TOXIC PHILANTHROPY: Wealthy U.S. donors are influencing policy to serve their own interests

July 26 – Americans gave away almost $400 billion in 2016. Billionaires like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg are applauded for their generosity. But who actually benefits from their donations? For every dollar of charitable giving, the U.S. taxpayer has to fork out 50 cents in lost tax revenue. And uber-wealthy philanthropists ensure that their dollars are well-spent; they drive government policy to suit their interests and money meant for developing economies often lands up in the coffers of U.S. and European organizations and corporations, creating ever more dependent recipients. “STIMULUS with Tara Cleary” looks at the harmful side of philanthropy.

THE ROTTEN STATE OF AMERICA’S DENTAL CARE

The dismal lack of affordable access to dental care in the U.S.A. is affecting more than just America’s teeth – it can be deadly!

About a third of all people living in the United States struggle to pay for even basic dental care. The most common chronic illness in school-age children is tooth decay. And neither Medicaid nor Medicare are required to cover dental procedures for adults, so coverage varies by state, and both the very poor and the elderly are often left to pay out of pocket. In the latest episode of “Stimulus with Tara Cleary”, putting your money where your mouth is, becomes sickeningly real.

MONOPOLIZING AMERICA

November 28 – Colossal corporate monopolies are killing capitalist competition and wiping out consumer freedom.

Media company, Meredith Corporation, has just bought Time Inc., which publishes Time, Sports Illustrated and People magazines. A separate takeover battle involves two of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers – Broadcom is attempting a hostile takeover of Qualcomm, a fellow electronic chip maker, for $103 billion, which would make it the biggest tech deal ever. AT&T is in an $85.4 billion acquisition bid for Time Warner, the owner of CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. If approved by the Department of Justice, together, the two companies would create a giant internet, news and entertainment conglomerate.

Huge mergers and acquisitions like this one may seem far-removed from your everyday life, but they are chipping away at America’s competitive free market and eradicating consumer choices. And one of the most exciting small brewery scenes in the world is feeling the pressure from giant beer monopolies.

CORPORATIONS PROFITING FROM YOUR DNA

August 11 – A recent article in “Nature” reports that an international team of scientists edited the DNA in human embryos to fix a disease gene. Described as a “technical tour de force”, the procedure succeeded without introducing the harmful mutations that dogged previous attempts. DNA research has dramatically accelerated since the human genome was first sequenced in 2003. Is it moving too fast?

July 7 – New figures show that New York City’s homeless numbers soared by a staggering 39% in the past year. And in the United States around 500,000 people sleep on the streets every night. Despite being the world’s 13th richest country per capita, America is on a path to destroying the poor and portions of the middle class. Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts 13% from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Stimulus examines the crisis through the voice of a homeless New Yorker.

Tara Cleary explores the GOP’s inaction and missteps in repealing and replacing Obamacare and asks the question: If Jesus were a Republican, what might he have done more than 2,000 years ago?

 

The Western Cape area of South Africa is prone to drought. It relies on winter rainfall, but a few years of increased temperatures and less rain has led to the worst drought in a century.

 

TRUMP’S GOVERNMENT SLOW-DOWN

President Donald Trump has the worst record in at least three decades for the speed and quality of his political appointments, potentially jeopardizing U.S. safety and security.

FLYING HITS NEW LOW

May 3, 2017 – Tara Cleary talks to airline passenger advocate, Charlie Leocha from Travelers United, following the violent ejection of a passenger from a United flight in Chicago. The incident has once again turned the spotlight on how poorly airlines treat customers.