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Judge Aileen Cannon’s Dismissal of Trump’s Case Ignores Legal Precedent and History
Brief #228 – Civil Rights Policy Brief
by: Rod A. Maggay
Judge Aileen Cannon’s recent dismissal of Trump’s case defies established legal precedents, raising significant concerns about judicial impartiality. By relying solely on a contentious interpretation of the Appointments Clause, Cannon’s decision could set a troubling precedent for the future of special prosecutors.
President Biden Drops Out, Vice President Harris Moves In
Brief #134 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by: Arvind Salem
In a stunning turn of events, President Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 election, endorsing Vice President Harris as his successor amidst concerns about his mental acuity and poor polling performance. With the Democratic party in disarray and the clock ticking down to Election Day, Harris faces the formidable challenge of unifying the party and defeating a resurgent Donald Trump.
Trump Got Shot: Is It Time for Another Debate About Gun Ownership Laws?
Brief #168 – Social Justice Policy Brief
by: Inijah Quadri
The recent attempt on Donald Trump’s life has reignited the fierce debate over gun ownership laws in the United States, highlighting the deep divide between gun rights advocates and proponents of stricter regulations. As the nation grapples with this latest incident, the urgent question remains: how can we balance constitutional rights with the imperative to prevent gun violence?
Who is JD Vance?
Brief #133 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by: Arvind Salem
In a dramatic turn of events, Donald Trump selects JD Vance as his vice-presidential candidate, igniting controversy and debate. Vance, known for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and shifting political stances, epitomizes the complex intersection of personal narrative and political ambition in today’s America.
Political Violence in America: A Troubling Trend
Brief #167 – Social Justice Policy Brief
by: Morgan Davidson
Much has been made about political violence in America, with the most recent event being the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Was the attempted assassination simply due to recent campaign rhetoric, or is it indicative of a larger issue?
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: Abran C
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: Abran C
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.
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.
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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/
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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
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.
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Foreign Policy Brief #141 | By: Abran C| 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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The College Campus Palestinian Protests: Key Issues
The College Campus Palestinian Protests: Key Issues
Social Justice Policy Brief #163 | By: Courtney Denning | May 03, 2024
Featured Photo: www.latimes.com
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Nearly 1,000 students from more than 50 colleges across the country have been arrested for their involvement in protests over the war in Gaza.
On April 17, student organizers with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) set up encampments in the middle of Columbia University to show their support for Palestinians in Gaza. This movement began the same day that Columbia University’s president Nemat Shafik was called for questioning before Congress due to criticisms that she was enabling antisemitism on campus.
Likely inspired by the demonstrations at Columbia University, student groups at other colleges started gathering to protest Israel’s actions in their war with Hamas. CUAD demands that the university be more transparent with their finances, divest from pro-Israel companies and grant amnesty for protestors. The demands of related movements across the country are similar.
Protesting students have been arrested for reports of antisemitism, trespassing, and disorderly conduct amongst other related offenses. Most recently, on Wednesday May 1, violence broke out at the University of California, Los Angeles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters, resulting in another wave of arrests.
Analysis:
American universities have long been the breeding grounds of social movements and protests. During the Civil Rights Movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was a huge leader in the movement to end segregation, hosting sit-ins, Freedom Rides, marches and voter education projects. Some of the most prominent anti-war protests during the Vietnam War were held on college campuses from Yale to University of California Berkeley.
Organizers and participants in this current wave of protests see themselves as a continuation of this legacy. “We are a continuation of the Vietnam anti-war movement and the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa,” CUAD stated in a statement to Columbia University’s school newspaper.
The Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA state that they organize based on “democratic principles to promote justice, human rights, liberation and self-determination for the Palestinian people.”
Outcries from protesting students have included claims of police brutality, suppression of the right to assembly, silencing of free speech and the targeting of minorities, specifically those who appear to be Palestinian.
One protestor at Columbia posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that police “forcibly removed hijabs from multiple muslim columbia students in jail,” violating their right to freedom of religion.
In the eyes of the organizers, this pro-Palestinian movement on college campuses carries on a legacy of peaceful protests being met with unreasonable, violent backlash from police. The arrests associated with the ongoing protests have also sparked debates over free speech and the limits of self expression on college campuses.
On May 1, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act in response to fears of rising antisemitism amongst pro-Palestinian college protesters. Main critics of the bill claim that this is an attack on free speech and could result in harsher punishments for protestors whose messages are misinterpreted.
This highlights a major conflict underlying these protests: that pro-Palestinian criticisms of the state of Israel are often conflated with antisemitic hate speech.
While the purpose of these demonstrations is to protest a war across the globe, they cannot convey this message without also tackling the domestic issues of freedom of speech and the right to assembly.
Engagement resources:
- National Students for Justice in Palestine, a major organizer of protests and college occupations: https://nationalsjp.org
- Students Supporting Israel, a counter-protesting organization: https://www.ssimovement.org
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Paris Prepares For The Summer Olympics
Paris Prepares For The Summer Olympics
Foreign Policy Brief #140 | By: Reilly Fitzgerald| May 03, 2024
Featured Photo: www.usopm.org/summer-fest
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2024 is an Olympic year. Paris is hosting this summer’s Olympic Games. The preparations for a major sporting, cultural, and political event is no small feat. The Olympic Games, as I have previously written about, is very much a political event that hosts sports competitions between different countries. The preparations for the Games have hit a few hurdles in the last few months. The hurdles that they have hit are concerns over some of the venues, the security implications for the Games and the city itself, and also the reaction of the Parisian citizens to the impacts the Games will have on their day-to-day lives.
Analysis
The Paris Games preparations have had large sweeping implications for not only the games themselves, but for the quality of life inside Paris. There have been concerns, especially over recent weeks, over things such as the water quality of the Seine (major river through Paris); security and safety concerns related to terrorism; and concerns made by the residents of Paris about the daily implications to their lives.
Historically speaking, the Olympic Games (and other major sporting events) are times when the host city, or country, spends a lot of time and money on giant projects. These projects often include the construction of an Olympic Village to house athletes, various venues to host sporting events, and more. Along with these projects have come human rights violations across the globe. For example when Rio hosted the Olympics in 2016 there was lots of evidence of the Brazilian government forcibly relocating people from poor communities to make room for new venues (or to just keep them out of the public eye during the games); the World Cup venues in Qatar were built using forced labor and many people died due to inhumane working conditions. I believe that, to some, there was a hope that France’s turn to host the Olympics would be a break in this pattern; and to some degree, I believe it has been. However, the preparations have not been without their own controversy.
These games are the first post-pandemic era Olympics. France is expecting to welcome more than 15 million tourists; and over 10,000 athletes (excluding coaches and other support staff for national teams). The initial opening ceremonies, a 3.5 mile national boat cruise down the Seine, have sold out with 300,000 spectators supposed to be in attendance (the first non-stadium opening ceremonies ever), according to the BBC.
The sheer volume of people planning to enter Paris during the Games is, obviously, a massive security concern for the French and Parisian officials. The BBC reports that the French government has already screened more than one million people in advance of the games. This is a huge number but compared with the prospect of 15 million tourists coming to the city, it is an understandable concern for the city. The French Prime Minister has recently stated that the government has already been involved in uncovering at least two terrorist plots targeting the games.
Obviously, acts of terrorism are a major concern; especially as Paris has recently experienced several major terrorist incidents. However, another threat looms in a geopolitical context, and that is Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Russian athletes are being forced into competing as neutral athletes under the Olympic flag (as they have done for a long time due to their doping history in previous games) as punishment for the Russian government’s war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has spoken about his frustration that Israel is being allowed to compete under the Israeli flag for the games, even though they have also gone to war against the Palestinians. In the previous few days, protests in Paris have occurred that are demanding that Israeli athletes be forced to compete under a neutral flag, exactly like the Russian athletes have had to do. It remains yet to be seen what will happen, or what decisions will be made regarding the Israeli athletes’ participation. Russia has also, according to the BBC, offered to host the “World Friendship Games” in September as a counter-tournament to the Olympics (the Soviet Union did this the first time in 1984 to boycott the Olympics in Los Angeles), which is beyond ironic even for Vladimir Putin.
The city is hosting Olympic sports events throughout the city, and the surrounding area, with events such as field hockey in the Stades Yves-du-Manoir (a venue from the 1924 games). The marathon road race will take place from the Hotel de Ville (city hall) to Les Invalides (Napoléon’s tomb and military museum), fencing and taekwondo will be in the Grand Palais, the swimming portion of the triathlon will take place in the Seine, and the most remote event will be surfing which will be done in the French territory of Tahiti. So obviously, security will be a concern for all venues near and far.
The other concern is more environmental. The Seine has been tested for its water quality leading up to the games and the tests have shown higher levels of fecal matter than is safe. With some events relying on accessing the water of the river, those races could be in jeopardy. There are concerns that if there are heavy rains between now and the games that the water quality could decline further. The major event to be impacted by this environmental concern would be the men’s and women’s triathlon (potentially canceling the swim portion of that race).
The residents of Paris are also unsure, and concerned, about the daily implications of the games on their lives. It is commonly understood that the metro system in Paris will be taxed during this time to move the residents of Paris and an additional 15 million tourists; impacting the ability of Parisians to get to work and move freely about the city. The BBC reports that over 44% of the Parisian public thinks that hosting the Olympic games is a bad idea for the city.
It is understood that bus and metro fares are going to double during the games. The BBC has also reported that in preparation for the Olympic games, the Athlete Village will be in the neighborhood of Saint-Denis which is a very well-known and fairly poor part of Paris. There are some reports of squatters living in that area have been evicted.
The games themselves should be quite interesting to watch. There are lots of interesting storylines from this being the first real post-Covid Olympic games, to the geopolitical and security issues , to the daily experiences that the circus of hosting the Olympics brings to the everyday people going about their lives in Paris. The stage is set for the largest sporting event of the year, and I cannot wait to see what else happens between now and opening ceremonies.
Engagement Resources
- NBC Iconic Event Locations – https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/grand-palais-versailles-iconic-venues-2024-paris-olympics
- Paris 2024 IOC Website- https://olympics.com/ioc/paris-2024
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Swiss Decision Poised to Break the Dam Holding Climate Litigation Back
Swiss Decision Poised to Break the Dam Holding Climate Litigation Back
Social Justice Policy Brief #162 | By: Devyne Byrd | May 01, 2024
Featured Photo: www.vox.com/world-politics
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The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland violated human rights by failing to protect its citizens from the negative effects of climate change. The case was brought by four Swiss women on behalf of 2,000 older women who complained of health problems that were being exacerbated during the heat waves caused by climate change. The ruling agreed, stating that the Swiss Confederation had duties under the Convention to protect its citizens from climate change including concerns about national greenhouse gases, emissions limitations, and carbon.
There are reasonable concerns that the Court does not have the power to enforce the verdict; however, the ruling sets a clear precedent that in the Council of Europe, countries have an affirmative duty to address climate issues. Experts also expect it to lead to similar cases before international courts as the climate crisis continues and climate litigation remains a prominent method for forcing governments into action.
Similar climate litigation is pending in the United States as Juliana v. United States continues on its path to the Supreme Court. The suit was first filed in 2015 by 21 young Americans, asserting that the U.S. government had violated younger generations’ constitutional rights through their actions that were causing climate change. However, the Department of Justice has significantly postponed the case from being heard through filing motions to delay and dismiss. The plaintiffs are now awaiting a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after nine years.
On the state level, the District Court of Montana issued the historic ruling in Held v. State that the State of Montana violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system that contributed to climate change. The Court held that the state of Montana violated the youth’s constitutional rights, including their rights to equal protection, dignity, liberty, health and safety, and public trust, which are all based on their right to a clean and healthful environment. The court also invalidated state laws that promoted fossil fuels and required the State to ignore the climate change the fossil fuel-driven laws were causing. The case is currently preparing to be heard before the Montana Supreme Court following the defendant’s appeal, but the victory was momentous as one of the first U.S. states to recognize governments are liable to their citizens for environmental harm.
As the climate crisis worsens, climate litigation remains a powerful tool citizens are using to force their governments into action. The European Court of Human Rights decision will likely spur similar cases throughout Europe and on a global scale and set the precedent that governments can be held accountable for not taking affirmative actions to protect their citizens from climate change.
Engagement Resources
- European court rules Switzerland’s climate inaction violated human rights – An article discussing the ruling in the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland and its potential global impact.
- Climate Gets Its Day in Court – An article summarizing the procedural history of Juliana v. United States and the importance of the court agreeing to hear it.
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The Vital Role of Immigration is at a Crossroads
The Vital Role of Immigration is at a Crossroads
Social Justice Policy Brief #161 | By: Inijah Quadri | May 01, 2024
Featured Photo: www.fastcompany.com
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The United States has historically been seen as a land of opportunity, attracting millions of immigrants who seek a better life and contribute to the nation’s prosperity. The multifaceted impact of immigration extends across economic growth, cultural enrichment, and workforce development, crucially shaping the American landscape. Immigrants not only bring diverse skill sets that complement the native workforce but also drive innovation and create new businesses at rates disproportionately higher than their native-born counterparts.
Analysis
Currently, about a thousand immigrants cross the southern border on some days, a figure that seems large but is consistent with historical influxes during other peak periods of immigration. However, the economic and social structures they enter today are vastly different, posing new challenges and opportunities for integration.
Despite their large number, immigrants are proving indispensable to the U.S. economy, integrating into all sectors and often taking on roles that are in high demand. As per a recent Forbes report, immigrants constitute approximately 17% of the U.S. workforce, yet they are foundational in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and agriculture, which are pivotal to the country’s economic health and competitiveness on a global scale. Furthermore, immigrants are responsible for a significant share of business creation. For example, a recent report from the National Foundation for American Policy highlights that immigrants founded 55% of the U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more, underscoring their role as key drivers of economic innovation.
Innovation, particularly in technology and the sciences, is another domain where immigrants have made substantial impacts. According to a publication by the National Bureau of Economic Research, immigrants contribute to nearly one-quarter of patents filed in the United States, which is indicative of their role in propelling technological advancements. Companies like Google, eBay, and Tesla, all of which were founded or co-founded by immigrants, have not only reshaped their respective industries but also the entire global market. Beyond economics, immigrants enrich the cultural tapestry of the nation, bringing new perspectives that enhance artistic, culinary, and social practices. This diversity fosters a broader cultural understanding and helps build bridges across communities, strengthening the social fabric of the nation.
But it is not all rosy. On the employment front, the reality for many immigrants, especially those entering through less formal routes, involves navigating a complex landscape of employment opportunities. A few immigrants obtain work permits and find employment in sectors like technology and healthcare, contributing significantly to these fields. However, many, particularly undocumented workers, do not get authorization to work and may end up in lower-wage jobs or the informal economy. Jobs such as migrant farm work, house cleaning, and construction often do not require formal employment status, creating an underground economy that, while vital, leaves workers vulnerable and without legal protections. The tragic incident in Baltimore, where a number of illegal immigrants lost their lives while working on a bridge, underscores the precarious nature of such employment and the urgent need for comprehensive immigration and labor reforms.
With native birth rates declining in many developed countries, including the U.S., immigrants play a critical role in maintaining demographic sustainability. They help balance the population’s age structure, which is vital for supporting an aging workforce and sustaining social security systems and public services. This demographic contribution is crucial in areas experiencing population decline, where immigrants have revitalized communities and spurred economic activity.
While the benefits are substantial, the challenges of immigration—including integration difficulties, legal complexities, and varying public perceptions—require careful and considerate management. Sure, immigrants continue to play an essential role in the U.S. economy, but modern dynamics present unique challenges that can impede their integration and acceptance. Today’s digital and media landscape often amplifies negative perceptions, which may overshadow the critical contributions of immigrants. This phenomenon raises important questions about societal acceptance and the real barriers to integration immigrants face in today’s economic and social structures.
Effective immigration policy should therefore not only address security and economic interests but also aim to optimize the benefits of immigration while ensuring fair and humane treatment of all individuals. Public perception should also be worked on, and migrants should be viewed increasingly as the hardworking people that many of them are.
Efforts to reform immigration laws, such as the proposed changes in various U.S. immigration policy reform bills, highlight the need to create more efficient pathways for legal immigration and provide clearer routes to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Such measures promise to enhance both the individual well-being of immigrants and the overall prosperity of the country.
Engagement Resources:
- American Immigration Council (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/): Offers extensive research and policy analysis on the role of immigrants in the American economy.
- National Foundation for American Policy (https://nfap.com/): Provides insightful research on the economic and cultural benefits brought by immigrants.
- Migration Policy Institute (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/): An independent source of analysis on U.S. and global immigration policies.
- New American Economy (https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/): A coalition advocating for immigration reforms to benefit the U.S. economy.
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (https://www.ilrc.org/): Supports the education and advocacy of immigrant rights.
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