Author: Matthew Clemente

Sunday Funday: War on Christmas Sarah Palin Redux

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Sunday Funday: War on Christmas Sarah Palin Redux

Tis the season… for the War on Christmas, or World War C as The Daily Show‘s Jon Stewart puts it. This year’s version of the annual War on Christmas is lead by Sarah Palin, who recently wrote a book about Christmas.  Palin is supported by long time Christmas warrior Bill O’Reilly.  In an interesting turn, Palin and O’Reilly argue that the consumerism is an integral part of the Christmas. 

Here this how The Daily Show video is described on the Comedy Central website: 

Sarah Palin and Bill O’Reilly rush to Christmas’s defense, despite its not being in any way threatened. 

Reforming Juvenile Justice Laws

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Reforming Juvenile Justice Laws

Recently, Diane Rehm devoted an hour of her show to discussing efforts to reform juvenile justice and penal system. It is worth a download for anyone interested in juvenile justice. 

Here is a description of the podcast: 

Over the last decade, 23 states have enacted laws that aim to keep juveniles out of adult prisons and court systems. The shift is a reversal of the tough-on-crime legislation of the 1980s and 1990s. The new laws stem from concerns about teenage suicides in adult jails and new research showing that young people held in adult courts are more likely to be repeat offenders than juveniles not held in adult jails. But some state attorneys are against the change. They say the legislation adds unnecessary delays to prosecution and are an insult to victims. Join Diane and a panel of guests for a discussion on these new laws that aim to keep youths out of adult prisons and courts.

 

Guests 

John Schwartz,  national correspondent, The New York Times.

Liz Ryan, president, Campaign for Youth Justice.

Dan May, district attorney, Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

Reforming Juvenile Justice Laws

/ Matthew Clemente / Leave a comment

Reforming Juvenile Justice Laws

Recently, Diane Rehm devoted an hour of her show to discussing efforts to reform juvenile justice and penal system. It is worth a download for anyone interested in juvenile justice. 

Here is a description of the podcast: 

Over the last decade, 23 states have enacted laws that aim to keep juveniles out of adult prisons and court systems. The shift is a reversal of the tough-on-crime legislation of the 1980s and 1990s. The new laws stem from concerns about teenage suicides in adult jails and new research showing that young people held in adult courts are more likely to be repeat offenders than juveniles not held in adult jails. But some state attorneys are against the change. They say the legislation adds unnecessary delays to prosecution and are an insult to victims. Join Diane and a panel of guests for a discussion on these new laws that aim to keep youths out of adult prisons and courts.

 

Guests 

John Schwartz,  national correspondent, The New York Times.

Liz Ryan, president, Campaign for Youth Justice.

Dan May, district attorney, Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

Extreme Swiss Inequality Reforms

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Extreme Swiss Inequality Reforms

President Obama recently stated that inequality is a “defining challenge” for the United States. Meanwhile, Fareed Zakaria reported that Switzerland, a country with significantly less inequality than the US, considered radical reforms to reduce inequality, including capping executive compensation.  

Here is the beginning of the segment from Fareed Zarakia GPS: 

If there’s one country in the world that looks like a utopia, its name must be Switzerland. This is a country that has it all. The average income is $82,000 a year – 65 percent more than the average American income. Everyone has great healthcare, childcare, and education. The unemployment rate is 3 percent. There is almost no corruption. According to the OECD, of 34 developed countries surveyed, the Swiss have the greatest degree of trust in their government. And, of course, it is a spectacular country with great traditions of skiing, cheese, chocolate, and wine.

 

What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot, actually.

The Swiss are furious about income inequality. The story is a familiar one. According to Reuters, in 1984 top earners in Swiss firms made 6 times as much as the bottom earners. Today, they make 43-times what bottom earners make. At some banks and firms, CEOs make 200-times the salary of the lowest-paid employee.

 

Now, before you assume things about Europe and European attitudes towards capitalism, remember that Switzerland is one of the most business-friendly countries in the world. The conservative Heritage Foundation has an “Index of Economic Freedom.” Switzerland ranks 5th in the world, well ahead of the United States of America.

 

But in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the Swiss have become far more concerned about the nature of today’s free market system. So, some Swiss political groups came up with a plan. It’s called the 1 is to 12 initiative. The highest-paid company executive should make a maximum of 12 times what the lowest-paid employee makes. In other words, no one should earn more in one month than someone else makes in a year.

Shields and Brooks on the Papal Critique of Capitalism

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Last week’s Shields and Brooks segment of PBS Newshour discussed, among other things, the Pope’s recent comments critiquing “excessive capitalism.”

Here is a description of the segement:

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the week’s top news, including the short-term Iran nuclear agreement, the pope’s writings on capitalism, proposed changes to campaign finance rules and things to be grateful for.