Politics Information
Will Biden Pay Your Student Loan?
The average college debt among student loan borrowers in America is $32,731, according to the Federal Reserve. The majority of borrowers have between $25,000 and $50,000 outstanding in student loan debt. There is an increasing number of student loan borrowers who owe in excess of $100,000. Some, who have spent many years in graduate schools may owe closer to $200,000.
Death of a Defector: Ion Mihai Pacepa, RIP
On February 14, 2021, the world quietly lost one of the most intriguing, enduring figures of the Cold War. He was Lt. Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa, the highest-ranking Soviet Bloc official ever to defect to the United States.
Trump's Final Blow to Patients With HIV
The day before Donald Trump left the White House, his administration dealt one final, brutal blow to some of America's most vulnerable patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a policy that, if implemented, will put numerous lifesaving drugs off-limits to Medicare recipients.
Minimum Wage, Maximum Discrimination
Since the days of Adam Smith, economists have sought a set of social institutions which permit “neither dominion, nor discrimination,” to use Nobel Prize-winning economist James Buchanan’s phrase. In this, economists are joined by all people of goodwill—including those in the Biden administration, which has enshrined equity and inclusion as cornerstones of how they’ll govern.
A Federal Rule Will Reverse Strides in Cancer Treatment
"You've got cancer." That's one of the scariest sentences in the English language.
Americans Deserve a Healthy Dose of Bipartisanship
Our economy remains weak. A pandemic continues to kill thousands of citizens each day. And political tensions seem to have reached an all-time high.
Living Up to Christian Principles in a Fallen World
Christian celebrity culture is toxic.
Who is Perfect? Biden, Trump, McConnell, Pelosi?
Democrats have proven once again that they can find fault in President Donald Trump. Faults and flaws were found in him before the election. Many years before politics there were never any rave reviews about him being perfect.
The FDA Can Help Patients With Rare Diseases
When I was just 18 years old, I was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism, a rare disease that causes seizures, extreme fatigue and other life-altering complications.
"March In" Is Not the Answer
All Democrats and many Republicans are committed to making prescription drugs more affordable.
Welcome Hard-Working Legal Immigrants
Americans can expect more immigrants to enter our country in the months and years ahead. Most Americans aren't opposed to more citizens. Many of us are not favorable to undocumented foreigners roaming about our country.
On the Impeachment and Conviction of President Trump
The House of Representatives, with the sole responsibility of impeachment, has passed a single Article of Impeachment charging President Donald Trump with committing a high crime, namely that he “made statements that encouraged—and foreseeably resulted in—imminent lawless action at the Capitol.” In short, his rally speech, it is claimed, amounted to “incitement to engage in the insurrection.”
The Problematical COVID-19 Relief Legislation
Americans are known to have big hearts. When disaster strikes, Americans unselfishly and heroically extend a helping hand. That certainly has been the case in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nobody wants to see those who have lost income through no fault of their own also lose their place of residence or their car or even their ability to afford food.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and America’s "Promissory Note"
Each January, we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. for his leadership in combating racial segregation and securing civil rights for African Americans. However, critics lately have charged that King’s legacy has been “whitewashed,” or remembered selectively. A 2019 Guardian editorial laments that Americans have “Disneyfied” the reformer, saying that we recall his earlier, comforting successes while overlooking his later frustrations and political radicalism. Psychologizing the critique, a 2020 NBC News opinion piece decries that King’s memory is abused for the purpose of cultivating “complacency” and a sense of “absolution.”
How Congress Can Really Fix Surprise Billing
House and Senate leaders recently agreed on legislation to end surprise medical bills as part of a big coronavirus relief package. President Trump signed it into law at the end of December.
Why COVID-19 Hates America
Pfizer and Moderna announced that in their advanced clinical trials, Covid-19 candidate vaccines have been 95 and 94.5 percent effective, respectively. Federal regulators have authorized the vaccines for emergency use -- and healthcare workers have started receiving shots already.
Biden 2021 Should Look to Biden 1980 for Bipartisan Inspiration
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to govern as a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him.
Triumph of the Vaccine—No Shape-Shifting Enemy
Here’s a thought experiment. What if our experience with COVID-19 turns out to be a warm-up for responding to a worse plague in the future? COVID-19 is devastating for a significant number of older people but relatively innocuous for the young. I am thankful that this is not like the Justinian plague, nor the Athenian one, nor like smallpox. What if—God forbid—we find ourselves hosting a plague like one of these? Something as deadly as Ebola but as infectious as SARS-CoV-2?
Biden Administration Must Commit to a National Pandemic Preparedness Strategy
COVID-19 has killed more than 350,000 Americans. And with case counts and hospitalizations soaring, many more deaths are sadly in store.
Republican or Democrat, Foreign Reference Pricing Kills Cures
The pharmaceutical industry is on a bit of a hot streak. Just last month, both Pfizer and Moderna received FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccines. Millions of Americans have already received them.
When Addressing Drug Prices, There's a Right Way and a Wrong Way
In what may have been the last significant action of his presidency, President Trump recently issued two executive orders designed to lower prescription drug spending in Medicare.
Importing Drugs Endangers Lives
On most issues, Democrats and Republicans remain deeply divided. But there's one policy that unites both -- prescription drug importation.
Importing Drug Price Controls Means Fewer Cures and Restricted Access
In what is likely his final major initiative on domestic policy, President Trump last week signed an executive order aimed at reducing costs to Americans for certain Medicare drugs.
Where Has the Truth Gone?
“Want to buy a new car with bad credit? No problem. Come into our dealership and we will get you approved—guaranteed! You will be pre-approved in two minutes—100 percent are accepted. You will not be denied, no matter your circumstances. Don’t get unnecessarily hassled by other dealers, you deserve a new ride.”
The "E" Stands for “Excellence:” Remembering Walter E. Williams
Walter E. Williams, prolific author, piercing cultural commentator, old school economist (that’s a good thing), devoted husband, loving father, and long-time friend of Grove City College has passed from this world.
Uncle Sam Shouldn't Steal Gilead's Remdesivir Patent
Over 30 state attorneys general recently sent a letter to federal health officials urging them to confiscate Gilead Sciences' patent on remdesivir, one of the only drugs approved for use on patients suffering severe symptoms caused by COVID-19.
To Keep Drug Costs Down and Fairness Up, Stop the Abuses of 340B
Alas, hospitals and pharmacies are abusing a federal program meant to help low-income patients. New research from consulting firm Berkeley Research Group reports that these bad actors are lining their own pockets with discounts on prescription drugs at the expense of millions of disadvantaged American patients.
COVID's Second Wave Underscores the Threats Facing Disabled Americans
The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived with a vengeance.
Why Do We Take to the Streets?
We Americans are quick to take our disagreements to the streets. In 2020, we have claimed many causes to do so. Millions came out to protest police violence and “resist” fascism. Others “rallied” against COVID-19 lockdowns and voter fraud. We may amass crowds to evoke sympathy or provoke debate. But demonstrations aggravate and intimidate, often drawing counter protesters if not ending in violence. And even when gatherings generate debate, we are tempted to settle them by who had the larger crowd size rather than the merits of the case.
Will the Doctor See Me Now?
Imagine you're traveling out of state to visit family. When you're 15 minutes from grandma's house, you decide to let her know you'll be arriving soon.
New Congress, New Trade Enforcement Agenda
Now that election day is behind us, new and returning lawmakers in both parties are looking ahead to next year. They're strategizing for what surely will be a momentous legislative session.
Giving Thanks to Society’s Economic Benefactors
With all the attention commanded by the presidential campaign, election, and aftermath, plus the ongoing COVID-19 story, many other issues have faded into the background. Though escaping the headlines, some of these other issues will be with us for a long time, and contributions to the public discussion of such issues will often have a long-term impact.
No Baby Boom This Year; TheVirus Has Put a Damper on Pregnancies
We’re fast approaching the ninth month of the COVID-19 lockdown and if we were going to see a coronavirus Baby Boom this year, it would be starting now, says Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].
Executive Order for Price Controls Will Harm Innovation and Patients
President Trump just signed a new executive order to reform our healthcare system. While his desire to lower costs for patients is appropriate, the proposed changes would do more harm than good.
Keep Thanksgiving, Family and Friends Alive
Joe Biden or Donald Trump will never visit me in my home, stand beside me at the funeral home or dance at my wedding. I will not be receiving any calls from either of them to pray for me during sickness or to check on how my children are doing. I probably will never sit in a room with them to visit, laugh and tell funny stories or just to hang out over a cup of coffee. I do not personally know either one. I welcome the opportunity to visit with either of them, but doubt it will happen.
Trump's Drug Pricing Order Would Make George Washington Gnash His Wooden Teeth
Has America's 45th president forgotten our first commander-in-chief's most important warning?
Fix Election Day Pain
2020 will be remembered for more than we what to remember including the painful November 3, election. Our country was already suffering from the Pandemic and all its spin-off problems. Unemployment, business closings, demise of the travel industry, struggling houses of worship, massive national depression to name a few of the problems. However, great news Pfizer has come up with a vaccine that has been 90% effective in preliminary trials. At this writing this is great news with the stock market on the verge of setting an all-time high. This vaccine has the potential to bring this country out of the house and back to work, school, church, and more.
The Mayflower Mystique: Remembering the Pilgrims
Few can name which groups the Godspeed and the Arabella brought to America. They were the Jamestown colonists in 1607 and the Puritans to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, respectively. But the Mayflower, which brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620, has sailed into history and ranks with the Titanic, the Lusitania, the Bismarck, and the Queen Mary as the world’s most famous ships. What accounts for the Mayflower’s mystique?
Superbugs will Kill Millions — Unless Congress Acts
We're in the midst of the worst health crisis of the 21st century -- and it's not COVID.
A 40-Year-Old Law Continues to Produce New Jobs Today
This fall, tens of millions of Americans will get vaccinated against influenza -- but they won't all experience a prick in the arm. Instead, many will take FluMist, the painless nasal flu vaccine.
