The world as we know it over the past two months has essentially come to a sort of standstill. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has not evolved past the initial death toll projections public health officials had previously estimated, it has raised a seemingly insurmountable cloud of uncertainty, paranoia, and grief over the United States. […]
Tag: United States
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: A Force to be Reckoned With
Who exactly is the woman behind the pristine white caped blazer, signature red lip, and unapologetically bold hoop earrings? How is she breaking social and political barriers in an attempt to address the deeply rooted issues inherent in our country’s government? The media frenzy around up-and-coming Congresswoman and Democratic politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is truly one […]
Michelle Obama’s Mesmerizing Memoir: Thankful for “Becoming”
As the nation reels time and time again from the newest development from its administration, Thanksgiving provides a small respite to spend time with family and friends. Many people enjoyed catching up with loved ones, feasting on some delicious meals, and curling up with a good book. The latest book to have caught the nation […]
Across the 38th Parallel: Kim Jong Un Makes History
The Korean War between North Korea (aided by China and the Soviet Republic) and South Korea (aided by the United States) encompassed a tense time in middle of the 20th century. The separation and fighting between the two opposing forces at the 38th parallel threatened serious repercussions. To the rest of the world, this imaginary […]
Community Is Possible: Reviving American Populism on the Local Level
A new wave of American populism is on the rise. Spurred by the crash of 2008 and a subsequently gridlocked government, many Americans have come to a realization: they are losers in a system whose beneficiaries are gatekeepers to the country’s most influential institutions, and can thus effectively block all attempts at serious structural change. […]
The ISIS Conundrum
The rise of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) seems to be ripped out of a novel with far too many turns after its climax. The United States has ended its original war in Iraq and is now in the process of winding down its other war in Afghanistan. In 2011, President Obama […]
Security At What Cost?
The Edward Snowden leaks unleashed a firestorm of controversy and debate over the extent of NSA spying. With an increasing number of young, Internet-savvy Americans praising Snowden’s actions, the controversy reveals a significant generational gap regarding online rights. Many people in Washington argue that collecting data is necessary for anti-terrorism efforts and national security, but […]
Why Dollar Coins Are Not Preferred (And How They Could Be)
A dollar bill is crisp and thin. While its value isn’t classy whatsoever, the feeling of a bill most definitely is—at least when it is compared with a coin. The jingle of coins is mostly associated with beggars and people below the poverty line. Due to such psycho-social reasons, the switch to the dollar coin […]
Strategy Beyond Mere Charity
International development aid for underdeveloped countries has traditionally been looked upon as a form of charity by Western nations, including the United States. The idea of giving to poor African or Latin American countries is one that resonates in the minds of most Americans. The results of aid, however, have been terrible. Development aid has […]
The Government Shutdown and the Debt Ceiling: A Grave Prognosis
Congress, for the 18th time since 1976, failed to pass a budget for the fiscal year. For most of the population, things will go on as they have, but for 800,000 “non-essential” government employees, The United States seems to be at a standstill. Agencies including the National Park Service, NASA, the EPA, the NSF, the […]