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Loving the Little Ones – Entering the Foster Care Problem

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”  — Nelson Mandela Child protection agencies confirm about 2.5 million cases of child abuse or neglect each year. Social workers intervene to help parents develop better habits and parenting skills in the hope of creating a safe, nurturing environment for their children. Although most child service workers and researchers agree that remaining with their biological parents during this time is usually best for a child’s development, some environments are too damaging, and the children need to be removed. Less than a third of children removed from their biological parents are able to stay with a family member, leaving the rest to institutional care or non-relatives — foster families. With roughly 270,000 to 300,000 children entering the foster care system every year, it is difficult to overstate children’s need for hospitable homes. Some analysts anticipate this need will grow fur
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With New Tax Deduction Law, High-Tax States Even Costlier

A recent study published by the Cato Institute suggests the new GOP tax reform will add pressure to state governments with high taxes. Among the numerous reforms in the recent Republican-backed tax law is a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. Before the tax reforms, there was no limit to the amount of state and local taxes people could deduct from their federal taxes. The study suggests that since the SALT deduction cap went into effect, states with higher tax rates have experienced higher out-migration rates. Understanding why this out-migration exists and what it means for state and local tax policy first requires an understanding of some public finance theory. Unlike goods and services produced by private business, though, determining the “price” for government services is not straightforward. A restaurant can look at a balance sheet and find when a price is too high for its burgers or when it can charge more for fries. A state cannot so easily isolate when

Syrian Missile Strikes are About Brand, Not Strategy

The United States, along with France and the United Kingdom, launched missile strikes against Syria on April 7. In a prepared statement, President Trump declared these strikes were a “deterrent” in response to a poison gas attack in Douma, a city a few miles northeast of Damascus, that killed hundreds of civilians. President Trump also stated these attacks were vital to U.S. security. But without a long-term plan, the strikes raise more questions about the United States’ foreign policy strategy than answers. Earlier in April, Trump ordered the removal of troops from Syria, but there is no indication of how the U.S. expects to administer this policy after the strike. Given how little foreign intervention has impacted Syria’s civil war, it is unlikely that these strikes will alter the course of the conflict that has claimed and displaced hundreds of thousands of lives since 2011. It’s much more likely that these high-profile strikes are more effective in shaping the Trump admin

The Conservative GOP isn't Dead Yet

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) made waves April 11 when he announced he will not run for reelection in 2018. A reluctant participant in recent Trump-dominated party politics, Ryan was known to embrace a Jack Kemp-esque “big tent” conservatism, characterized by tolerance, opportunity, and inclusiveness. His departure has left many political commentators concerned that the Republican party is further doomed to disarray. While this high-profile retirement does illuminate how Trump’s presidency is dividing the Republican party, it does not spell the end of the GOP as we know it. In fact, it is a sign that some political leaders are committed to preserving conservatism in the political arena. Although GOP Congressmen seem to believe loyalty to the current president is necessary for maintaining their own electoral support, some, like Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) have decided retirement is a better outcome than embracing such a platform. Recent moves from the GOP e