You’ve probably heard a lot about Project 2025, a detailed policy blueprint some hardline conservatives — including former Trump officials — are planning to press for if Trump is reelected. But what exactly would it do? We hope to cover that in a series of op-eds this year.
This week, Sonali Kolhatkar lays out the document’s plans for Medicare and Medicaid. In a word, she says, the plan is benefit cuts — which may not even save money. As Sonali explains, Project 2025 would shuffle seniors and low-income people (including children) off public plans and on to private for-profit plans, which fleece taxpayers by over-charging and fleece patients by denying coverage.
That’s not only cruel but fiscally incompetent.
Speaking of, Farrah Hassen writes this week, so is the recent Supreme Court ruling authorizing cities and states to prosecute poor people simply for lacking a home — even when there are no local shelters. As Farrah explains, that’s bad advice and communities don’t have to take it. Instead, they should invest in proven, cost-effective options like Housing First, guaranteed incomes, and expanding affordable housing.
Also this week, West Virginia mom Tia Simmons shares a tough personal story about how poor families get left out of benefits like the Child Tax Credit. Tia says that’s why we need a truly universal option for investing in our country’s kids. Jim Hightower skewers Chick-Fil-A’s child labor summer camp. And cartoonist Khalil Bendib says major broadcast outlets are taking a “see no evil” approach to the genocide in Gaza.
New This Week…
Project 2025’s Plan to Gut Medicare and Medicaid | Sonali Kolhatkar
Conservatives are planning to slash the health care plans that millions of low-income and senior Americans rely on.
The Solution to Homelessness is Housing | The Supreme Court just greenlit cruel measures to arrest and prosecute unhoused people. Instead, lawmakers should invest in what really works.
It’s Time for a Child Allowance, No Strings Attached | Tia Simmons
When children’s basic needs are met, they thrive. It’s time we got serious about investing in them.
Chick-Fil-A Is Running a Child Labor Summer Camp | Jim Hightower
Parents, would you pay to have your 5 year old work in the fast food corporate hierarchy?
CARTOON: Hear No Genocide, See No Genocide, Speak No Genocide | Khalil Bendib
All the news that’s fit to hide?
In Case You Missed It…
Libraries Are Cornerstones of Our Communities — And They Need Our Help | Georgia Jensen
Public libraries promote literacy, fight poverty, and enrich our lives. It’s up to us to protect them from political attacks.
Banks Keep Breaking Their Promise to Serve the Public Good | Kevin Stein
Now more than ever, it’s important that banks play a responsible role in our democracy. Will they?
Corrupt Judges Are Legalizing Bribery | Jim Hightower
The Supreme Court’s conservatives, who’ve accepted millions of “gratuities” of their own, have ruled that it’s not a bribe if it’s collected after a favor is done.
The Paradox of Public Health Solutions That Worsen Climate Change | Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.
The unanticipated environmental effects of inhalers underscore the contradictions of piecemeal climate solutions.
