There is no doubt that recent years have brought radical gains for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. The most prominent example of this is the landmark Supreme Court Case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. While wins like this are commendable, and we should celebrate them whenever they occur, it is important to acknowledge that the fight for equality among people of all sexual orientations and gender identities is far from over. …

Headline: In our modern world of ever-advancing technology, recent generations seem to be less and less prepared to enter the American workforce as productive members of society — even as more and more graduate with degrees in higher education. Unlock the Grid explores the causes and the solutions proposed from both sides of the political aisle.

Most Americans, regardless of their politics, can agree that there are some significant flaws in today’s public school system — and they have the numbers to back it up. Among the most highly developed countries globally — that is, the 35 members of the…

As the world continues its decades-long debate over climate change’s impact on the environment, a little-noticed 2019 Stanford University study revealed a consequence few of us think about: the relationship between climate change and economic inequality. According to the research, the financial gap between the world’s richest and poorest countries is a stark 25% larger today than it would have been without the effects of global warming.

Since the 1960s, Scandanavian countries like Norway and Sweden — which have cooler climates — became enriched, while countries with warmer temperatures — like India and Nigeria — saw economic growth decline.


Populism has been thrown around a lot recently by people on both sides of the aisle, but what is it, and how does it compare to Reaganomics?

What is Populism?

Populism is a movement, both political and economic, that attempts to move away from the idea of elitism and appeal to the ordinary person. Populist politics, following this definition, revolves around a charismatic leader who appeals to and claims to embody the will of the people to consolidate their own power. In this personalized form of politics, political parties lose their importance. Elections serve to confirm the leader’s authority rather than to reflect…

Each year the American Society of Civil Engineers grades the quality of American infrastructure. On average, American infrastructure has scored in the D’s — barely a passing grade. Republicans and Democrats both recognize that this poses a severe problem because unstable infrastructure is dangerous; for example, crumbling bridges and roads cause accidents that threaten the safety of American drivers. There is no contention on whether American infrastructure needs improvement because the evidence is in front of us. If everyone agrees that America’s deteriorating infrastructure is a problem, why is President Biden’s infrastructure plan not universally supported?

Funding is a considerable…

What is a Carbon Tax?

The carbon tax is defined as “a fee imposed on the burning of carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, gas)” and is used to limit their emissions. The revenue raised from the carbon tax could then be utilized in various ways, such as supporting green policies, funding sustainable projects, or returning it to the people.

Why Are We Talking About It?

With the Biden Administration’s intention of combating climate change, the Administration has tossed around the idea of carbon taxes. Most notably, when asked about the issue during her confirmation hearing, U.S …

“What are we gonna do about these marijuana laws?”

While not the most viral song to reference cannabis, Ballyhoo!’s song “Marijuana Laws” (The OFFICIAL Anthem) is probably the only tune that discusses problems that challenge marijuana users today with an array of buoyant, reggae beats. For decades, Congress and the American people have been judging and doing something about these marijuana laws, starting with the days of the “War on Drugs” and continuing today with the recent changes.

America’s Strange Relationship with Cannabis

During the height of the “War on Drugs,” President Ronald Reagan famously condemned marijuana. He claimed that…

Israel just held its fourth election in two years. The future of the country’s political sphere is up in the air between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance of 52 seats and the left-wing coalition, which won 57 seats in the recent election. Both fell short of the 61-seat coalition majority required in Israel’s parliament, known as the Knesset. Does Israel’s political deadlock reveal a sharper divide within its society’s walls? Will their political leaders resolve this immobilism, and what can other countries learn from it?

Why do they need a majority?

A myriad of political parties comprises Israel’s government (which utilizes a national proportional representation…

Is Our Election Structure Too Complicated? Or Just Right?

For centuries, election structures and laws have divided the United States. Most recently, challenges surrounding the two-party system and voting laws have risen to the forefront of America’s concerns regarding our elections. The restrictive party system and the already challenging voting structure contribute massively to gridlock. It’s the responsibility of Congress and the White House to ensure easy and safe voting for all who are eligible.

During his 2020 campaign, Former President Trump highlighted immigration as one of his top priorities, particularly the need to decrease illegal immigrant crossings. His efforts to stem the flow of immigration during his years in the White House did not quite work out. From January 2017, when Trump took office, to May of 2019, apprehension of migrants attempting to cross the southern border steadily increased to 132,856 in a single month. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the number of immigration crossings from the border fell to lower numbers than they ever did for Obama. Although Former President Trump did not…

Unlock The Grid

Unlock The Grid is a national, youth-led bipartisan organization that aims to reduce polarization in Congress by promoting working across the aisle.

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