Politics

The Illegitimacy of the Ruling Class

Americans are losing faith in governance by the elite.

Thea N. Riofrancos

Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris Both Fall Short on Abolishing Money Bail

Each of their bills is weak, although Harris' is more dangerously flawed.

Sarah Lazare

The Left Is Already Winning the 2020 Presidential Race

For the first time in 40 years, bold progressive policies are setting the terms of the debate.

Theo Anderson

Socialists in the House: A 100-Year History from Victor Berger to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

American socialists have a long and proud tradition in elected office. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib are the latest to carry the torch.

Maurice Isserman

Native Americans Scored Big Election Wins in Washington State and Beyond

On Tuesday, Puyallup tribe members celebrated a landmark police accountability initiative, as well as Native victories nationwide.

Stephanie Woodard

Why Chicagoans Just Fired a Judge For the First Time in 28 Years

Taking a cue from progressive lawyers and racial justice activists, Chicago voters ousted longtime judge Matthew Coghlan.

Rick Tulsky

Black Women Voters Aren’t “Saving America.” We’re Saving Ourselves.

Since at least the 1830s, Black women have organized, campaigned, and voted for issues that matter to us most.

Joshunda Sanders

8 Thinkers on the Left Explain What the Midterm Results Mean for Progressives

Nina Turner, Maria Svart, Rick Perlstein, Barbara Ransby, Bill Fletcher Jr., Ai-jen Poo, Larry Cohen and Keeanga-Yahmatta Taylor give their takeaways from Tuesday night.

In These Times Contributors

Any Democrat Who Takes Fossil Fuel Money Should Face a Primary Challenge in 2020

The fossil fuel industry's campaign contributions are a threat to democracy.

Kate Aronoff

A Message to J.B. Pritzker: We Are Going to Hold You to Your Progressive Promises

You ran for Illinois governor on a platform of raising taxes on the rich, investing in social programs and achieving racial equity. We expect to see these promises become a reality.

Amisha Patel

An Open Letter To Andrew Cuomo: Now Will You Keep Your Clemency Promises?

Despite big talk, in eight years, the governor has freed exactly one domestic violence survivor from prison.

S&P NYC

Democrats Won the House. To Keep Winning, They Need to Move Sharply Left.

Democratic operatives will use the midterm results to preach centrism, but the future of the party lies in its left flank.

Miles Kampf-Lassin

The Case for a Democratic Socialist Caucus In the U.S. Congress

To make sure newly elected socialists don’t end up looking like corporate Democrats, we need a democratic socialist caucus in Congress.

Bhaskar Sunkara

A New Koch Brothers-Funded Super PAC Tried to Capitalize on the Janus Decision Ahead of the Election

A right-wing political advocacy organization funded by the Koch brothers has endorsed eight GOP House incumbents in the hopes of keeping the House red and squashing unions' influence in Washington.

Eric Bradach

The Legacy of Foreclosure Fraud Could Help Decide Whether Ohio Turns Blue on Tuesday

Eight years ago, the Tea Party wave helped oust Democratic Attorney General Richard Cordray. Now he could take over the governor’s mansion.

David Dayen

Ron DeSantis Has Every Reason to Be Scared of the Dream Defenders—They Are Building Racial Justice

By linking his opponent Andrew Gillum to a group he claims has a “hateful and dangerous ideology,” Florida’s Republican gubernatorial candidate is again employing racist dog whistles—a longtime strategy of the Right.

Eli Day

How Ordinary Americans Can Welcome Migrants and Refugees With Open Arms

In 2015, ordinary Europeans welcomed refugees with open arms. Will we do the same with the caravan from Central America?

Khury Peterson-Smith

On Tuesday, Oaklanders Will Decide Whether Landlords Can Evict Them for No Reason

In a city that has become ground zero for gentrification, black working-class tenants are leading a fight to stay in their homes.

Eli Day