We just marked the two year anniversary since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and with it, half a century of constitutional protection for the right to seek an abortion.
The result, Georgia Jensen explains in OtherWords this week, has been a disaster for public health, maternal care, and local economies — for all of us. But after successful ballot drives to restore or enshrine abortion rights in a series of states, up to 10 more may vote on the issue this fall. “In the face of this new reality,” Georgia concludes, “we can still lift each other up to preserve not only the right to health care, but our ability to access it.”
Also this week, Congress advanced a shockingly high military budget, nudging ever closer to $1 trillion — a sum not seen since the end of World War II. “There’s nothing happening today that can justify this level of spending,” Lindsay Koshgarian argues. “This is money that can’t be invested in infrastructure, education, health care, or other necessities to keep our own country functioning.” She calls on lawmakers to “focus on the problems we do have, stop trying to rule the world, and have the spine to say no to military contractors.”
Meanwhile, student journalist Chisom Okorafor worries that some national reporters aren’t following the first advice many reporters learn: Don’t just believe what politicians tell you — and don’t just repeat it! — without investigating further.
Finally, Jim Hightower shares the newest corporate lingo for “ripping off customers.” And cartoonist Khalil Bendib puts Samuel Alito in a league with an unsavory set of fellow “Supremes.”
New This Week…
Two Years Since Dobbs, Americans Are Fighting to Reclaim Their Rights | Georgia Jensen
Abortion bans have harmed our health, society, and economy. At the ballot box and beyond, voters are fighting back.
Our Nearly $1 Trillion Military Budget Won’t Make Us Safer | Lindsay Koshgarian
Congress is spending on the military like it’s World War III. Diverting that money to jobs, health care, and the climate would make us far safer.
Journalists Shouldn’t Just Repeat What Politicians Say. They Should Investigate It. | Chisom Okorafor
As a student journalist, one of the first things I learned was to double check sources. When politicians mislead us, people need to know.
Corporate America’s New Euphemisms for Gouging | Jim Hightower
Corporations are now perfecting what they call “price pack architecture”: that is, selling you less stuff for the same price.
CARTOON: Supremes of the World, Unite! | Khalil Bendib
In his open embrace of theocracy, at least one “Supreme Court” justice is acting more like a “Supreme Leader.”
In Case You Missed It…
Biden Can’t Fix Our Immigration System by Banning Asylum | Farrah Hassen
Shutting down the border to asylum seekers is cruel, ineffective, and plainly illegal. We need to put human dignity — and the law — first.
Addiction Recovery is Hard. Funding It Shouldn’t Be. | Heidi Gerard
I work with moms and kids on their recovery journey. Funding for centers like mine is woefully small compared to the need.
Crypto Scams Are Rampant. The Industry Needs Regulation. | Brian Carss
If any industry ever needed more oversight, it’s the crypto business. But the industry is trying to dodge regulation — with help from Congress.
‘Bluelining’ Leaves Climate Vulnerable Communities Without Home Insurance | Jessica Garcia
Insurers are pulling out of areas prone to climate risk — even as they insure the fossil fuel companies contributing to that risk. These communities deserve better.
