A new article of faith: Don't make the poor balance the budget

by: Mark Trahant

Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 17:45:15 PM PST

By Mark Trahant

There is a political article of faith: "Don't raise taxes during a recession." Just Google the phrase and you'll find some 2.5 million results. The popular idea is that deeply embedded into our political thinking. Of course it makes economic sense: You want people to spend their money on goods and services. Then producers will hire more people, and people will have more money to spend, yadda yadda.

Here's my concern: While there is consensus to protect the richest Americans - those who pay income taxes - there is little discourse, yet alone agreement, about protecting the poor and the working poor. We hear about saving the middle class, we hear about tax cuts for everyone (except this only applies to the income tax, not to the payroll taxes, a tax that is far more burdensome to those who earn less). But what about those who work hard but don't earn a high wage?

Criticizing Indian Affairs: SD Winter Storms

by: winter rabbit

Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 14:23:32 PM PST

"If anybody wants to go further, the chairman of the tribe tells us the consciousness of politicians is as important as donations right now.

Shadow Report: "Indian Reservation Apartheid"

by: winter rabbit

Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 18:38:44 PM PST

Consolidated Indigenous Shadow Report

III. Indian Reservation Apartheid

"Apartheid" is certainly a strong word. And certainly, there are recognized tribes in the U.S. that are now achieving certain levels of relative prosperity primarily due to federal law allowing them to operate casinos, But the data contained in this section as well as others in this report (see, e.g., Violence Against Women, The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health) reflect what only can be described as a system of Apartheid on many Indian Reservations, where Indigenous people are warehoused in poverty and neglect. By purpose or effect, their only option is forced assimilation, the abandonment of their land, families, language and cultures in search of a better life.