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Just the Facts: Canadian Tariffs

Just the Facts: Canadian Tariffs

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Congress Bill Spotlight: Panama Canal Repurchase Act

Project 2025: Elon Musk’s attack on the Department of Labor

Project 2025: Elon Musk’s attack on the Department of Labor

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Project 2025: Changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs

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Redistricting

Redistricting

The women who lead democracy reform

Sara Bonk, Jackie Salit, Justine Williams
Shakira Mills
By Shakira MillsMar 14, 2022
Shakira Mills
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While women remain significantly underrepresented in government, there is at least one adjacent field in which they have achieved gender parity in leadership: the universe of democracy reform and bridge-building organizations.

In its 2021 Diversity Report, the Bridge Alliance found that half of the executives leading its 100 member organizations are women. (Disclosure: The Fulcrum is a program within the Bridge Alliance, which brings together organizations working toward a healthy democracy.)

To mark Women’s History Month, The Fulcrum is spotlighting just some of the women leading these organizations.

Mary-Lee Smith

Mary-Lee Smith, Renew America Together
  

Executive Director, Renew America Together

"The work of Renew America Together is important to me, because I believe that civility is the key to democracy. Over the past year, I have become inspired by the women of our Civility Leadership Institute's inaugural cohort and their commitment to developing skills to better communicate with those they may not see eye-to-eye with. The impact they are making and their commitment to civil dialogue should inspire us all."

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Did We Learn or Not? Why There Can Be No Going Back on COVID Lessons
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Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

Did We Learn or Not? Why There Can Be No Going Back on COVID Lessons

Five years ago this month, COVID-19 changed the world. The first pandemic in a century altered how Americans saw themselves, each other, work, healthcare, relationships, government, mortality, and media. It tangled everyone across the globe in webs of fear, conflict, grief, disbelief, estrangement, and gratitude.

It prompted a parallel pandemic of disinformation that has only deepened in the years since and crescendoed in the last few months. It is foolish to ignore the impact of these past five years on every person in this country and the world, particularly with current policies and practices that ignore this distinct past.

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Indian talents in the US: the brain drain dilemma
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Photo by Ousa Chea on Unsplash

Indian talents in the US: the brain drain dilemma

NEEDS EDITING

As India marches towards its ambitious goal of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, as proclaimed by Narendra Modi, a critical challenge threatens this vision: the ongoing exodus of its brightest minds. India aspires to become a global power, but its current development seems to rely more on its population size than on its achievements in science, technology, art, innovation, and the like. This strategic vacuum is particularly glaring in the discussion around the H-1B visa. The Indian government has always attached great importance to the US H-1B visa, regarding it as part of its national interest. However, what is more worth thinking about is: why does India actively support the outflow of outstanding talents from the country?

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Holding Trump Accountable: He’s NOT the Emperor
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Photo by Megan Watson on Unsplash

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Publishers' Notes:: Our challenge as a publication, dedicated to keeping our readers informed so we can repair our democracy and make it live and work in our everyday lives, is not to be overly reactive or partisan. At the same time, we must not ignore the dangers of the administration's degrading, hostile, and accusatory language and actions when they occur. We invite you to read this column outlining our editorial position covering the Trump administration by clickingHERE.

Not every column represents the editorial focus of the Fulcrum. However, consistent with our mission, the column below represents a commitment to sharing many perspectives to widen our readers' viewpoints.

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The Trump Administration’s Current Approach Discards the Rule of Law

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Getty Images, May Lim / 500px

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President Donald Trump signed over 70 Executive Orders during the first thirty days of his second term, the most in a President’s first 100 days in 40 years. Many of the Executive Orders were sweeping in their scope and intentionally designed to fundamentally reshape the federal government and shatter the existing world order. Critics immediately claimed that many of the Executive Orders exceeded the President’s constitutional authority or contravened existing federal law.

At the same time, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—without Congressional authorization—has swept into multiple agencies, frozen Congressionally authorized appropriations, and terminated thousands of federal employees, many of whom are protected by civil service laws and collective bargaining agreements.

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