Portside

The Institute for Policy Studies, an invaluable fount of progressive ideas and action, marks its fiftieth anniversary this month. The roll of its past and present scholars and associates reflects the richness of America’s independent left.

This evidence suggests that cuts to programs for seniors may be unlikely to end up benefitting our kids. Rather such cuts may be associated with reduced spending on kids as well. If the public does not trust the government to provide good care for seniors, it may also not trust the government to provide good care for children.

Today the fight is against the education reform law, but also over the broader political agenda of Pena Nieto, and neither side seems prepared to back down.

All of this could be avoided with legislative action but there seems be little likelihood that the current Tea Party strangled Congress will do anything that might relieved the economic pressure on the nation’s working people.

The new version of the exam has tougher questions and a higher registration fee--plus it requires computer proficiency.

The for-profit health-insurance industry in the United States is profoundly inefficient and costly, and a sane and sustainable alternative exists—single-payer, otherwise known as expanded and improved Medicare for all. Just change the age of eligibility from 65 to zero.

Congress, Imminent Domain, Social Security, New York, Medicare

After decades of exclusion, home care workers are finally covered by federal minimum wage laws. Anyone who works for social change can learn from how they did it.

Why can’t my biography of Shel Silverstein quote the works of Shel Silverstein? His censorious estate.

The Nobel Prize has had its controversies, and its combination of science and politics can create unusual relationships.