Culture / Economy / Fiscal policy / Politics / Regulation

Unlocking Transparency: The FTC’s Battle Against Hidden Fees

Executive Summary Deceptive pricing in various industries most evidently in the hotel and ticketing industry, prompted the FTC’ to propose rules to combat hidden fees and protect consumer interests. The proposed Trade Regulation Rule aims to penalize violators, compensate consumers, and enforce transparent pricing. The broad scope of the proposed rule presents intricate challenges across … Continue reading →

Politics

Artificial Intelligence in Drug Development; Benefits, Risks and Necessary Actions

Executive Summary  AlphaFold, developed by Alphabet’s DeepMind, and its discovery of hundreds of thousands of new psychedelic molecules that could lead to new antidepressants, highlights a growing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma).  The White House’s Executive Order on AI produced October 30, 2023, has charged regulatory agencies from the … Continue reading →

Healthcare / Politics

We Were Born to Die: STI Rates’ Exponential Increase in the U.S. 

Executive Summary  Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are dramatically increasing at a seemingly uncontrollable rate nationwide.   Nearly eradicated diseases such as syphilis have made a staggering resurgence, particularly in southern states.   Young adults account for nearly half of all newly reported STI cases.   Introduction  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) … Continue reading →

Politics

Romeo O Romeo Where Art Thou Romeo: Incel Culture and Rising Infertility 

Executive Summary  The birth rate in the United States has been steadily decreasing due to several societal contributors.   Young and middle-aged men have been struggling romantically, academically, and professionally which has exacerbated the issue.   Men’s perceived disenfranchisement has fueled hateful movements specifically towards women and encouraged widespread violence.   Introduction  The twenty-first century has seen a … Continue reading →

Politics

Barbie, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift: How Three Women Saved the United States Economy 

Executive Summary  Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s world tours have both contributed significantly to the economy and given tourism among other industries and pre-covid level boost.   The Barbie movie has not only grossed a record-breaking amount worldwide but reinvigorated both the movie theater and film industries as a whole.   This economic high is not predicted to … Continue reading →

Politics

“Regulation by Enforcement”: What Does the SEC’s Crackdown on Cryptocurrency Exchanges Mean for the Industry?

Executive Summary  In early June, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and America’s largest crypto exchange Coinbase, arguing that several of the digital assets offered on the platforms qualify as securities and that the exchanges must therefore register with the SEC.  The SEC has pursued a “regulation by … Continue reading →

Politics

Bidenomics: The Costs of Public Sector Investment

Executive Summary: On June 28, President Biden touted in a Chicago speech his administration’s economic approach dubbed “Bidenomics,” a strategy centered around the pillars of smart public sector investments, empowering workers, and promoting competition. In past administration policies, the White House and its approach to Bidenomics have typically understated the costs of public sector investment, … Continue reading →

Politics

The Lightning-Fast Adoption of the North American Charging Standard 

Executive Summary:  In June, three automakers Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Rivian, have all switched to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) with the North American Charging Standard (NACS), Tesla’s proprietary charging port integrated into their 21,000 Superchargers nationwide.   To access the Biden Administration’s $7.5 billion allocated for EV charging, the Combined Charging System (CCS), a … Continue reading →

Politics

WIC’s Unsavory Response to Economic Instability During COVID-19

Executive Summary A surge in unemployment during COVID-19 caused more families to become eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC). Yet, national program participation barely budged. Many “online” states that digitized enrollment and benefit reloading processes for WIC saw increases in WIC participation, ranging from 2% to 20%. However, … Continue reading →

Politics

The Green New Deal, Reintroduced

Executive Summary Canadian wildfires spread smoke from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic United States last week, prompting some policymakers to renew calls for massive climate change initiatives such as the Green New Deal.   The Green New Deal, the Inflation Reduction Act, and other similar initiatives impose massive costs and institute inefficient programs for mitigating climate … Continue reading →