What Does This Government Shutdown Mean?

After Democrat and Republican Senators were unable to agree on health policy, the federal government was driven to a shutdown on Oct. 1. The issue at hand relates to the cost of premiums for healthcare plans individuals purchase through the Affordable Care Act. The enhanced tax credits for these premiums are set to expire at the end of the year and have been a major factor at play in keeping ACA plans affordable for the millions of people who rely on them.

Democrats voted against Republican’s proposed short-term funding bill for a few different reasons, one of the main ones being because it did not include an extension for these enhanced tax credits. This issue will impact the more than 24 million Americans who don’t get health insurance through jobs and public programs like Medicare or Medicaid, but instead buy it through the ACA.

Blue City Bullying

After deploying over 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. under the guise of cracking down on supposed out of control crime, Trump recently widened his focus to include other democratic-led cities. Portland, Oregon and Memphis, Tennessee have been named next on his list following a rising number in protests against his administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

Going Back on His Word: Trump & Free Speech

During his inaugural address, Trump kicked off his second term as President with the promise to “immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.” He also vowed that “never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents.” Less than nine months into his second term, these promises have already been broken.

RFK Jr.’s Plan to “Make America Healthy Again”

Known anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed lead of the Department of Health and Human Services by President Donald Trump. With a long history of publicly making false medical claims, including linking the cause of autism to vaccines, Kennedy now holds the power to impose his medical beliefs on the whole of America through the United States’ top health agency with his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

What is Next for America if Trump Dies?

After rising health concerns for Trump took over many news headlines, almost every social media platform began debating the cause of Trump’s recent weekend disappearance. Hundreds of theories arose, though one in particular gained the most traction. What if Trump was dead? After a press conference in the Oval Office where Trump was seen very much alive, we now know for certain that he has, in fact, not passed away, but many are still wondering, what would happen if Trump passed away while in office?

Articles, zIssue 57.5Eva Elisa WellsSeptember 19, 2025Trump, Trump administration, Donald Trump, government, Government, politics, Politics, #politics, president, PresidentComment

Protecting Against School Shootings: The Big Debate

On Wednesday, August 27th, the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis marked the United States’ most recent school shooting. With over 57 school shootings having taken place just this year, America’s ongoing challenge with mass amounts of yearly school shootings cannot be ignored.

The biggest debate happens amongst the ways in which we can work towards solving this devastating issue. One popular side says we should be arming teachers and staff while the other calls for tighter firearm regulations. Both solutions would mean changing government policies.

Articles, zIssue 57.5Eva Elisa WellsSeptember 10, 2025school shootings, school, children, kids, Kids, #kids, guns, gun control, gun violence, politics, Politics, #politics, political, government, GovernmentComment

Government Funded Scientific Grant Cuts Are Affecting Education

Known for their cutthroat budget planning and aversion to scientific research, the Trump administration’s efforts towards cutting down biomedical research show no signs of slowing. Released back in May of this year, the administration’s 2026 budget plan revealed detrimental cuts to the National Institutes of Health funding.

Fighting Stupid With Stupid: Gavin Newsom’s New Approach to Trump

Trump’s famously dramatic way of posting on social media is not lost on any left leaning person in or outside of politics. Most dissenting responses garnered by his posts are either simpler statements of disagreement or more outspoken cries of disgust and outrage. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, seems to have a different approach altogether when it comes to the manner of Trump’s social media presence.

Alligator Alcatraz Put on Pause

Built in just a mere 8 days in Florida’s Everglades with the capacity to house up to 3,000 migrants and the ability to expand, the immigration detention facility nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz sits less than 50 miles away from President Trump’s Miami resort. The detention facility has been yet another ploy created by the Trump administration in an effort to enforce extreme immigration policies.

The Undemocratic Process of Gerrymandering

Over the course of history, gerrymandering has proven to be deeply undemocratic and significantly influential in regards to which party has control over Congress. Gerrymandering helps manufacture election outcomes, creates the illusion of democracy while effectively denying the actual practice of it, and hands the real voting power over to politicians.

After the Pink Slips: Trump’s Federal Layoffs Reshape America’s Job Market

President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated another round of federal layoffs, intensifying a campaign that has already cut tens of thousands of government jobs across the country. What began as a promise to “drain the swamp” has now become one of the most aggressive downsizing efforts in U.S. federal employment history. But behind the headlines lies a growing concern: how will this mass purge of federal workers affect the broader job market, and what happens to workers who don’t want to end up in farm or gig work?