politics on localnews page 18

politics

America’s Economic Freedom: A New Look at the Declaration

July 3, 2026

The Declaration of Independence still sparks thought today. Its opening words explain why the colonies felt it was time to break ties with Britain. They say people are equal and have rights that no ruler can take away. The document lists 27 complaints against Britain. Only a few are abou

politics

Carville’s 1992 Slogan Now a Weight in the Trump Era

July 3, 2026

James Carville, once the mastermind behind Bill Clinton’s 1992 win, says his famous phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” feels like a burden today because of Donald Trump. The slogan was born as a quick reminder for Clinton’s team to keep the focus on jobs and wages while Bush’s Gulf War popularity ros

politics

Laughs Over Politics: A Week of Funny Tweets

July 3, 2026

The world feels like a circus, and politics seems to be the main act. Social media users have taken to Twitter to point out how absurd things can get, and this week’s funniest comments kept the humor flowing. One tweet joked that more people were being taken into custody for touching paint at a f

politics

Money Rules Shift: The Supreme Court Cuts Party Spending Limits

July 3, 2026

The U. S. Supreme Court has just decided to remove limits on how much national political parties can spend when they coordinate with candidates. This move follows a previous ruling that already made it easier for wealthy donors to influence elections. The decision, 6‑to‑3, was brought by Republican

politics

Corporate Cash Powers a 250th Birthday Bash

July 3, 2026

Three hundred and fifty years ago the United States celebrated its birth. Now, as Washington gears up for a quarter‑century anniversary, the spectacle is being shaped by big business. At a temporary National Mall pavilion, flags and a Ferris wheel welcomed visitors to displays that shout the names o

politics

Transparency in Washington: A Fresh Look at Public Records

July 3, 2026

Washington voters passed a public records law in 1972, but over time the state has added many exceptions that hide government actions. In 2007 lawmakers created a Sunshine Committee to look at these gaps, yet the group has largely been ignored. The result is that citizens and journalists often strug

politics

Keeping a Republic Clean: Why Watching Money Matters

July 3, 2026

A famous thinker once said that a republic is only as strong as the people can keep it. That idea feels fresh now, especially as a country marks 250 years of independence. The core of a republic is trust. Citizens must believe that elected officials use their taxes wisely and answer to the public

politics

Oregon Says No to Trump’s Education Tax Credit

July 3, 2026

Gov. Tina Kotek decided that Oregon will not join a federal plan that would let families claim up to $1, 700 in tax breaks for paying school costs. The program, part of a 2025 law by the Trump team, pairs tax cuts with reductions to Medicaid and food‑stamp aid. All Republican governors have signed

politics

Small Town Struggles to Clean Up Its Messy Money Problems

July 3, 2026

The village of La Grange has been dealing with financial headaches for years. In mid-2025, two key money people quit—one took another job nearby, the other left for a different role. To fill the gaps, the village hired outside help through a staffing company. But that fix didn’t work as planned. The

politics

How new loan rules could derail future doctors' dreams

July 3, 2026

Eddie Jiang planned to become a doctor since high school. He picked an affordable in-state college, keeping one eye on medical school costs. Now, after graduating, he questions if his dream remains within reach. New federal loan limits are turning his expectations upside down. Starting this year, f