Salvatore Babones is an American sociologist at the University of Sydney. His research takes a long-term perspective to understanding problems of inequality and development. His next book, Benchmarking America (http://benchmarkingamerica.com) is due out in 2012. Everyone knows that the current recession has pushed many people into poverty. That's sad, but it...
Bradford Wells and Anthony Makk have been together for 19 years and seven years ago they were legally married in Massachusetts. Despite the fact that they have been together for so long, and Makk is the sole caregiver for Wells, who is terminally ill, they are in danger of being forced an ocean apart later this month. Immigration officials told Makk that he must leave the U.S. and...
Graduating from college used to mean doors opening to the start of your career. Opportunities were everywhere. But for people like me, just about ready to graduate, we can all agree that the atrocious job market and dismal economy has ruined our life plans. I currently live with my parents as I work at two unpaid internships and do at least 15 hours of research each week at a local museum for...
Sylvia Lundberg, a Social Security recipient, reflects on her experiences with the program. Today is the 76th anniversary of Social Security. When I was a young teenager, my family was left without any source of income after my father, who was a farmer, died of a massive heart attack. We were not eligible for Social Security because in the 50’s farmers were excluded from...
