Commentary
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The Economic Cost of Cutting Defense Spending
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Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the U.S. invested in numerous fighter jet programs to maintain air superiority. Those investments have yielded some of the most advanced aircraft in history, but at what cost? In December 2005, the F-22 Raptor entered service, effectively designating the United States as…
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American Students Are Behind: High-Dose Tutoring Can Help
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Four years after the onset of a crippling global pandemic, the American school system has reached a tipping point. COVID-19 brought unprecedented social and economic upheaval, disproportionately affecting students from low-income and minority communities. In response to the pandemic, many schools in the United States were forced to shut down…
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Chicago’s Path to Fairer Elections: Embracing Ranked-Choice Voting
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In early 2023, Chicago witnessed an animated local election season with no shortage of personal attacks, stark ideological differences, and drama typical of the city’s politics. However, like many other Chicago voters, I had a difficult time choosing a candidate. With nine major contenders, it was always unlikely that one would…
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Chicago Citizens Need Predictability in Their Electricity Bills
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Chicago, a bustling metropolis, is known for its architectural splendor, robust sports, museum culture and vibrant economy. However, beneath its towering skyline, there lies a pressing issue that often goes unnoticed: the disproportionate impact of fluctuating energy costs on its marginalized communities. These communities, crucial to the city’s diverse tapestry,…
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How to Revive Trust in Indian Democracy? Start with Digital Engagement
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The story begins in 2022 in rural Odisha, in eastern India, where self-coined ‘Hashtag warriors’ stormed Twitter for 12 minutes every day at noon to call attention to local issues. The campaign, called 12baje12minute, highlights how Twitter emerged as the preferred digital platform in Odisha for grievance redressal since the…
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Public Service as a Path to Paying for College
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Education in the United States used to be treated as a ladder to economic mobility, but somewhere along the way, that ladder has fallen. AmeriCorps, a national service program intelligently invests in young people and the communities they come from and serve. While not military service, AmeriCorps members commit to…
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A Refugee Compact for the Rohingya
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Nearly one million Rohingya refugees currently reside in camps in Bangladesh. Most Rohingya live in temporary settlements where conditions are not safe. The Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh cannot repatriate without threat from Myanmar’s military government, and any attempts at large-scale repatriation are against their best interests. Repatriation is no…
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It’s More Than Admissions: Rethinking NYC’s High School Diversity Problem
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Earlier this year, New York City’s public high school admissions process, long known for its complexity, wrapped its third year of major policy change since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Calls for more diversity and equity have played a critical role in driving these changes. Black and Hispanic students are consistently…
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The EU’s Democracy Challenge – and Opportunity
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In December 2022, Belgian authorities arrested Eva Kaili, a vice president of the European Parliament, amidst allegations that she accepted bribes from Qatar. This corruption scandal followed similar concerns in the European Union (EU) over the influence of Russian energy lobbyists during debates regarding sanctions against Russia. While much of…
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Doing The Work: Robin Rue Simmons on Implementing the Nation’s First Government-Funded Reparations Program
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Robin Rue Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of First Repair, a nonprofit organization that provides expertise, technical assistance, and advocacy for local reparations nationwide. As the 5th Ward Alderwoman in Evanston, Illinois from 2017-2021, Ms. Rue Simmons choreographed the establishment of the United States’ first municipally-funded reparations legislation.…
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The Hidden Cost of Teletherapy
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Teletherapy became increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, an estimated 21% of U.S. adults used a teletherapy service, while mental health startups collectively raised $5.5 billion in funding. Websites such as BetterHelp, Cerebral, Ginger, ReGain, and TalkSpace, among others, connect users with therapists for virtual counseling sessions. Although…