Author: KJ McElrath

Airline Industry Keeps Ticket Prices High Through Collusion

Airline Industry Keeps Ticket Prices High Through Collusion

Posted by | Jul 4, 2015 | |

Over a century after the Theodore Roosevelt Administration took on Standard Oil over a similar issue, the U.S. Department of Justice is launching an investigation of the airline industry over price fixing. DoJ sources have not named any specific airline companies, but thanks to the tidal wave of mergers and acquisitions over the past few years, it’s not too difficult to figure who the culprits are. Today, four carriers – American, Delta, Southwest and United – control over 80% of the domestic market for air travel. Since 2009, the cost of airline tickets have gone up by 13% In...

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Clarence Thomas – “Slaves Did Not Lose Dignity”, George Takei – “Thomas is a Clown in Blackface”

Clarence Thomas – “Slaves Did Not Lose Dignity”, George Takei – “Thomas is a Clown in Blackface”

Posted by | Jul 4, 2015 | , |

Recently, actor George Takei, most famous for his portrayal of “Sulu” in the popular Star Trek television and film series, got extremely angry over Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ idiotic dissent in the recent marriage equality ruling. So angry in fact, that he called Thomas “a clown in blackface.” It wasn’t the most politically correct statement Takei could have made (he has since apologized and stated that the comment was not racially motivated). Nonetheless, given Takei’s life experiences and the fact that he was confronted with almost criminal stupidity through Thomas’s dissent, his reaction is completely understandable. George Takei,...

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If Middle Class Income Had Increased at Same Rate as Top 1%, They Would Be Earning $156,300 Per Year

If Middle Class Income Had Increased at Same Rate as Top 1%, They Would Be Earning $156,300 Per Year

Posted by | Jul 4, 2015 | , |

It’s no secret that the middle class in the United States has been losing ground since Reagan took office in 1981. It’s also common knowledge that the upper, upper crust – collectively known as the “Top 1%” – has done fabulously well. Better, in fact, than at any time since the “Gilded Age” of the late 19th Century.  This in itself is not news. The real story is that the mainstream corporate media is finally acknowledging it. CBS News recently published a story on this issue. It’s an issue that presidential candidate Bernie Sanders considers one of the most...

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Oklahoma Supreme Court Sides With Homeowners: Yes, You CAN Sue Fracking Companies

Oklahoma Supreme Court Sides With Homeowners: Yes, You CAN Sue Fracking Companies

Posted by | Jul 4, 2015 | , |

In another surprise ruling, the Oklahoma State Supreme Court has decided that homeowners whose dwellings suffer damage due to fracking-related earthquakes can sue the companies responsible.  It’s bad news for oil companies in the Sooner State, who would prefer that the lawsuits go through their friends at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. That is the big reason for the court’s ruling: Allowing district courts to have jurisdiction in these types of private matters does not exercise inappropriate ‘oversight and control’ over the [Corporation Commission]…rather, it conforms to the long-held rule that district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over private tort actions...

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Hillary Has The Money – Bernie Has The Credibility – History Not On Hillary’s Side

Hillary Has The Money – Bernie Has The Credibility – History Not On Hillary’s Side

Posted by | Jul 4, 2015 | , |

Hillary Clinton will far outpace Bernie Sanders, and likely all Republican candidates, in money raised for her Presidential campaign. The question is whether money can buy an election. You would think the answer would be a clear Yes. However, recent history tells us otherwise. In US politics money by itself has very little power to determine who winds up winning office. The first test of this came in 2012, which broke all previous records for campaign fundraising and spending. Of the $2 billion raised by both candidates, $1.31 billion came from Romney’s corporate and billionaire base. A whopping $406.8...

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