United States of America Follow

During last month's midterm elections in the US Californian voters narrowly rejected a proposal to legalise cannabis. But what does this mean for the policy of prohibition?

The Cock Tavern Theatre, Kilburn, London, until 11 December

In his previous book, Deer Hunting with Jesus, Joe Bageant took on the media's portrayal of the "redneck" community he grew up in. He talks to Patrick Ward about his new memoir, Rainbow Pie.

Earlier this summer I found myself walking around the Pilsen district of Chicago. Migrant Mexican workers settled in the neighbourhood in the 1960s.

The inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa heard this week that Colonel Mendonca, commander of 1st Battalion the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, lied about the conditions of prisoners in Iraq.

In recent months a populist right wing movement has taken to the streets. Chip Ward reports on the mad hatters at America's Tea Party

A year is a very long time in politics. The election of Barack Obama, the first black president of the US, symbolised hope and the possibility of change for millions of Americans. US writer and author of Deer Hunting with Jesus, Joe Bageant, thinks that things are changing - but not for the better.

7.7 percent of households have no bank account.

There is a sharp rise in hunger in the US.

The highest rate of incarceration in the world.

"All our services are free and are provided by volunteers. The doctor is free; the dentist is free; the eye doctor is free."

The long war that is getting longer.