During these frustrating circumstances, we now must call upon the laboratories of democracy. If the federal government is unable to pass or sufficiently implement policies that increase the welfare of the people, the onus must be on the states to pass such policies instead.
The narrative around Georgia’s runoffs should be that McConnell’s possible retention of the Senate majority would ensure four years of political gridlock — not just of progressive legislation, but of basic governmental functions.
There were several state-level measures that even made national headlines such as Alaska’s and Massachusetts’ efforts to implement ranked-choice voting and Florida’s Amendment 2 that would raise the minimum wage in the state. The jurisdictional differences between these levels of government matter and should influence how voters take the time to inform themselves.
Closing the digital learning gap will take work — with an increase in access to technology resources, one-to-one policies that ensure each student has a laptop, and a commitment to ensuring that families have adequate internet.
This November, the island held its third status referendum of the decade, but regardless of its results — which favored statehood — the vote seems inconsequential. True power to amend Puerto Rico’s colonial relationship with the United States lies in the hands of the seemingly complacent federal government, where the people of the island have no representation.
We have been seen and heard, but when will we be listened to? I hope this is something that Biden and the Democratic Party are thinking about, and I hope it is something that voters think about as well.
While the debate over intern pay has traditionally been in the name of fairness and cost of living, the conversation has overlooked a dimension to be modeled: the Founders’ constitutional intent in creating a government of the people.
Despite the lack of political will, it is time to limit both House and Senate incumbency to a maximum of 12 years in order to incentivize congressional action and decrease political complacency.
An ideal American democracy is not beholden to moneyed interests before the people it serves. It dismantles unjust and undemocratic systems. Sortition is not perfect, but it is far closer to this ideal than what we have.
As a first-year student on campus, there is also an unsettling feeling that comes with finishing meals from the Harvard University Dining Services. The post-meal sigh of satisfaction and fullness has also become a sigh for the environment.
