Fed Announces End of Quantitative Easing

November 03, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 10, Chris Dudley

Last Thursday, the Federal Reserve announced the conclusion of its Large Scale Asset Purchase program, commonly known as Quantitative Easing. Quantitative Easing, or QE, is an unconventional monetary policy tool used by the Fed in response to the Great Recession. QE leaves a mixed legacy. On one hand, it boosted the American economy, reduced unemployment, and prevented a deflationary spiral. On the other hand, it exposed our economy to a number of systemic risks.

The Intersection of Class and Ugliness

November 03, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 10, Mike Adamo

The last frontier for civil rights is a forgotten dead end beyond the currently fashionable “intersections of identity.” It’s something that we’ve neglected for years, something that we’re uncomfortable talking about. It’s something that causes discrimination in almost every area of a person’s life. And it’s not a choice. I’m talking, of course, about being ugly.

GOP Election Prospects

November 03, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 10, Will Swett

Experts have estimated that the GOP is poised to take the Senate in this election. Republicans are believed to hold the upper hand in Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Colorado, and Arkansas. While the Senate elections have engaged Republican political strategists, the only uncertainty surrounding the House elections is how many seats Republicans will add to their majority.

Citizens United Decision

October 27, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 9, Sarah Larson

Citizens United has become synonymous with too much money in politics, corporate personhood, the abolition of democracy, and the Koch brothers. This is a misunderstanding. The heart of the decision is that the government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections.

Smear Campaign in Central New York

October 27, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 9, Phil Parkes

With midterm elections in Central New York fast approaching, cable television has been plagued by smear ads knocking one political candidate after another. Meanwhile, New York was recently ranked “the nation’s worst business tax climate,” an unfortunate title in a nation with the highest corporate tax rate in the world. The present fiscal environment has prompted the Republican candidate for the 24th district of U.S. Congress, and former assistant U.S. attorney John Katko, to push for job creation and empower small businesses.

The College Revolution Will Be Flushed, Not Televised

October 27, 2014 by Michael Levy in Volume 2 Issue 9, Joe Simonson

While sifting through emails from numerous college clubs desperately trying to bribe students with free food from off-campus restaurants (take a hint Bon Appetite), I was delighted to find the latest “demands” from Hamilton College’s “The Movement.” (For those familiar with my bathroom habits, I am a member of the Irregular Movement.)