'Rural voters supported Trump for his anti-elite rhetoric, expecting protection for their livelihoods. Instead, the administration’s actions have hollowed out local workforces without viable alternatives.' In a week when all eyes were on Trump (as he intended), Sceptical Scot publishes this view from The Conversation where Inderjeet Parmar outlines how Trump's policies are … [Read more...] about Trump’s tariffs: who pays the cost?
The rise of fascism and why the churches must speak out
Then they came for meAnd there was no one leftTo speak out for meAs an elder in the Church of Scotland, Tim Bell calls on churches of all denominations to 'become part of the resistance' against the rise of the far right.Alarm bells are ringing all over western democracies.Neo-fascism is gaining ground and is becoming normalised. Little doubt remains that there … [Read more...] about The rise of fascism and why the churches must speak out
In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest
It’s hard to see how the Scottish Government can claim – as it does in its Budget document – to be running a “sustainable pay policy.” It’s also hard to square these pay deals with the allocation of just 0.7% growth in real terms for the Health portfolio... Fraser of Allander budget report, authors João Sousa, Ciara Crummey, Spencer Thompson The devil was very much … [Read more...] about In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest
A new year message from ancient times
Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France
France is yet again in turmoil after last week's vote by a fractious National Assembly to reject an important part of next year's budget. And the country is now in economic recession. Leading analyst Gerald Olivier reckons there can be no credible plan for a way out, so long as there can be no proper government without an effective majority. And yet, when Emmanuel Macron became … [Read more...] about Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France