US Politics
Obama’s poll numbers plummet
By Jerry White, September 3, 2009
A series of new public opinion polls reveal that the euphoria which greeted Obama’s election has largely evaporated in the nearly eight months since the Democratic president took office.
Obama formalizes Bush policy on digital searches and seizures
By Tom Eley, September 1, 2009
The Obama administration last week formalized a Bush administration policy that allows US border agents to seize and search the laptops and other digital effects of international travelers.
US government list of “problem banks” tops 400
By Andre Damon, August 29, 2009
Figures released Thursday show that the banking crisis continues to deepen in the US, even as a handful of mega-banks increase their market share and profits.
Union official takes the helm at New York Federal Reserve
By Bill Van Auken, August 28, 2009
The naming of New York AFL-CIO chief Denis Hughes as chair of the New York Federal Reserve Bank symbolizes the complete integration of the union officialdom into the government and corporate structure...
Obama reappoints Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman
By Andre Damon, August 27, 2009
President Obama announced Tuesday the reappointment of Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman.
Council of Economic Advisers analysis
Obama health care overhaul based on cost-cutting and deficit reduction
By Kate Randall, August 26, 2009
Obama has consistently stressed that his primary concern in restructuring the US health system is to trim costs—not provide quality, universal health care for all.
US-British conflict over release of Libyan convicted of Lockerbie bombing
By Steve James, August 20, 2009
The release of Libyan Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, convicted for the 1988 bombing of PanAm 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, is expected today.
Hillary Clinton seeks to strengthen US imperialism’s position in Africa
By Ann Talbot, August 17, 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 11-day tour of Africa highlights the Obama administration’s intention to strengthen the US position in Africa against the challenge of its rivals.
US House passes toothless CEO pay law
By Andre Damon, August 6, 2009
The US House of Representatives passed a symbolic measure that purports to limit executive compensation at financial companies.
Obama touts economic “recovery”
By Tom Eley and Barry Grey, August 3, 2009
The Obama administration is seizing on recently-released economic data to proclaim that the recession is ending. The aim is to justify the government’s refusal to provide any serious social relief, ...
Subordinating science to religion
Obama names evangelical Christian to run National Institutes of Health
By Patrick Martin, July 30, 2009
In selecting Francis S. Collins as the director of the National Institutes of Health, President Obama has sent a clear political message that he is willing to subordinate scientific research to Christ...
The Gates arrest and the “national conversation on race”
By Tom Eley, July 28, 2009
The controversy stemming from the arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. has dominated the media for a week. It has afforded another opportunity to pose race as the decisive social division and to...
