Legitimate class-action lawsuits are an important check on private corporations that would otherwise run roughshod over consumers’ interests. A nonprofit called Consumer Action has an online free database for consumers to search for class action lawsuits that are open for claims and others that are still pending.
Many Red States Are Largest Recipients of Federal Assistance
A new study shows how significantly the incomes of residents in many states, particularly “red states,” depend on federal government transfers.
Sadvertising or Social Conscience? American Express’s Documentary on the “Unbanked”
Today, American Express is launching Spent: Looking for Change, a 40-minute commercial about the extra expense and vulnerability experienced by people who do not do business with traditional financial institutions, commonly referred to as the “unbanked” and underbanked.” Is it simple “sadvertising” or a deeper motivation behind it?
AARP Argues for a Utility Consumer Advocate in New York
New York is one of only 10 states without a utility consumer advocate to speak for consumers when utilities pitch rate hikes. Representing senior citizens on fixed incomes, for whom utility costs mean a great deal, the AARP thinks that New York should catch up with other states and create a utility consumer advocate.
Charity Gambling Rules Still in Play in Michigan
A coalition of Michigan charities and businesses received a preliminary injunction to stop a set of regulations on charitable poker events the day before they were set to go into effect. Was it the right hand to be played at this time?
The Endgame on the Hope and Hype of Hybrids—A System of Balanced Benefit
The presence or absence of cash—what all this comes down to—is a flawed, inadequate, and outmoded method of valuing the contributions of Enterprise.
Daniel Ellsberg Stands Up for Edward Snowden—Will You?
Secretary of State John Kerry thinks Daniel Ellsberg was a patriot, but Edward Snowden a “coward” and “traitor.” While nonprofits are debating free speech and First Amendment issues such as 501(c)(4) regulations and campaign finance court decisions, just as important is the issue of the extent of government invasion of the First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights of all Americans, including nonprofits themselves.
Social Enterprise: “What Kind of Monster Eats a Mental Health Magazine?”
This ode to a failed social enterprise in the UK is well worth reading on many levels.
As Obama Focuses on Black Men and Boys, What About Black Women?
Prominent black men in the U.S. are concerned that President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative excludes black women and girls.
Gender Diversity: Disturbing Images from Silicon Valley
In the category of a picture being worth a thousand words, here are two tweets from a recent Apple conference that say it all about the gender diversity of some of the IT firms there.
Challenge Grants: A Mechanism for Double and Lasting Value
Sometimes it is worth acknowledging the tried-and-true mechanisms that work well in spreading philanthropy and gaining impact in its application. The humble challenge grant is one of our favorites!
Tea Party Patriots Criticizes Reid’s “Targeting” of Koch Brothers
Tea Party Patriots thinks that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has unlawfully attacked the rights of Charles and David Koch as engaged citizens in our democracy.