A Progressive Viewpoint

  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...

 Donald Trump should be in jail, not running for President. His persistent denial of losing the 2020 Presidential election, along with his outrageous claim that the riot atthe Capitol was a “love fest,” should be enough to disqualify him from seeking public office. Additionally, he has been found liable for using hush money to silence Stormy Daniels to keep their affair out of the news during his 2020 campaign. These are not the actions of someone who respects the rule of law or democratic norms.   Furthermore, Trump’s allies, like J.D. Vance, perpetuate dangerous falsehoods, such as the claim that the election was stolen by “big tech” conspiracies. There is no doubt that Trump, Vance, and their surrogates are working toward a political agenda that leans heavily on authoritarian tactics—sowing distrust, undermining institutions, and promoting conspiracy theories to consolidate power. These are hallmark strategies of authoritarian regimes that weaken democratic processes an...