Welcome to the era of Infinite Scroll!
Does it seem like Democratic presidents have been picking relatively centrist judges for the Supreme Court lately, while Republicans have tapped unabashed conservatives? Lawrence Baum and Neal Devins have looked at the record and confirmed that this is, indeed, the case. “Merrick Garland’s nomination reflects the practice of recent Democratic presidents to balance ideology with other goals by appointing moderate liberals,” they write. “In sharp contrast, our research shows that Republican presidents over the past 25 years have put ideology first by appointing strong conservatives to the court.”
Ted Cruz 2020. Mwahahaha! Will Saletan thinks it’s quite possible, even if Trump is the nominee and loses in November—a scenario many have argued would prompt a serious GOP shakeup. “Many of Cruz’s supporters see Trump as a left-leaning apostate,” Saletan points out. “If Trump loses the general election, they won’t conclude that their brand of conservatism has been refuted. They’ll conclude, with some justice, that their brand of conservatism hasn’t been tried.”
Divorced women have a ton of trouble securing enough money for retirement, Helaine Olen writes. “Divorce impacts both sexes in retirement, but it hits women especially hard,” Olen argues. Among Americans over the age of 65, “almost 11 percent of divorced men and 18 percent of divorced women have incomes that put them under the poverty line. That’s more than those who find themselves in financial trouble thanks to widowhood. Only the never-married have it worse.”
Laura Moser profiles a group of women who serve as drivers and hands to hold for people who need to access abortion services in Texas. Says one such volunteer:
These legislators are thinking, “How are we going to close all these doors? How many new obstacles can we put up?” But as committed as they are to doing that, there are all these women out there who are equally committed. We’re asking, “How can we fund this woman? How can we drive this woman? What can we do for these women?” Obviously we want to throw these people out of office, but no matter what they come up with next, we will find a way around them. We’ve always found a way. We’re determined.
The White House’s new diaper access program, launched in conjunction with two private companies, is not enough, Elissa Strauss writes. “A private-sector partnership, like the one Obama announced, will help,” Strauss argues, “but ultimately it’s no replacement for a universal, publicly funded program that would make sure that every child has access to clean diapers.”
For fun: Got an idea for what topic Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda should tap for his next musical? Keep it to yourself!
Me, I have a hundred such ideas,
Rebecca
