Jim Hightower

Columnist

Jim Hightower has been called America's favorite populist. He's been editor of The Texas Observer, president of the Texas Consumer Association, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, host of a radio show. Nowadays he broadcasts daily radio commentaries, publishes a monthly newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown (jimhightower.com) and makes more than 100 speeches a year. With groups like ACORN and Public Citizen he's organizing the Rolling Thunder Chautauqua Tour, a series of political/cultural festivals around the country (rollingthundertour.org). He'll be traveling through America talking to people engaged in grassroots work and new political movements for working people.

Molly Ivins

Reports of the Death of the “Texas Observer” Are Greatly Exaggerated Reports of the Death of the “Texas Observer” Are Greatly Exaggerated

With support from readers, a legendary progressive publication lives to fight another day.

Apr 3, 2023 / Jim Hightower

Time for a Populist Revival!

Time for a Populist Revival! Time for a Populist Revival!

This old American democratic tradition already has deep support at the grassroots.

Mar 5, 2014 / Feature / Jim Hightower

How to Swim Against the Current How to Swim Against the Current

People are wriggling free of the fetters of corporate culture.

Mar 6, 2008 / Feature / Jim Hightower and Susan DeMarco

One Thing to Do About Food: A Forum One Thing to Do About Food: A Forum

How do we fix our dysfunctional relationship with food? Alice Waters leads a forum with Eric Schlosser, Marion Nestle, Peter Singer and others, who suggest, for starters, that we...

Aug 24, 2006 / Feature / Jim Hightower, Eric Schlosser, Peter Singer, Eliot Coleman, Vandana Shiva, Carlo Petrini, Winona LaDuke, Elizabeth Ransom, Troy Duster, Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, and Marion Nestle

Bush Zones Go National Bush Zones Go National

In the undeclared war against dissent, disagreement has become a crime.

Jul 29, 2004 / Feature / Jim Hightower

Kleptocrat Nation Kleptocrat Nation

Look at America's leadership today. Tell me you wouldn't trade the whole mess of them for one good kindergarten teacher.

Sep 3, 2003 / Feature / Jim Hightower

Going Down the Road Going Down the Road

During my days as Texas agriculture commissioner, a farmer pointed out to me that you can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed.

Jan 9, 2003 / Jim Hightower

Going Down the Road Going Down the Road

On election morning, I opened the front section of the New York Times and immediately got a bad feeling. Positioned prominently on page A3 was an eye-catching and ominous ad.

Dec 5, 2002 / Jim Hightower

Going Down the Road Going Down the Road

How quickly the joy fades.

Nov 7, 2002 / Jim Hightower

Going Down the Road Going Down the Road

Out in the countryside is where you'll find America's true leaders--the gutsy, scrappy, sometimes scruffy and always ingenious grassroots agitators and organizers who go right ...

Oct 10, 2002 / Jim Hightower

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