The Daily Dose from Countable: Recent Episodes
Countable
A quick daily update on what your government is doing and what you can do about it. Brought to you by Countable, the premier civic-tech tool for engaged Americans.
President Trump is forming a new, high-level committee to challenge the results of government scientists, who report that human activity is causing potentially catastrophic climate change. This, and other major issues of our day, beg the question -- is it ok to rely on science sometimes, for example when you take an Advil for a headache, but ignore it at other times?
Only seven states and Washington D.C have laws requiring that children receive basic immunizations. In recent years the "anti-vaxx" movement has lead to falling vaccination rates in some communities, and now, new measles outbreaks. It begs the question: Should there be a national vaccination law?
How young is too young to vote? Several states are considering laws that would lower the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. What do you think? Does that sound crazy or credible?
Should a VA doctor be allowed to recommend that their patient use medical marijuana? Current federal law classifies marijuana as being similar to heroin: "a high potential for abuse" with "no currently acceptable medical use." Do you agree with that?
"Can he do that? Does he have that power?" These are the big questions posed by President Trump's declaration of a national emergency on the southern US border. What happens next is all about you.
Should the US establish a "Space Force"? Countable brings you President Trump's proposal to Congress for a new branch of the US military, and asks: 'is this the right thing to do?'
"The Green New Deal," proposed this week by Congressional Democrats including millennial superstar Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), is an ambitious plan meant to lay the groundwork for a host of legislative initiatives to come. It is definitely a must-watch piece of legislation -- for reasons you may not have considered.
With women taking powerful positions in the modern military environment, one question is unavoidable: should female citizens register for the draft? The myriad answers to this question reveal something that's often hidden these days: thoughtful, engaged people may disagree.
In the absence of a real compromise about border security between Democrats and Republicans, President Trump has sent thousands more military troops to the southern US border. What do you think?
What is it that makes modern Americans fight tooth-and-claw over abortion? What does it say about us? Do tell...
A bill before Congress would make animal cruelty a federal crime. It was introduced by a bipartisan pair of lawmakers from Florida, and would fix a legal loophole in animal welfare rules. Is it high time for this? Or a case of misplaced priorities?
Baby, it's cold outside! That means global warming is a farce, right? Um, sorry... no. We discuss President Trump's implicit doubt of climate change science, and why it's not reasonable.
The reopening of the government after the longest shutdown in history brings with it a surge of cash flowing back into the American economy. But, economists say, it won't make up for the billions of dollars lost in the fight.
The shutdown is over! It's a great day for America! Or... is it? The Daily Dose looks at the reality of this moment.
The shutdown showdown moves to the Senate floor today, as dueling plans vie for enough support to re-start the government. But the devil is definitely in the details of these bills.
No matter what you think about the current political climate, one thing most American agree on is that there should definitely be a wall -- just not THAT wall...
Could it be? Is Congress actually on the verge of ending the standoff that's lead to the longest government shutdown in US history? And if so, who won? The answer is not what you think.
We're so far into this shutdown, it's no longer the exclusive topic of politicians and news outlets. Comedians, pop stars... and YOU are speaking out. Could that actually help knit us together as a society?
President Trump's cabinet includes a bunch of officials who haven't been confirmed by the Senate -- and he's in no hurry to change that. Does that mean he's violating the constitution?
Should President Trump be able to give his State of the Union Address as planned? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says no, not unless the partial government shutdown is resolved this week. Why? Because the speech is a huge security event -- and the agencies responsible for keeping it safe aren't fully funded.
It's a doozy of a day in your government -- your government, which has been partially shut down for 25 days. We discuss the big questions and what you can do about them.
It's a normal business day in Congress -- even though hundreds of thousands of federal workers are go without pay. That leads to this hot question: should lawmakers get their pay during the shutdown?
What would you do if your boss said, "keep working!...but we may not be able to pay you." This is the challenge for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, caught in the political crossfire of the government shutdown.
Thousands of federal workers are about to NOT get a paycheck because the government is 20 days into a partial shutdown. Does this effect you? Definitely.
A lesson on logic from Bert & Ernie. As Democrats & Republicans continue their shutdown scuffle, we look at the logic of President Trump's border wall arguments. It turns out, a series of statements can all be true, but still have a false conclusion.
As trash and human waste pile up in National Parks citizens are asking, "what's worse? The inconvenience of closing them during a shutdown? Or the consequences of leaving them open and unattended?"
Political campaigns are like Victoria's Secret models: a swaggering fantasy of what perfection could be. Governing, on the other hand, is not sexy lingerie -- it's your Mom's underwear.
Most of Congress wants to end the government shutdown. On its very first day in power, the new Democratic House Majority passed a bill to do just that. So why won't the Senate even bring it up? The answer: party politics.
It's Opening Day of the freshly elected 116th Congress. The House of Representatives is poised to elect Democrat Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker, who's ready to charge like a bull at President Donald Trump. Welcome to divided government, America.