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Waking up everyday to learn that, yes, things did get worse

Corporate greed

In today’s world, corporate greed is more than just a talking point—it’s a crisis that affects every aspect of our lives. From skyrocketing prices and stagnant wages to environmental destruction and political corruption, the insatiable hunger for profit at all costs has put everyday people at a severe disadvantage.

But how did we get here? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

The Never-Ending Pursuit of Profit

At its core, corporate greed is the prioritization of profits over people. Businesses are supposed to serve society by providing goods, services, and jobs. However, in the modern capitalist system, many corporations focus solely on maximizing shareholder wealth—often at the expense of workers, consumers, and the environment.

Consider the following:

Wage Suppression: While the cost of living continues to rise, wages have stagnated for decades. Meanwhile, CEOs and executives receive record-breaking salaries and bonuses.

Job Exploitation: Many corporations cut costs by outsourcing jobs, exploiting workers in developing countries, and using temporary or gig workers to avoid offering benefits.

Price Gouging: Pharmaceutical companies charge exorbitant prices for life-saving medication, oil companies inflate gas prices, and tech giants squeeze consumers with subscription-based models.

Environmental Destruction: From oil spills to deforestation, corporations destroy ecosystems in pursuit of short-term profits, leaving taxpayers to deal with the consequences.

The Role of Corporate Lobbying

One of the most alarming aspects of corporate greed is its influence on politics. Through lobbying, campaign donations, and political action committees (PACs), major corporations manipulate government policies to serve their interests. This results in:

Tax Loopholes: Many billion-dollar corporations pay little to no federal taxes while benefiting from public infrastructure and services.

Deregulation: Laws designed to protect workers, consumers, and the environment are often weakened or repealed due to corporate pressure.

Bailouts for the Rich: While small businesses struggle to survive, major corporations frequently receive government bailouts when their risky financial practices backfire.

The Impact on Everyday People

For the average citizen, corporate greed translates to a lower quality of life. Higher prices, job instability, and declining public services are just a few consequences of a system that prioritizes profits over people. It’s no surprise that wealth inequality continues to widen, with the richest 1% controlling more wealth than the bottom 90% combined.

Fighting Back Against Corporate Greed

While the power of big business may seem overwhelming, change is possible. Here are some ways individuals can push back:

Support Ethical Businesses: Choose companies that prioritize fair wages, sustainability, and ethical labor practices.

Advocate for Policy Changes: Support legislation that promotes corporate accountability, such as higher taxes on billionaires and stricter environmental regulations.

Boycott Greedy Corporations: When companies engage in unethical practices, collective action through boycotts can send a powerful message.

Educate and Organize: Awareness is key. By educating others and organizing grassroots movements, people can challenge corporate influence.

Final Thoughts

Corporate greed is not an unavoidable consequence of capitalism—it is a choice made by those in power. By demanding accountability, supporting ethical businesses, and pushing for systemic change, we can create an economy that works for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy.

It’s time to put people over profits.

Every goddamn vote on every goddamn issue matters and can have ripple effects. Anyone who says not to vote because of whining about political purity or anything like that can eat my entire ass.

"Freedom seeds"?

These weirdos have the mental and emotional age of 12. These are little boys playing war and pretending to be cool, powerful men - with zero idea what it actually means to be that.

goodgoodgood.co

Instead of takedown ads, this Gen-Z congressional candidate is using campaign money to feed people

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old running for Congress in Illinois, is spending her campaign dollars in a whole new way.

"Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th congressional district, isn’t shy about her belief that politicians need to do things differently.

“We have a representation problem,” the first line of the “About” page on her website reads.

“As in, about half of Congress are millionaires and people born before the Moon landing. And that's part of the reason we're in this mess: Our leaders are out of touch.”

A journalist, social media influencer, and political commentator that GQ called “a lefty,” with a mission to revitalize the Democratic party, Abughazaleh built a following online before she launched her campaign in March of 2025. 

But now, she’s leveraging her platform — and campaign dollars — to help people in her community before ballots are even filled in.

“My congressional campaign is feeding people right now,” she starts in a recent TikTok video. 

“Part of the reason I decided to run was because I saw how much money gets wasted in politics, and I thought, ‘What if we spent it differently?’”

She adds that the campaign is focused on “direct action and mutual aid,” emphasizing that she wanted her run for office to be “dual-purpose,” in which she can get her message out and help people in the process. 

It’s a stark pivot from the traditional way of campaigning in the United States, which often includes pricey fundraising galas, attack ads, big billboards, and perhaps the most criticized and unpopular feature: massive donations from private businesses and interest groups. 

Abughazaleh has publicly congratulated the former incumbent of this seat — 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has held the title since 1999, the year Abughazaleh was born — for her “decades of service.” 

Rep. Schakowsky will not seek reelection, but Abughazaleh called for others to run, hoping to participate in the “first competitive Democratic primary in the District since 1998.”

Abughazaleh has also shared that the average donation her campaign receives is $31. And according to GQ, 1,000 people signed up to volunteer for her campaign within a week of her initial announcement.

And while that volunteering does include marketing, canvassing, and getting the word out, it mostly adds up to actual on-the-ground volunteer work to help people in the local community.

“Our kick-off event, for instance, didn’t charge $500 a plate,” Abughazaleh shared in her TikTok. “People just had to bring a box of pads or tampons, which were donated to Chicago’s period collective. By the end of the night, we had gathered over 5,600 period products, which went to people who can’t afford them.”

Most recently, the campaign hosted a food drive for a local community fridge program.

“We asked folks to come out and donate food in exchange for a campaign yard or window sign,” Abughazaleh said. “And by the end of the day, we were able to fully stock the empty pantry and fill the fridge with frozen meals, produce, and eggs. That’s feeding people right now.”

“Don’t worry, we checked to make sure this is legal," she added. "And it is."

The campaign has also launched a High School Public Serve Grant program that encourages local youth to submit ideas for how to make the community better, and Abughazaleh’s campaign will support it with money, materials, volunteers, and her online platform...

“Something you’ll rarely see is concrete help in their communities during the campaign,” she said. “And frankly, to me, that just seems stupid. Not only do you get to help people — supposedly what you’re running to do — but it also shows what you’re about, instead of just providing lip service.” ...

“If every campaign adopted this model, then we wouldn’t be wasting money every single cycle. Every city, town, and village across America would be improved by their election process, and I think it would also get people more involved,” she said.

“We have local folks who have never voted in an election, but they joined our volunteer Discord server because they want to help, they feel like they have something to vote for.”

For those who might be inspired enough to run for office with this model, she says: Full steam ahead.

“Frankly, I would love it if other campaigns took our model. Use it, pretend it’s yours, I don’t care!” she wrapped up her TikTok. 

“Pair with organizations in your community that have been doing the work, talk with local experts, and try to spearhead any initiatives you can to show your values and help your constituents. It’s really that easy.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 14, 2025

Do you get it now? Without due process, everyone is at risk. How are you going to prove your citizenship otherwise?

Really? Trump never censored free speech?

Then what do you call this:

Land of the Free*

Techdirt

Congressional Committee Threatens To Investigate Any Company Helping TikTok Defend Its Rights

“Do you now, or have you ever, worked with TikTok to help defend its rights?” That McCarthyism-esque question is apparently being asked by m