In a record-long State of the Union address last night, President Trump essentially declared victory in the fight for affordability. Millions of Americans, however, must wonder what on earth he was talking about.
Last week in OtherWords, North Carolina mom and nonprofit leader Lindsay K. Saunders shared her own story of an all too familiar feeling: the vanishing promise of “middle class” life in an age of rising prices, rising inequality, and diminishing social supports.
For years, education has been touted as a way to break into the middle class. But this week, grad student Satra D. Taylor highlights the new barriers going up to students like her trying to do that. A first generation college student, Satra relied on Pell Grants and Grad Plus loans — while working two jobs — to make her way through school. But the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has slashed those benefits, along with Medicaid and SNAP, to fund tax cuts for billionaires.
“President Trump didn’t even mention student aid in his State of the Union address. But this issue is central to the health of our union,” she writes. “It’s about whether we as a nation believe working families deserve opportunity — or just survival. It’s about whether we as a nation value the futures of our young people — or only the futures of billionaires.”
Also this week, Jordan Liz calls on communities to defend their immigrant neighbors as the administration tries to “turn documented immigrants into undocumented immigrants” by revoking their TPS status. Paul Armentano explains what critics still get wrong about cannabis legalization. And Jim Hightower warns against billionaire-funded advertising touting the “benefits” of AI data centers.
New This Week…
Stealing Students’ Dreams to Give Billionaires Tax Breaks | Satra D. Taylor
I’m a first-generation college student. I’m worried other young people won’t get the financial aid that made my education possible.
Don’t End TPS for Our Immigrant Neighbors | Jordan Liz
The Trump administration is trying to expel lawful immigrants to countries facing political turmoil — while also cutting aid and destabilizing many countries further.
What Critics Still Get Wrong About Marijuana Legalization | Paul Armentano
Cannabis re-legalization is a work in progress. But it’s here to stay — and by and large, we’re mostly getting it right.
Beware of AI Swill | Jim Hightower
AI billionaires are polluting our communities with glossy PR promoting their water-guzzling, utility-bill-raising data centers.
In Case You Missed It…
The Epstein Class: They Are the Elites They Pretend to Hate | Sonali Kolhatkar
For years, MAGA has attacked minority groups in the name of “protecting women and children.” It turns out the real abusers are wealthy and powerful.
Affordability Is a Vanishing Promise for the Middle Class | Lindsay K. Saunders
The president’s policies are making it harder for working families like mine to get by.
Keeping Our Promise To Veterans Includes Funding Transit | Stewart Schwartz
For many veterans, the question of how to get to a doctor’s appointment, job interview, or classroom determines whether civilian life is stable or precarious.
Target Needs to Kick ICE Out of Its Stores | Alliyah Lusuegro
Immigrant and human rights advocates are calling on the iconic retailer to stop cooperating with abusive federal immigration agencies.
