An important essay on a failing democracy ...

This is a long read, but important concepts are discussed:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/america-is-not-a-democracy/550931/

Not exactly an optimistic view of the current world in which we live.

The effectivness of "trickle-down" economics ...

... has never been demonstrated in the real world.  Read on:

http://prospect.org/trickle-downers

Further examples of government slanted against the poor ...

... .. or subtle ways of stealing from the peasants:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/how-the-rich-use-the-government-to-enrich-themselves.html

Why things were better back then ...

Check this out:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/21/1726664/-This-Accountant-s-Perspective-A-Short-History-Lesson-on-Tax-Policy-as-Social-Engineering

The "why" of empire

Global corporations have taken over as the excuse for empire-building.  Check this out:

https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/short-history-american-empire-stephen-kinzer-true-flag-review

It was, is, and always will be about rich guys trying to control all the world's wealth no matter what the cost in human lives.  How admirable is that?

Bitcoin explained

Here's the article:

https://www.howtogeek.com/141374/htg-explains-what-is-bitcoin-and-how-does-it-work/

A discussion of the CIA's role in our chaotic, dangerous world

This is truly depressing:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nicolas_Davies/2017/10/31/america-spreads-global-chaos/

Osama bin Laden succeeded beyond his wildest hopes!

Here's the details of his massive victory, which is still being played out by our ridiculous leaders:

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176345/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_doing_bin_laden%27s_bidding/

Jimmy Carter's reasons for dropping his religion

An important example of a human using his mind to think:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/20/1708600/-Jimmy-Carter-pens-op-ed-about-women-sure-to-stun-most-male-religious-leaders-around-the-world?salzillo=?detail=emaildkre

Propaganda used against you by your government

A great explanation of the way the Iraq War was foisted upon us:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/05/22/1386781/-George-W-Bush-Did-Something-Much-Worse-Than-Lie-Us-Into-War?detail=emailclassic

Too true, and too likely to happen again.

BitCoin's unique usefullness

There is a lot to ponder in this essay:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nozomi_Hayase/2017/10/25/wikileaks-bitcoin-revolutionary-movement-peacemakers/

Money and the military

Here is a great breakdown of the waste inherent in military spending.  Imagine what other useful projects could have been completed with this money.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176336/tomgram%3A_william_hartung%2C_how_the_military-industrial_complex_preys_on_the_troops/

An exposé of some myths about socialism, science and climate change

This is worth a read.

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/42062-climate-change-brings-socialism-and-science-together

How dictators stay in power

This detailed article explains who gets US foreign aid.  Apparently dictatorships are well supported:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/42020-us-provides-military-assistance-to-73-percent-of-world-s-dictatorships

Privacy redux

While we've been distracted by all the Trumpiness going on, the surveillance state has figured out how to get around all those annoying little laws about privacy rights. This article describes how it is being done:

http://original.antiwar.com/jwhitehead/2017/06/26/age-no-privacy-surveillance-state-shifts-high-gear/

Depraved-Heart Murder

This interesting concept is endorsed proudly by many of our politicians and governments.  This article explains it in the context of the current health care fight in the USA, but it is applicable to many of the actions our governments undertake in the name of austerity, fighting terror, creating jobs, etc.

https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/6/24/1674954/-Well-Senator-Hatch-If-Not-Murder-Then-What-Would-You-Call-It?detail=emaildkre

How the right insinuates its policies into liberal/left leaning political parties.

This is very instructive and explains a lot about recent activities by Canada's 'Liberal' government as well as the US Democratic party's behaviour.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39986-third-way-democrats-are-trying-to-push-the-party-rightward

Bye-bye privacy

It's official, you now have no expectation of privacy in the US:


http://original.antiwar.com/andrew-p-napolitano/2017/01/18/a-parting-shot-at-personal-freedom/


Can Canada be far behind?

Obama's failings ..

... are outlined in stark detail in this article.

http://original.antiwar.com/lucy/2017/01/13/the-foolish-optimism-of-hoping-for-chelsea-mannings-freedom/



His reputation is only good in comparison to the republican horrors that bracketed his term of office.  

A great source of new ideas ...

... to think about:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/oliver-sylvester-bradley/disrupting-capitalist-democracy

A very new idea is that democracy has become 'corporatized' - ie it is being reshaped to serve only corporate goals, and 'we, the people' are now just in the way but necessary to fund the  activities that governments now undertake for the corporations.  A worthwhile read.