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Slowing Down Fast Fashion
Brief #171 – Environment Policy Brief
by : Allie Amato
While most industries are highly regulated, the fashion industry goes almost entirely unregulated.
What Should the Democrats Do?
JULY OP ED
by: U.S. Resist News Staff
Although some Democrats would like someone else to be their candidate it does not look like Joe Biden wants to step aside. Maybe this is foolish narcissism on his part, but also maybe he has a good case to make for himself. This is what that case looks like.
Global Election Watch
Brief #149 – Foreign Policy Brief
by: Ibrahim Castro
Recent elections across several countries have brought significant political shifts. In France, no party gained a majority, causing political uncertainty. The UK’s Labour Party won decisively, contrasting with Europe’s right-wing trends. In Iran, reformist Masoud Pezeshkian won amid low voter turnout. India saw Modi’s party lose seats but retain power through coalitions. Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president, maintaining her party’s control of Congress amidst security challenges.
The Week That Was: Global News In Review
Brief #148 – Foreign Policy Brief
by: Ibrahim Castro
Global tensions rose as the SCO summit strengthened ties among member nations. Kenya faced domestic unrest over proposed taxes, while Israel’s expansion of West Bank settlements ignited further conflict. Climate change concerns deepened with Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path across the Caribbean and Mexico.
Takeaways From the Presidential Immunity Decision
Brief #227 – Civil Rights Policy Brief
by: Rodney A. Maggay
The presidential immunity case was expected to be a blockbuster case and when it finally was handed down it did not disappoint. The case was always going to be controversial. While there are notable points to highlight, a closer examination of the decision reveals…
Guarding Young Minds: The Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Its Implications
Brief #93 – Education Policy Brief
by: Inijah Quadri
In an era dominated by digital platforms, social media has become a central part of daily life, not just for adults but significantly for children and youth.
The Swing States Series: #2 Michigan
Brief #132 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by: Abigail Hunt
Michigan, a pivotal swing state, boasts the highest youth voter turnout in the nation and a thriving manufacturing sector crucial to its economy. As the state gears up for the upcoming election, its diverse demographic and rich history make it a battleground to watch.
Impact of Remote Work on Urban Development
Brief #62 – Economic Policy Brief
by: Inijah Quadri
The rise of remote work, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, is reshaping urban landscapes and challenging traditional city planning. As cities adapt to this new reality, the shift presents both opportunities for sustainable development and significant hurdles for local economies reliant on office workers.
We Are Transitioning from Fossil Fuels, but is the Transition Fast Enough?
Brief #170 – Environment Policy Brief
by : Todd J. Broadman
As the world cautiously shifts away from fossil fuels, the pace of transition remains frustratingly slow, hampered by economic and regulatory challenges. With renewable energy sources still struggling to achieve dominance, the need for a unified, large-scale effort akin to a carbon-transition Marshall Plan has never been more urgent.
Checking in on 14 Years of Obamacare: Part 3
Checking in on 14 Years of Obamacare: Part 3
Health and Gender Policy Brief #174 | By: Geoffrey Small | May 22, 2024
Featured Photo: www.npr.org
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March 2024 highlighted fourteen years since The ACA (Affordable Care Act) has been enacted. When it was passed more than a decade ago, there were three primary goals of the ACA, or more popularly referred to as Obamacare. According to HealthCare.gov, the first was to make affordable health insurance more available for the American public. The second goal was to encourage states to expand their Medicaid coverage to all individuals whose income is significantly below the federal poverty level. Finally, the ACA would provide federal support to “innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.” This part in the series will analyze the ACA’s impact on innovative medical care, and the delivery methods designed to save the American public money.
Policy Analysis
When the Affordable Care Act was first administered, a conference held by the Board on Health Sciences Policy, Board on Health Care Services, and the Institute of Medicine published a presentation Leveraging the Affordable Care Act and Information Technology to Innovate. The presentation’s primary focus was using the ACA to enable a better disaster response. The consensus from expert speakers concluded a “Social-Health” information exchange must include community-based service organizations, where health care providers focus on the person as a whole. This includes housing, shelter, and other social needs, along with acute medical care. Using data analytics to engage in preventative health care can help reduce costly medical disasters. Also, hospitals could meet the ACA community benefit requirement by engaging in a health information exchange with their local community. Telemedicine was another big factor on sharing expertise remotely and extending medical care workforce capacity. Finally, educating the community on new healthcare technologies must be administered in a user-friendly capacity, so it’s easier to learn and use.
Despite expert opinions on creating a road map for innovative affordable healthcare, a recent Washington Post article concluded that the ACA efforts still haven’t found “the magic pot of money.” Pilot projects in preventative care run by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, after the ACA was administered, were projected to save 2.8 billion according to the Congressional Budget Office. However, it ended up costing the government 5.4 billion within the first decade. This was due to the fact that medical care providers needed to treat a lot of minor issues to prevent a serious health crisis.
Estimating cost projections in the healthcare industry is extremely complicated. Especially in the U.S. where healthcare is not universal. Strictly mandating lower medication costs can lead to companies abandoning accessible medicines for Americans. Average U.S. physician salaries are approximately twice as much compared to their European colleagues. However, enforcing lower salaries can create a political quagmire for a healthcare system that is already overwhelmed with staffing issues. Telemedicine has thrived in post-pandemic society, but the impact of COVID-19 has reduced the cost-saving-projections that we’re initially estimated.
Overall, the ACA has helped the American public navigate the costly healthcare system. The United States is the only post-industrial country that does not have universal healthcare. The evidence presented in this three-part series makes it abundantly clear that the ACA, although helpful, should be a stepping stone to affordable universal healthcare.
This is the third part in a series. For Part 2 of the Obamacare series, click here. For the rest of the series, click here.
Stay in-the-know! Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter, and please consider contributing to ‘Keeping Democracy Alive’ by donating today! We depend on support from readers like you to aide in protecting fearless independent journalism.
Clean Skies: The Potential of Electric Aviation
Clean Skies: The Potential of Electric Aviation
Environment Policy Brief #167 | By: Inijah Quadri | May 23, 2024
Featured Photo: www.abcnews.go.com
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The electric aviation industry is poised to redefine air travel, ushering in an era of sustainability and innovation. As the world grapples with the escalating threats of climate change, the aviation sector, traditionally a major source of carbon emissions, is under increasing scrutiny. Electric aircraft, leveraging advancements in battery technology and electric motors, offer a promising solution by significantly reducing both greenhouse gases and noise pollution. This burgeoning sector not only aims to revolutionize the way we fly but also promises to reshape regional economies, influence global trade patterns, and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy sources.
Analysis
The shift towards electric aviation is expected to have profound environmental and economic impacts worldwide. Electric planes emit zero operational greenhouse gases, which could drastically lower the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. For instance, the aviation industry contributes about 2-3% of global CO2 emissions annually, and transitioning to electric aircraft for short to medium-range flights could potentially cut these emissions by over 50% in the next few decades.
Moreover, electric planes are significantly quieter than conventional aircraft, reducing noise pollution and potentially allowing for more flexible flight operation hours without disturbing surrounding communities. This noise reduction could enhance property values and quality of life for residents near airports, potentially transforming airport vicinities into more desirable areas.
The economic impact of electric aviation extends beyond environmental benefits. The development of electric planes is driving substantial investment in new technologies and infrastructure, such as high-capacity battery systems and electric charging stations at airports. Companies like Airbus and Boeing are heavily investing in electric propulsion technologies, indicating a significant shift in
Current projections suggest that electric-powered commercial aircraft could enter service as early as 2035, with prototypes and limited operations starting even sooner. Major advancements in battery technology and regulatory approvals over the next decade will be crucial to meet these timelines and ensure that these planes can operate over increasingly longer routes.
Despite its potential, the electric aviation industry faces significant hurdles. Current battery technology offers limited energy density, restricting the range and payload of electric aircraft primarily to shorter routes. This limitation underscores the need for continued research and development. Governments and private sectors must collaborate to fund initiatives aimed at enhancing battery technology, similar to the European Union’s Clean Sky initiative, which aims to develop sustainable and innovative aeronautical technologies.
Infrastructure adaptation is another critical area. Airports will require new charging stations and maintenance facilities specifically designed for electric aircraft. Policy frameworks must support the establishment of these facilities through subsidies and tax incentives, encouraging airports to invest in the necessary infrastructure.
Regulatory support is also crucial to facilitate the transition to electric aviation. Policies need to be adapted to ensure safety standards and operational regulations are in line with the technological specifics of electric aircraft. Additionally, international cooperation on regulatory standards can help streamline the deployment of electric aircraft globally.
As the electric aviation industry ascends, it is imperative that stakeholders across the globe — governments, businesses, and civil societies — collaborate to overcome the technological and infrastructural challenges. Only through a concerted effort can we fully realize the potential of electric aviation and ensure a sustainable future for global air travel.
Engagement Resources
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) (https://www.iata.org/): Provides resources on the latest developments in aviation technology and sustainability practices, including electric aviation.
- Electric Aviation Group (https://www.electricaviationgroup.com/): A consortium focused on accelerating the adoption of electric aircraft by providing technical and regulatory guidance.
- Clean Sky (https://www.cleansky.eu/): A European initiative dedicated to developing innovative, cutting-edge technology to reduce aircraft emissions and noise levels.
- The Aerospace Technology Institute (https://www.ati.org.uk/): Offers information on advancements in aerospace technology, including projects related to electric propulsion and sustainable aviation.
- The Environmental Defense Fund (https://www.edf.org/): Advocates for environmental policies that include sustainable aviation solutions, focusing on reducing aviation’s impact on climate change.
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Harvey Weinstein’s Cornerstone Conviction Overturned
Harvey Weinstein’s Cornerstone Conviction Overturned
Social Justice Policy Brief #165 | By: Devyne Byrd | May 22, 2024
Featured Photo: www.telegraph.co.uk
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The New York Court of Appeals overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction in a 4-3 decision. The Court found that the trial judge improperly allowed testimony against Weinstein from other women that contained uncharged alleged prior sexual acts against people other than the complainants in the case. The Court stated that the testimony “served no material non-propensity purpose” and that the trial court’s decision to allow the defendant to be cross-examined about the allegations chilled the defendant’s right to testify. They ordered a new trial.
The initial trial of Weinstein was a cornerstone victory of the #MeToo movement. Weinstein was accused by over 80 women of sexual assault and sexual harassment spanning decades throughout his career. The trial drew intense media attention and crowds with protesters gathering to chant “rapist” outside the courthouse. His case being remanded comes after Bill Cosby, another cornerstone conviction of the #MeToo movement,had his case overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Judge Singas touches on the blows to the movement in her notable dissent to the New York Court of Appeals decision, calling out a “disturbing trend of overturning jury’s guilty verdicts in cases involving sexual violence.” She went on to state that by excluding evidence of past acts the majority’s decision excludes important context. “This conclusion deprives juries of the context necessary to do their work, forecloses the prosecution from using an essential tool to prove intent, ignores the nuances of how sexual violence is perpetrated and perceived, and demonstrates the majority’s utter lack of understanding of the dynamics of sexual assault.”
Although the conviction was overturned, Weinstein remains in prison on subsequent convictions of rape and sexual misconduct for which he was sentenced to 16 years. His legal team has stated their intentions to appeal these convictions as well. However, the Manhattan District Attorney has intentions to retry Weinstein and his accusers have stated through their attorneys their intentions to testify again. In the interim, the New York Senate is set to pass a bill that will update the rules of evidence in trials to clarify that judges can admit testimony about a defendant’s alleged prior sexual offenses.
Engagement Resources
- Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned. Here’s What Happens Next – An article explaining the background of the Weinstein trial and the potential paths moving forward.
- Albany’s push to close legal loophole that let Harvey Weinstein off the hook appears to be in limbo – An extended discussion on the New York Senates bill to address witness testimony in sexual assault cases.
Wanna stay in-the-know? Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter, and please consider contributing to ‘Keeping Democracy Alive’ by donating today! We depend on support from readers like you to aide in protecting fearless independent journalism.
A Journey Through Words: An Interview with Palestinian Writer Rula Arafat
A Journey Through Words
An Interview with Palestinian Writer Rula Arafat
Foreign Policy Brief #142 | By: Aziza Taslaq| May 10, 2024
Featured Photo: www.electricliterature.com
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“But I have the heart of a child… I cannot easily get used to absence. You will find me crying, sobbing, and drenched in my tears. I defy my pride and continue to wait.” – Rula Arafat.
Rula Arafat, 32, is a Palestinian writer from Nablus, often referred to as “Little Damascus.” Her love for writing is so profound that she couldn’t be content with a single text. Instead, she emerges from between the letters with novels. What started as short stories no more than 10 pages long evolved into large books and series. Her curiosity and ambition drove her to become a writer whose works are read just as she reads the works of others.
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Rula Arafat, a distinguished writer and novelist.
Aziza Taslaq (US Renew): Thank you for joining us, Rula. To start, can you tell us about the nature of your literary works and the themes you explore?
Rula Arafat: I write about love and peace, hope and war, injustice and corruption, homeland and exile. I write with every emotion and for every feeling we live, whether by desire or force. Writing is a message, an expression, a quiet scream in the face of the emotions we experience, whether in joy or sorrow.
What inspired you to enter the world of writing?
Rula Arafat: Writing is a response to all the pains that torment us inside. It listens to us and allows us to release that black energy that may have lived inside us for years, unable to be expressed simply because we didn’t find the right person to listen. We write to heal from the pain.
What does writing do for you personally? What do you gain from it?
Rula Arafat: The reward I receive is the feeling of satisfaction that I have a voice that can be heard, even if it’s through phone screens or laptops. I have a voice reaching all corners of the earth, telling me I am human. I have the right to speak, express, be angry, and advocate for myself, those I love, and my homeland.
Have you written anything about the current war on Gaza?
Rula Arafat: Yes, I have written many texts and recorded some of them. My novel, which I have been working on for years, covered the events of the Gaza War in 2020. I made further adjustments to it to keep up with what has been happening to us since October 7th, up to our current moment of the harsh war on Gaza.
Have you written anything about peace?
Rula Arafat: I have written a lot about peace and for peace. It is the awaited hope we spent our childhood, adolescence, and youth waiting to achieve. I am terrified that I will spend my old age and elder years waiting for peace as well.
Which writers do you look up to and why?
Rula Arafat: There are many writers, especially when the focus is on Palestine and the Palestinian cause. The great ones include Ghassan Kanafani, Radwa Ashour, Mourid Barghouthi, Ibrahim Nasrallah, Hussein Barghouthi, Sahar Khalifeh, and Bassem Khandakji.
Is there a particular tradition or style of writing that is recognized among Palestinian writers?
Rula Arafat: The beauty of Palestinian writers who write and sing for Palestine lies in how they mention its streets, alleys, memories, dreams, and hopes. A Syrian friend once told me after reading a Palestinian novel, and he always reads my writings and admires them, that for the first time, he felt that every Arab has a Palestinian part within them. He felt that his Palestinian identity did not differ or contradict his Syrian identity. He felt as if he had walked the streets of Palestine, peeked out from its windows, prayed in Jerusalem, eaten Jaffa oranges, visited our churches and mosques, and tasted our food and sweets. This is the significant role of the Palestinian writer, making you feel that you are one of us, touching with your feelings and hands everything they write and convey to us as if we live inside the novel as if we are its heroes.
Thank you so much for your time, Rula. Your words resonate deeply, and we look forward to more of your impactful writing.
Rula Arafat: Thank you. It was a pleasure speaking with you.
Exclusive Text by Rula Arafat:
“This is Gaza… where humans and stones have grown accustomed to crying. Its trees shed leaves not just for one season but for many long seasons. Gaza has lived through five seasons! A harsh winter, a dry autumn, a spring without flowers, and now a scorching summer. And in between all of them, an unending season of devastating rockets that tirelessly destroy whatever they see, be it humans, trees, or stones.
This is Gaza, where children are now without parents, and parents are without children. Every family has lost a part or all of its members. Gaza, the patient and resilient, continues to offer its souls in heaps for the homeland, in vast quantities and with incredible generosity. It is the epitome of all kinds of generosity. Oh, Arabs of miserliness, shame, and darkness!”
Stay informed with the latest insights from our dedicated reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless, independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to continue in helping to protect democracy and empower citizenship.
The Swing States Series: #1 Pennsylvania
The Swing States: #1 Pennsylvania
A new, pre-election series.
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #130 | By: Abigail Hunt | May 23, 2024
Featured Photo: www.state.gov/states/pennsylvania
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In March 1861, British King Charles II of England granted William Penn a parcel of land in the new kingdom across the ocean in order to settle a posthumous debt his father owed to Penn’s. That twist of luck is today the state of Pennsylvania, the site of the 1774 and 1775 Constitutional Congresses, where Americans signed the Declaration of Independence, and where traitors to the Crown formulated their plan to revolt. As such, Pennsylvania was a flagship colony of the emerging nation that became a keystone state in the formation of our United States of America. Appropriate then that the colony which helped launch a nation be a key battleground state in the current presidential election.
In 2020, winning the votes of Pennsylvania’s electors cinched Biden the Oval Office. Likewise, it was a mark thaxt helped Trump win the Presidency when in 2016 the state went red for the first time in decades. Today Biden has an edge in the state – he’s a Scranton boy, born and bred. If voters prefer to vote for someone like themselves, Biden might well carry the state again in part by virtue of being a former neighbor.
Pennsylvania has the sixth highest youth voter turnout rate – 32 percent. Since his Inauguration Day, Biden has held good on his word to eliminate student debt, chipping away at it consistently despite resistance from the grand ol’ party. Millennials are the largest population group in the U.S. The oldest Gen Z kids are finally old enough to vote. Boomers are dying at a rate of 2,000/day, more than 2.5 million/a year. It may be that the reality of mortality is the single most significant determining factor in this year’s election and those yet to come.
Most Pennsylvania voters live in urban areas. Just 22 percent of citizens make their homes in rural communities. As this is the case, Trump and Biden must consider the weight such issues as homelessness and access to affordable housing must carry in the state. Per the 2020 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania’s citizen breakdown is 78 percent urban and also about 78 percent white.
Pennsylvania is a closed party system, meaning only Democrats and Republicans vote in the primaries, and about 1.3 million people were not allowed to vote in the last election. This year’s elections in the state leave both the state House and Senate up for grabs. Currently, the state’s 48th governor, former state Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D), is backed by a Democratic House and hindered by a Republican Senate. The House has the edge by just two votes, and there sits an empty seat to be filled which is, historically, concretely Republican. The Democrats have only had the majority since 2022, when Pennsylvania redistricted, and 16 seats flipped from Republican to Democrat.
Gender is an important factor in today’s elections – 51.1 percent of the state is female, and 48.9 percent male. Approximately 4.1 percent of the population identifies as queer or LGBT. Data from the Center for American Women and Politics shows that, overwhelmingly, women of all colors lean Democratic, with Biden’s support being strongest among black women – tracking at more than 90 percent approval no matter what entity is providing the statistics.
According to a 2023 Pew Research report, voter turnout in the past three elections has been higher than previous years, and the 2020 election voter turnout had the highest rate since 1900, approximately 2/3rds of the eligible voters, or approximately 66 percent of registered voters. Eight million more members of the Gen Z generation have aged into the voting population in just the past couple of years, a not-at-all insignificant number. By 2029, it is estimated there will be approximately 61.3 million still living Baby Boomers of the original 76.4 million born after World War II. By that time, the elderly will comprise about 20 percent of the nation’s population.
On the state and national levels, key issues of the past persist – abortion access, cannabis legalization, student debt forgiveness, health care access, the humanitarian crisis at our southern border. New and prevalent issues for this election cycle and the coming presidency particularly include the war between Israel and Palestine and how to handle issues with AI and personal and intellectual property. However, the most important issues for citizens are those that most directly affect them – namely, the daily cost of living and how inflation factors into that statistic, access to affordable housing, employment opportunities, health care access – things that directly affect them and their quality of life.
Engagement Resources
- Tufts University. The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. State-by-State Youth Voter Turnout Data and the Impact of Election Laws in 2022. https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/state-state-youth-voter-turnout-data-and-impact-election-laws-2022
- Ballotpedia. Party control of Pennsylvania state government. https://ballotpedia.org/Party_control_of_Pennsylvania_state_government
- Kate Huangpu. Spotlight PA, National Public Radio. Public Broadcasting System (PBS). April 18, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-election-2024-competitive-legislative-districts/
- UCLA School of Law. Williams Institute. LGBT Proportion of Population: Pennsylvania. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT&area=42&sortBy=percentage&sortDirection=descending#ranking
- Rutgers-New Brunswick Eagleton Institute of Politics. Center for American Women and Politics. Gender Gap: Voting Choices in Presidential Elections. https://cawp.rutgers.edu/gender-gap-voting-choices-presidential-elections
- Hartig, et al. Pew Research Center. Voter Turnout: 2018 – 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/07/12/voter-turnout-2018-2022/
This is the first article in a series of articles about U.S Swing States, for the rest of the series please click here.
Stay in-the-know! Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to help protect democracy and empower citizenship.
A Better Path to Repaying Student Loan Debt
A Better Path to Repaying Student Loan Debt
Recapturing Lost Momentum
Education Policy Brief #91 | By: Rudolph Lurz | May 25, 2024
Featured Photo: www.tucsonsentinel.com
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In March 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security). This froze student loan interest, suspended collection efforts for defaulted loans, and paused student loan payment requirements for millions of Americans. The pause was originally designed to end in September 2020.
The repayment pause would be extended twice more by President Trump and another four times by President Biden. Both President Trump and President Biden knew that restarting student loan payments would throw a wet blanket on the sluggish economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. For almost three years, Americans with student loan debt lived in a state of limbo.
Progressives on Biden’s left advocated for broad student loan forgiveness during the 2020 presidential campaign. Senator Elizabeth Warren urged President Biden to cancel $50,000 of student loan debt for each borrower via executive action. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez advocated for higher amounts. For students with six figures of student loan debt, $10,000-$50,000 would not make much of an impact once student loan payments were restarted.
In August 2022, President Biden announced that he was canceling $10,000 of federal student loan debt for households with combined incomes of $250,000 or less, and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Biden announced this measure to coincide with what was to be a final extension of the repayment pause through December 2022. This action was announced under the same authority that granted the Department of Education to alter student loan repayment plans due to the emergency declared as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There was general bipartisan support for using emergency authorization to pause student loan repayments. Both President Trump and President Biden did that multiple times. However, outright forgiveness was a different story, especially in the summer of 2022. By that point, the country was weary of restrictions such as mask mandates and social distancing. With unemployment surging above 10% in many regions, and businesses closing their doors, pausing student loan repayments in 2020 and 2021 made sense. More than two years after the first repayment pause, with the economy recovering, it was harder to justify.
Conservatives seized on Biden’s move and roundly condemned the measure as elitist and extravagant. Why should plumbers and farmers with high school diplomas be asked to pay the bills of wealthy liberals with art history degrees? Moderate Democrats also spoke out against the measure. Joe Manchin, a Democratic senator from West Virginia, called the plan reckless and noted that it was projected to add $400 billion to the U.S. federal debt.
President Biden and his allies in Congress tried to paint Republicans as hypocrites for accepting federal debt relief for their businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while simultaneously criticizing students for accepting much lower amounts of loan forgiveness. $10,000 was a drop in the bucket next to the hundreds of thousands of relief that Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Mike Kelly received.
While this allowed Biden to score some political points, his legal arguments were much weaker. Biden declared an end to the Covid-19 public health emergency in April 2023. Shortly thereafter, in a 6-3 ruling in the Biden v Nebraska case, the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s student loan forgiveness proposal. Chief Justice Roberts, writing for the majority, noted that President Biden overstepped his authority in using emergency powers to permanently cancel student loan debt. This was especially evident after President Biden declared an end to the public health emergency he was using as justification for the proposal.
Analysis
I am the head coach of a high school debate team. Through a random draw, we received the assignment of arguing against federal student loan forgiveness. We won that round handily.
The opposition argument is the better argument. As Senator Manchin noted, there are numerous existing pathways to federal student loan forgiveness. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives student loans after ten years of working for a federal, state, or local non-profit organization. Graduates with advanced degrees can often earn high salaries in the private sector. The PSLF program provides incentive for these graduates to pledge a decade of their lives in service to their communities. The country needs high-quality teachers, police officers, and nurses. The PSLF program, combined with income-based repayment plans that cap payments at a low percentage of take-home pay, provides affordable pathways for graduates to escape crippling debt.
President Biden and Senator Warren are absolutely right to note that student loan debt places a heavy burden on millions of Americans. I am one of them. I had $138,000 in student loan debt when I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my doctorate.
I am well on my way to student loan forgiveness through the PSLF program and have knocked over $50,000 off of my loan totals. My ten years will be up before my loans are repaid. I believe a decade of public service is a much more convincing rationale for loan forgiveness than the mass loan cancellation plan originally proposed by President Biden.
It seems that President Biden has also come to this realization. A month ago, the Biden Administration issued a press release detailing plans for expanding student loan forgiveness through PSLF and keeping monthly payments low through income-based repayment plans. The Biden Administration has also been active in canceling or reducing the debt of graduates from predatory for-profit institutions which took students’ money and then either closed outright or issued degrees which were not worth the paper they were printed on.
These arguments are much more potent than blanket student loan forgiveness. The Democratic Party built its brand as a defender of working Americans in the face of corporate greed. President Clinton forged a coalition of nurses and teachers that helped him achieve victory in the 1992 and 1996 elections. Giving wealthy college graduates loan forgiveness and asking all taxpayers to pay for it goes against every principle that built the modern Democratic Party. It provides free fuel to the silly argument of the MAGA movement which aims to portray Democrats as elitists and President Trump, with his golden toilets and multiple bankruptcies, as a champion of the working man.
Proposing broad student loan forgiveness was a political blunder. President Biden should continue to hammer Republicans for accepting loan relief from the federal government while refusing graduates the right to accept similar debt forgiveness. However, public servants present a much better contrast to those Republicans than wealthy college graduates getting a free $10,000 check.
President Biden’s 2024 campaign should look to President Clinton’s 1992 campaign for inspiration. American voters have much more respect for nurses, teachers, firefighters, and police officers than the entitled students who demanded food delivery after vandalizing and occupying campus buildings.
PSLF is good for the country and for graduates seeking relief. The path to victory runs through the political center. If President Biden attempts to appease the political left at the expense of the traditional Clinton coalition of nurses and teachers, he will soon join President Carter as a one-term President.
Engagement Resources
- Further details about the PSLF program and eligibility: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualify
- Detailed information of the Biden v Nebraska SCOTUS case: https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/biden-v-nebraska-2/
Stay in-the-know with the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. We depend on support from readers like you to aide in protecting fearless independent journalism, so please consider donating to keep democracy alive today!
A Primer on The Electoral College
A Primer on The Electoral College
The first in a series on the 2024 Presidential Election
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #129 | By: Abigail Hunt | May 14, 2024
Featured Photo by Indy Silva / U.S. Resist News, 2024
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To discuss the divvying up of votes in a U.S. Presidential election, one must consider the effects of the Electoral College. As this is the first in a series, it will discuss the Electoral College system more in-depth.
The Electoral College allocates a state’s electoral votes based on how its citizens vote. Twice in the past 30 years, this system has resulted in the loser of the popular vote getting the White House, giving us George W. Bush, and the Iraq War, Trump, and January 6th, among other things. If the United States had a straight popular vote for President, the way every other election in the U.S. is determined, and every leader of every nation across the globe except our own, we would instead have the Presidents elected by the people – Al Gore and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Electoral College Analysis
From the Constitution Center online, Article II, Section I, Clauses 2 and 3 of the U.S. Constitution state, in part, as follows:
Clause 2: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
Clause 3: The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot…. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President.”
There was a lot of other language in this provision resulting in less-than-ideal situations later – such as when, in 1800, Thomas Jefferson tied his own Vice President running mate (both bested the opposing candidate), Aaron Burr, who upon learning of the tie refused to back down. The House of Representatives chose President Jefferson. In today’s world the chances of a tie in a presidential race are astronomically low.
The strange rules governing the Electoral College system have racist origin. At the time of its conception, the South had a large slave population. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Constitutional delegates decided on the 3/5ths compromise – only three out of every five slaves would be counted. At the time, no one but white men had a political voice, and they were designing the system. It was almost a century later that the 15th Amendment granted all men the right to vote regardless of ethnicity. About a century after that, laws were still being passed to enforce the 1870 ratification.
Why do we have to live with a 137-year-old system invented by a bunch of dead racists? No other country in the history of humanity has ever elected a leader using such a system. No other nation in today’s world uses this system. For the past 50 years, a majority of Americans are consistently in favor of replacing the electoral college system with a popular vote. There have been more than 200 legislative attempts to change the electoral college system. Early on, several Amendments and Clauses added to the Constitution further delineated the electoral college process. If we could change it then with an amendment, we can amend it now. It would stand to reason those congressional politicians, if truly representing the will of the people, would have abolished the electoral college system long ago. That we have not done so is quite telling.
Engagement Resources
- National Archives. Distribution of Electoral Votes; https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/allocation
- Codrington III. Brennan Center for Justice. The Electoral College’s Racist Origins; https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/electoral-colleges-racist-origins
- Constitution Annotated. Analysis and Interpretation of the U.S Constitution. Article II, Section I; https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-1/#:~:text=Before%20he%20enter%20on%20the,Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States
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The Week That Was: Global News in Review
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Foreign Policy Brief #141 | By: Ibrahim Castro| May 10, 2024
Featured Photos: www.nationofchange.org, www.nytimes.com, www.opendemocracy.net
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UK- Rwanda refugee deal
In the UK, authorities have begun detaining migrants to deport to Rwanda, a policy the UK high court previously declared unlawful. Rwanda has agreed to recieve asylum seekers for economic aid. The total payment will be at least £370 million over five years, according to the National Audit Office. If more than 300 people are sent to Rwanda, the UK would pay a one-off sum of £120 million, with further payments of £20,000 per individual relocated. The policy has drawn major criticism from human rights organizations and faces major logistical issues, humanitarian concerns, and the possibility that a future Labour party government will scrap it. The UK government has declared Rwanda a safe country to receive refugees, and it is the threat of being sent there that is meant to deter people from entering the UK and attempting to seek asylum there.
Irregular migration has increased in recent years, but it’s not the driver of the problems facing the UK, including its ongoing political, cost of living and housing crises. The law is part of a broader strategy by the Sunak government and the Conservative Party to win favor as they struggle to maintain support in the lead-up to The UK’s national election this year.
Brazil Floods
The death toll from a series of catastrophic floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 83, while 276 people are reportedly injured, at least 111 people are missing, and 121,000 people displaced, according to the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul. Brazilian President Lula da Silva asked Congress to recognize a state of public calamity for the heavy rains. The Floods have destroyed roads and bridges in several cities triggering landslides. Rio Grande do Sul’s governor emphasized that the death toll could still substantially increase as rescue workers gain access to more of the region.
Global military spending
Global military spending hit a record high of $2.4 trillion in 2023 after increasing by 6.8% from the previous year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Military expenditure has been rising for nine years straight, and is up in all regions of the world for the first time since 2009. Russia and Ukraine, which are actively at war, topped the list of the countries that increased their military spending the most, by 51% and 24%, respectively.
The war between Russia and Ukraine also drove military spending higher elsewhere, prompting countries to think differently about their security. Tensions and war in the Middle East also significantly contributed to the rise in global military spending. Spending in Israel, already one of the most powerful militaries in the region, rose 24% to $27.5 billion. US weapons reportedly accounts for some 15% of Israel’s defense budget, although the Biden administration is threatening to block the use of such aid if it is used to attack Rafah. Military spending was not evenly spread out because as the report said, “world military expenditure is highly concentrated among a very small group of states”. The United States remained the biggest military budget at $916bn, representing 37% of the world’s military spending. China came in a large but distant second with $296 billion, and Europe as a whole has seen military spending increase to a total of $594 billion in 2023.
For more updates, articles, in-depth analysis and weekly reviews on Global News, click here.
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Demographic Shifts in the U.S: Challenges and Opportunities
Demographic Shifts in the U.S.: Challenges and Opportunities
Social Justice Policy Brief #164 | By: Inijah Quadri | May 09, 2024
Featured Photo: www.news.virginia.edu
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The United States is experiencing profound demographic transformations characterized by an aging population, declining birth rates, and increased immigration. These changes are reshaping the socio-economic landscape, impacting public policy from healthcare to education, and altering the workforce dynamics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age keeps rising, signaling a significant aging trend. Concurrently, birth rates have also declined to historic lows. Meanwhile, immigrants and their children have been primary contributors to population growth over the past decade. Additionally, the U.S. is witnessing significant racial and cultural shifts, including a decline in the white population alongside increases in Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities. These changes are crucial as they influence societal norms and community dynamics.
These demographic shifts pose significant challenges such as strains on the social security system, a shrinking workforce, and integration of diverse populations, while also offering opportunities for cultural enrichment and economic innovation.
Analysis
The aging U.S. population is creating unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems and social security. Data from the Population Reference Bureau indicate that by 2050, the number of Americans 65 and older will increase to over 82 million, up from 58 million in 2020. This surge demands enhancements in long-term care facilities, geriatric healthcare services, and pension schemes to ensure quality life for older adults.
The decline in birth rates poses potential shortages in the future workforce, impacting economic growth and the support ratio for the aging population. This demographic shift is further compounded by changing marital trends, such as an increase in single-parent households, higher divorce rates, and a rise in mixed marriages. The growing number of single women heading households also reflects these evolving family structures. To counteract these effects, policies such as improved childcare services, parental leave benefits, and financial incentives for families could encourage higher birth rates. For example, countries like Sweden and France have seen some measure of success in stabilizing their birth rates through comprehensive family support policies.
Immigration has been a vital source of population growth and cultural diversity. The Migration Policy Institute notes that immigrants account for significant portions of the workforce in crucial sectors like technology, healthcare, and agriculture, often filling gaps left by native-born workers. Domestically, there is a notable trend of internal migration, with significant movements from the West to the South, Midwest, and other regions. This redistribution is reshaping economic, cultural, and political landscapes across the regions. However, this demographic shift also necessitates robust integration strategies to promote social harmony and maximize economic contributions.
Moreover, the demographic shifts in the U.S. have also become a strategic focal point for political parties, each seeking to leverage these changes to consolidate power. For instance, some Republican factions have responded by taking stances that demonize immigrants and advocate for strict immigration policies, viewing such measures as ways to galvanize their base. Concurrently, efforts to redraw congressional districts—often termed gerrymandering—are aimed at suppressing the representation of growing minority populations in Congress. These actions illustrate a broader trend of political maneuvering where demographic data are used not just to understand and serve populations, but also to shape the political landscape in ways that may benefit specific parties or ideologies at the expense of fair representation and democratic integrity.
The evolving demographics in the U.S. not only highlight challenges but also underscore opportunities to harness a diverse and dynamic population for sustainable growth. Enhanced integration strategies can lead to more cohesive communities and improved economic outcomes. Programs aimed at improving language skills, better recognition of foreign credentials, and facilitating professional integration can play pivotal roles. Moreover, involving immigrant communities in policy-making can improve their representation and ensure policies are more inclusive and effective.
Furthermore, it would be helpful to expand Medicare and Medicaid services to better accommodate the growing elderly population. Innovation in home-based care technologies and services could also be made to reduce hospital dependency and improve the quality of life for the elderly. Nationwide policies that mirror state programs such as California’s Paid Family Leave—which has increased paternal leave uptake rates—and even make the leave period longer. Additionally, programs like Canada’s Express Entry system could also serve as a model for managing skill-based immigration efficiently.
Educational attainment is also evolving, with a noticeable decline in college graduates complicating future workforce predictions. Interestingly, the gender dynamics in education are shifting as well, with more women than men now graduating from college, which could have long-term implications for professional sectors and economic growth.
In conclusion, while the demographic changes in the U.S. present significant challenges, they also offer a unique opportunity to rethink and reshape policies to better suit the evolving needs of the population. By embracing these changes and viewing them as opportunities, the U.S. can ensure a resilient socio-economic future that capitalizes on the strengths of its diverse population.
Engagement Resources
- Population Reference Bureau (https://www.prb.org/): Provides in-depth analysis and data on U.S. and global population trends.
- Pew Research Center (https://www.pewresearch.org/): Studies issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America.
- Migration Policy Institute (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/): Analyzes immigration policies and their impacts.
- Urban Institute (https://www.urban.org/): Researches economic and social policy.
- Brookings Institution (https://www.brookings.edu/): Offers research in the social sciences, focusing on economics, metropolitan policy, and governance.
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TURNING OUT THE YOUTH VOTE
TURNING OUT THE YOUTH VOTE
MAY OP ED | By: U.S. Resist News | May 09, 2024
Featured Photo: www.cnn.com
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President Biden and the Democrats stand at risk of losing the youth vote in the upcoming Presidential elections. Many young people feel alienated by the current electoral contest, featuring a rematch between Biden and Trump seen as aging politicians with few new ideas that appeal.
It would be a mistake for Democrats to write the youth vote off, and an equal mistake for youth to sit on the sidelines in protest. Youth are our country’s future and they need to become engaged (in a positive way) in our political system. Here are some suggestions of steps President Biden and the Democrats can take to persuade young people to vote.
Promote policies that directly benefit young voters: There are several policy positions that can be promoted in ways that support social and economic benefits for youth and society in general. For example efforts to forgive student loans can be prioritized for students who went to schools with predatory lending policies; those pursuing public service occupations such as teachers, nurses and the police; and those young people who come from communities that are economically less well off.
Administration efforts to promote reproductive rights can be targeted to the needs of youth for access to contraception, abortion and IVF information and services. Messages promoting reproductive rights can point out how today’s youth deserve information and support on how to make decisions about their own bodies.
Recent surveys indicate that youth today also are interested in climate change, but want to know about solutions to the climate crisis that will work for their communities. Democrats can speak about what the Biden administration has done so far to address climate change and what it plans to do in a next term.
Take a stronger stand on the Israel/Palestine conflict: Many young people, especially those on college campuses and those from the Middle East, have become engaged in protesting government and university policy towards the Palestinians. They have born witness to the destruction of Gaza and the death of thousands of Palestinians, and believe our government needs smarter policies that address this situation. While continuing to recognize Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, it is time for the Biden administration to take a stronger stand to end this conflict. It should announce it is in favor of an immediate ceasefire, greater humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza, a two-state political solution, and the decoupling of Israel’s military efforts in Gaza from the use of US military assistance.
Implement targeted youth voter registration efforts: The Democratic National Committee and lots of state committees and community-based organizations are planning large voter turnout campaigns for the 2024 elections. These efforts should include a special focus on turning out the youth vote through youth-friendly activities such as social media promotions, youth rallies, and youth-to-youth voter registration efforts
Raise awareness about the dangers of not voting or voting for 3rd party candidates: 2024 youth voter registration efforts should include messaging on the dangers of not-voting at all, or voting for 3rd party candidates such as RFK Jr., Cornell West, or Jill Stein. They should make the point that voting for 3rd party candidates, or not voting at all, could hurt Biden and help Trump. And that electing Trump will likely result in the demise of democracy. Young people should become aware of Trump’s pro-Israel position on the Israel/Hamas conflict, his disregard of student loan forgiveness, reproductive health rights, and climate change.
Convene a youth advisory panel: The Biden Administration should consider the creation of a Youth Panel to advise on election issues pertinent to young voters. Such a panel would have a diverse membership composed of young leaders from different, education, cultural, racial. and socio-economic backgrounds. The panel’s charge would be to advise the campaign on what policies will appeal to young voters, and what activities can help persuade young people to turn out at the ballot box.
Lowering the voting age: The rationale is that youth pay taxes when they work, most carry the responsibility of driving and most are affected by the issue of school shootings, so why not let them have a say by allowing them to vote? Here is a non-profit group’s website on the issue of lowering the voting age to sixteen.
Bring out star power: Youth often are influenced by the views and opinions of celebrities from the arts, sports, and fashion worlds. So Democrats should seek public endorsements from artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, and others. They should participate in voter registration commercials and appear at rallies.
In what many believe to be a close electoral contest, the Biden administration cannot afford to ignore the youth vote. It needs a comprehensive strategy to raise awareness among young people about the importance of the 2024 election and the need for youth to become engaged.
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