Unions

The Independent Man drives away from the State House

Politics This Week: Arrested Hope

By Justin Katz | April 8, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review some of the distractions and calamities in Rhode Island government.

A teacher at the blackboard in a cage

Freeing teachers means freeing them from an inapt industrial employment model.

By Justin Katz | March 27, 2024 |

Brandon Busteed’s argument in Forbes well taken: U.S. teachers are dead last among all occupational groups and professions in feeling their opinions count at work, that their supervisor creates an open and trusting environment and that they are treated with respect each day. Teachers are also the highest of all professions in experiencing burn-out and…

A killer clown's shadow falls on Main Street

Politics This Week: When the Clowns Control

By Justin Katz | March 26, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review the latest way government officials and journalists put our state on the wrong track.

Fictional movie poster for Day of Reckoning

Politics This Week: Day of Reckoning!

By Justin Katz | March 18, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz explore who can expect days of reckoning in Rhode Island.

A giant mime shushes an empty legislative chamber

Politics This Week: RI’s Code of Silence

By Justin Katz | March 11, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz explore various subjects about which journalists aren’t free to be clear.

A water drop and ripples

Education will not improve in RI as long as these folks are setting the agenda.

By Justin Katz | February 27, 2024 |

This is all about ideology and politics, not about truly educating Rhode Island students: Most Rhode Islanders don’t have any idea who these people are, and many of those who do want to avoid the danger and cognitive dissonance of believing they have ulterior motives.  Nonetheless, as long as they have prominent roles in public…

Shortsighted inspectors of disaster

Politics This Week: An Establishment Without Clarity

By Justin Katz | February 26, 2024 |

On WNRI 1380 AM/95.1 FM, John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss: Political establishment deteriorating with the Washington Bridge Safety falling through the gaps of immigration euphemism Media punts on journalism when it comes to people they hate Tidewater beneficiaries “Quiet campaigns”   Featured image by Justin Katz using Dall-E 3 and Photoshop AI.

A water drop and ripples

The union push is a bad sign for ABC6.

By Justin Katz | February 23, 2024 |

Entirely apart from ideological battles, the push at the ABC6 news operation in Rhode Island is a bad sign for the station: Over a quarter century of living in Rhode Island, I’ve seen no movement from ABC6 toward a greater competitive position against WJAR (10) and WPRI (12).  The perennial third-place laggard from a struggling…

A man in a suit holds a soccer ball decorated with dollar signs

Elaborate government investment fraud creates incentive for election fraud.

By Justin Katz | February 21, 2024 |

The latest shiny news object in Rhode Island media is the revelation that the Tidewater soccer stadium will cost Rhode Island taxpayers $132 million in order to finance $27 million of the construction costs, or $4.4 million per year for 30 years.  Grumbling is being heard from people with familiar names — “obviously these are…

Rising tide floods a city

Politics This Week: High Tide for Special Interests

By Justin Katz | February 19, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss unions, immigration, infrastructure, borrowing, and other ways special interests profit from government.