The Big Idea
Outside contributors’ opinions and analysis of the most important issues in politics, science, and culture.
In his awkward way, Trump stumbled into a subject that’s alive again in history departments.
The hyperventilation in Washington is unjustified.
Trump’s backlash politics, attacks on the press, and thin skin seem awfully familiar. And the scandals?
Jeff Sessions’s No. 2 was more moderate than his boss on a range of issues — and an effective crime-fighter.
They’re working hard at it — on two fronts.
If Macron stumbles in office — and he faces steep challenges — the door could be wide open for the far right.
The health care bill that passed is a return to a purer, crueler GOP vision.
Searching in vain for evidence of an “existential threat” to the Judeo-Christian West.
Lessons from the resistance up north.
Political caution and inexplicable foot-dragging led to weak (or reversible) policies.
Even in the resistance-to-Trump era, philanthropy is a zero-sum game.
Patients in red states and blue states alike benefit from work funded by the National Institutes of Health
Positive international reaction suggests the UN Charter has become irrelevant.
Depressed by Trump? Look at the reduction in global poverty, at technological progress, and at the “stickiness” of left-leaning policies.
The long, sad history of the America First ideology
Governments incentivize people to squat in unsafe shelters.
The practice of making serial payments to accusers is a risky one.
The system would involve “circles of trust”
Washington may be happy to watch the insurance exchanges wither. But the states have power.
Despite his praise for Antonin Scalia, Gorsuch’s philosophy is a long way from Scalia’s originalism
Democrats should keep the weapon in their quiver. Later, it could make a difference.
As with health care, outreach to Democrats is unlikely.
The real story wasn’t Republican disunity. It was the unpopularity of their overriding goal.
When a Republican Congress member tweeted, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies,” he was tapping into old themes.
The US must send clear signals about when it will retaliate — and then follow through
Cuts to Medicaid threaten programs that move people into communities — where they thrive.
In the version Gorsuch embraces, judges identify the moral principles the law embodies. They aren’t neutral umpires.
“If you can’t afford health care, should the state let you die?” And other questions we’re avoiding.
Many exemptions to the ban were granted — but not for Syrians.
A National Academy of Sciences report did not say what the President claims.
The evidence suggests cash offers a better return and more flexibility. It’s time for a definitive study.
The AHCA shows that Republican talk of letting states experiment is empty rhetoric.
The evolution of conservative attacks on universities — from criticism to defunding.
The plan hits low-income and older enrollees the hardest.
The tax credit levels are still not sufficient to avoid significant cost increases for most enrollees.
All conservative judges claim to be “originalists.” None of them really are.
It’s the first attempt to capture the full effects of Republican health care policies — including out-of-pocket costs.
