Why Is Everyone Running for President? It's a Billion-Dollar Industry.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 With your support, Truthout can expose the powerful forces threatening the country and the planet. [Donate Now →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Why Is Everyone Running for President? It's a Billion-Dollar Industry.]( William Rivers Pitt, Truthout Running for president is now a fantastic way to rake in the bucks, whether or not you've got that name recognition thing going for you. Raise your profile, maybe land a cabinet post, bank some cash for upcoming political endeavors, help the consultants who got you where you are take in a slice of the pie, and perhaps even do the right thing by accident. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [U.S. Metal Sanctions Target Iran's Working Class, Contrary to Trump Claims]( Michael Hughes, Truthout After causing the death of some 40,000 Venezuelans with its draconian sanctions, the Trump administration is seeking to inflict the same cruelty on the citizens of Iran, even as it urges the government to "respect the rights of its people." According to human rights lawyers and experts, the White House is deliberately targeting workers in Iran's metal industries with illegal and inhumane sanctions to foment an uprising. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Alabama Passes Near Total Ban on Abortion]( Amy Goodman and Juan González, Democracy Now! Alabama lawmakers voted to effectively ban abortion Tuesday, passing the most restrictive anti-choice law in the country. The bill's only exception is grave risk to the mother's life -- not cases of rape and incest. Doctors could face up to 99 years in prison for performing abortions. The legislation is now heading to the desk of anti-choice Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, and many expect she'll sign it. [Watch the Video and Read the Transcript →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Daenerys Targaryen Was Never a Liberator]( Kelly Hayes, Truthout "Game of Thrones," even in its most poorly delivered moments, has something to teach us about what holds back social progress in the real world -- even if it's not the lesson that the show's stumbling writers intended. While some dismiss it as "just a TV show," it would be folly to assume that art is not reflective of the political dynamics of the world in which it is created. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Hospital Workers in Toledo, Ohio, Strike for Safe Patient Care]( Roland Reed, Truthout On May 6, more than 2,000 unionized hospital workers marched out of Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, saying the quality of patient care has been compromised by their working conditions and cost of services. Amid strong support from the community, the registered nurses, technical employees and support staff whose strike is entering a second week are asking for more staff, shorter working shifts and the right to bargain for fixed health care rates. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [British General Says No Evidence of "Increased Threat" From Iran]( Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika threw a wrench into the Trump administration's narrative that Iran is plotting attacks on American troops, saying "there's been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces" in the region. While U.S. Central Command disputes this claim, antiwar voices and foreign policy analysts warn that the United States may be attempting to manufacture a false pretext to justify launching a war with Iran. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Omar Says Criticisms of Her and Rashida Tlaib Are Designed to Silence Muslims]( Matthew Rozsa, Salon Rep. Ilhan Omar said Tuesday that she believes right-wing attacks against her and Rep. Rashida Tlaib -- the first Muslim women to be elected to the U.S. Congress -- were clear attempts to marginalize the voices of their community. "It's not an attack only on myself, but an attack on all Muslims; and it becomes an attack on women of color; and it becomes an attack on immigrants and refugees," the congresswoman said. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [How to Build the Green New Deal? Cities and States May Already Have Answers.]( Tara Lohan, The Revelator Any effort to bring the Green New Deal to fruition wouldn't need to start from scratch. Proponents can, and should, look to states and cities for help and inspiration. For instance, in the past year, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada and Washington State have committed to 100 percent renewable or 100 percent carbon-free targets, while more than 100 U.S. cities are already on board with similar measures to achieve 100 percent carbon-free energy. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [18 Voting Officials Take Civil Rights Tour]( Jessica Huseman, ProPublica A "Democracy Tour" organized by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill for the chief election administrators of 18 states was a three-day visit to Alabama's most historically significant civil rights monuments and museums. The organizers said the event, at its core, was meant to be an immersive historical experience. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Affordable Housing Should Cater to the People, Not Developers]( Joseph Smooke and Dyan Ruiz, [people. power. Media] In this episode of "Priced Out," San Francisco residents Curtis, Riley and Carmen confront the mayor about the high cost of housing. What kind of price controls exist at the local and state level to keep housing affordable? [Watch the Video →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In Case You Missed It --------------------------------------------------------------- [We Need to Reclaim State Courts From Big Money and Hateful Agendas]( Melissa Price Kromm, Truthout State courts decide 95 percent of all cases in this country, most of them dealing with matters that affect our day-to-day lives. Now this third branch of government is being packed, politicized and corrupted by the same moneyed interests that hijacked our state and national representatives. It's time for those who believe in impartial, diverse and independent courts to make our voices heard in the states. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Whistleblower's Arrest Shows Even "Secure" Platforms Are Vulnerable]( Bill Blunden, Truthout The recent indictment of former intelligence analyst Daniel Hale offers a cautionary tale to all future whistleblowers: You cannot expect privacy in high-risk situations if you go for digital convenience. Contrary to everything that Silicon Valley says and sells, there are no "secure" digital channels, and quick-fix gadgets are no substitute for a disciplined, rigorous process. [Read the Article →]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Like what you're reading? Support Truthout's independent news and analysis by making an automatic monthly donation. [Donate Now →]( Connect With Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Donate]( Truthout is a reader-supported, nonprofit organization; donations are tax-deductible. Truthout is a proud member of the Newspaper Guild/CWA, Local 36047. 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