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- Written by: Alex Dupcheck
Trump can’t stop America from building cheap EVs, and that is less a story about one politician than about how durable institutions outlast charismatic politics [4]. The real democratic test is whether complex, technical transformations are guided by expertise or buffeted by applause lines. Directly elected leaders are often selected for their ability to electrify rallies, not to design procurement rules, steward trade frameworks, or run evidence-based regulatory processes. The EV race exposes a broader democratic fault: when selection rewards emotional resonance over demonstrated competence, populism flourishes, policymaking lurches, and yet the machinery of law, trade, and regulation keeps grinding forward—if we let it [4].
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- Written by: Alex Dupcheck
California is sunsetting oil refineries without a plan for what’s next, a headline that signals more than a policy choice—it exposes a failure of infrastructure governance [4]. On August 20, 2025, the question is not whether to decarbonize but whether a leading state will do so with the foresight that safeguards the vulnerable and sustains broad-based prosperity. Robust public infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving society, and transitions of this magnitude demand bridges, grids, transit, ports, and workforce systems that are built before the old scaffolding is torn down. When leaders chase short-term symbolism over long-term planning, the cost lands on households with the least margin of error. California can still turn this moment into a model of democratic competence, but only if it replaces theater with concrete, sequenced investments and transparent timelines.
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- Written by: Alex Dupcheck
Donald Trump’s reaction after his recent meetings with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was as revealing as it was disturbing. With a shrug of his shoulders, he essentially declared that the fighting in Ukraine will continue if Kyiv and Europe do not embrace his plan. The message was clear: accept Putin’s terms, or endure endless war. This posture reduces the war to a bargaining chip for Trump’s personal recognition on the world stage. It strips away the pretense of allyship and lays bare the uselessness of Washington’s current involvement, which has shifted from guarantor of freedom to arms supplier looking to be paid.
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- Written by: Alex Dupcheck
The recent lawsuit by three Mountain West schools over withheld funds and the accelerated entry of Grand Canyon University into their conference is not just a legal skirmish; it exposes a deeper crisis fueled by the chaos of anonymous online discourse. In an era where anonymity often shields misinformation, the case underscores the urgent need for transparency in communication, particularly on social media platforms. Only then can we safeguard the open discourse vital to a functioning democracy.
