Media

New York, NY – The national public policy organization Demos has released a new report that examines the underlying reasons why some Americans have credit card debt and finds further evidence that, contrary to popular belief, indebted households are not the product of less responsible spending habits.

Americans cumulatively have $854 billion in revolving loan (mostly credit card) debt, according to the Federal Reserve.

In his testimony at the Senate’s “Dollars and Sense” hearing on dark money and the impact of McCutcheon v FEC, Justice Stevens made several clear and important points about the “giant step in the wrong direction” the Supreme Court has taken on money in politics.

On a crisp and sunny morning on the day after Thanksgiving, a group of protesters gathered in front of a large Walmart in Michigan’s Sterling Heights, calling for wage increases and better working conditions for the superstore's employees. Mary Johnson, a retiree and member of international activist group the Raging Grannies, stood next to Dan Lombardo, a plumber wearing old-fashioned overalls, who was carrying a sign stating “Walmart equals poverty.” Mothering Justice founder Danielle Atkinson, in a vibrant purple coat, turned up with her entire family.

At a Senate hearing today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will testify about the rise of dark money and the impact of what he’s called the “grossly incorrect” decision in McCutcheon v FEC.

Today’s New York Times leads with some news that maybe, just maybe, ‘too big to fail’ for major Wall Street banks could become a thing of the past. Prosecutors are nearing criminal charges against Credit Suisse and BNP Paribas (while of course taking very, very careful baby steps to make sure that these criminal penalties would not have drastic impacts). The crimes of these banks? In BNP Paribas’ case, it’s processing transactions involving Sudan and Iran.

Today, Senate Republicans filibustered a proposal to gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.