• Proof this guy doesn't care about us.
  • Without democracy, capitalism can't survive.
  • It's time to restore public morality.
  • How the rich hijacked Congress and the courts.
  • This band takes their pro-union politics seriously.
  • Find your closest union grocery store with these new apps.
• The miseducation of voters courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

May 17, 2012 | The U.S. economy will grow faster than expected this year, despite the headwinds of higher gas prices and Europe's financial crisis, according to USA Today's quarterly survey of economists. The biggest reason: Consumers have bought more vehicles and gone out to eat more often, even though gas prices had been expected to make them spend less, says Jeff Rosen, an economist at Briefing Research in Chicago. More at What IS Working.

May 15, 2012 | A federal judge on Monday struck down new regulations governing union elections, saying the National Labor Relations Board did not follow proper voting procedures when it approved the rules last year. Judge James E. Boasberg of United States District Court said the board had lacked a quorum when it voted on the rules that expedite union representation elections. He did not address the merits of the rules and said the board could simply vote again. Business groups and Republicans had challenged the rules, which took effect April 30, saying they did not give managers enough time to counter union organizers. Unions contend the new rules curb needless litigation used to stall the election process. Under the decision, the old rules apply. Full story here.

• President Hoffa's response: "This is just another attack on workers and the American middle class. The decision lets anti-worker extremists game the system...The board and the courst must reconsider this issue as soon as possible so that the board can do its job of protecting workers' rights."

May 14, 2012 | Did you know, beyond closed doors, there is a massive trade agreement being crafted? Its called TPP or Trans Pacific Partnership and this one makes NAFTA look like the stepping stone that it is. This is one bad mother. This is a trade agreement between Chile, Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the United States. Japan as well as China may also join. The countries involved isn't the problem. What's being negotiated is. TPP will outlaw Buy American. Full story at Economic Populist. Sign the petition imploring U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to "stop the secrecy and publicly release all TPP proposals."