Image of the Day

So what else is unique about the United States? Many people living
in the U.S. long-enjoyed a higher standard of living than most of the rest
of the world. This, in part, contributed to the limited scope of our social
safety net. Throughout the post-World War II boom, there was a blunting
of the class struggle, as the pie was getting bigger, and the capitalists were
able to give the working class a few extra crumbs, fearing a return of the
mass movements of the 1930s and 1940s.
As a result, many of the reforms won by the labor movements of
other countries simply don’t exist here for most workers—paid vacation
time, maternity leave, universal health care, and so on. These reforms,
although still extremely limited, provide a certain level of stability in
many countries. The capitalist system can no longer provide crumbs like
those won in the past, and internationally we see vicious attacks on these
gains. Read More
Quote of the Day:
This creates a dilemma for these clients. The maximum
compensation available to them will probably be in the
$60,000 range. However, that remains to be seen, as many of
these individuals who are severely affected by this dilemma
do not have the far less significant symptoms that qualify
for compensation.
Another dilemma is the fact that many of these patients
will be affected by their disease for the rest of their lives.
How can $60,000 come even close to compensating these
people for an illness that has completely disrupted their lives
and will affect them for as long as they live?
— Dr. Michael Robichaux,
Gulf doctor: BP settlement won’t help my sick patients
Manufacturers can legally add brominated vegetable oil
(BVO) to citrus-flavored beverages in the United States and
Canada in controlled amounts (no more than 15 parts per