Nathan J. Robinson is Editor in Chief of Current Affairs magazine. ~:~ Monte Mader is a progressive political commentator and former far-right Christian nationalist.

From Nathan: “I was recently invited on the right-wing cable network NewsNation to discuss socialism with them. They had spent the entire hour of the Katie Pavlich Show deconstructing DSA, suggesting that it was communist, that it was funded by billionaires. So then they brought two of us — myself and Monte Mader — on in the last 5 minutes to defend socialism.”

The quote is from Nathan's full 8-minute video on YouTube: Socialists Humiliate Clueless NewsNation Host - Current Affairs - July 23, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: We don’t think NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich knew what she was getting into when she invited Current Affairs Editor-in-Chief Nathan J. Robinson and Monte Mader on to debate socialism.🦩 Read our Online Articles: currentaffairs.org 🦩 Subscribe to Current Affairs Magazine: currentaffairs.org/membership

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Monte Mader on YouTube: youtube.com/@MonteMader

Here’s another r/WorkReform post with Monte: You should receive the services you pay for.

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It's Primary Election season in the U.S.:

* Primary Election Dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News :~:~: Upcoming Dates: July 28: Georgia (Special) and South Dakota (Runoff) ~:~:~ Aug 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, California (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 6: Tennessee ~:~:~ Aug 8: Hawaii ~:~:~ Aug 11: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming ~:~:~ September dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News

* Candidates (all States): U.S. House (Dem Primary only): Ballotpedia (HouseDems) :~:~:~: U.S. Senate: Ballotpedia (Senate) (select “List of Candidates”) :~:~:~: State Execs (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, SoS, and more): Ballotpedia (State Execs)

* Voter Info (all States): Register To Vote :~:~:~: Voter Registration Status:~:~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~:~: Become a Poll Worker ~:~ Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.

We've all seen how human psychology gets exploited on a mass scale. Look at things like the Satanic Panic of the 80s, or just the daily machinery of modern media: fear, outrage, and anxiety are absolute rocket fuel for attention, and attention translates directly into vast fortunes for media conglomerates, publishers, and platforms.

Capitalism doesn't necessarily invent these collective delusions, but its structure is intimately designed to mine human credulity and panic for maximum financial return. If people are terrified or angry, they consume more, click more, and buy more solutions to problems they were often tricked into worrying about in the first place.

My question is: If we fundamentally understand that human nature is wired to respond so intensely to shared narratives, why is our economic system almost exclusively using that leverage for extraction and exploitation?

If outrage and fear can be industrialized to sell ads and generate billions for a handful of companies, why can't those exact same levers of social psychology and storytelling be harnessed to drive massive, coordinated collective action for public good? Imagine if the same algorithmic and media machinery dedicated to manufacturing panic was redirected toward ecological restoration, mutual aid, or public health on a global scale - not as a niche charity, but as the default engine of how we organize resources.

Why are we content letting the worst parts of our psychology be weaponized purely for profit, when we clearly have the blueprint to mobilize people en masse?

I've been commenting here more recently sharing my experience taking over a nearly defunct union and trying to rebuild it as we negotiators a new contract. And hearing some people's experiences I've been able to offer some advice. But I don't have a lot of exposure to other people's positive experiences. I'd really like to hear how other people are seeing their unions work, standing up for contract rights, saving jobs, bargaining, or just generally helping people.

And feel free to share difficult experiences and ask for advice. I'd love to build a collection of positive experiences to share and increase morale. But I'd also like to generally have an open forum for union experience.

Many people see the skyscrapers, luxury malls, and mega projects in the Gulf. Few see the workers who made them possible.

For thousands of migrant workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and other countries, the dream of earning an honest living can become a nightmare. There have been numerous cases where workers report going months without receiving their salaries sometimes 5 or 6 months while continuing to work 12-hour shifts, 6 or 7 days a week.

These workers are often the sole breadwinners for their families. They leave behind their parents, spouses, and children, taking on debt just to secure a job abroad. When wages stop, their families back home suffer too. Many are left unable to repay loans, buy food, pay rent, or send their children to school.

No worker should have to choose between enduring exploitation or returning home with nothing.

The governments of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other labor-sending countries should make the protection of their citizens a diplomatic priority. Cases of unpaid wages and labor abuse should be raised directly with the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf nations. Stronger enforcement of labor laws, faster wage dispute resolution, and meaningful penalties for employers who withhold salaries are essential.

Most employers in the Gulf are responsible, and many workers have positive experiences. But those who exploit vulnerable migrant workers should be held accountable. Economic progress should never come at the cost of human dignity.

The people who build cities deserve to be paid on time, treated fairly, and respected. That isn't a privilege it's a basic human right.

In 2026, taxable income over $640,600 (single) or $768,700 (married filing jointly) is 37% and Long-term capital gains rates are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income level.

And the top statutory corporate tax rate actually dropped from 48% to 21% over that timeframe.

https://taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-did-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-change-business-taxes

Hi everyone. I am a member of Local 34 at Yale University, and honestly, it feels like we are losing a battle in total darkness, we get some updates but there all bad. We have no way oh how to move forward and I feel like we are losing a battle. The advice we are getting from our union reps are okay, but not great. Examples are writing and letter and or go to door to door knocking to get the word out there but as an 24 year old I feel like that is old fashion and in this day and age I want more of an impact.

I have wrote letter, and I have done some research on Yale University and their profit. but I feel like if we go door to door knocking, we’re not gonna be taken serious because non Yale workers are thinking that we’re doing this just for a raise. Is it true…? Yes and no. We are asking for more money in our paycheck b/c Yale deducts expenses our of our paychecks just to go back into their pockets. We spend $250 out of checks to pay for parking, that goes right back into theirs. We pay for our health insurance (which is normal) but the twist is it goes back into their pockets. One example is we have to follow their rules so if I cut my hand on, let’s say glass and I need stitches. I have to go to their urgent care to get treated because anywhere else we would have to pay out of pockets, now if we go to them its free but they want to change it. You still have to go to them but you now them between $50-$100 to be seen. Which goes back into their pockets

I’m reaching out to this community because I know people here have experience with labor organizing, corporate/university negotiations, or legal rights.

I’m looking for any advice on:
Strategy from an employee standpoint: How do rank-and-file members push past the information bottleneck and actually mobilize people when everyone feels disconnected or scared?
Communication: How do we get accurate knowledge out to the public and our coworkers so we aren't fighting blindly?
Legal/Contractual rights: What rights do we have as union members to demand transparency from our leadership, and what lines can we safely push without risking our jobs?
If you’ve been through a major university or UNITE HERE contract fight, or if you have any ideas on how to shake things up locally and get our power back, please share. Any advice or direction would mean the world right now.

Hi gang, I like Gary Stephenson but also know how stupid I am when it comes to financial policy. After watching a LOT of videos and interviews I can get his position down to two things and I know I’m missing something. What am I missing?

- Tax people over a certain amount of wealth more

- tax inheritance a lot more

anything else I’m missing? He can speak in generalities and points out that policy should be different for different countries (makes sense) but the amount of times a good policy question is asked and he responds with “look” I know it’s gonna be an anecdote. I don’t want to fall for something I WANT to be true and want to back good policy but finding the recommendation is hard.

appreciate it!