Social Security, Reform, & the Catholic Church
“Social Security needs reform.” Maybe you’ve heard that one before. Reforming the social welfare state has been a talking point for more than forty years. Right now, there’s inertia on both sides of the aisle, and the political parties would rather punt than solve the problem. However, doing nothing is unsustainable, so it’s important to... Continue reading→
Should Americans Have A 32-Hour Work Week?
Should Americans be working less? Sen. Bernie Sanders thinks so. Earlier this year, Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation calling for a 32-hour work week with “with no loss of pay,” according to a press release from his office. The Senator argued many Americans are working “longer hours for lower wages than they were decades ago.” A... Continue reading→
Are We Happier Without Religion?
Currently, about 29% of American adults identify as “nones” – people who describe themselves as either atheist, agnostic, or as having no religious affiliation. Nearly a third of our adult population has no active relationship with God in any form. And further, one out of every three nones says that they have never even experienced... Continue reading→
Understanding Cuba
In March, Cubans broke out in protests recently amidst growing political and economic unrest. These protests marked the second time in three years the citizens have taken a stand against the government. Context The protests were sparked by food shortages and long power outages. The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, insinuated that the United States... Continue reading→
Are We Heading for Another Economic China Shock?
In April of this year, Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, visited China on an economic tour to head off another ‘China Shock.’ China Shock 2.0 In prepared remarks, Ms. Yellen outlined U.S. and China’s improving relations. “It is undeniable that the U.S.-China relationship is on stronger footing today than this time last year.” The... Continue reading→
We Showed Up for Jesus!
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress, held from July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was nothing short of a spiritual revival for Catholics from all walks of life. Over 50,000 Catholics gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, united in one mission: to show up for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The... Continue reading→
Trade, Tariffs and the Catholic Church
Trade, Tariffs and the Catholic Church There’s a surprising through-line between the Trump and Biden presidencies—domestic trade policy. Over the past several years, Republicans and Democrats have moved away from certain free-trade policies and embraced protectionism, highlighting the need for an ‘America First’ or ‘Made in America’ policy. However, some say these policies have unintended... Continue reading→
Should You Get a Tattoo?
Tattoos are a controversial topic because, for centuries, they were seen by society as a mark of rebelliousness. Marking yourself through pain and permanent ink was not a common process for gentlemen and ladies of the time. They were worn as an indicator of your personality and more often than not, they appeared on the... Continue reading→
Expanding the Child Tax Credit
In early August, the senate rejected a bill that would have expanded the child tax credit. This comes after the U.S. House of Representatives passed, on a bi-partisan basis, an expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in February. However, the current failure does not spell the end of the CTC. Vice-Presidential Candidate JD Vance... Continue reading→
Comfort Crisis
A plush leather sofa, a 72-degree room, and a bowl of ice cream are all staples of American comfort. However, can there be too much of a good thing? Author Jeff Gardner, PhD joined Drew to discuss his article about getting out of the cycle of comfort. Gardner proposes a five-step approach to “avoid distractions,... Continue reading→
Mortgage Rates Explained
Mortgage rates play one of the most consequential roles in home buying—but how are they determined? Typically, a homebuyer’s mortgage rate is determined by several factors including credit, loan type, and “economic and market conditions,” according to CNN. Economic Factors One of those economic factors is the Federal Reserve’s interest rates, which have spiked since... Continue reading→
Why Are Cars So Expensive?
The price of cars is driving some people crazy. But it’s not just the high price of new cars that have consumers pumping the brakes, it’s used cars ones too. Up, Up, and Away The price of new cars has been accelerating for years, but the pandemic accelerated the trend. Since April of 2021, “average... Continue reading→