nominee for the CIA
By Joseph Kishore, 26 January 2013
In a comment by leading columnist Robert Dreyfuss, the Nation magazine has jumped to the defense of Obama’s nominee to head the CIA, the former chief of the administration’s drone assassination program.
US debt ceiling maneuver sets stage for new cuts
By Patrick Martin, 25 January 2013
The Republican-controlled House pushed back the debt ceiling deadline by three months, as the two parties work to implement deep cuts in social programs.
Inaugural demagogy
By Barry Grey and David North, 22 January 2013
President Barack Obama’s second inaugural speech was a calculated attempt to assuage mounting social tensions with a thoroughly demagogic evocation of democracy and equality.
Obama’s second inauguration
By Barry Grey and David North, 21 January 2013
The second inauguration is an appropriate occasion to consider what Obama’s first term reveals about the office of US president in the 21st century, as well as the man who currently occupies it.
US attorney downplays vendetta against Internet pioneer Aaron Swartz
By Eric London, 21 January 2013
The US attorney whose office led the prosecution against Internet activist Aaron Swartz has issued the government’s first official response to the young man’s suicide.
Obama on gun control: Expand surveillance and police powers
By Naomi Spencer, 17 January 2013
In the name of addressing the epidemic of mass shootings in the US, the White House is seeking to expand police powers of the state.
Father of Aaron Swartz indicts US government for son’s suicide
By our reporters, 16 January 2013
At a funeral attended by friends and family Tuesday, the father of Internet activist Aaron Swartz said that his son was “killed by the government.”
Obama outlines budget-cutting agenda at press conference
By Joseph Kishore, 15 January 2013
Behind a heavy dose of demagogy, Obama made clear his determination to slash health care and retirement programs by hundreds of billions of dollars.
Obama’s cabinet of austerity and war
By Patrick Martin, 14 January 2013
Obama’s cabinet selections demonstrate that his second term will be focused on social cutbacks at home and violent aggression abroad.
Obama nominates Jacob Lew, budget-cutter and ex-banker, to head Treasury
By Andre Damon, 11 January 2013
Obama’s nomination of current White House chief of staff Jacob Lew as treasury secretary underscores the administration’s commitment to slashing entitlements.
Behind the newly proposed US food regulations
By Naomi Spencer, 9 January 2013
While the proposals have been hailed as “landmark” improvements to US food oversight, they will provide FDA inspectors with no meaningful enforcement powers.
Obama names head of drone assassination program to lead CIA
By Barry Grey, 8 January 2013
In choosing John Brennan to lead the spy agency, Obama gave a clear signal that he intends to expand the illegal program of drone assassinations.
Corporate sponsors underwrite Obama’s inauguration extravaganza
By Eric London, 8 January 2013
Major business interests, including Microsoft, AT&T and American Airlines, are bankrolling the events surrounding President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
After tax deal, spending cuts dominate Washington agenda
By Patrick Martin, 7 January 2013
Behind the posturing over differences between the Democrats and Republicans, the two parties are united in declaring that the richest country on the planet cannot afford retirement benefits or adequate medical care.
Obama administration blocks information request on assassination of US citizens
By Tom Carter, 7 January 2013
At the request of the Obama administration, a federal judge denied requests for government records related to targeted killings, including of US citizens.
US bipartisan fiscal deal
Tax cuts for business, pay cuts for workers
By Patrick Martin, 5 January 2013
The New Year’s agreement between Obama and congressional Republicans comes at the expense of the working class.
US Congress approves measly relief package for Hurricane Sandy victims
By Fred Mazelis, 5 January 2013
A new recovery package to meet needs after Hurricane Sandy barely scratches the surface in dealing with the devastation.
The fiscal cliff deal
By Barry Grey, 3 January 2013
The use of artificial deadlines and phony crises to manipulate the public has become a basic modus operandi for managing the political affairs of the American ruling elite.
Democrats, Republicans work toward “fiscal cliff” deal
By Joseph Kishore, 29 December 2012
Following a meeting between the president and Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, negotiations are continuing on a budget agreement.
White House, Congress extend police-state FISA law
29 December 2012
The US Senate voted Friday to renew the law, first passed in 2008 under the Bush administration, authorizing virtually unlimited domestic spying by the National Security Agency.
On the eve of the “fiscal cliff”
Democrats, Republicans prepare major cuts in workers’ wages, benefits
By Patrick Martin, 28 December 2012
Both the Obama administration and Republican leaders are whipping up a crisis atmosphere to justify policies that would otherwise be politically impossible to enact.
Michigan legislature enacts new attacks on workers, democratic rights
By Lawrence Porter, 22 December 2012
The Republican-controlled state legislature has passed a series of reactionary measures in its “lame duck” session.
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