Liberal: Program Abandoned Progressivism
Some say, “Progressive today isn’t really progressive in the traditional sense.” This view is echoed by liberal advocate Louis Teisheira.
Mid-century progressives aimed for a more equitable American society. Now, however, the focus has shifted to supporting “color-conscious remedies” like positive actions.
There’s skepticism about the “merits and objective measures of achievement.” What happened to the strong support for free speech? Today, some inflate concerns about “violence” and “harm,” claiming that certain free expressions make people feel “unsafe.”
Now, they rally around goals like protecting identity groups, climate justice, and economic prosperity. But if they don’t genuinely support free speech, can they really be considered progressive?
Campus Watch: Columbia’s “Message of Hope”
Things at Columbia might shift as Trump rises, taking some attention off progressives and news media, says Nicole Russell from USA Today.
Columbia University has agreed to pay a significant fine—$200 million—to resolve claims it failed to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism.
Amid a culture that prioritizes progressive values, conservative students often feel sidelined, and Jewish students face targeted hostility over support for Israeli citizens.
Institutions benefiting from taxpayer funds should be held accountable.
This is viewed as a win for Trump and a message of hope for American Jews, emphasizing responsibility in higher education.
Economy: Historical Interests of the Middle Class
Six months into his second term, President Trump promises another boom for the middle class, remarks WJ Lee at the Mature American Civic Association.
A recent Treasury report shows that middle-class and blue-collar workers are reaping benefits unseen in nearly 60 years, with a 1.7% increase in average hourly wages from December 2024 to May 2025.
This marks the largest wage growth since Richard Nixon’s administration. The last time figures were this impressive? Trump’s first term, eight years back.
From the Right: Climate Alarm is Flat
Critics argue that climate warnings often highlight weather phenomena to support their narrative while ignoring contradictory data, according to the Issues and Insights Editorial Board.
For instance, the Northwest Passage has seen its third-highest sea ice coverage in two decades, opposite predictions made in 2009 about rapid ice cap melts.
Additionally, mishaps linked to the Texas floods drew attention as well.
Science Beat: Local Funding for University Research
With the Trump administration cutting funds to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, a rethink of university innovation funding is necessary, claim Thomas D. Lehman and George Gilder in the Wall Street Journal.
Publicly funded university research has led to breakthroughs like GPS, cancer treatments, and MRI technology.
History shows that US leadership in technology rests on school creativity. States pursuing research excellence should adopt strategies to bolster nonprofit initiatives.
Such measures can enhance competitiveness against global rivals and foster vital scientific research.
