This version of news updates has stories on adding a citizenship question to the census, pay for the women’s soccer team, the legality of the Affordable Care Act, and Iran enriching uranium.
Adding a Citizenship question to the Census
Reports say Donald Trump, after having his BS argument about wanting to better enforce the Voting Rights Act rejected by the Supreme Court, is considering using an executive order to add a citizenship question to the census. If Trump takes that step, the House must immediately begin impeachment proceedings. At that point, his blatant disregard for the rule of law and constitutional norms will be a bridge too far.
I have supported Pelosi’s call to let the process unfold. I recognized the value in getting court victories around the subpoenas that have been sent by the House. But using an executive order to run around the Supreme Court and ignore the will of Congress is something that could not be ignored. That’s especially true when most people, including a majority of the Supreme Court, understand the idea of adding a citizenship question to the census is nothing more than a political stunt designed to advantage the Republican Party.
Pay for the Women Soccer Team
With the US women’s soccer team having another World Cup, the story strongly switches to the shameful reality that they earn less than the members of the US men’s soccer team. Let’s be clear: the only reason the women earn less than the men is sexism.
The women are far more successful than the men. The women generate higher television ratings than the men. The women earn more revenue than the men.
By any objective standard, the women are entitled to more money than are the men. The rallying cry should not be for equal pay. The rallying cry should be for equitable pay. In this case, equitable pay would result in the women making more money than the men.
The Legality of the Affordable Care Act
On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear a case about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. This appeal arises from a widely criticized lower court opinion that struck down the entire law. The Trump administration is refusing to do its job and defend the law of the United States.
No matter what the court decides, this case will be appealed to the Supreme Court. Whether the justices take the case or not, this case has great potential to make health care a defining issue in the 2020 election. Even though Republicans spent nine years running against the Affordable Care Act, I bet they want the judges to reverse the lower court. A strong majority of the public supports the Affordable Care Act. Democrats killed Republicans for their opposition to it in 2018. Trump is stupidly making things much harder for the GOP in 2020.
Iran Enriching Uranium
Everyone, including the United States, agreed Iran was complying with the terms of the nuclear deal. Trump wanting to uphold a foolish campaign pledge, pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal and hit Iran with more sanctions.
Months later, Iran has begun violating the terms of the deal by enriching uranium above the limits set by the agreement.
Trump called the Iran nuclear deal stupid. He promised a better deal. Now, Europe is working to avoid the deal’s collapse and Iran is working toward a possible nuclear weapon.
the agreement with Iran was far from perfect. No agreement with Iran is spectacularly stupid.