Economy
Widespread job losses continued in May, pushing the economy toward a number of dubious achievements. David Madland underscored some improvement in the job market, yet employment still looks grim. Also, the Center released an interactive graphic from Heather Boushey illustrating that the current recession is making women gain more importance as primary breadwinners. And Ann O’Leary argued that The Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act gives the federal government an opportunity to serve as a model employer.
Domestic
This week, the Center for American Progress President and CEO John D. Podesta joined other leaders from labor, business, African-American, Latino, Asian, and faith communities to participate in a joint press conference that officially launched the Reform Immigration for America campaign. Podesta gave remarks to kick off the campaign, and Angela Kelley and Vanessa Cárdenas focused on the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, which was also the subject in this week’s Ask the Expert with Kelley. Kelley and Cárdenas both emphasized that real solutions on the economy, health care, and other key issues will require action on immigration.
An animation also explained why Americans need health reform, and “Efficiency and Quality” by Paul B. Ginsburg detailed how health care payment reform can help control rising costs.
Media and Culture
Eric Alterman and Danielle Ivory wrote about how right-wing pundits are casting Obama’s Supreme Court pick in racist terms that appear to be working. Also, Jonathan Duffy and Sally Steenland explored the strategies for Michigan’s Proposal 2 prohibiting same-sex marriage, the alliances it shaped, and how it may help illuminate similar campaigns in the future. Finally, Peter Swire discussed Web 2.0 issues related to the federal government and how the Obama administration can promote open government and new technology for all Americans.
Energy and Environment
Julian Wong and Andrew Light released two memos on China’s recent developments on clean energy. In “Climate Progress in China,” they detailed China’s recent investments in clean energy and efficiency. Also, in “China Begins Its Transition to a Clean-Energy Economy,” Wong and Light offered a by-the-numbers look at China’s progress on clean energy and what this means for the United States. Additionally, Tom Kenworthy predicted a stormy forecast for U.S agriculture as House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson (D-MN) has threatened to bring down the American Clean Energy and Security Act. And CAP showed how to have a green BBQ this summer in its Easy Being Green series.
National Security
China and Latin America
Stephanie Miller advised in her column “Cooperating with China in Latin America” that the United States should find ways to turn China’s presence in the region into an opportunity. She also offered insight on the Organization of American States’ unprecedented announcement to revoke Cuba’s 47-year membership suspension, despite the Castro administration’s questionable interest in joining the Inter-American system. In their column “What Does a Smaller World Mean for Human Rights?” Nina Hachigan and Bill Schultz drew attention to promoting individual freedom in China after the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, and Winny Chen looked at working with China on North Korea.