Stories by Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the new book, "Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow." (Wiley, March 2008) He publishes the monthly "Hightower Lowdown," co-edited by Phillip Frazer. subscribe to Jim Hightower's feed

Wave Our Flag!

Posted on: Oct 15, 2001, Source: AlterNet

I'll be double-damned to hell before I allow our flag to be usurped by political opportunists, corporatists and war-mongerers who confuse conformity with patriotism.

United's Bailout Rip-off

Posted on: Oct 15, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Rather than investing their billion dollar bailout in the US of A, like rehiring 20,000 fired employees, United just wired $600 million to a French company to buy luxury jets.

A Billionaire's Garage Sale

Posted on: Oct 8, 2001, Source: AlterNet

When the going gets tough for the very wealthy, they do what regular folks do -- sell stuff in the driveway.

Capitalizing on Terrorism

Posted on: Oct 8, 2001, Source: AlterNet

While rescuers were still searching the wreckage for survivors, guys in Guccis were combing Capital Hill pleading for an "emergency" cut in their capital gains taxes.

The Sorrows Behind Corporate Pink Slips

Posted on: Oct 1, 2001, Source: AlterNet

In anticipation of the impending recession and the massive downsizing effort it will spur, young executives everywhere are taking how-to-fire-someone training.

Uncovering Greenspan's Bias

Posted on: Oct 1, 2001, Source: AlterNet

The man trying to save America's economy from crashing along with the twin towers has his priorities straight, but they don't include the working class.

Surrendering to Terrorists

Posted on: Sep 24, 2001, Source: AlterNet

In post-9-11 America, get used to domestic spying, carrying an electronic ID card, being searched and having your movements constantly monitored.

Bringing Power to the People

Posted on: Sep 24, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Fuel cells already are powering everything from NASA's space shuttle to the mainframe computer at the First National Bank in Omaha -- and your home might be next.

Millionaire Medicine

Posted on: Sep 18, 2001, Source: AlterNet

If you've got a an extra $20,000 a year you're in luck. That's what you'll need to get good health care in this country.

Get to Work, America

Posted on: Sep 18, 2001, Source: AlterNet

America has jumped to the top of the work heap because those in charge in Washington and on Wall Street have built our economy around stagnant wages and constant downsizings.

Stand Up for Your Democracy

Posted on: Sep 18, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Our "defenders," full of made-for-television bravado, are rushing to protect us by mounting a macho crack-down on -- guess what? -- our freedom!

Lean Times, but Fat CEOs

Posted on: Sep 10, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Today's herd of fat porkers include the boss hogs at Disney, American Express, Cisco Systems, and other corporate fiefdoms that suffered serious financial downturns in the past year.

Snails for Brains

Posted on: Sep 10, 2001, Source: AlterNet

For the first time, scientists have found a way to mesh neurons from snail brains with tiny electronic transistors, creating mechanical chips that "speak" to each other.

Leeches, A Medical Advance from the Past

Posted on: Sep 3, 2001, Source: AlterNet

A company called Leeches USA ships about 30,000 bloodsuckers a year to doctors who specialize in reattaching severed fingers, ears, and other body parts.

A Computerized "Service" Economy

Posted on: Sep 3, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Oh dandy. Here comes another service industry "helping out" us customers by eliminating clerks whose job it was to help us out.

The "Rebate and Switch" Tax Scam

Posted on: Aug 27, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Don't be so quick to spend the $300 "rebate" Bush sent you this summer. You might need it come tax time next year.

The Middle-class Future Is Up to Us

Posted on: Aug 27, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Lest we allow years of labor progress to go wasted, workers must continue to fight to keep the promise of a prosperous future.

Bush's "Clean Coal" Boondoggle

Posted on: Aug 20, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Promising a clean energy future for Americans, Bush shelves solar, wind, conservation, and other clean sources of power, in favor of coal.

Drink More Coke

Posted on: Aug 20, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Highlighting its support for humanitarian causes, Coca Cola notes that it "does a great service because it encourages people to take in more and more liquids."

The Pentagon-Media Complex Fibs about Star Wars

Posted on: Aug 13, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Only recently did we learn that the last "Star Wars" test was rigged -- the "bad guy" missile had a beacon to guide the "good guy" missile to it.

And Now ... Frankenpigs!

Posted on: Aug 13, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Corporate pig producers say they're developing a genetically-altered porker that produces a more environmentally-friendly manure. They call it Enviropig. I call in Frankenpig.

Corrupt Wall Street Analysts

Posted on: Aug 6, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Well, thanks to some whistle blowers, a lot of people's trust in the integrity of Wall Street has recently come tumbling down.

America the Workaholic

Posted on: Aug 6, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Americans need a real vacation (like the one-to-two months provided by our European competitors), and they want and deserve a 35-hour work week.

The Post Office Spies on You

Posted on: Jul 30, 2001, Source: AlterNet

A new surveillance program called "Under the Eagle's Eye" makes post office clerks report on any "suspicious" customers who make monetary transaction at the P.O.

HIGHTOWER: The Army's Chemical Waste Plan

Posted on: Jul 30, 2001, Source: AlterNet

A new Army chemical incinerator in Alabama has locals worried about accidents. But the Army has a plan if deadly gases are released -- duct tape and plastic sheets.

Lies Drug Companies Tell Us

Posted on: Jul 23, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Pharmaceutical firms that sell the 50 most-prescribed drugs to seniors spend twice as much on advertising, marketing, and corporate bureaucracy than they do on developing new drugs.

Should the Navy Bomb Texas?

Posted on: Jul 23, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Now that the Navy has been forced by protesters to abandon its bombing exercises in Puerto Rico, it has been considering bombing a national seashore preserve in South Texas.

Monsanto Douses Colombia

Posted on: Jul 16, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Take one part avarice from Monsanto, add one part government arrogance, mix, spray on a foreign country, then cover up the mess with official secrecy. Viola! Colombia.

The "Miracle" of Self Cleaning Glass

Posted on: Jul 16, 2001, Source: AlterNet

A British glassmaker has announced that it may start producing the holy grails of home-building products: Glass windows that clean themselves.

President Bushwa

Posted on: Jul 9, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Little George's overall job-approval rating has dropped to a pitiable 53 percent, and its even worse on specific issues like environment (39 percent) and energy (33 percent).

Hey Senate Democrats, Wake Up!!!

Posted on: Jul 9, 2001, Source: Hightower Lowdown

With Jim Jeffords' defection, the Senate Democrats have enough power to move this nation's priorities out of corporate boardrooms and into local communities. Will they?

Beware of Your Beer Baron Buddies

Posted on: Jul 2, 2001, Source: AlterNet

America's beer barons are demanding that the federal beer tax of about 25 cents a six pack be cut in half -- which might allow them to jack prices and pocket the profits.

A Renewed Declaration of Independence

Posted on: Jul 2, 2001, Source: AlterNet

This July 4th, "Corporate America" flags were unfurled all over the country, with logos of IBM, GE, Nike, CBS, Texaco and other giants replacing the 50 stars.

HIGHTOWER: Bribery in Dubya's House

Posted on: Jun 24, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Karl Rove, the political operative who developed George W's theme of restoring "a new ethical tone," has his butt caught in a tight ethical crack.

HIGHTOWER: Fear the Computerized Geekmobile

Posted on: Jun 24, 2001, Source: AlterNet

If you're concerned about cell-phones in cars, you'll hate the Geekmobile. These totally wired autos have PCs in the trunk, keyboards on the dash and printers behind the seat.

HGHTOWER: Zapme!'s Schoolyard Snooping

Posted on: Jun 18, 2001, Source: AlterNet

In exchange for free Internet access, 6,000 U.S. schools are selling kids' personal information to their Internet provider.

HIGHTOWER: The Sorrows Behind Corporate Pink Slips

Posted on: Jun 18, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Getting laid off is traumatic -- according to the New York Times -- especially for the boss who has to lay you off.

HIGHTOWER: Reformulating Nestle

Posted on: Jun 11, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Nestle has fought every effort to require labeling to inform American parents their babies are drinking its genetically modified baby formula.

HIGHTOWER: The Company Bush Keeps

Posted on: Jun 11, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Not content to fill his cabinet with corporate CEOs, directors, and lobbyists, George W. Bush is trying to corporatize all the other top policy-making positions of government, too.

HIGHTOWER: Science for Sale

Posted on: Jun 4, 2001, Source: AlterNet

Science is often on corporations' side because corporations buy the science.

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