The advanced privatization schemes of the far right in Texas are unraveling, and the perpetrators are going down. Privatization of government-run services has been a principle feature for neo-conservative rule worldwide since they took over in 1980. If Texas is an example of things to come, and it often is, then "privatization" is about to assume the ugly reputation it deserved for so long.

Hollywood producers, like many other bosses, are showing that they are all to willing to use the current economic crisis to squash attempts by the workers to better their living conditions.

Here are my impressions of the great and not-so-great films of 2008. (There are still a lot I've got to see).

The economic outcomes of 2009 for working people, one year from now, is in the hands of the acutest political struggle emerging over how exactly government should intervene in the U.S. economy to avert a depression? How much more, or what different kinds of, intervention will be required for recovery? And, what is recovery?

Over 150,000 people demonstrated Jan. 3 in Israel against Operation Cast Lead: in the northern Arab town of Sakhnin and in Tel-Aviv. The demonstration in Sakhnin was, by far, the biggest such protest in Israel. According to organizers, it was the largest protest held by Arab-Palestinians in Israel in many years.

The Communist Party released the following statement on Jan. 4.

The Communist Party of the USA expresses its outrage at Israel's invasion of Gaza, carried out in defiance of world public opinion.

Vowing to help President-elect Obama accomplish his goal of revitalizing the US economy, Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-NV) discussed several key economic questions during his appearance on NBC's Meet the Press Jan. 4th.

WASHINGTON (PAI)--Saying it would help consumers, help stop predatory lenders and “ensure workers’ hard-earned wages go to supporting their families and communities,” seven leading consumer organizations demanded the new Democratic-run 111th Congress pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

WASHINGTON (PAI)--With the new Democratic-run 111th Congress convening on Jan. 6, and with larger pro-worker majorities, labor has assembled a legislative agenda that starts with the Employee Free Choice Act and a massive stimulus bill, but doesn’t stop there.

The Jammu and Kashmir State of India had legislative assembly election results declared last month. The separatists had given a boycott call, but not many listened to them. Not a single political outfit offered a word of sympathy to their positions. People voted for the pro-Indian parties overwhelmingly.

Karl Rove launched an effort last month to block Barack Obama's nomination of Eric Holder as Attorney General. As part of this campaign, Rove has raised memories of Holder's ill-conceived advice to Bill Clinton about his last minute pardons of some questionable characters.

Jan. 1, 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. It is an occasion for rejoicing by all who love justice and struggle as partisans for the working class, the poor and the oppressed.

Time to break with disastrous Cold War policies

It’s possible a temporary Gaza truce may emerge in the next few days, but, more than ever, the underlying issues will at long last have to be resolved. And the incoming Obama administration will have the challenge, and the opportunity, to lead the way to peace.

The brazen corruption of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is detestable. But some would ask - what's the big deal? Chicago is renowned the world over for corruption by machine politics, gangsters and moneyed interests. Corruption is rampant in U.S. politics and is "American as apple pie."