All tagged United States

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

Elsa Blease
Politics, Political Process

In a comprehensive study from the 115th Congress, the combined wealth of all members at that time amounted to at least $2.43 billion, marking a 20 percent increase compared to the preceding Congress. This growth occurred during a period when both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index experienced gains of slightly under 10 percent. Furthermore, the median minimum net worth of today's senators and House members stood at $511,000 at the beginning of this Congress, reflecting a 16 percent rise over just two years. This figure is five times higher than the median net worth of an American household, estimated at $97,300 by the Federal Reserve in 2016 (Hawkings, 2018).

A Case for American Monarchy

A Case for American Monarchy

Ryan Dulaney
Political Theory

Today, King Charles III of England has both a crown and a palace; however, he is far from the source of the nation's power. He and his family's assets are, above all else, the leading attraction of a nation whose economy relies heavily on tourism. Charles is a monarch only in name; he is far from the executive decision-maker. This has been the case in England for centuries; the Windsors are Kardashians with crowns who have no power over the nation's policy. If crowns and palaces do not make a monarch, what does? Power. 

The Implications of a Carbon Tax in the US

The Implications of a Carbon Tax in the US

Rob Moia
Current Events, Environmental Policy, Economics

Climate change is arguably the most relevant and impactful current event. Both its effects and countermeasures are felt globally, and many countries have begun implementing policies and goals in hopes of nullifying its impacts. Environmental catastrophes such as rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions are a direct result of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are on course to continue worsening if emissions don't dramatically decline.

How Victory in the Mexican-American War Almost Caused the American Civil War

How Victory in the Mexican-American War Almost Caused the American Civil War

Thomas Mann
Political Theory

The Civil War is a central part of early American history. The bloodshed from 1861 to 1865 settled questions from the existence of slavery to federalism to economic issues. However, there were two earlier moments in the early 19th century when America could have descended into civil war, being prevented only through political skill, leadership, and sheer luck; this piece covers the second near miss - the Mexican-American War.

When a President Fought the Nation’s Financial System

When a President Fought the Nation’s Financial System

Thomas Mann
Public Policy

American presidents have personal rivalries; sometimes these feuds are hidden from the public while others spill out for all to see. Most presidents don’t attack the nation’s finance department because of the enormous political and monetary blowback. However, Andrew Jackson was one American president who did challenge the nation’s finance department and won—at a high price. There are three things one needs to understand about this Bank War: Jackson, the bank he fought against, and the feud’s effects on the nation. Let’s begin with Jackson.

How to be a Forgotten Hero

How to be a Forgotten Hero

Thomas Mann
Politics

While humans desire to control the perception of their legacies, history offers examples where external factors change their legacies unpredictably. One example is Herbert Hoover – the 31st President of the United States (1929 - 1933). Before the Great Depression, he was an American hero for his efforts of feeding war-torn Europe during the late 1910s and as the Commerce Secretary during the 1920s. However, President Hoover’s failed response to the Depression overshadows his legacy. To understand Hoover’s success and failure, we must thoroughly examine his life.

The Gilded Age Heretic

The Gilded Age Heretic

Thomas Mann
Politics

The Gilded Age is not known for its presidents. The chief executives from 1876 to 1896 saw themselves not as active leaders but as checks against, or in some cases enablers of, a corrupt Congress; this “light touch” leadership condemned most of them to obscurity beyond political history nerds. One exception is Grover Cleveland, America’s first nonconsecutive president. Gilded Age Democrats loved Cleveland during his first term for his fiscal responsibility; they also turned against him during his second term for the same reason. This culminated in the Democrats backing a presidential candidate who was the opposite of Cleveland. If we are to understand the party’s turning on Cleveland, we must examine his life.

Inflation as a Result of Inflation

Inflation as a Result of Inflation

Caleb Smith
Economics

Global inflation rates over the past year have been higher than they have been since 2012; similarly, inflation percentages in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) since the start of the second quarter have been staggering. In the US, the UK, and the EU, the primary driver of the recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) elevation, in the US, and the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in Europe, is the rising cost of energy and consumer commodities. The rising cost of consumer commodities, especially food, housing, and petroleum products has struck the world into a tumultuous spiral, causing the cost of living to rise to a level not seen since the 1980s, resulting in the global experience of all three types of inflation. Typically, only one form of inflation is seen; however, this reversion to a 1980s economy is the result of many factors and is relatively uncommon. This spiral has fueled riots and protests across Europe, causing protestors and legislators alike to demand monetary reform.

Inflation as a Result of Inflation

Inflation as a Result of Inflation

Caleb Smith
Economics

Global inflation rates over the past year have been higher than they have been since 2012; similarly, inflation percentages in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) since the start of the second quarter have been staggering. In the US, the UK, and the EU, the primary driver of the recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) elevation, in the US, and the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in Europe, is the rising cost of energy and consumer commodities. The rising cost of consumer commodities, especially food, housing, and petroleum products has struck the world into a tumultuous spiral, causing the cost of living to rise to a level not seen since the 1980s, resulting in the global experience of all three types of inflation. Typically, only one form of inflation is seen; however, this reversion to a 1980s economy is the result of many factors and is relatively uncommon. This spiral has fueled riots and protests across Europe, causing protestors and legislators alike to demand monetary reform.

Load More