In The News

Climate Change After Kyoto – A Blueprint for a Realistic Approach

Peter J. Wilcoxen May 28, 2008
Leaders of developed nations have long attempted to push the US into action on climate change – and public support has been building in the US itself for such action. As a result, the candidates competing for US president are in agreement that climate change is a problem and that the US government should take action. One obstacle, though, to strong, quick action is the reliance of US citizens on...

Workers of Our World, Legal or Not

Tim Rutten May 27, 2008
The protests and demands by immigrants in the US, both legal and not, have been subdued in 2008, even though this is a presidential election year. “Immigration is one of those campaign issues in which rhetoric and reality continue to move further apart,” writes Tim Rutten for the Los Angeles Times. The US is home for at least 12 million undocumented immigrants and such labor is essential for some...

The Free-Trade Paradox

James Surowiecki May 22, 2008
Large blocks of voters, including unions and some professions, often choose a president based on a clear-cut stance on one issue like trade. The positions of unions and blue-collar workers “reflect a widespread belief that free trade with developing countries, and with China in particular, is a kind of scam perpetrated by the wealthy, who reap the benefits while ordinary Americans bear the cost...

Balance of Payments: What a Bash

Bruce Stokes May 16, 2008
Americans voters have soured on “free trade.” US politicians, however, have remained remarkably restrained in their criticism of one of their nation’s most high-profile trading partners – the People’s Republic of China. US presidential candidates have spared China the criticism that has otherwise been directed towards economic bogeymen like NAFTA, even as some segments of the US public, such as...

McCain's Gift to the Green Movement

Eric Pooley May 14, 2008
With US presidential candidates in agreement on the need for action on climate change, debate has been limited on the topic, thus disappointing environmentalists. The Republican candidate, John McCain, has had to distance himself from the policies of a fellow Republican – President George Bush. Climate change is one area, with McCain opposing his party’s stance since 2000. With presumptive...

People of Faith Seek New Dialogue on Immigration

Jim Wallis May 9, 2008
Illegal immigration is a hot-button topic in the US presidential election: Voters in some states key for the US presidential election demand immigration reform; farmers need workers willing to plant or harvest crops on a seasonal basis; communities worry about paying for public services to undocumented workers; and ethnic and religious groups demand compassion. Meanwhile, politicians drag their...

Immigration Issues End a Pennsylvania Grower’s Season

Paul Vitello May 9, 2008
Crackdowns on illegal immigrants have discouraged migrants from seeking farm work throughout the US. Few Americans are willing to take on the seasonal employment that requires long hours in the hot sun. As a result, farmers avoid planting crops, like tomatoes or strawberries that require hand picking. A political climate that resents illegal immigrants contributes to higher food prices and some...