Here is the Heritage Take on the top issues today.Please reply to this email to arrange an interview.




 
Social Security’s Unfunded Obligations Getting Worse <[link removed]> - Social Security’s solutions are
straightforward, and despite the program’s fiscal imbalances, there are ways to make it better for everyone. By tackling Social Security reform now, policymakers could protect a popular program and reduce the chances of a fiscal crisis. It’s time for policymakers to get serious about getting America’s fiscal house in order. Heritage Expert: Rachel Greszler <[link removed]>
How to Improve DOD’s Management of Inflation <[link removed]> - Because defense inflation historically has run higher than the consumer price index for urban workers, new tools and processes to tackle inflation at the Department of Defense would be especially desirable. Both Congress and the DOD have shown a willingness to adapt these processes to account for inflationary effects. At its core, inflation is a problem for the whole economy and cannot be fully mitigated at the DOD. The federal government itself has tools to change the course of inflation. The first step is to stop spending and borrowing money and adding to the budget deficit. After that, the federal government should begin to roll back policies that drive up prices, from increased taxation to burdensome regulations and trade barriers. Heritage Expert: Frederico Bartels <[link removed]>
Does ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ For Trans Kids Actually Prevent Suicide? Here’s What The Data
Say <[link removed]> - Only a handful of studies examine the relationship between cross-sex hormone treatments and suicide risks that compare outcomes for teenagers who received such care to those who sought it but did not receive it. No study uses a causal research design, such as a randomized controlled trial, which is typically required for approving drugs. Instead, many of these studies compare minors who received interventions to those who were unable to get them and find lower rates of contemplating suicide. Heritage Expert: Jay P. Greene <[link removed]>
Biden’s plan to forgive student loans will be unforgiving for U.S. taxpayers | Opinion <[link removed]> - President Biden is set to “forgive” $10,000 worth of student-loan debt per borrower, for a total of $360 billion in loan elimination. This may sound like a neat and easy solution, but instead it will increase inflation, drive college costs even higher and place lower-cost and more effective education alternatives at a disadvantage. College is far more expensive than it should be, and many students graduate with significant loan debt. Worse, employers increasingly report that colleges are not equipping students with the education and skills they need in the workplace. Heritage Experts: Rachel Greszler <[link removed]> and Lindsey Burke <[link removed]>
Happy Birthday, US Army <[link removed]> - On its 247th birthday, the Army is facing significant challenges attracting volunteers to join its
ranks. The tight labor market coupled with rising numbers of Americans who cannot medically qualify for military service is causing recruiting shortfalls. In addition to that, shortfalls in civic education, declining numbers of veterans in society, and a general skepticism of American institutions are also causing a reduction in the number of youths expressing a desire to serve. Heritage Expert: Thomas Spoehr <[link removed]>

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