Category Archives: Leo Jennings

The Politics of Pensions: No Bailout for You

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Working-Class Perspectives

On December 24 last year, the New York Times reported that a multi-billion-dollar bailout of the United Mine Workers Health & Retirement Fund which was slated to go broke in 2023 had been rolled into the $1.4 trillion bi-partisan spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, The Working Class and the Economy, Working-Class Politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Profiting from the Working Class: How the Opioid Epidemic Echoes the Mortgage Crisis

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Working-Class Perspectives

For the second time in a decade, a group of Fortune 500 companies are engaged in a con game that is devastating working-class families and the communities in which they live. The first scam, which involved predatory lending and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Guest Bloggers, Issues, Leo Jennings, The Working Class and the Economy, Working-Class Politics | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Raising the Minimum Wage — The Right Way

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Working-Class Perspectives

Ever since President Obama took office I’ve periodically wished I had the ability to call the White House get him on the phone and say “Hey, you’re not doing it right!”  Let me be clear—I don’t mean he hasn’t done … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, The Working Class and the Economy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Obama Will Cruze to Victory

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Working-Class Perspectives

“And the winner is…” (Drum roll—sound of envelope being ripped open.) “…Barack Obama.” I’m going to be honest about this: when it comes to predicting the outcome of the 2012 presidential contest I’ve been downright Romneyan.  It’s not something I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Memo to the Occupiers

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Working-Class Perspectives

Occupy Wall Street has many on the left cheering.  That includes me, albeit with reservations. As someone who devoted a good portion of his life to fighting  injustice—or as the late liberal icon and state legislator Robert Hagan was fond of … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

The Working Class and the Great Capitulator

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Working-Class Perspectives

When I began writing this piece its focus—and the act that earned Barack Obama the moniker “Great Capitulator”—was his decision to cave into Republican senators and Wall Street fat cats and withdraw his nomination of Elizabeth Warren to head the … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, The Working Class and the Economy, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Paul Ryan Breaks the Rules

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Working-Class Perspectives

Cardinal Rule: A fundamental rule, upon which other matters hinge. Wiktionary If you’re engaged in any type of activity that involves the development and implementation of a strategic plan you run into them all the time: Cardinal Rules.  Know them, … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Timing Is Everything

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Working-Class Perspectives

Sometimes clichés become old clichés because they have enduring value.  Here’s one that puts the consequences of the 2010 election in perspective: “Timing is everything.”  That is because the Democrats didn’t just lose hundreds of important elections here in Ohio … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Base Jumping: The Democrats and the Working Class

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Working-Class Perspectives

I have to admit that I am somewhat amused at the intellectual poking and prodding being done by pundits–particularly Democrats–as they analyze the results of the November midterm election.  It’s as if they’re a gaggle of pathologists standing around a … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

No Tea Party Here: Obama, Democrats, and the Working Class

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Working-Class Perspectives

The Center for Working-Class Studies released the results of its latest survey last week.  As I look at the results, two things jump out: first, the President is paying a price for doing the right things the wrong way, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Issues, Leo Jennings, Working-class politics | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments