The Latest Articles by Michael Hiltzik

Michael Hiltzik: The stupid and dishonest idea of raising the Social Security retirement age is back

The people who are in the forefront of pushing Social Security "reform" by cutting benefits have gotten pretty good at hiding their intentions behind plausible-sounding jargon and economists' gibberish.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 3, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: Barnes & Noble saved itself by putting books first. Imagine that

It wasn't long ago that Barnes & Noble seemed to be on the glide path to extinction.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 1, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: The FTC is pushing new rights for workers. Big business is pitching a fit, of course

Whenever a government agency proposes a regulation that might help workers by reining in an employer abuse, you can count on some heavy breathing from the big business lobby.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 27, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: A cowardly NHL bows down to a bullying DeSantis

Most children, probably by the age of 10, have learned the lesson that the worst way to placate bullies is to give them what they want.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 20, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: The US economy is again being held hostage to our ridiculous federal debt ceiling

The individuals in charge of U.S. fiscal policy are often thought to be among the most sober people in the world, so you may be wondering why we're suddenly hearing ideas such as the minting of a trillion-dollar platinum coin or selling $100 face-value Treasury bonds for $200.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 19, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: The Damar Hamlin injury provokes a wave of ignorant anti-vaccine propaganda

The on-field collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Jan. 2 has produced a wave of uplifting public responses — not only thoughts and prayers for the player and solicitude for his family but millions of dollars in contributions to his charity toy drive.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 9, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: The omnibus bill will help you save for retirement, though Wall Street will get its cut

The average American's path to retirement security has long been a steep uphill climb. The omnibus spending bill President Biden signed on Dec. 29 will make the journey easier.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 5, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: These historic works are coming free from copyright. Why did it take so long?

It's well understood that Sherlock Holmes dispatched his great nemesis, Professor Moriarty, to his death in the 1893 story "The Final Problem," but not until this New Year's Day does the fictional detective shed the shackles that have bound him to an even longer-lived nemesis: the complexities of copyright law.

Los Angeles Times · Dec 30, 2022

Michael Hiltzik: Southwest's meltdown was born in America's cheapskate corporate culture

Through much of 2022, the most often-asked questions about Southwest Airlines concerned issues such as whether it would allow preassigned seating, start charging for all checked baggage and institute change fees — scrapping all those policies that have made the airline unique.

Los Angeles Times · Dec 29, 2022

Michael Hiltzik: Wells Fargo got slammed with a $3.7-billion penalty. So why doesn't it sound sorry?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau left very little unsaid when it announced, a few days before Christmas, $3.7 billion in assessments against Wells Fargo Bank for more than a decade of legal violations harming its millions of customers.

Los Angeles Times · Dec 28, 2022