A Progressive Viewpoint

  The U.S. finds itself in a precarious moment as it braces for an election where much more than party victory is at stake. Two formidable, polarizing figures — Donald Trump and Kamala Harris — stand before us, each symbolizing a radically different future. But the backdrop of this campaign season is as explosive as it is foreboding: the persistence of election denialism, amplified by Trump’s almost Orwellian blueprint, Project 2025, which promises to reshape the country into an institution that answers only to him.   For those watching from afar, America’s slide toward self-destruction seems like a scripted drama, with every act driven by contempt for democratic principles. Yet for Americans, there’s little fiction in this script, and every poll is a pulse check on a deeply ailing body politic.   Kamala Harris: A Choice to Maintain Democracy?   A Harris win might seem like a sigh of relief for those fearing the collapse of democratic institutions, but ...

  President Biden’s decision to forgive an additional $45 billion in student loans for public servants is a step in the right direction. But let me be clear: it does not go far enough. The student debt crisis in this country is one of the great moral and economic failures of our time. Millions of Americans—young people, working families, and seniors—are drowning in debt simply because they wanted to get an education. That is unacceptable.   In the 1970s, a student could go to college, work a part-time job, and graduate with little to no debt. Today, that is nearly impossible. Over the last 40 years, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed, while wages have stagnated. Students are graduating with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and they’re paying off loans for decades. This is outrageous. Higher education has gone from being a path to opportunity to a trap of financial ruin for too many.   Meanwhile, universities have become bloated with administrative...

U.S. institutions are critical to the functioning of our democracy and everyday life. While this might seem like a dry or boring topic to some, the stability and reliability of these institutions are crucial for the United States to thrive. I’ve been reading The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution by Francis Fukuyama, and his insights highlight how reliable institutions and the rule of law are the foundation of a successful society. Fukuyama compares countries with strong institutions, such as Denmark, to those where institutions have failed. The lesson is clear: without strong institutions, nations face instability and authoritarianism.   In the U.S., our institutions—including the Census Bureau, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Supreme Court—play a key role in maintaining order and supporting democratic governance. However, these vital institutions are under attack by former President Dona...