Young Voter Turnout in the Midterm Elections

The 2022 Midterm Elections proved a vital testing ground for the coming 2024 Presidential Election while being impactful in its own right. Issues like inflation, abortion, voting rights, and concerns for American democracy brought high turnout in the midterm election. With President Biden facing a low-approval rating and ongoing inflation concerns, many predicted voters would shift heavily in favor of the Republican party. That prediction failed to materialize due to young voters

Mindfulness as a Means to a Better Politics

Most people can recall a discussion or social situation in which their political views conflicted with those of other participants. A recent poll conducted of Ohioans by the Institute for Civics and Public Policy found that two-thirds of respondents reported they had strained personal relationships because of the political environment and nearly 8 in 10 agreed that the current political environment was as toxic as it had ever been in their lifetimes. Participating in society means coexisting with others and self-governance requires that individuals are able to come together to solve collective problems. With people feeling polarized within the current political climate, mindfulness can help remedy our civic engagement

The State of the Union Address

Communication is one of the most important instruments in politics. Frequent and effective communication is a necessary benchmark for a well-functioning government. The State of the Union Address is among the most important dialogues between the executive and legislative branches. It has evolved into an opportunity for a president to tout their accomplishments and set an agenda for the upcoming year. The ability to broadcast the State of the Union Address via television, radio, and other communication forums allows it to function as more than just the president’s address to Congress, giving the president a medium to communicate with the public

Student Loan Forgiveness

Higher education is a gateway to better employment opportunities, and attending colleges, universities, or trade schools is essential for individuals hoping to pursue a career in specific fields. The cost to attend four-year universities has skyrocketed over the last several decades. Studies indicate that the average cost of tuition, room and board, and fees for an undergraduate degree has nearly tripled from 1980 to 2020. The Federal Reserve estimates that borrowers in the U.S. have accumulated an estimated $1.75 trillion worth of student loan debt. The Biden Administration has sought to address this by canceling billions of dollars in student loan debt

Reflections on the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King and his visit to Ohio Northern University

Dr. Martin Luther King is a household name across the globe. This is due to his courageous efforts and contributions to the civil rights movement. King was not always well-known, however. His background and the community surrounding him can be credited for some of his ability to make the impact that he did. Dr. King’s legacy can be traced to many moments in history, including the passage of several landmark legislative acts. Ohio Northern University had the honor of hosting Dr. King in January, 1968, just four months before he was assassinated. His speech was attended by thousands of students and faculty and is one of the most historic events ever held on our campus

Understanding the evolution of service dogs and how people are doing their part today

While dogs have been referred to as “man’s best friend” for millennia, they have become a lifeline for humans throughout the world. Our four-legged friends have the ability to provide humans with much more than companionship. As the skills and trainability of dogs evolve over time, the use of service dogs is becoming more common. This concept allows for many individuals with disabilities to maintain a level of independence

The Media

The media has a large influence on day-to-day life. The citizenry has become dependent upon media sources to inform them of current events and provide information about issues of importance to their daily lives. Media have evolved quite a bit over time and have become incredibly influential in our political system. For instance, American presidents now have the ability to communicate freely with the public and have direct ties to news media. We can continue to expect to see the growth of the media in both the political world and our daily lives

Lobbying

Lobbying is a profession that many do not fully understand or appreciate. Lobbyists play a very essential part in our democratic process and they can be extremely impactful. Not only is it important to understand what lobbyists do, but also to understand the many misconceptions about them. They often get a bad reputation because of people\u27s assumptions of how lobbying works, but it is actually a very ethical and lawful practice. Lobbying is also something that anyone can get involved in on an individual level by advocating and contacting your representatives

Women in Politics

Just over a century ago, women were given the legal right to participate in politics by earning the right to vote. Up until that point, women found creative ways to participate in public affairs. A century later, however, women are still underrepresented among public officials. This can be traced back to two main reasons–aversion to electoral politics by women and voter bias. Nonetheless, many notable Ohio women have contributed to robust representation in public office