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Don’t rule out entitlement reform

If you follow policy debates long enough, arguments you never thought you’d hear can become key components of the two parties’ policy platforms. That’s certainly the case when it comes to some Republicans and their new “never touch Social Security and Medicare” position. Recently, newly elected GOP Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio tweeted that former President Donald Trump was 100% correct to demand that “Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security.” Vance’s tweet was issued amid the debt-ceiling fight, but this position ...

The separation of powers — in the United States and in Israel

The debate over separation of powers is said to have its origin in a proposal by the French political philosopher Montesquieu, first annunciated in De l’esprit des lois, The Spirit Of The Laws, 1748. English philosopher, John Locke, had written about the division of power between King and Parliament. In the Biblical system, there was always to be a separation between King and High Priest, as well as between King and Prophet. When the Hasmoneans violated the separation of powers, major disruption ensued, until it was restored by Queen Alexandra Salome by the appointment of her brother, ...

Health equity and COVID-19

I knew a homeless veteran who lived in a homeless shelter. When I met him, he was unkempt and appeared to be isolating. He would not eat or come out of his room. I sensed something was wrong, and sent him to the hospital. The hospital discharged him and sent him back within a couple of hours. He had discharge papers but no medical diagnosis or instructions showing on his paperwork. He continued to sleep and would not consume food or water. He was returned to the hospital thrice in 24 hours, and the same outcome occurred. I made some calls and got him seen at the Veterans hospital ...

Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses among the millions of Nazism’s victims

Today — January 27 — the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a symbolic date to commemorate the victims of Nazism. Murderous Nazi terror targeted millions for reasons of biology, nationality, or political ideology. But few people know that the Nazis’ victims included thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who suffered for their Christian faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses, also then known as Bible Students, were “the only group in the Third Reich to be persecuted on the basis of their religious beliefs alone,” says Professor Robert Gerwarth. The Nazi regime branded ...

The shortcomings and failures of 8 years of Gov. Tom Wolf

During the past few weeks, publications across the commonwealth have chosen to view with rose-colored glasses the past eight years of Gov. Tom Wolf’s tenure in Pennsylvania. Most Pennsylvanians outside of the Harrisburg bubble remember it differently. Let’s start with Wolf’s handling of the budget. He likes to take credit for the current budget surplus. What he doesn’t disclose is that all annual budgets are approved by the General Assembly. Republicans held the line on Wolf’s budget proposals that would have inflated the budget and hiked taxes. For instance, he called for ...

Shapiro can learn from Wolf’s mistakes

Tom Wolf concludes his second, and final, term as Pennsylvania’s 47th governor this month. His eight years in office were a time of intense conflict with the legislature, bloated budgets, and no improvement in Pennsylvania’s economic outlook. Yet, several notable policy achievements occurred despite Wolf. And his legacy — mired in the abuse of power — leaves numerous lessons for his successor, Josh Shapiro. From day one, Wolf had a shaky relationship with Pennsylvania’s General Assembly. Right out of the gate, Wolf made the mistake of vetoing an entire state budget—leading ...