UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar addresses the growing issue of economic inequality through a critical examination of diverse facets of society, including retail industry impacts, labor challenges, the tipping economy, systemic injustice, technological influences, homelessness solutions, leadership, education policies, and capitalism's nuances. It advocates for awareness, equitable solutions, and actionable responses.

Economic Inequality Labor and Workers' Rights Retail Industry Dynamics Social Justice and Advocacy Homelessness and Housing Solutions Leadership and Character Education and Diversity Policies Capitalism and Corporate Practices Technology and Society

The hottest Substack posts of UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar

And their main takeaways

💺First Class Rights

3 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Supreme Court Legal system Government Power Constitutional Law
  1. Legal protections may now vary based on where you live and your financial ability to hire a lawyer, making them less accessible for many people.
  2. Changes in government policies can create lasting issues that are hard to fix even if they are later ruled unconstitutional.
  3. The recent Supreme Court ruling makes constitutional rights seem more like a privilege that only some can afford, rather than something that protects everyone equally.

😷Readers Ask: Can ICE Really Wear Masks?

3 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Public Safety Immigration Accountability Civil Rights
  1. There are no clear laws stopping law enforcement from wearing masks, but it can create problems. When they wear masks, it can lead to confusion and impersonation, which can endanger public safety.
  2. It's important for law enforcement to be recognizable to the public. Without clear identification, they can't be held accountable for their actions, which can lead to trust issues in the community.
  3. Law enforcement claims they need masks for safety, but the focus should be on legal actions against threats. People have the right to document law enforcement behavior, and some states are pushing for laws to ban masks on officers.

🪠Be a Plumber

4 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
💼 Business Employment Trades AI Impact Job Market Career development
  1. Being a plumber is becoming more valuable and better paid than many white-collar jobs. Some experts predict cleaning and fixing will win out over office work.
  2. While AI is taking over many office jobs, there is a growing demand for tradespeople like electricians and plumbers. They're needed for jobs machines can't do.
  3. If you're looking for a career path, consider hands-on trades or high-tech fields, because those jobs are more secure and will probably grow in the future.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Why Don't ICE Agents Quit?

4 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Law enforcement Public Policy Social Issues Government
  1. Many ICE agents stay in their jobs out of fear of losing their job security and benefits. They worry about what would happen if they quit and how their former job would look on their resume.
  2. Some agents believe they can make a positive change from within the system, thinking it's better for a 'good person' to be doing the job rather than someone who truly hates immigrants.
  3. The problem is not just the actions of a few bad people, but the choices of many ordinary individuals who justify their roles in an oppressive system. Making it easier for agents to leave could help change this situation.

💪🏽 MAKE a Difference

3 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Nonprofits Community Employment Education
  1. The DifferenceCorps program is for people who want to create solutions for communities. You can bring your idea and passion, and they'll support you.
  2. It's not a job or a fellowship; it's more about building things that matter with some guidance and funding. Perfect for anyone looking to create change.
  3. The first group starts on August 11, and if you're interested, you can join a list to be notified when applications open.
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👊🏽 A day for transitions ...

29 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Social justice Movements Advocacy Leadership
  1. After ten years, it's time to change and grow. The newsletter started as a way to connect with friends but evolved into discussing important social issues.
  2. Today is significant as it's MLK day, a reminder of the civil rights movement. MLK's legacy inspires action against ongoing inequality.
  3. The next few years are seen as a chance to build a strong movement for change. It's about creating solutions for those who have less and making a real impact.

"Who Cares About International Aid?"

7 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics International Aid Foreign Policy Economic Development Global Governance Soft Power
  1. Helping others through international aid is not just good for the people receiving help, but it also makes the helpers feel good and strengthens their own country's values.
  2. International aid helps build relationships and influence. If the U.S. pulls back, other nations like China might step in and take that influence.
  3. Investing in international development is smart economics. It helps create markets for U.S. goods, ensuring better economic stability for everyone involved.

🤑 Billionare Logic

6 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public funding Media Government Contracts Social Impact Job Opportunities
  1. Elon Musk is cutting funding for public news outlets like NPR and PBS, but keeps getting lots of money for his companies from the government.
  2. In the past, people have strongly defended public broadcasting when it was threatened, showing the importance of having diverse news sources.
  3. There are many job opportunities in the impact sector, with various organizations looking for talented individuals to fill important roles.

💸 Make America Expensive Again

3 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Tariffs Inflation Housing Consumer Goods
  1. Prices for many goods are expected to rise significantly in the next six months. This includes cars, energy, housing, and food.
  2. Tariffs are increasing costs for consumers, adding $250 to $420 more to monthly expenses, which is hard for many people to afford.
  3. Although tariffs promise to fund government services, cuts to staff and agencies may prevent taxpayers from seeing any real benefits.

💪🏽 New Format. New Opportunities.

3 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Employment Social Issues Economic Policy Community Engagement
  1. The newsletter is changing to provide more practical resources rather than commentary. This means it will be sent more regularly with useful information.
  2. Youth incarceration rates have dropped significantly since the 1990s, showing that communities can create better solutions when they demand change.
  3. There are various job and fellowship opportunities available that focus on social good, climate change, and equity in college sports.

🧐 Was I Right?

6 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Climate Inequality Clean Energy Machine Learning
  1. 2023 saw artificial intelligence going mainstream with various applications.
  2. In 2023, the narrative on climate change didn't shift despite record-setting events.
  3. Income inequality heightened in 2023 with the rich getting richer while low-income earners and the middle class suffered.

💰 If I Had a Dollar …

9 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Inequality Retail Economy Market Power Local Economy
  1. Investing in dollar stores can be more profitable than investing in middle and upper-class retailers.
  2. Dollar stores thrive in areas where there is growing economic inequality, contributing to the problem.
  3. Dollar stores' duopoly makes it challenging for local businesses to compete, affecting community welfare.

🏡 How 3 Cities Are Solving Homelessness

6 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
  1. Medicine Hat in Canada successfully implemented a "housing first" strategy to combat homelessness, providing stable housing before addressing other issues.
  2. London in England has taken innovative approaches like turning buses into homeless shelters and employing unhoused individuals, showing that novel solutions are crucial in tackling homelessness.
  3. Tokyo in Japan has low homelessness rates due to strict public policies and cultural factors like low drug use and robust mental health care.

🎭 Stories We Tell Ourselves About Inequality

3 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Inequality Refugees Human Rights Global Conflicts Media Coverage
  1. Society cares more about issues they relate to - like tragedies during vacation versus refugee crises.
  2. Sometimes you have to do business with people you don't like, but you can still hold them accountable for their actions.
  3. Some stories get more attention because they are deemed more important globally, but all human suffering should be highlighted.

👊🏽 I'm Hiring!

1 implied HN point • 03 Mar 23
💼 Business Social justice Diversity Community Building Podcasting
  1. The Urban Doom Loop: Empty buildings and storefronts post-pandemic in cities like NYC and Chicago.
  2. Lack of Native American Representation in Congress: Only two Native Americans in the House of Representatives.
  3. The Power of Action: Reflecting on people who work to make the world better versus those who don't.

🤫 The 5 Secrets of Capitalism

1 implied HN point • 10 Feb 23
  1. Profit is not the only goal for corporations; investors matter more.
  2. Endless growth is not necessary for a healthy company; sustainable growth is key.
  3. Capitalism thrives on collaboration, not just competition.