One interesting thing about privatization fronts like the Walton family’s National Parents Union is that of membership and governance. Who gets to be members, what are the powers of members, how is leadership chosen? In the world of privatization organizations these components are rarely, if ever, democratic. National Parents Union is a union, right? It…
National Parents Union, the Anti-union Union
The National Parents Union front for the Walton family’s dive into the Democratic Party’s primaries decided to adopt the name union, though it is not only not a union but is virulently anti-union—a posture that surely satisfies the WalMart heirs. A union is “An organization of workers, formed for the purpose of negotiating with employers…
Waltons Dive into Democratic Primaries Behind National Parents Union
The Walton family, heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune, are trying to deal themselves in to Democratic primary politics. It isn’t any mystery why. Conservative billionaires feel gravely threatened by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Their vehicle is yet another new privatization front posing as a parents group, National Parents Union. National Parents Union appears to…
It’s Time For Warren to Lead Democrats Away from Bernie’s Rhetoric & Revolution
The ongoing spat between the two most progressive Democratic candidates for president is likely a pre-view of things to come. Bernie Sanders’ campaign playbook is not a “who dun it.” Everyone knows that he will rely on attacking his Democratic opponents with rhetoric that is virtually indistinguishable to that he levels at Republicans. Senator Warren…
Michael Bloomberg Can Save His Money
Today’s guest post is from Christopher J. Galdieri, Associate Professor of Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. Professor Galdieri is not only an expert on the television show VEEP, but on the New Hampshire primary and presidential nominating systems. His books include Stranger in a Strange State: The Politics of Carpetbagging from Robert Kennedy to Scott…
It’s time to stand and be counted.
President Donald J. Trump will be impeached today for abusing his office for personal gain and for obstructing Congress’ ability to investigate his conduct. The evidence against him is clear and overwhelming. So clear and overwhelming is the evidence that Republicans on Capitol Hill concluded that they had to deny everything. Any acknowledgement of guilt…
The Waltons: From Dark Money to Dark Store Theory, It’s All About Taxes
The Walton Family of Arkansas has been funding a robust Massachusetts Political Team—over $3.3 million worth in 2017 and 2018, and all tax deductible! Will their Arkansas retail giant WalMart also bring its dark store tax dodge to Massachusetts soon? WalMart and other big box corporations have been appealing local tax assessments in over twenty…
Mass Pols for President Have the Right Training & Temperament
Deval Patrick’s decision to join the race late looks to me like an expression of determination that I share. Patrick, a two-term governor of Massachusetts, understands American politics, which is to say, he understands the necessity of practical, non-ideological, political leadership. I think Governor Patrick, Senator Warren, and even Governor Weld are determined to take…
Walton Family Political Front Disrupts Elizabeth Warren Speech
Last night a southern unit of the Walton family’s national private political operation attempted to shut down a speech by Elizabeth Warren. Ostensibly this was about charter schools. Realistically, it was probably about the wealth tax. Not much gets past Central Massachusetts political observer Lance Harris, who tweeted last night that a Walton family political…
On Lt. Col. Vindman’s Brand of Patriotism
Unlike some of you, dear readers, I chose to become an American. Unlike Lt. Col. Vindman, I did not come to the United States as a toddler. By the time I did, I was well-aware of borders and nations–I had already embraced my country of birth’s national myth and my place in it. It is,…