The Beginning of the End of Prison Privatization?

The Federal Government announced today (August 18th) it will stop allowing private companies to operate federal prisons.  Currently private companies run 13 federal prisons. “They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent by the Department’s Office of … Read More

Missoula Wins Right to Own Its Water Supply

In a major victory for the commons, the Montana Supreme Court, by a 5-2 decision, has upheld Missoula’s right to buy its water system from a private company, Nadia Prupis reports in Common Dreams. @commondreams “The city desired to own the water system that serves its residents because city officials believe a community’s water system is … Read More

The Public Good Newsfeed – August 4th, 2016: Medicare and Civil Rights, Justice Brandeis’ Legacy, and more…

A selection of recent news stories with an ILSR insight into “The Public Good.” Stories in this Newsfeed: Learning from Finland | Hospital outsourcing Increases Hospital Infections | Privatizing Prisons Increases Recidivism Wage Theft and Income Inequality | The Shameful Story of Health Insurance Cooperatives | Other People’s Money Medicare and Civil Rights | A Pioneering Examination of … Read More

What Is the Best Medical System in the Country? The Answer May Surprise You.

The Veterans Administration (VA). Yes, a medical system 100% financed by the government and run by the government, provides higher quality care, at a lower cost, than private hospitals. That’s the conclusion of dozens of independent studies. But a multi-year, well-financed and highly effective campaign has persuaded Congress to ignore the data because, well, we all … Read More

Race and Democracy in Michigan

In 2013, 52% of all African-Americans living in Michigan had their voting rights taken away by  Emergency Managers, compared to only 2% of whites. In November 2014 a federal judge concluded that the Emergency Managers law had been applied in a racially discriminatory manner. That law allows the state to appoint a manager to unilaterally govern a … Read More

Happy Birthday National Endowment for the Humanities

On the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Richard H. Brodhead argues the New Deal made possible the NEH and the National Endowment for the Arts.  For the first time Americans endorsed a federal role in promoting the general welfare and creating public goods. In the 1960s the Great Society … Read More

Berta Cáceres Died For Our Sins

On March 3rd Honduran Goldman Prize winner Berta Cáceres was assassinated because of the stunning victories she achieved with and on behalf of indigenous people.  And she did it against the greatest of odds. Beverly Bell of the Institute for Policy Studies gives us some details about this remarkable woman and the sad role our country … Read More

New Research Finds Water Privatization Raises Rates

Food & Water Watch has issued a thoroughly researched report on water privatization. A survey of more than 200 public and private water systems found that private suppliers charge significantly more than public systems. The 10 largest initiatives increased water rates  on average 15 percent a year after privatization. After local governments brought water systems back … Read More

Where Do The Presidential Candidates Stand On The Proposed Trade Pact?

In early February 12 nations, including the U.S. signed the highly controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This trade agreement would diminish U.S. sovereignty, undermine democracy and create a new world court where corporations can sue governments and corporate lawyers decide the cases. The TPP now goes to Congress for a vote. If you want to know about … Read More

1 2 3 4 5 8