Alliance Cross Training is Vital to Growing the Grassroots

(Post written by Alain Nahimana, posted online by David Fleishman) Sharing resources between organizations includes putting people on the ground, side-by-side. It gave me a sense that whether the work we do is statewide or on a federal level, the challenges we face are the same. My name is Alain Nahimana and I am anContinue reading “Alliance Cross Training is Vital to Growing the Grassroots”

Bad Medicine Report Details Influence of Pharma in DC Budget Failure

Released to the Press September 25, 2013   New Report Analyzes Interest Group Influence in Blocking Proposed Cost Saving Measures in Medicare Report Finds Influence of Pharmaceutical Industry as Major Impasse to Common Sense Budget Fixes Congress has failed to act on a commonsense, good-government approach to controlling health care costs. The significant resources theContinue reading “Bad Medicine Report Details Influence of Pharma in DC Budget Failure”

Delaying the Vote in Immigration Reform Has Not Silenced the Movement

We have the votes. Supporters of immigration reform in the House of Representatives have said it on many occasions, even before the Congressional recess, that the votes exist in the House to pass immigration reform. Delaying the vote seems to be the House opposition’s approach to waiting for the immigration reform movement to divide itself,Continue reading “Delaying the Vote in Immigration Reform Has Not Silenced the Movement”

Work, Productivity, Play and Compensation in America

Americans work longer and harder than our peers in almost every industrial nation. On average Americans are working 1800 hours per year, beating out Germany, France, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, Australia and Finland. According to The International Labour Organization American released a report stating that “workers in the United States on average produceContinue reading “Work, Productivity, Play and Compensation in America”

Higher Wages Are Really an Economic Win-Win

Part 4 in Our Series on Wages and Work. A common concern in the movement for fair wages is that employers who want to pay better are convinced they cannot afford to. But a look at the big picture reveals living wages are actually good for business. It adds to their competitiveness, workers who areContinue reading “Higher Wages Are Really an Economic Win-Win”

Profiles of Poverty: Who Benefits from Fair Wages?

Singles Moms, Children, the Elderly and Students Have Much at Stake in the Living Wage Debate Opponents of raising the minimum wage frequently argue that low-wage jobs are transitional, for teenagers seeking experience before life in the “real world.” Granted, many teenagers work to contribute money desperately needed for their family, or are raising familiesContinue reading “Profiles of Poverty: Who Benefits from Fair Wages?”

McGimmick Budgeting No Substitute for Living Wage

Making Ends Meet: Part 2 We’ve certainly seen some sobering statistics regarding low-wage jobs out there. But — lucky us — one of the most profitable companies in the history of the world has kindly stepped up with tips for how its employees can manage their embarrassingly inadequate minimum-wage salaries. McDonald’s recently launched a handy-dandyContinue reading “McGimmick Budgeting No Substitute for Living Wage”

CellBlocks and Border Stops

The Institute for Pragmatic Practice, Union Theological Seminary and the Alliance for a Just Society are hosting our fifth symposium, Cell Blocks & Border Stops. Hundreds of organizers, academics, policy leaders, journalists, theologians and grassroots activists will convene and examine the intersection of immigration control and mass incarceration, and to consider the future of activismContinue reading “CellBlocks and Border Stops”

Women with Cancer: Prisoners’ rights versus the Profit of Corporations

Rahul Gupta and Danisha Christian Contributed to this Series Sherrie Chapman found a lump in her breast. A prisoner in a California Corrections facility, Sherrie persisted in demanding an examination by prison medical personnel. Her pleas were not answered until 9 years later, when lumps were visibly protruding from her breast.  Even after receiving aContinue reading “Women with Cancer: Prisoners’ rights versus the Profit of Corporations”

FHFA, Fannie and Freddie Stage A Last Ditch Effort to Squash Homeowners

The Federal Housing and Finance Authority (FHFA) is taking dramatic actions against homeowners, and cities working to fix the housing crisis.  Just, this morning, Mark Harris, a Desert Storm veteran in Atlanta, who was highlighted in the Alliance’s report Wasted Wealth: How the Wall Street Crash Continues to Stall Economic Recovery and Deepen Racial InequityContinue reading “FHFA, Fannie and Freddie Stage A Last Ditch Effort to Squash Homeowners”