The Public Good

Q.  My friend says he’s going to wait to vote until late in the day on November 2nd. By then the media will have started reporting exit poll results and he can decide whether or not to cast his vote for a third party candidate. Is this a good idea? Answer: Putting aside the possibility that … Read More

Q. Whatever happened to welfare reform? In 1996, after an extensive and heated debate, Congress voted to dramatically change our welfare system. Since then the number of people on welfare has plunged. Does that mean the reforms are working? Answer: Let me start by saying I appreciate the way you phrase the question: does the dramatic … Read More

Q. We hear a lot about Medicare but relatively little about Medicaid, the federal health insurance program for low-income families. Yet Medicaid actually covers more people than Medicare. My state is currently cutting people from Medicaid, even while poverty levels increase. Is that legal? Also, I understand that President Bush advocates converting Medicaid into a block … Read More

Q. In the first presidential debate, President Bush declared that we are about to deploy an anti-ballistic missile system. I thought that idea had proved unworkable and had long since been abandoned. What gives? Answer: The idea of intercepting ballistic missiles has been around as long as long-range missiles have been around. Over the decades, enthusiasm … Read More

Q. The Nation recently declared the Justice Department is batting “0 for 5000” in convicting those arrested for terrorist activities. But the U.S. Department of Justice’s web site states that 364 individuals have been criminally charged in terrorism investigations in the U.S., and 193 have been convicted or pleaded guilty, a success rate of over 50 … Read More

Q. Who is to blame for the flu vaccine crisis? Or should we view it as one of those unanticipated and unforeseen events that disrupt our day-to-day lives? Answer: The current flu vaccine shortage did catch everyone by surprise, but the underlying problems that led to this crisis have been recognized for many years. In late … Read More

Q. George W. Bush’s web site insists that the economy is “strong and getting stronger,” that during his term unemployment has fallen, labor productivity has risen faster than it has in 50 years and, since August 2003, the economy has created 1.5 million jobs. John Kerry’s web site, on the other hand, asserts that 1.8 million … Read More

Q. I’m worried. I’m seeing more and more stories about ballot box snafus and voter registration lawsuits. Is this election going to be fair? Could it wind up again being decided in the U.S. Supreme Court? Answer: You’re right to be worried. Many are. Several dozen lawsuits have already been filed and decided in the last … Read More