Tomorrow's Policy Makers Blog

Mandatory voting requires all eligible citizens to cast a ballot in elections, typically with small fines for those who don't comply. Used successfully in over 20 countries, it's designed to ensure participation and ensure government truly represents everyone. However, it proposes the question: in a democracy built on freedom, should voting be required – or does that defeat the entire purpose? How It Works Under mandatory voting systems, citizens must show up to the polls or

Surveillance pricing, also known as personalized or dynamic pricing, is when companies charge different costumers different prices for the same product based on data collected about them. Using your browsing history, location, purchasing behavior, and even device type, algorithms determine how much you’re willing to pay and adjust prices for individuals in real time accordingly. Often unknown to the consumer, this system is framed as a tool for efficiency, but as data collect

A food desert is an area where residents lack access to affordable and nutritious food - typically because there are no nearby grocery stores or supermarkets. Often found in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities, food deserts force people to rely on convenience stores and fast food, contributing to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It's a policy issue where geography literally determines health outcomes. The Reality of Food Deserts Imagine l

A wealth tax is a levy on the total value of someone's assets including property, stocks, art, and other investments, rather than just their income. As the wealth gap grows increasingly wide, some policymakers argue this could be the solution to fund social programs and create a fairer economy. However, some warn it could backfire, driving away investment and stifling economic growth. How Does It Work? Unlike income tax, which taxes what you earn each year, a wealth tax targe

In the past year, homelessness has been on a steady increase. While some blame the issue on a lack of shelter, the root cause stems from mental health struggles, rising living costs, low pages, substance abuse, and more. While emergency housing can keep people safe for a night, it doesn’t address the issues that lead individuals into homelessness in the first place. Some believe expanding shelters is the solution, while others argue that without addressing the origin, homeles

In recent years, rising tensions between the United States and China have caused tariffs to be used as an economic weapon. While some argue that tariffs protect American industries and domestic job; others believe they skyrocket consumer prices and hinder global trade relationships.   How Do Tariffs Work?   Tariffs are government taxes placed on imported goods. When the US imposes tariffs on Chinese imports, the costs of those goods increases. The purpose of this is to increa

A government shutdown occurs when Congress can’t agree on budget resolutions to fund federal agencies. Absent funding, large parts of the government are forced to close temporarily, making services unavailable and leaving federal employees unpaid. Though often dismissed as political drama, shutdowns reveal deeper policy failures regarding extreme partisanship that prioritize ideology over governance.       How Does it Happen?   Each year, Congress must pay 12 appropriation bi

Student loans are funds, for the purpose of paying educational costs, borrowed from federal banks or private lenders with the expectation...

Across the United States, millions of students rely on school meals for their daily nutrition. For many families, rising food prices make it increasingly difficult to provide consistent, healthy meals at home. These pressures have led to growing interest in universal free school lunches, a policy built on the idea that no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Supporters see it as a way to promote improve student equity, while others argue that expanding free meals w

Across the United States, states are implementing changes to get ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Specifically, Texas and California...

Universal childcare is a policy where governments provide free or heavily subsidized childcare for all families, regardless of income. With childcare costs often exceeding college tuition in many states, parents face impossible choices between careers and caring for their children The Childcare Crisis In the United States, average childcare costs exceed $10,000 per year per child, with infant care often costing $15,000-$20,000 annually. For many families, this rivals or excee

This blog covers New York City’s newly approved school phone ban, exploring the reasons behind the policy, how it will be implemented, who’s exempt, and what it means for student rights and classroom culture.

This blog covers the recent ICE raids in Los Angeles between June 6–8, 2025, the mass protests that followed, and the controversial military response ordered by President Trump. It highlights the growing debate over immigration policy, civil rights, and government priorities.

Since the late 1970s, civic engagement has been on a slow declining trend and young people increasingly feel disconnected from government...

From the developing agents of artificial intelligence such as Chat Gpt or Deepseek, AI has impressed everyone beyond just being a...

Economic sanctions are government-imposed restrictions regarding trade or financial transactions with another country in act of...

A living wage is not just increasing the minimum wage – it’s the income required for workers to afford basic necessities based on their geographic location. The idea is rooted in the belief that anyone who works full-time deserves a wage high enough to live above the poverty line, where they can earn enough to live with dignity. As the cost of living continues to rise while wages continue to stagnate, the gap between what workers make compared to what they need widens, making

Climate policy refers to government actions taken to combat climate change. One specific action has been the implementation of a carbon...

The talk about whether a reform on the American education system has been debated about for the past years. The question goes beyond just...

For centuries, Western nations have viewed the East though an ideology called Orientalism, a lens that portrays the East as mysterious and ultimately different. This lens continues to influence modern foreign policy, impacting how the United States engage with countries in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.   Orientalism: A Brief Overview   Orientalism, a theory of power conceptualized by Edward Said, examines how the West has historically constructed and maintained pow