Politics and Science

Our American Dream is defined by the idea that if you work hard, you get ahead. I know too many people working too hard to just get by. While capitalism is the best way to allocate resources so far discovered, it has several inadequacies. Capitalism is short-sighted, acts on imperfect information, does not account for externalities, and makes it incredibly difficult for people without generational wealth to get ahead. Senator Cory Booker plans to address these problems and alleviate child poverty through baby bonds.          By investing in our kids so they have a head start on paying f or wealth building activities like getting a college education, buying a house, or starting a business, Senator Booker accounts for one of capitalism’s shortcomings, sets millions of kids up for success, and levels the field for kids growing up with fewer resources. Our current system of capitalism does not support competition or t...

As I see more reports about the increasing natural disasters -- floods, hurricanes, heat waves -- I can’t help feeling anxious about our future. That’s why it was a breath of fresh air to hear about Senator Cory Booker’s plans to combat the climate crisis. His leadership reassures me that America’s future is bright and that we can handle anything as a nation.  I like that Cory’s environmental plans focus on more than limiting greenhouse gas emissions. They also account for the historic injustices perpetrated against oppressed communities. Climate change will hurt vulnerable populations the most, and Cory’s plan addresses those vulnerabilities as well as the climate crisis. Cory’s plan is also good for Iowa’s economy: it includes incentives for farmers to adopt conservation best practices while farming their land and make it more affordable for them to participate in clean energy production. Cory puts environmental justice and other issues impacting lo...