Commentary

Comment: Trump outlines his aims to undo FDR’s New Deal

Other Republicans have tried. And Trump has issued orders. But ultimately it’s Congress’ call.

 

Comment; Trump’s trade war a threat to U.S. economic freedom

Trump’s rocketing tariffs threaten to derail the benefits of his tax and deregulation plans.

 

Comment: GOP plan to slash Medicaid is hiding in plain sight

House Republicans are correct; they didn’t vote for Medicaid cuts. But they put it on the chopping block.

 

Comment: How Yale covid study was twisted into anti-vax claim

A study of long covid and vaccines was misinterpreted by a blogger. That and a post by Elon Musk is all it took,

Comment: State must maintain, not cut, funding for child care

Providers are leaving their jobs because of low pay, forcing families into difficult situations.

Comment: America’s rejection of ‘soft power’ a win for Putin

That power was used to get other nations to want what we wanted. Trump now wants what Putin wants.

Comment: Medicaid cuts would hurt millions; and Republicans

Significant cuts, like those outlined in a House budget plan, could cost the GOP its majority.

Comment: Using civic muscles behind bars to rebuild lives

State legislation would enable those incarcerated to engage in civics and end the cycle of trauma.

Comment: Trump fanned inflation’s flames, now they may burn him

His own policies and partisan politics may conspire to keep inflation from going lower and could push it higher.

Comment: Wishful thinking won’t solve U.S. debt crisis

Putting off spending cuts and tax increases will only get harder in the coming decades.

Comment: Some of Musk’s DOGE damage can’t be undone

The courts will likely halt his work, but agency officials are likely to formalize the cuts legally.

FILE  — Members of the American Federation of Government Employees rally outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025. A group of 21 civil servants with technology expertise resigned on Feb. 25 rather than help implement an array of changes to the federal government being pushed by the billionaire Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency. (Samuel Corum/The New York Times)

Comment: A government Americans won’t recognize

Cuts to regulations and programs will leave markets unchecked and dismantle services Americans value.

FILE  — Members of the American Federation of Government Employees rally outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025. A group of 21 civil servants with technology expertise resigned on Feb. 25 rather than help implement an array of changes to the federal government being pushed by the billionaire Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency. (Samuel Corum/The New York Times)

Comment: Ban on flavored tobacco would only hurt retailers

Consumers will find other ways to buy the products, hurting local businesses and state taxes.

Eco-nomics: We’re breathing in what we put into the air

Emissions warm the planet and harm our health. Federal cuts will impair efforts to combat greenhouse gases.

Comment: If democracy is to be saved, it’s up to U.S. citizenry

While democracy is under assault, resistance is not futile. But neither is it self-activating.

Comment: Egg prices are a problem; it’s time for solutions

Vaccination and changes in farming are options. Firing bird flu researchers, then rehiring them, didn’t help.

Comment: U.S. attorney’s ‘Operation Whirlwind’ about retribution

Letters posted to X suggest that the U.S. attorney is more interested in intimidation than investigation.

Comment: Ukraine only a pawn in Trump’s reset with Russia

Trump seems more focused on what he can get out of a deal with Putin than in the fate of Ukraine.

Comment: What most can expect from tax cut extension: not much

The bottom 20% in the U.S. owuld see $130 in tax savings, but could lose Medicaid and food stamps.

Comment: Social Security has dead people; very few get benefits

For numerous reasons, dead people do remain on the rolls, but actual fraud is very rare.