Lies and income inequality, oh my!
- Israel is lying about the West’s negotiations with Iran. Not exactly shocking but this sums it up nicely:
(U.S.) State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed that there was a “selective sharing” of information.
“I think it’s safe to say that not everything you’re hearing from the Israeli government is an accurate reflection of the details of the talks,” she said.
But, hey. It’s Israel. I’m sure they’ve never lied about anything in the past, particularly when they’ve claimed they needed to “mow the lawn” in Gaza. And, honestly, does anyone think they care if they get caught in a lie? It’s not like they’ve had to pay for any of the more vicious acts, like the despicable war crimes they’ve committed against the Palestinians.
- Speaking of lying, a new report by the U.S. Army War College finds “‘dishonesty and deception’ among Army personnel is common, often encouraged to maintain a false sense of integrity.” This isn’t overly shocking in terms of the psychological aspect but the word “encouraged” should be a little disheartening in the sense that this suggests it’s a top-down action. The integrity part begins at the top and, if it isn’t being displayed by the highest ranks, it’s not surprising when those in the lower ranks take things like torture even farther than the rules state. This is the reason why holding those at the top accountable for their despicable orders is so important.
- Middle-class wages dipped again last year, but the story isn’t all bad. If we push our elected officials to intervene with the right legislative actions, things can get better:
Still, wage trends last year underscore that policy makers can do a lot to boost workers’ pay. Take the rise in wages for the country’s lowest-paid workers, which the EPI says is proof that policy changes are positively impacting American families. Those states that raised their minimum wages last year — including New York, Florida and California — witnessed a pay gain of 1.6 percent for the lowest-paid workers, compared with a 0.3 percent increase for those without a rise in a state’s baseline pay.
Just another example of how the government can do things to reduce the dangerous levels of economic inequality in the U.S., something the voters want as pointed out next.
- 60% or more Americans want higher minimum wages, paid sick leave, and requirements for time off after the birth of a child. As inequality continues to get worse, these numbers will just continue to grow over time. The question now becomes, how high will they have to get before change will come? I’m sure Congress will consider all of these quickly since it’s filled with so many middle-class workers that have no sick time and will soon be having children…
- Walmart will be hiking wages to $10 per hour a year from now. Yes, you read that right. Income inequality has gotten so out of control that one of its biggest villains is giving in to the pressure. Soon, Walmart employees will be able to climb the economic ladder from desperate poverty to just regular poverty. Walmart’s stock price took a hit today because of the announcement since doing even the slightest thing to help the 99% really angers the 1%. Remember folks, capitalism is not about the wealthy exploiting the poor!*
*Statement approved and paid for by Exploiters of the 99% of America.