You're Probably Getting Screwed by Thanksgiving

The companies raising costs on us while ripping off farmers.

Welcome to You’re Probably Getting Screwed, a weekly newsletter and video series from J.D. Scholten and Justin Stofferahn about the Second Gilded Age and the ways economic concentration is putting politics and profits over working people.

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Have you ever thought about what farmers get from the Thanksgiving dinner you buy? 

National Farmers Union 2024 Farmer’s Share of Thanksgiving Dinner. 

For more information on the Producer Protection Act check out this insightful piece by Scott Syroka. 

YOU’RE PROBABLY (ALSO) GETTING SCREWED BY:

Tax Code

This parody of politicians (by NPR/Planet Money) hiding the fact that they’re protecting the super-wealthy is too good!

GM Layoffs

This headline sums up the economy right now “GM lays off 1,000 workers, even as it nears record profits.”

Wealth Gap

Here’s NowThis Impact with a great explainer titled “How the 1970s Deregulation Era Widened America's Wealth Gap.”

Exploiting Workers

The New York Times wrote about corporate exploitation of undocumented workers for online shopping. 

As of 2017, an estimated 45% of hired farm workers were undocumented. Experts say the consequences of mass deportations could lead to lasting higher grocery prices, and the collapse of the agriculture system.

Child Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor filed a complaint in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa last Tuesday in which it says Qvest LLC employed minors under age 18 in its overnight cleaning shifts at the pork plant to perform duties that are defined by law as hazardous. Those duties included cleaning the killing floor and power machines such as meat- and bone-cutting saws, head splitters, jaw pullers and skinners.

Tax Prom

Check out this OpEd that J.D. wrote:

Two words that I never thought would go together are “tax” and “prom,” but when you combine Wall Street and Washington, D.C., you get the Tax Foundation’s annual Tax Prom.

This year the Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. If signing tax legislation that mostly benefits huge corporations and the super-wealthy while leaving the rest of us behind is the eligibility requirement, she’s very deserving of her award.

Big Potato

Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but others would argue it can also be served mashed, battered, and fried…

SOME GOOD NEWS

New Report on Labor Protections

The American Economic Liberties Project along with a coalition of organizations has published a report on how states can protect workers if the incoming Trump Administration removes key labor protections implemented by President Biden.

Made in USA Enforcement

The Federal Trade Commission is returning $140,000 to consumers that were deceived by fraudulent Made in USA claims.

BEFORE YOU GO

Before you go, I need two things from you: 1) if you like something, please share it on social media or the next time you have coffee with a friend. 2) Ideas, if you have any ideas for future newsletter content please comment below. Thank you.

Break ‘Em Up, 

Justin Stofferahn