Student Loan Interest Rate is a Political Distraction

Student loan interest rates have taken center stage in the latest partisan political debate. In response to the economic crisis, the federal government reduced the interest rate for Stafford Loans from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. But that was only temporary.

Alliance for a Just Society leaders shut down the Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting

  The next step in our campaign to take on the big banks pay and win relief for homeowners is to disrupt business as usual at shareholder meetings across the country. The goal of these actions is to build off the fall mobilizations and the Occupations to keep up the street heat holding the 1%Continue reading “Alliance for a Just Society leaders shut down the Wells Fargo Shareholders Meeting”

Straight Talk on Taxes with Small Business Owners

It’s tax season. And that means tax policy is at the center of the public debate. So are claims about how changes to the tax code will affect small businesses. To separate fact from fiction, the Main Street Alliance released a pair of new “straight talk” fact sheets addressing topics relating to small business andContinue reading “Straight Talk on Taxes with Small Business Owners”

Is this what “secret ballot” means?

In the United States, the secret ballot is a long-standing tradition. But that refers to our choices as voters remaining secret – not to the idea that we don’t know who we’re voting for. But now we’re living in the world of Citizens United, in which outside groups can pool rich people’s millions with corporations’Continue reading “Is this what “secret ballot” means?”

When the Supremes Hit the Extremes What Happens?

Throughout most of our history the Supreme Court has been accorded a special place as a fair and impartial arbiter of legal issues. Sometimes the Court has failed in this role, but, for the most part it has been an important force in the unity of the nation because seemed to deserved respect. The currentContinue reading “When the Supremes Hit the Extremes What Happens?”

The Immigrant & Latino Vote Matters in Idaho

Latinos are growing fast in both numbers and voting strength in Idaho. With over 11 % of the state’s population concentrated in specific counties, Latinos are the swing voters for some state races and the 1st congressional district. This power will only grow with time as age eligibility and naturalization rates increase for Latinos in Idaho.

Small Businesses Stand Up for Health Care

Small business leaders in the Main Street Alliance network stood up to be counted on health care over the last ten days as the Affordable Care Act’s two year anniversary led into oral arguments at the Supreme Court.  

Alliance Hosts Institute for Pragmatic Practice Symposium

Rural Organizing Project Cara Shufelt (2nd right) joined AJS Executive Director LeeAnn Hall (3rd right) and Gary Delgado (right) in honoring  Marcy Westerling (left)  founding Director of the Rural Organizing Project. The Alliance for a Just Society hosted our third Institute for Pragmatic Practice symposium on March 28-30. The Institute for Pragmatic Practice (IPP) isContinue reading “Alliance Hosts Institute for Pragmatic Practice Symposium”