Giant companies, specifically pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), received secret payments to facilitate the unrestricted flow of opioid prescriptions, significantly contributing to the devastating opioid crisis. This wasn’t a simple oversight; these payments, often in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, acted as a de facto incentive to prioritize profit over public health. The sheer scale of the payments, like the approximately $400 million Purdue Pharma paid to PBMs by 2012, underscores the blatant disregard for the human cost of their actions.
These PBMs, controlling access to medication for millions, wielded immense power. Instead of utilizing this power to restrict opioid prescriptions, even amidst a surging overdose crisis, they actively worked to keep the flow of opioids unrestricted.… Continue reading
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, who displayed erratic behavior in court, is fighting extradition to New York. A handwritten document recovered from him expressed anger towards corporate greed and the healthcare industry, and he is believed to have acted alone. He was identified by a McDonald’s customer and apprehended by police, who found a firearm consistent with the murder weapon and fraudulent identification documents in his possession.
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Newly uncovered documents reveal that major oil companies were alerted to the climate change risks of fossil fuels as early as 1954. This warning, delivered by the Air Pollution Foundation, an industry-funded group, represents the earliest known instance of big oil being informed about the potentially catastrophic consequences of their products. Despite receiving this warning, the oil industry actively downplayed and denied the harms of burning fossil fuels, utilizing a strategy similar to the tobacco industry’s tactics for denying the dangers of smoking. These actions, which date back to the 1950s, laid the groundwork for decades of climate denial and delay by big oil.
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Boeing workers have decided not to accept the wage deal on the table, and I find myself reflecting on the ramifications of this choice—socially, economically, and morally. The vote was decisive, with 64% of union members rejecting the proposal, a significant statement from those who have endured years of stagnant wages and uncertain job security. When the offer is deemed unacceptable, especially against a backdrop of soaring inflation and an increasingly shaky company reputation, it reveals a profound discontent that can’t be ignored.
The primary issue at hand revolves around the longstanding demand for the restoration of the defined-benefit pension plan that Boeing had frozen a decade ago.… Continue reading
The irony of GM’s profit nearing record highs a year after claiming it couldn’t afford to meet its workers’ pay demands seems almost comical at first glance, but beneath that surface is a grim reality that speaks volumes about the state of corporate America. I find myself reflecting on how often I’ve encountered this narrative, where companies cry poverty just as they are about to close negotiations that could lead to meaningful improvements for their employees. It’s a playbook that’s become all too familiar over the years.
When GM executives, led by CFO Paul Jacobson, proclaim about the strong revenue growth and profitable operations while simultaneously refusing to uplift workers’ wages, I can’t help but feel a knot in my stomach.… Continue reading
The devastating news of the Tennessee plastics plant employees trapped and some among the missing and dead due to Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters is heartbreaking. The fact that the employees were not allowed to leave until the water had covered the parking lot is both tragic and enraging. One can’t help but wonder why these employees were not instructed to stay home in the first place, especially with the knowledge of the approaching hurricane causing damage and flooding inland.
It is appalling to think that these employees were threatened with losing their jobs if they left the plant before it was too late.… Continue reading
Boeing workers have spoken loud and clear – 96% voted to strike. That level of unity is truly remarkable and should send a powerful message to the top brass at Boeing. The fact that so many employees are willing to walk off the job speaks volumes about the dissatisfaction and frustration that has been brewing for a long time.
Boeing, once a titan in the aerospace industry, has been plagued by mismanagement, greed, and a blatant disregard for its workforce. The continuous disrespect shown towards employees, coupled with the shameless bonuses handed out to executives, has created a toxic environment that has finally reached its breaking point.… Continue reading
The recent news of U.S. Steel warning of potential plant closings if the sale collapses paints a grim picture of mismanagement and desperation within the company. The revelation of a $500 million share buyback in 2023, coupled with a significant one in 2021, points to a company in dire need of financial infusion due to poor decision-making by its executives. It is appalling to see CEOs and board members reaping substantial paychecks while driving the company into the ground.
The whole ordeal reeks of corporate greed and selfishness. Executives should be rewarded for steering a company towards success, not for leading it towards the brink of collapse.… Continue reading
It absolutely boggles my mind how someone can climb the corporate ladder, become the CEO of a bank, and then fall victim to a simple scam like the Nigerian Prince scheme. It just goes to show that intelligence, or lack thereof, does not discriminate based on position or title. The fact that this ex-CEO fell for a cryptocurrency scam, stole money from his own bank, a church, and even his daughter’s college fund is beyond comprehension.
The sheer audacity and delusion of thinking that pouring more money into an investment to “unlock returns” is a legitimate strategy is mind-boggling. What’s even more alarming is the fact that this man was seen as a pillar of the community, preaching at his local church, and testifying before Congress.… Continue reading
Starbucks is giving incoming CEO Brian Niccol a whopping $85 million in cash and stock as he departs Chipotle. This mind-boggling amount highlights the stark disparities in our society. While CEOs like Niccol rake in millions, front-line workers struggle to make ends meet. It leaves me questioning the logic and fairness behind such exorbitant payouts to corporate executives.
In his first year alone, Niccol’s pay package could reach a staggering $116.8 million if certain targets are met. This level of compensation is truly outrageous, especially when hourly employees don’t see a significant increase in their wages. It’s disheartening to see the widening gap between top executives’ salaries and the rest of the workforce.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker