News Breakdown: World in Waiting
- alexisgtrifon
- Sep 30, 2024
- 3 min read
By Alexis Trifon
As summer ends and November approaches, I find myself reflecting on the past few months.
In May, I had the opportunity to travel to France in the lead-up to the Olympic Games where I saw Paris, Normandy, and finally, Versailles. Each place offered a distinct perspective on history, politics, and culture.
Paris was alive with anticipation. The streets contained tall metal boards displaying political posters for the Elections Européennes. Protests and conversations about France's future erupted around the streets and boulangeries. In stark contrast, Normandy felt somber as we approached the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Standing at the American Memorial Museum and Pointe du Hoc, I was struck by the weight of history, which is usually confined to a textbook and stories from my veteran great grandpa. The remnants of bomb craters echo the privilege that peace brings and our collective responsibility to support leaders who do not exploit division for their own gain. Leadership goes beyond dominance—it’s about responsibility.
Upon returning to the U.S., I questioned what it means to be part of this country—the greatest nation on earth. What is the promise versus the reality of the American Dream—education, homeownership, retirement—and why have these become increasingly unattainable post-WWII? America is many things, but we are never stagnant. Like politics, the American Dream and our identity are cyclical, shaped by individual, cultural, and institutional forces. While our aspirations may differ, our basic needs remain constant, and in navigating external (global) pressure, I believe it is important to ease internal conflict as well.
Some of these conflicts or issues that I am following include...
Debts and balancing the budget. The US debt clock is definetly worth checking and should be featured in the occasional CSPAN livestream! Government spending, and its efficiency, are imperative to review; for instance, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, for every dollar that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families budgets, only 22 cents is given as direct aid.
Social media is being used as a weapon, whether that's through targeting, data malpractice, or echo chambers. Because social media and the greater tech sectors have little regulation, it is up to the states and local governments to intervene. While I don’t believe regulation is always necessary, it is here—especially as online political engagement dominates in-person and community-based participation.
The tax system and capitalism often create barriers to entry, particularly as wealth concentrates during periods of high leverage and low interest rates. This dynamic exacerbates inequality, with both the stock market and higher education remaining out of reach for many. Instead of pushing for Universal Basic Income (UBI), we could explore ways to expand stock market participation and introduce concepts like "baby bonds," where the government invests on a child's behalf from birth. Furthermore, the pandemic has helped normalize non-traditional education paths, such as trade schools and community colleges. Acknowledging that college isn’t the right path for everyone can reduce reliance on student loans while fostering long-term investment in individuals rather than programs.
Our democracy relies on accountability, but the rise of career politicians and money in politics threatens this truth. Lobbying and hyperpartisanship often steer decisions, leaving constituents left behind. Reforms like open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and revisiting the Electoral College debate are essential to restructuring our democracy. Ultimately, our goal should be to empower voters and ensure that leaders prioritize the public good over private interests.
America’s healthcare, insurance, and food supply are deeply flawed. In 2023, the U.S. spent nearly $5 trillion on healthcare, yet life expectancy and quality of life continue to decline. Senator Cory Booker has proposed reforms to the food and agriculture sectors, speaking with functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman on the systemic change needed to support the health and longevity of Americans.
Overall, our strength isn't in perfection, but in progress. We should stay true to our core beliefs and remember that there’s no final destination for the U.S.; we are a nation in progress. Just as I saw in France, this progress, along with freedom and innovation, allows us to remain competitive and lead on the world stage.
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