27 May 2009 Apologies for the long absence. Have travelled to spread the word to – amongst other places – Berlin and Edinburgh. Not that it was enjoyable. Am distinctly uncomfortable about flying these days. Primarily because of climate change, but also because travel can be very unpleasant. Reading of British Airways’ results, reminds me why.

Gradually both plane and train operators expanded their business or first class departments and squeezed their economy passengers. As a result both airline and train travel economy class have become almost unbearable. Thankfully I am short, but how do those taller than 5.3″ survive in those cramped, claustrophobic cabins? The fact is that we, economy class passengers, were treated with contempt by both airline and train operators. More and more space was handed over to a minority -  the rich and privileged.

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Ann Pettifor – 12th May 2009

Have just returned from a flying visit to Iceland, where I was mightily impressed by the warmth and strength of the Icelandic character. Also struck by the pride Icelanders have in the way the financial crisis deepened and strengthened their democracy – leading to the ousting of a corrupt government, and the election of a progressive coalition.

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May 8, 2009

You can watch Ann’s speech on the Green New Deal at the new Crunch Time website. Crunch time is the first major conference of progressive Australian think tanks, covering topics including the economy, democracy, climate change, poverty, social inclusion and much more.

Ann Pettifor. Huffington Post. May 2nd, 2009

In my last post, I argued that the United States is now a bank-owned state. As if to prove my point, the banks used their power over 12 Democratic members of the Senate to defeat Senator Durbin’s “Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy” amendment. And they financed the lobbying of taxpayer representatives with some of the billions of bail-out dollars provided by – taxpayers.

This was a defeat for American democracy. It represented a failure of senators to represent their constituents, honor the constitution and ‘establish justice, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare of the American people. But while it was a defeat for democracy, it was a Pyrrhic victory for the bankers. One more such victory over Congress and the White House, and the bankers will be facing ruin.

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