Tuesday Morning Links

This and that for your Tuesday reading.

- Dan Kennedy weighs in on the effect of two-tiered pricing which effectively freezes the working class out of mass culture. Vass Bednar discusses how microloans have layered more debt onto consumers in order to make even minor purchases, while Alexandra Petri comments on the end of the U.S.' free trial period. And Lindsay Ellis and Aaron Zitner report on polling showing deep pessimism about both the state of the U.S.' economy generally, and the prospect of improving one's position within it. 

- Mark Kreidler reports that California has been able to buck the trend of declining rates of unionization through both more favourable public policy and determined organizing efforts. And Jon Milton notes that while the cabinet-driven mechanism habitually relied on by the Libs is a new one, the history of Canadian federal governments breaking strikes is long and galling - but also points out the importance of defiance in response. 

- Meanwhile, Edward Keenan highlights how Mark Carney is similarly following in a shameful tradition of slashing resources for immigration and refugee settlement. Mark Bourrie offers a look at Carney's imposition of corporate culture on federal governance - even as his own track record trying to achieve positive social outcomes by playing along with business is one of abject failure. And Justin Ling implores Carney to stop playing nice with the Trump regime. 

- Finally, Sophia Harris reports on the lack of consequences for grocery giants who have been falsely applying Canadian branding to food imported from the U.S. And Frances Willick examines the prospect of a national co-operative alternative.