Time to Disband the Supercommittee

The vast majority of Americans want Congress to focus on jobs. So why is it still focused on deficit reduction—and making key budget decisions in secret?

The Editors

The 99 Percent Vote to Protect Labor Rights, Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights and Immigrant Rights

From Ohio to Maine to Mississippi, voters rejected the conservative agenda on key issues.

John Nichols

Noted.

D.D. Guttenplan on Occupy London, George Zornick on corporate tax evaders, Alexandra Tempus on corporate schools

Various Contributors

Paramilitary Policing From Seattle to Occupy Wall Street

As Seattle police chief in 1999, my disastrous response to the WTO protests should have been a cautionary tale. Yet our police forces have only become more militarized.

Norm Stamper

The Agony and Ecstasy—and ‘Disgrace’—of Steve Jobs

While our tech-obsessed media fondled their iPhones, it was left to a courageous monologist to discover the real legacy of Apple's founder.

Eric Alterman

How Greece Exposed Europe’s Potemkin Democracy

It’s not surprising that  Greece’s proposed referendum elicited such outrage. Europe doesn’t work like that.

Gary Younge

The Pundits Contemplate Herman Cain

Calvin Trillin

Letters

Class Warfare Starts at Home San Francisco   Arab Spring and Occupy America—people are rising up to demand economic justice for all. For too long the mega-wealthy have ignored their responsibilities to The People who made them wealthy. Ninety-nine percent is a lot of dissatisfied people; we greatly outnumber the monied class. They cannot win; not even with bullets or bought politicians.   GARY REGINALD DODGE   Sprague River, Ore. We who support the Wall Street protest are misguided if we are waiting for the protesters to define the protest. Their job is to be place keepers on the street until the rest of us frame the point, from the safety of our homes and offices, free from pepper spray and police batons. It is our responsibility to do this—and we number in the millions! DON SCOTTEN    Portland, Ore. I’ve been having buttons made that read “99%,” white on shiny black. I immediately recouped my original $50, paid out of my Social Security, and have reordered twice, turning it all into more buttons. I can’t keep up with the demand. I hope to make enough to give them away. Anyone can do this. I hope you will, all over the country. You can do it to make money if you’re broke, or simply to help create a way for ordinary workers to wear their opinion over their heart. The Occupy camps will come down or be destroyed. It is urgent that we who support them make ourselves known. GAIL AMARA   In Living Black and White Portland, Ore. I wholeheartedly agree with Cliff Ulmer [“Letters,” Oct. 31]. I find your magazine plain, hard to read—dull. Like Ulmer, I’m a liberal and former print newsman. I won’t be renewing my subscription. That was a one-sentence paragraph, unlike the mega-sentence blocks of grayness favored by your editors. Count me as one of the ’60s pioneers introducing modular makeup, larger typefaces, fewer columns and increased use of graphics—designed to make news publications more readable and attractive. Your editors emulate textbook publishers by favoring drabness and vocabulary bloviation, forcing captive readers to experience eyestrain and routinely consult dictionaries. USA Today, a highly successful publication, captures a large readership because of visual appeal and brevity. And by acknowledging that readers have limited time to endure editorial roadblocks to the understanding of issues and events. JAMES M. VOIGT   Port Jefferson, N.Y. I think The Nation is just fine without bells and whistles. The last thing it needs is to take up column space with gimmicks. I don’t buy it for colorful graphics; I buy it because it is the best damn alternative periodical out there (FYI, I also subscribe to In These Times, Extra!, The American Prospect and the Hightower Lowdown). KEN WISHNIA   Fort Worth Cliff Ulmer says The Nation is dull and not “colorful.” Not one word on the excellent content inside, just carping about looks. If he wants flash with no substance, he need look no further than the current slate of Republican presidential candidates. JUDITH SPENCER   Bethlehem, Pa. Regarding Cliff Ulmer’s suggestion that The Nation include cartoons, may I suggest he contact Funny Times (funnytimes.com). It features contributors like Dave Barry, Colin McEnroe and Will Durst in newspaper format. The many cartoons are sure to amuse any Nation reader. MATTHEW REPPERT Read More

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