Italian Politician: Italy Should Use Its ‘Enormous Debt’ as a Weapon Against Germany

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jul 23, 2015 Beppe Grillo, the comedian-turned-populist-leader of Italy’s second largest political party, has called for the nationalization of Italian banks and an exit from the euro. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bankers Win Both Ways: Now They Can Take Both Taxpayer and Depositor Money

By Ellen Brown, Web of Debt Mar 29, 2014 On March 20, European Union officials reached a historic deal to save failing banks by tapping both taxpayer and depositor funds. It may be illegal under EU Parliament, but is being rushed through to lock taxpayer and depositor liability into place before the dire state of eurozone banks is exposed. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Thatcher and Chavez in Heaven

Christo Komarnitski, Cagle Cartoons, Bulgaria Apr 11, 2013 Dig deeper

Money for the People: Comedian Grillo’s Populist Plan for Italy

By Ellen Brown, Web of Debt Mar 7, 2013 Default on the public debt, nationalization of the banks, and a citizen dividend could save the Italian economy. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Nationalization Becomes Electric

Staff / Truthdig May 1, 2010 President Evo Morales is pressing forward with his nationalization program in Bolivia, seizing four private electric companies Saturday morning. The government now controls 80 percent of the country's power generation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq’s Oil for Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Feb 20, 2010 In an announcement that was one part election hackery and one part good domestic politics, the Iraqi prime minister has declared that his country will not sell the rights to any more of its oil fields to foreign companies, a move that signals an intent by Iraq to develop its own national oil industry. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Socialism Without a Soul

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Mar 11, 2009 Newt Gingrich is right: “It is European socialism transplanted to Washington.” How else to describe an economy in which the government controls the entire financial center and is now supplying life support for the auto industry? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Obama’s Budget, Jindal’s Debut

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2009 Disagreement abounds on this week's episode of "Left, Right & Center," especially when it comes to President Obama's budget plan and the origins of the economic crisis it's intended to remedy. Who's the moderator again? And is Bobby Jindal done for? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

And Now for Some Financial News That’s Not Utterly Disastrous

Staff / Truthdig Feb 25, 2009 This just in: Not everything is completely awful in the financial arena. Rejoice -- stocks went up a little bit! Even if it's just because Fed Chair Ben Bernanke assured Wall Street that our nation's banks won't be nationalized soon, and even if the 2 percent rise happened a day after the Dow dipped to 12-year lows. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

¿Zapping Zapata?

Staff / Truthdig Apr 9, 2008 Mexican President Felipe Calderon released his plans Wednesday to give greater autonomy to the country's nationalized oil monopoly PEMEX, a move criticized as privatizing the industry that constitutes 40 percent of federal income. With domestic oil production falling for the past six years, Calderon has had to negotiate his pro-business politics amid steadfast public opinion against denationalization. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Calls for End of Communism in Cuba

Staff / Truthdig Mar 7, 2007 While preparing for his Latin American tour, the president suggested that Cuban communism should die with Fidel Castro. Bush also took a shot at his nemesis in the region, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, for his recent decision to nationalize some private industry: "I strongly believe that government-run industry is inefficient and will lead to more poverty." Before passing judgment, remember that our president is, in fact, an expert on government inefficiency. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Terrifies Corporations

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2007 Hugo Chavez announced plans on Monday to nationalize companies in Venezuela's telecommunications and power industries, saying: "All that was privatized, let it be nationalized." The recently re-elected president has ramped up efforts to transform Venezuela into a socialist society, while at the same time consolidating his power. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )