Category: Politics Page 4 of 6

One Big Disgusting Bill

On July 2, 2025

An Existential threat to American Democracy

Now that the Senate has shamefully capitulated to Trump and passed the One Big Disgusting Bill, we’re starting to see another flurry of articles appropriately denouncing it. Unfortunately these articles continue to focus on taxes, Medicaid and SNAP. They largely ignore the most insidious aspect of this bill—its assault on judicial review.

I’ve discussed this bill in a recent post and won’t go in to detail here. This bill represents a flagrant attempt to bypass judicial review and undermine the separation of powers. Given that Congress has willingly abrogated all responsibilities and allowed Trump to rule single handedly, the courts remain our only recourse. But since the bought and paid for Supreme Court also seems to be giving away their authority, I’m not sure whether we have any hope left.

The only course is to remove all Republicans from office and impeach Trump. It also may be necessary to impeach members of the Supreme Court, particularly those who blatantly accept bribes.

Congress has essentially given Donald Trump a fast pass to dictatorship. I think this represents the American version of the Enabling Act of 1933 where the German Parliament gave Hitler absolute authority to rule without question.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I fear for our Republic.

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands… may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”
James Madison, Federalist No. 47 , 1788

Declaring Independence: The Origin of America’s Founding Document

By John Turley

On June 30, 2025

In History, Politics

When Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, we imagine fireworks, flags, and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. We think we know the story—The Continental Congress selected Thomas Jefferson to write the declaration. He labored alone to produce this famous document. Congress then approved it unanimously and it was signed on the 4th of July.

But the truth is far different and more complex. The story behind this iconic document—the how, who, and why of its creation—is just as explosive and illuminating as the day it represents. Far from a spontaneous outburst of rebellion, the Declaration was the product of political strategy, collaborative writing, and a shared sense of urgency among men who knew their words would change the course of history.

Setting the Stage: Why a Declaration?

By the spring of 1776, the American colonies were deep in conflict with Great Britain. Battles at Lexington and Concord had already been fought. George Washington was attempting to transform the Continental Army into a professional fighting force. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had ignited widespread public support for full separation from the British Crown. The Continental Congress had been meeting in Philadelphia, debating how far they were willing to go. By June, the mood had shifted from reconciliation to revolution.

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress declaring “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” The motion was controversial—some delegates wanted more time to consult their colonies. But most in Congress knew that if independence was going to happen, it needed to be explained and justified to the world, so they created a committee to draft a formal declaration.

The Committee of Five

On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a “Committee of Five” to write the declaration. The members were:

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
John Adams of Massachusetts
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
Roger Sherman of Connecticut
Robert R. Livingston of New York

This was not a random selection. Each man represented a different region of the colonies and had earned the trust of fellow delegates. Jefferson was relatively young but already known for his eloquence. Adams was an outspoken advocate of independence. Franklin brought wisdom, wit, diplomatic experience, and international prestige. Sherman brought New England theological perspectives and legislative experience, while Livingston represented the more moderate New York delegation and brought keen legal insight.

Jefferson Takes the Pen

Although it was a group project on paper, the heavy lifting fell to Thomas Jefferson. The committee chose him to draft the initial version. Why Jefferson? According to John Adams, Jefferson was chosen for three reasons: he was from Virginia (the most influential colony), he was popular, and, Adams admitted, “you can write ten times better than I can.”

Jefferson wrote the draft in a rented room at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia. He leaned heavily on Enlightenment ideas, especially those of John Locke, emphasizing natural rights and the notion that government derives its power from the consent of the governed. He also borrowed phrasing from earlier colonial declarations, including his own A Summary View of the Rights of British America and borrowed extensively from George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights.

The Editing Process: Group Work Gets Messy

After Jefferson completed the initial draft (likely by June 28), he shared it with Adams and Franklin. Both men suggested revisions. Franklin, ever the editor, softened some of Jefferson’s sharpest attacks and corrected language for flow and diplomacy. His most famous contribution was changing Jefferson’s phrase “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable” to the more secular and philosophically precise “We hold these truths to be self-evident.”

Adams contributed to structural suggestions and to tone. He also contributed to the strategic presentation of grievances against King George III, understanding that the declaration needed to justify revolution in terms that would be acceptable to both colonial readers and potential European allies.

Sherman and Livingston played more limited but still meaningful roles. Sherman, with his theological background, helped ensure the document’s religious references would appeal to Puritan New England, while Livingston’s legal expertise helped refine the constitutional arguments against British rule. Otherwise, their involvement in the actual content of the declaration was likely minimal.

The revised draft was presented to the full Continental Congress on June 28, 1776. What followed was a few days of intense debate and revision by the entire body.

Congress Takes the Red Pen

From July 1 to July 4, the Continental Congress debated the resolution for independence and edited the Declaration. Jefferson watched as more than two dozen changes were made to his prose. The Congress cut about a quarter of the original text, including a lengthy passage condemning King George III for perpetuating the transatlantic slave trade that would have sparked deep division among the delegates, especially those from Southern colonies.

Other modifications included strengthening the religious language, toning down some of the more inflammatory rhetoric, and making the grievances more specific and legally grounded. Congress made 86 edits, removing about a quarter of Jefferson’s original content. Jefferson was reportedly frustrated by the changes, calling them “mutilations,” but he recognized that compromise was the cost of consensus

Approval and Promulgation

Despite the extensive revisions, the core of Jefferson’s vision remained intact and on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence. That’s the actual date the colonies officially broke from Britain. John Adams even predicted in a letter to his wife that July 2 would be celebrated forever as America’s Independence Day. He was close—but the official adoption of the Declaration came two days later.

On July 4, 1776, Congress formally approved the final version of the Declaration of Independence. Contrary to popular belief, most of the signers did not sign it on that day. Only John Hancock, as president of Congress, and Charles Thomson, as secretary, signed then. The famous handwritten version, now in the National Archives, wasn’t signed until August 2. But the document approved on July 4 was immediately printed by John Dunlap, the official printer to Congress.

These first copies, known as Dunlap Broadsides, were distributed throughout the colonies and sent to military leaders, state assemblies, and even King George III. George Washington had it read aloud to the Continental Army. This rapid dissemination was crucial to its impact, as it was needed to rally public support for the revolutionary cause and explain the colonies’ actions to the world.

Legacy and Impact

The Declaration wasn’t just a break-up letter to the British Crown—it was a manifesto for a new kind of political order. Its assertion that “all men are created equal” would echo through centuries of American history, invoked by abolitionists, suffragists, civil rights leaders, and more.

The creation of the Declaration of Independence demonstrates that even the most iconic documents in American history emerged from collaborative processes involving compromise, revision, and collective wisdom. While Jefferson deserves primary credit for the document’s eloquent expression of revolutionary ideals, the contributions of his committee colleagues and the broader Continental Congress were essential to creating a text that could unite thirteen diverse colonies in common cause.

This collaborative origin reflects the democratic principles the declaration itself proclaimed, showing that American independence was achieved not through the vision of a single individual, but through the collective efforts of representatives working together to articulate their shared commitment to liberty, equality, and self-governance. The process that created the Declaration of Independence thus embodied the very democratic ideals it proclaimed to the world.

Today, the Declaration of Independence is enshrined as one of the foundational texts of American democracy. But it’s worth remembering that it was created under immense pressure, forged by committee, and edited by compromise. Its authors knew they were taking a dangerous step. As Franklin quipped at the signing, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

The Origin of Juneteenth: America’s Second Independence Day

By John Turley

On June 16, 2025

In Commentary, History, Politics

The Juneteenth flag is red, white, and blue to reflect the American flag and includes a bursting star to symbolize freedom.

On June 19, 1865, an event that would forever change American history unfolded in Galveston, Texas. Union Major General Gordon Granger stood before a crowd and read General Order No. 3, announcing that “all slaves are free.” This proclamation marked the beginning of what we now celebrate as Juneteenth, America’s newest federal holiday and a day that celebrates the fulfillment of emancipation for all enslaved people in the United States.

Delayed Freedom

The story of Juneteenth begins with a troubling gap between law and reality. President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring freedom for enslaved people in states “…in rebellion against the United States”. However, enforcement depended on the advance of Union troops and In the Confederate state of Texas—remote and beyond Union control—the proclamation went unenforced for more than two years. Many slaveholders deliberately withheld information about emancipation, and the absence of Union forces meant that freedom remained out of reach for thousands.

Even after the Civil War effectively ended in April 1865 with Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, news of emancipation remained deliberately suppressed in Texas. Some enslavers continued to hold people in bondage through the spring planting season. It wasn’t until federal troops arrived in Galveston in sufficient force to ensure compliance that the promise of emancipation became reality for the last enslaved Americans.

Birth of a Celebration

The newly freed Texans didn’t wait for official recognition to begin celebrating their liberation. They called it Juneteenth, a combination of June and nineteenth and celebrations erupted spontaneously across Texas as communities gathered to commemorate their freedom with prayer, music, food, and fellowship. These early celebrations were deeply rooted in African American culture, featuring traditional foods and drinks, spirituals and folk songs, and the retelling of the freedom story to younger generations.

As African Americans moved from Texas to other parts of the country during the Great Migration, they carried Juneteenth traditions with them. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Juneteenth celebrations grew, often featuring parades, music, food, and family gatherings. The holiday’s popularity waned during the mid-20th century but experienced a resurgence during the Civil Rights Movement, as activists sought to reconnect with their heritage and the ongoing struggle for equality.

From Regional Tradition to National Recognition

For over a century, Juneteenth was primarily a regional and cultural celebration rather than an official holiday. Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980, other states followed gradually. The movement gained momentum in the 21st century as Americans increasingly recognized the need to acknowledge the full history of emancipation.

The nationwide racial justice protests of 2020 brought renewed attention to Juneteenth’s significance. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday, acknowledging it as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of America’s ongoing journey toward equality.

A Day of Reflection and Celebration

Today, Juneteenth serves multiple purposes in American life. It’s a day of celebration, honoring the resilience and culture of African Americans. It’s also a day of education, reminding all Americans about the complexities of emancipation and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Most importantly, it stands for hope—proof that progress, however delayed, is possible when people demand justice and equality. It honors the struggles and achievements of African Americans, reminding us of the enduring importance of freedom, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity. As communities gather each year to celebrate Juneteenth, they continue the tradition of remembering the past while striving for a more inclusive and equitable future

Juneteenth stands as a testament to the truth that freedom delayed need not be freedom denied.

Juneteenth is not an official state holiday in West Virginia. In prior years, former governor Jim Justice issued a proclamation declaring Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees. The current governor has made no such proclamation. Those who are planning the Juneteenth celebration in West Virginia have scheduled a Juneteenth parade for June 20th, West Virginia Day, which is an official state holiday.

Anti-Vax or Disease Supporter

By John Turley

On June 12, 2025

In Commentary, Medicine, Politics

Between June 9 and 11, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—a body that has guided U.S. vaccine policy for about 60 years. He followed this by appointing eight new members, the minimum under the charter, including several known vaccine deniers.

In light of this, I have decided to repost an article I wrote over a year ago. (With new artwork.)

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what is not true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

– Søren Kierkegaard

Saturday morning, I was reading in the newspaper about the resurgence of measles in West Virginia. I find it appalling that this disease should be returning, given that we have safe and effective vaccinations. What is next, polio, smallpox, or even plague? It is only through the unexpected veto by our [former] governor that the ill-advised bill passed by our legislature to make all vaccinations optional with a little more than a request by the parents, did not become law. [The current governor has issued an executive rendering vaccinations virtually optional for school children.]

Some people may wonder why vaccinations are important. There are two principal reasons to ensure that a large portion of the population is vaccinated against communicable diseases. The first is that it reduces the individual vulnerability to disease. The person who is vaccinated is protected. But there is also a second, sometimes not well-understood, reason. That is herd immunity.

Communicable diseases require a large susceptible population to spread. When a significant portion of the population has been vaccinated the disease does not have the core of potential victims to allow spreading. This means that the vaccinated are protecting the non-vaccinated. However, it does require a large portion of the population to be vaccinated. The idea is that herd immunity will protect those who are unable to be vaccinated either due to age, allergies, or other medical conditions that would prohibit vaccination. It is never going to protect a large proportion of the population who just choose not to be vaccinated. For example, about 90-95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against measles to provide herd immunity.

So why do people who otherwise can be vaccinated choose not to be?

There are, of course, those who have true religious objections to vaccination. There are others who object to vaccination on the basis of personal autonomy. They believe their right to refuse vaccination outweighs any consideration of the health concerns of the frail members of our community.

There are many who mistrust the medical system. There were some cases in the past where unethical studies were conducted on unsuspecting populations. Given the rigorous oversight of medical research now, this no longer happens. Information about research into vaccinations and their safety and efficacy can be found on websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization among others. (Website references are provided at the end of this post.)

What concerns me most are those who refuse to believe reputable medical authorities, government agencies, and mainline news services. They prefer to get their information from anonymous websites or from conspiracy theory websites that still give credence to the now-discredited 1999 study linking the MMR vaccine to autism. They completely ignore the fact that 10 of the 11 reported co-authors disavowed any part in the conclusions of the study. They also ignore the fact that the principal author was found guilty of fraud for personal gain as he was employed by the manufacturer of rival drugs. They also ignore the fact that he lost his medical license over his falsifications in this study. Yet, he is still cited in anti-vaccine literature as an expert source.

Equally disturbing is the fact that vaccine resistance has become a part of political identification. Certain reactionary political groups have, for some unfathomable reason, decided that refusing vaccination is a badge of their political allegiance. They seem to care more about maintaining their political purity than they care about science, public health, or even the welfare of their family and friends. Politicizing public health is dangerous for all of us. I’m not sure how we overcome this. It is easy to find the truth and verify it through fact-based studies, yet people refuse to do it. [See my post Choosing Not To Know.]

I encourage everyone to work hard to ensure that our political leaders do not remove vaccination mandates for school children. For those of us of my age, we already have immunity through vaccination or prior exposure to the disease. It is our grandchildren and their children and their children’s children who will suffer through the return of these deadly diseases.

Rather than “vaccine deniers,” they should be referred to as “disease supporters.”

SOURCES:

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/index.html

WV DHHR: https://oeps.wv.gov/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx

Immunise.org: https://www.vaccineinformation.org/

No Kings Day, June 14, 12:00 Noon, WV Capitol

By John Turley

On June 12, 2025

In Politics

Be There!

Silencing the Gavel: How the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Undermine Judicial Review

By John Turley

On June 8, 2025

In Commentary, Politics

In late May 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a massive legislative package called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Touted by President Donald Trump and Republican leaders as a sweeping reform of tax policy, federal spending, and government regulation, the bill is now at the center of heated debate—not just over its fiscal and policy impacts, but also over its implications for the balance of power among the branches of government.

What the Bill Does—and Doesn’t Do

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a reconciliation bill, meaning it can bypass the Senate’s usual 60-vote threshold and be passed with a simple majority. This process is designed to fast-track budgetary and tax legislation, but it also means the bill can only address certain policy areas directly related to the federal budget. At its core, the bill delivers major tax cuts, extends the Trump-era tax reductions, and makes permanent changes, principally reductions, to mandatory spending programs. It also includes provisions on agriculture, immigration, Medicaid, and technology, among other areas. The bill is viewed by critics as favoring the wealthy to the detriment of the poor.

Despite claims on social media, the bill does not give the president the power to delay or cancel elections. Multiple fact-checkers and legal experts have confirmed that such authority would violate the Constitution, which assigns election timing to Congress and state legislatures. The bill’s focus is on fiscal and regulatory reforms, not election administration.

While the bill ostensibly comes from Congress, it actually weakens Congress’s own institutional role in the separation of powers by removing one of the key mechanisms used by the judicial branch to enforce constitutional limits on executive power. If passed, this will be an unmitigated disaster for the Constitution and the country.

Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin called it an unprecedented power grab: “Instead of providing support for the judicial branch, this Judiciary Committee bill seeks to strip the courts of their power to hold the administration in contempt when the President violates court orders”.

The Hidden Provision: Section 70302

Buried within the bill’s 1,000-plus pages is a provision—Section 70302—that has drawn sharp criticism from legal scholars, civil rights groups, and even some lawmakers. The bill is not available for public examination, but it has been reported by the international news service Reuters that this section states that no federal court may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order unless the plaintiff posted a security bond when the order was issued.

Surety bonds are intended to protect the defendant in civil suits from incurring financial loss associated with legal expenses occurring from defending against frivolous or wrongful lawsuits. If the ruling is in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff must surrender the bond to cover the expenses of the defendant. For example, if I sue you for slander, I may have to post a cash bond and if the judge rules against me, the bond will be forfeited to cover your legal fees. If I win, the bond will be returned to me.

Historically, courts have often waived the bond requirement, especially when plaintiffs challenge government actions as unconstitutional. The rationale is that requiring a bond would make it prohibitively expensive for individuals or groups to seek judicial relief against unlawful government conduct. Section 70302 would change this, making it much harder for courts to enforce their rulings against the executive branch or other government actors unless the plaintiff can afford to post a bond. If this passes, it is conceivable that the administration may attempt to impose bonds of $1 million or more—effectively eliminating the ability of citizens to challenge government actions.

Why is It Important?

The federal judiciary is one of the three pillars of our constitutional government, and it plays a vital role in the balance of powers. It serves as an independent check on the executive and legislative branches, interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and safeguarding constitutional rights. Since Marbury v. Madison (1803), the judiciary has claimed the authority to strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution. This power of judicial review is foundational to the principle of checks and balances. The proposed legislation seeks to shift that balance. Among its most concerning provisions are efforts to limit judicial oversight of executive actions.

How This Shifts Power to the Executive

The practical effect of Section 70302 is to limit the judiciary’s ability to hold the executive branch accountable for violating court orders. If a judge issues an injunction to stop an unconstitutional or illegal government action, but no bond was posted when the injunction was granted, the court would be barred from using its contempt power to enforce compliance.

This provision applies retroactively, meaning it would render thousands of existing court orders unenforceable overnight. Critics argue that this creates a “catch me if you can” system, where the government can violate constitutional rights faster than courts can stop them. Legal experts warn that this undermines the rule of law and the separation of powers, which depend on the ability of courts to check executive overreach.

While the bill does not explicitly allow the executive branch to completely bypass legal challenges, it makes it much harder for courts to compel the executive to comply with their rulings. This functionally increases the executive’s authority to resist or delay judicial oversight.

Current Status of the Bill

As of early June 2025, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has passed the House by a razor-thin margin (215-214) and is now before the Senate where Majority Leader John Thune has expressed hope that the bill could reach President Trump’s desk by the July 4 holiday, but the path forward is far from certain.

The Senate is expected to make significant modifications to the House version, and some provisions—including Section 70302—could be stripped out or revised. The reconciliation process limits what can be included in the final bill, and the Senate Parliamentarian may rule that certain provisions are not eligible for inclusion.

Why This Matters

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is not just about taxes and spending. It represents a bold attempt to reshape the relationship between the executive and judicial branches. By limiting courts’ ability to enforce their rulings, the bill tilts the balance of power toward the executive, making it easier for the president and his administration to ignore or delay compliance with court orders.

Critics argue that this threatens the rule of law and the constitutional system of checks and balances. Supporters, however, see it as a way to prevent frivolous lawsuits and give the executive more flexibility to implement its agenda and to move closer to the unitary executive theory.

Looking Ahead

As the Senate debates the bill, watch for the fate of Section 70302. The outcome will have lasting implications for the balance of power in Washington and for the ability of courts to hold the government accountable.

For now, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” remains a work in progress. Its final form—and its impact on American governance—will depend on the compromises and changes made in the Senate over the coming weeks.

From Breaker Boys to Burger Flippers: The Resurgence of Child Labor in America

By John Turley

On May 25, 2025

In Commentary, History, Politics

What West Virginia’s new child labor law tells us about a growing trend and a forgotten history.

📜 Introduction
In April 2025, West Virginia passed a law eliminating work permit requirements for 14- and 15-year-olds and opening hazardous occupations to older teens. It’s a policy shift that echoes a much darker chapter of American history—one most of us thought was long behind us.

As I read the news, I couldn’t help but recall Lewis Hine’s haunting photos of the “Breaker Boys”—children as young as eight sorting coal in dangerous conditions. Their faces were the face of American industry at its most exploitative. Their plight helped spark the labor reforms we now take for granted.

But are those reforms at risk of unraveling?

🕰 A Brief History of Child Labor in America
At the turn of the 20th century, over two million American children worked long hours in factories, coal mines, and fields. Some were as young as five. The wages were low, the conditions dangerous, and the toll—educational, emotional, and physical—immeasurable.

Most of these children came from poor or immigrant families. Factory and mine owners favored child labor because it was cheap, compliant, and expendable.

⚖️ Early Reforms and Legal Battles
The reform movement gained traction in the early 1900s thanks to activists, labor unions, and journalists. The National Child Labor Committee, founded in 1904, worked with photographers like Lewis Hine to expose the brutality of child labor to the American public.

Attempts to legislate federally met fierce resistance. The Keating-Owen Act (1916) was struck down by the Supreme Court in Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918), and a second effort was defeated in 1923. It wasn’t until the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 that the federal government established real guardrails:

Prohibited employment under 16 in manufacturing/mining
Banned hazardous work under 18
Limited working hours for minors
Authorized federal inspections

The FLSA marked the beginning of consistent national protections for working children.

🎓 Child Labor and Education: A Damaging Tradeoff
There’s a well-documented tradeoff between child labor and education:

Working children attend school less, perform worse, and are more likely to drop out.
Child labor perpetuates intergenerational poverty.
Education access is key to breaking this cycle—but only if children aren’t too exhausted or endangered to learn.

Even today, agricultural labor laws allow children as young as 12 to work long hours, especially among migrant families. These children have some of the country’s highest school dropout rates.

📉 Modern Rollbacks: A Disturbing Trend
Since 2021, over a dozen U.S. states have proposed or passed laws rolling back child labor protections, often citing labor shortages or “career readiness”:

Arkansas (2023): Removed permit and parental consent requirements for 14- and 15-year-olds.
Iowa: Now allows minors in meatpacking and industrial work, with waivers.
Kentucky: Loosened hour limits during the school year.
Other states: Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and others are following suit.

Critics warn that these laws open the door to exploitation, especially in lower-income communities.

🧠 Why It Matters
The repeal of child labor protections isn’t just a policy dispute—it’s a moral referendum. If child labor laws are weakened, the most vulnerable children will bear the cost, just as they did a century ago.

The lesson from history is simple: when economic hardship or political expediency trumps child welfare, it’s children who are put at risk.

📣 Final Thoughts
Public memory is short. But the bodies of exhausted child laborers buried in unknown graves and the broken educational paths of working teens are silent witnesses to the past—and a warning for the future.

If we claim to value children’s futures, our policies must reflect that—not just in schools, but in the workplace.

🔗 Sources and Suggested Further Reading