Economy

The Secret History of Rum The Secret History of Rum

Long before oil dominated geopolitics, rum was the original global commodity, tying Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Caribbean in a complex web of trade and credit. And Bacardi...

Nov 22, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Ian Williams

Buyers’ Remorse Buyers’ Remorse

Home equity--for those lucky enough to own a house or condo--is a primary source of economic security. But unsold inventory, rising interest rates and record levels of mortgage def...

Nov 21, 2005 / Feature / Nicholas von Hoffman

The Disappearing Flu Vaccine The Disappearing Flu Vaccine

Flu vaccine is in short supply this season, and the reason is that drug companies can't make as much money protecting us from disease as from developing expensive treatments for ni...

Nov 14, 2005 / Feature / Nicholas von Hoffman

Arnold Show: Canceled Arnold Show: Canceled

Buoyed by their defeat of Schwarzeneggar's "referendum revolution," Democrats and organized labor are now energized to defeat the governor's re-election bid next year.

Nov 10, 2005 / Marc Cooper

The Delphi Oracle The Delphi Oracle

The cynical restructuring plan for bankrupt Delphi Automotive calls for massive wage and benefit givebacks for 51,000 American workers. Governors of affected states must craft stra...

Nov 10, 2005 / The Editors

Five Questions for Robert Greenwald Five Questions for Robert Greenwald

What motivated director Robert Greenwald to spend a year on a documentary detailing Wal-Mart's impact on American life, culture and commerce?

Nov 8, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Sam Graham-Felsen

Spin Control at Wal-Mart Spin Control at Wal-Mart

A hard-hitting documentary, an embarrassing leaked memo on healthcare and abandonment by customers who don't like its politics. It's getting harder these days for Wal-Mart to put o...

Nov 3, 2005 / Feature / Liza Featherstone

On the Wal-Mart Money Trail On the Wal-Mart Money Trail

As the nation's wealthiest family, the Waltons could be a force for social good. But when they choose to spend their fortune lobbying for pet projects, tax cuts and charter schools...

Nov 3, 2005 / Feature / Liza Featherstone

Rising Prices + Higher Interest Rates = Middle-Class Misery Rising Prices + Higher Interest Rates = Middle-Class Misery

Interest rates nosed higher today as the Federal Reserve Board sought to control inflation. But the impact of runaway inflation is already being felt by workers whose wages will st...

Nov 1, 2005 / Feature / Nicholas von Hoffman

Say It Ain’t So, Big Leagues Say It Ain’t So, Big Leagues

Strip-mining the Dominican Republic for talent, Major League Baseball periodically plucks one lucky boy from his home and family and gives him a dream for a better life. But what h...

Oct 26, 2005 / Feature / Dave Zirin

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