Some of Tom's Work for CQ Researcher
With the loss of the House in 2018, and the Senate and White House in 2020, Republicans are split about the best way forward. Some say the path follows Donald Trump. Others argue Trump's tumultuous presidency and bombastic style are toxic with the general public and could prevent the GOP from winning future elections.
Inequality in the United States is at its highest level in a half-century. The richest 0.1 percent of households owns between 15 and 20 times more wealth than the bottom half. Inequality also extends to education and to regions, where high-tech centers boom while agriculture and manufacturing areas decline. Liberals propose raising taxes
Inequality in the United States is at its highest level in a half-century. The richest 0.1 percent of households owns between 15 and 20 times more wealth than the bottom half. Inequality also extends to education and to regions, where high-tech centers boom while agriculture and manufacturing areas decline. Liberals propose raising taxes on the rich to expand services to the poor. But conservatives say inequality is an inevitable byproduct of a prosperous free market.
With two of the three most recent presidents entering the White House after losing the popular vote, activists have intensified their efforts to eliminate, change or bypass the Electoral College. Polls show most Americans prefer the president to be elected by the popular vote. But college supporters say scrapping the college would reduce the influence of small states and rural areas.
The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether the 2020 census can ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens. Liberals and many census experts say the question could lead up to 6.5 million people to refuse to answer census questions. But Republicans say the nation needs an accurate tally of undocumented immigrants, and many in the GOP would like to exclude those immigrants from the final tally.
As mass shootings continue to horrify the nation, advocates of stricter gun laws are optimistic that their movement is turning a corner. Several states that traditionally opposed gun control have banned devices that enable semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly. But gun-rights supporters continue to challenge the constitutionality of
As mass shootings continue to horrify the nation, advocates of stricter gun laws are optimistic that their movement is turning a corner. Several states that traditionally opposed gun control have banned devices that enable semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly. But gun-rights supporters continue to challenge the constitutionality of restraints on gun ownership and say the solution lies in better enforcement of existing laws.
The Supreme Court has upheld the use of race in college admissions, but affirmative action is facing new challenges. Many Americans oppose giving preference to minorities in order to compensate for discrimination and to diversify campuses. The Trump administration says it may sue universities over the practice, and many private suits have been filed.
A majority of college graduates are leaving school owing more than $25,000, and nearly 7 million have defaulted on their student loans. Student debt nationwide is up 350 percent since 2005. Experts offer a variety of explanations, including expanded eligibility for federal loans, predatory lending, declining state subsidies and skyrocketi
A majority of college graduates are leaving school owing more than $25,000, and nearly 7 million have defaulted on their student loans. Student debt nationwide is up 350 percent since 2005. Experts offer a variety of explanations, including expanded eligibility for federal loans, predatory lending, declining state subsidies and skyrocketing tuition that is fueled by too much spending on administration, athletics and academic programs with weak demand.
After four decades of court decisions that lifted restrictions on campaign spending, Americans this year are experiencing the most expensive presidential race in history, financed mainly by a handful of wealthy individuals and business and labor groups. Stymied at the federal level by GOP congressional opposition and partisan gridlock on
After four decades of court decisions that lifted restrictions on campaign spending, Americans this year are experiencing the most expensive presidential race in history, financed mainly by a handful of wealthy individuals and business and labor groups. Stymied at the federal level by GOP congressional opposition and partisan gridlock on the Federal Election Commission, reformers are successfully pushing some states and cities to rein in election spending.
The Association of American Medical Colleges forecasts a deficit of up to 90,400 doctors by 2025, citing mainly a growing and aging population. But other professionals say such projections are exaggerated. Ending unnecessary medical procedures and making greater use of nurse practitioners and other medical personnel could reduce the demand for doctors, they argue.
The Veterans Affairs Department struggles to recover from revelations that some VA facilities forced vets to wait months for care and that some officials concealed the delays.
Agricultural technology has enabled food supplies to outstrip population growth, decreasing the number of hungry people. But food shortages and undernourishment remain huge problems in developing countries.
A century-and-a-half after Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution, scientists remain locked in battle with people who read the Bible literally .
Social media became major battlegrounds in the 2012 elections. Candidates used the platforms to organize supporters, raise funds, bypass traditional news media, send messages unfiltered to the public, target niche audiences, contact hard-to-reach voters, and carry out many campaign tasks at much lower cost. Optimists hoped for a more level political playing field. Others worried that campaigns’ ability to compile personal information on line threatened voters’ privacy.
Both parties share a fundamental goal for their national conventions: to produce TV shows that boost their candidates. “Why bother to hold them?” the critics ask. Convention supporters argue the gatherings are needed in case a nomination isn't settled beforehand. And conventions are the one time the parties become truly national organizations, with activists from around the country mingling face-to-face.
Newspapers across the country are declining in circulation, advertising and profitability. Some are turning off their presses and moving onto the Internet or ceasing to publish altogether. Many journalists, scholars, political activists and government officials worry that this collapse will leave citizens unable to obtain sufficient information for effective self-government. Others hope that newspapers will find a new and productive life online.
Many leaders warn that a shortage of scientists is jeopardizing the nation's world leadership in science and technology, along with its military supremacy and high standard of living. For a short-term fix, they propose loosening immigration restrictions to allow more high-skilled workers from overseas. Long term, they say the United Sta
Many leaders warn that a shortage of scientists is jeopardizing the nation's world leadership in science and technology, along with its military supremacy and high standard of living. For a short-term fix, they propose loosening immigration restrictions to allow more high-skilled workers from overseas. Long term, they say the United States must greatly improve pre-college education, produce more college graduates with mathematics and science degrees and increase investment in research and development.
Corporations across the country are embracing social responsibility as a means for increasing profit and promoting long-term company success. The policy responds to pressure from advocacy groups, threatened government regulations and demands from employees, customers and investors. Some conservatives oppose the move, arguing a company
Corporations across the country are embracing social responsibility as a means for increasing profit and promoting long-term company success. The policy responds to pressure from advocacy groups, threatened government regulations and demands from employees, customers and investors. Some conservatives oppose the move, arguing a company's only legitimate purpose is to enhance shareholder value. Some critics from the left dismiss the effort as a public relations ploy.
Unable to get satisfaction from the Republican-dominated federal government, environmental activists have set their sights on businesses — trying to influence corporate behavior and even forming partnerships with companies to confront environmental challenges. A growing number of businesses have concluded that saving the envir
Unable to get satisfaction from the Republican-dominated federal government, environmental activists have set their sights on businesses — trying to influence corporate behavior and even forming partnerships with companies to confront environmental challenges. A growing number of businesses have concluded that saving the environment is good for the bottom line. But some conservatives charge that such actions dilute companies' primary purpose, which is to increase shareholder value.
About Us
This is the year cyberpolitics came of age. Candidates raised a record amount of campaign cash from small donors on line. Political organizations mined computer databases as never before. MoveOn.org — an online advocacy group started by two California activists — became one of the most prominent players in politics. The Defense Department
This is the year cyberpolitics came of age. Candidates raised a record amount of campaign cash from small donors on line. Political organizations mined computer databases as never before. MoveOn.org — an online advocacy group started by two California activists — became one of the most prominent players in politics. The Defense Department began, then abandoned, an effort to let overseas military personnel vote on the Internet, while Michigan Democrats added online voting to their presidential caucuses..
A growing number of critics argue college sports actually harm higher education and exploit athletes. Only 54 percent of Division I-A football players and 44 percent of basketball players graduate, for example, and rates are lowest for minority players. While reformers call for changes in big-time sports programs, some educators worry th
A growing number of critics argue college sports actually harm higher education and exploit athletes. Only 54 percent of Division I-A football players and 44 percent of basketball players graduate, for example, and rates are lowest for minority players. While reformers call for changes in big-time sports programs, some educators worry that the problem is drifting into less-prominent sports and smaller schools.
Tuition and fees at public colleges soared a record 14 percent this year, continuing a quarter-century trend of higher-education prices rocketing faster than inflation. And the average total cost of attending a private school jumped to $26,854 — far beyond the reach of most American families. Colleges have asked for increased government f
Tuition and fees at public colleges soared a record 14 percent this year, continuing a quarter-century trend of higher-education prices rocketing faster than inflation. And the average total cost of attending a private school jumped to $26,854 — far beyond the reach of most American families. Colleges have asked for increased government funding, but Republican congressional leaders say the schools waste money. A growing number of colleges are turning to technology to reduce costs.