Archive
In OtherWords: March 8, 2017
Donald Trump has finally rolled out his proposal for how to spend our tax dollars. The short version? Lots more money for the military, lots of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and less for pretty much everything else. This week in OtherWords, my colleagues Josh...
Getting That Secure Feeling Yet?
Millions of Americans are feeling uneasy, disgruntled, and insecure. That message sounded loud and clear throughout our turbulent election year. The Trump administration's latest budget proposal isn't likely to change that. It comes down to this: lots more money — $54...
Getting the Brush-off on Health
The Republicans just introduced a new plan to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act, or ACA — aka Obamacare. The rollout came after many members of Congress caught an earful from constituents trying to stop them. Although I’ve voted for people in both parties...
A Double Deuce to Working Families (and Math)
The political theater that passes for serious policy debate is about to run into an unfortunate reality as Donald Trump’s budget plan comes face to face with its arch-nemesis: arithmetic. It's impossible to cut taxes, increase spending, and balance the budget. That’s...
The Press Is Essential, Whether Presidents Like It or Not
The U.S. has a robust, free, and fair media. No wonder that makes Donald Trump angry. Trump has such notoriously thin skin that some have taken to calling him Trumplethinskin. His staff says he watches TV and reads the news obsessively, looking for praise for himself....
Magical Thinking on Health Care
Donald Trump, the amazing wunderkind of global luxury living — and now our nation's phantasmagoric, fast-charging president — is proving to be a legislative magician. In his campaign, Trump's number one promise was that he would "immediately" repeal the entirety of...
Russian Dolls
In OtherWords: March 1, 2017
Last night, Donald Trump gave his first speech to a joint session of Congress. Many pundits have praised the speech for showcasing a more "moderate" approach than we're accustomed to from the president. But this week in OtherWords, I argue that it was anything but....
There Was Nothing Moderate About Trump’s Speech
Donald Trump began this recent speech to Congress with a line seemingly designed to appease his critics. "As we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month," he said, "we are reminded of our nation's path toward civil rights and the work that still...
It’s Only My Health
I'm one of the 27 percent of Americans with a pre-existing medical condition. Pre-existing conditions range from life-threatening illnesses like cancer or multiple sclerosis to chronic conditions like diabetes or cerebral palsy. They can also include life events like...
