While walking to Doe Library under a steady April drizzle, I stumbled upon a booth set up a block from the back entrance. A group of students and advocates was asking onlookers to sign a ballot measure that would put the Billionaire Tax on the public voting stage. I had become accustomed to the lively […]
Tag: billionaires
Showgirl, Status, and the Crisis of Cultural Trust
When news of Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” first hit the airwaves, it seemed to have all the makings of a classic Swiftian masterpiece. Literary allusions? Check. Fun aesthetics? Check. A few cringe song titles? Check. And there would be no influence from the long-suffering Jack Antonoff, who has faced criticism for his […]
Ditch Charity, Pick Mutual Aid
The ultra-wealthy present themselves as the solution for inequality, pledging millions and sometimes billions of dollars to philanthropic projects. Take Jeff Bezos, who gave $100 million to food banks during the pandemic, but did not provide adequate leave for Amazon workers who were sick during initial COVID outbreaks. Most billionaires’ charitable acts are more self-serving […]
The Indian Federation: The Saga of a Converted Oligarchy
Is the largest ‘democracy’ in the world under the threat of becoming an oligarchy? From telecommunications to steel, every sector in this nation is dominated by only a few businessmen. These names are repeatedly acclaimed in the news, as they acquire more assets and reach greater heights. But as the public rejoices in their success, […]