We’re back after our Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful to have a few days counting blessings, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that this season is a lot less merry and bright for many families.
This week in OtherWords, Sonali Kolhatkar says this fall’s government shutdown showed just how reliant this country is on food aid, especially with the rising price of food. But with the federal government cutting SNAP anyway, Sonali points to Colorado and other states that are showing how state governments can help patch some of the holes.
Also this week, Carrieann Smith shares a heartbreaking first-hand account of what it’s like to have police raid the homeless camp you’re living in — an urgent issue as more communities move to criminalize homelessness and amid plunging winter temperatures.
Finally, Farrah Hassen warns that President Trump’s aggression toward Venezuela looks a lot like the run-up to the Iraq War. And Paul Gordon explains the Supreme Court’s “shadow docket,” which has turned the law on its head again and again.
New This Week…
If People Are Going Hungry, Why Can’t We Feed Them? | Sonali Kolhatkar
As Congress slashes SNAP, more states need to step up to fill in the gap.
Police ‘Sweeps’ of Homeless Camps Are Worse Than You Think | Carrieann Smith
As more and more communities criminalize homelessness, I want to share what it’s actually like to have the police take all your earthly belongings.
Trump’s Aggression Toward Venezuela Should Be Setting Off Alarm Bells | Farrah Hassen
It’s looking a lot like the run-up to the Iraq war — only this time, the allegations are even more bogus and easily disproven.
You Need to Understand the Supreme Court’s ‘Shadow Docket’ | Paul Gordon
The court’s MAGA majority has used a bureaucratic workaround to issue unsigned, unjustified rulings that often greenlight unlawful actions.
In Case You Missed It…
Welcome Back, Inflation! | Mitchell Zimmerman
President Trump’s mass deportations and tariffs are making life unaffordable for millions of Americans.
Less for Health Care, More for the Pentagon | Lindsay Koshgarian
Even with U.S. health premiums set to double, senators gave essential health funds as a bonus to the $1 trillion Pentagon.
Protect Our Public Servants — and the Social Safety Net | Lousindy Mitton
Federal policies are hurting public servants, families, and children to slash taxes for billionaires. We deserve better.
The Government Is Open. Now It Needs to Get America Moving — Literally. | LeeAnn Hall
President Trump is now threatening federal transit funding — which could hit small urban and rural transit agencies hardest.
