Daily Resource Highlight - 2/08/2021

Posted by on February 08, 2021 at 1:05 PM

Below are the highlights and featured resources of this past week’s Daily* Resource.

 

2/01/2021 -  Why It Is So D*mn Hard to Work Across the Aisle???

There are a lot of Americans who, like you, are very interested in bridging divides and understanding different perspectives. It’s why this Google Doc from 2018 about “Engaging Conservatives in the Bridge Building Movement” continues to see engagement today. It’s why BridgeUSA includes “party” in its definition of diversity. And it’s why “Bridging Ideological Divides” is by far the biggest category of organizations in the Bridge Alliance.

When these Americans get elected to Congress, though, they run into a system that actively thwarts attempts to work across the aisle. How? Why? What the heck is going on that we’ve managed to create such a screwy system? The Village Square will help shine some light on the situation this Thursday at 7 PM ET when they host former Representatives Patrick Murphy (D) and David Jolly (R) as part of their Digital “Dinner” Series. 

Murphy and Jolly will discuss their time in Congress and why bipartisan solutions are so rare. The two Congressmen will cover demographic changes, gerrymandering, the role of money in politics, primaries, and more! So be sure to register today.

 

2/03/2021 - Good Faith Disagreement on COVID Relief

At the end of last year, we mentioned how we want you to decide what good governance looks like. We mentioned that  FairVote and the Center for Election Science are advocating for two different, mutually exclusive voting systems, both of which have their merits, and it’s our role (and privilege) to educate you about the two systems and then let you decide.

When it comes to COVID-19 relief legislation, the circumstances are similar. There’s general agreement that some form of stimulus is needed, but the size and scope of an ideal package is up for debate. On the one hand, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget is arguing for fiscal prudence when crafting the final bill. As Maya MacGuineas puts it, “[I]t shouldn’t take $1.9 trillion to fill a $400 billion or $800 billion hole.”

On the other hand, Young Invincibles is pushing for “bold relief.” They want Congress to include ten priority provisions in the final legislation to ensure “an equitable, sustainable recovery that includes young people.” Among the provisions are a $15 minimum wage, expanded healthcare coverage, and recurring cash payments.

We believe that both approaches deserve attention in the marketplace of ideas, and we encourage you to learn more about CRFB, Young Invincibles, and their respective proposals as you decide for yourself what is best for the nation.

 

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