US Opinion and Commentary

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Why I’m Supporting Bernie Sanders

Posted April 17th, 2016 at 4:57 pm (UTC-4)
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Hillary Clinton has a remarkable record. She would be a strong and capable president. But Bernie Sanders is boldly and fiercely addressing the biggest challenges facing our country.

Clinton’s Iowa Performance Reveals New Fault Lines for Democrats

Posted February 5th, 2016 at 4:48 pm (UTC-4)
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Both candidates have claimed, in different ways, to be the proper heir to Obama’s legacy. They’ve argued about how they’ll build on his accomplishments while altering the status quo…. The status quo doesn’t mean the same thing to all Democrats. Those who haven’t prospered during the Obama years may be ready for a bigger change.

The Most Pragmatic Way to Fix American Democracy

Posted January 29th, 2016 at 1:01 pm (UTC-4)
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Inequality has reached levels last seen in the era of the “robber barons” in the 1890s. The only truly pragmatic way of reversing this state of affairs is through a “political revolution” that mobilizes millions of Americans.

In Crowded Field, Which Republican Will Stand Up to Trump?

Posted September 16th, 2015 at 2:36 pm (UTC-4)
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Tonight’s second Republican debate among presidential hopefuls is – once again – all about Donald Trump. The latest poll shows support for him on the rise as confidence fades in expected frontrunners like Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. Those watching will be looking at Jeb Bush or Carly Fiorina to pounce on Trump’s vague policy ideas and shut down his knack for sucking up all the oxygen in the room. That will require a complete redo by the rest of the Republican field, most of whom have proven unable to call out Trump for what some observers say he is: a bully.

Pope Francis, The Benevolent Politician, Visits the United States

Posted September 15th, 2015 at 9:52 am (UTC-4)
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Next week, Pope Francis will visit America, where he will meet with President Barack Obama, address a joint meeting of Congress – the first Pope to do so – and give a speech at the United Nations. Since his election in 2013, it was clear Francis is a different kind of Pope, with compassionate takes on controversial issues such as homosexuality and abortion while urging nations to grapple with climate change and income inequality. Somehow, his warm smile and easy manner has disarmed the world, making many forget that the Holy Father is, above all else, an astute politician for the Catholic Church.

American Workers Face Shifting Labor Market

Posted September 7th, 2015 at 1:14 pm (UTC-4)
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On this Labor Day, there is reason to be hopeful, so say the experts. The economy is recovering from the recession and unemployment is falling. But economists also point out that wages have not returned to pre-recession levels. And the phrase “income inequality” is being invoked by presidential hopefuls and economists alike. One thing is certain, the digital era has helped create a very different working world for the average American.