Confessions of a Panama Papers Hit Man

by John Perkins

Common Dreams | 12 April, 2016

“The Panama Papers,” writes Perkins, “are a warning: we can’t turn a blind eye on legalized crimes.” (Photo: The Weekly Bull/flickr/cc)

The Panama Papers should be no surprise. I was there in the 1970s, when the system they’ve exposed was set in motion. As an Economic Hit Man (an EHM), I helped forge this global economy that is based on legalized crimes. It’s a system in which 62 individuals have as much wealth as half the world’s population, and a handful of the super-rich control governments around the globe. Big corporations benefit from infrastructure and social services without having to foot the bill. Instead, average U.S. citizens pay for it with their hard-earned tax dollars, while the very rich and their corporations shelter their incomes in tax havens like Panama.

Sanders Did Even Better in Colorado Than Reported, But No One Told Him

Common Dreams | 12 April, 2016

Bernie Sanders supporters cheered when their candidate won the Colorado caucuses by a sizeable margin—59 to 40 percentage points—on Super Tuesday last month, reportedly picking up 38 pledged delegates to rival Hillary Clinton’s 28.

Now, they have more to celebrate. An apparent “error” on the part of that state’s Democratic Party could widen that lead even further, the Denver Post has revealed, which would hand Sanders the Colorado delegation.

Four Myths Keeping Clinton Afloat

by John Atcheson

 Common Dreams | 12 April, 2016

(Photo: columbian.com)

Myth # 1 – Hillary is more likely to beat Republicans in the general election

For months now, polls show that Sanders has done better against Republican opponents than Hillary.  In fact, he wins against opponents she loses to.  In the latest polling, for example, she beats Trump by only 9 points, ties Cruz, and loses to Kasich.  Meanwhile, Sanders beats Trump by 20 points, Cruz by 12 and Kasich by 11.  And Republicans are plotting on ways to select a more electable candidate if the convention is deadlocked, so running Hillary is risky for Democrats.

‘Just the Beginning’ as 400 Arrested on Capitol Steps Protesting Big Money in Politics

Common Dreams | 12 April, 2016

“We want a government that is of, by, and for the people—not the one percent,” said Democracy Spring campaign director Kai Newkirk. “And we stood up and sent a message that we are going to win that, one way or another.” (Photo: Sarah Mimms/ Vice News)

Vowing that this is “just the beginning,” more than 400 people were arrested on Monday for holding a massive sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., protesting the influence of Big Money on the political system.

Why I’m Ready to Get Arrested with Restaurant Workers

by John Cavanagh

Common Dreams | 12 April, 2016 by Inequality.org

‘This election season has exposed that millions of people in this country are fed up about corporate money in politics.’ (Photo: Stephen Melkisethian/flickr/cc)

This week I’m joining thousands of people from all walks of life – from workers to environmentalists to the just plain angry – descending on Capitol Hill to risk arrest and offer a primal scream for democracy.

Protesting ‘Shameful’ Greed, 40,000 Verizon Workers Set to Strike Wednesday

Common Dreams | 11 April, 2016

“Verizon wants to force through changes that would make it easier to uproot workers and hurt our communities,” said Betsy Derr, a customer service representative and CWA member in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, who’s worked at Verizon for over 16 years. (Photo:Matthew Bednarik/flickr/cc)

In what has the potential to be the largest work stoppage in the country in recent years, up to 40,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia will go on strike at 6 am on Wednesday, unless the company “reconsiders its shameful, and I do mean shameful, demands,” Communications Workers of America (CWA) president Chris Shelton has warned.

In a call with reporters on Monday, Shelton said, “nobody wants to go on strike.”

‘Up All Night’ Protests Sweep France as 100,000 Join Pro-Democracy Movement

Common Dreams | 11 April, 2016

For twelve nights, protesters have occupied central Paris, and beyond, as part of the burgeoning Nuit Debout (or ‘Up All Night’) movement. Over the weekend protests were held in 60 cities across France, Germany, and Spain. (Photo: Nuit Debout/ Facebook)

A police crackdown will not deter France’s burgeoning Nuit Debout (or ‘Up All Night’) movement that has swept across the country in recent weeks as the unifying call for change sparked protests in over 50 cities this weekend.