Here is the Heritage Take on the top issues today.Please reply to this email to arrange an interview.
Railroad Strike Threat Shows How Unions’ Rigid Rules Often Hurt Workers <[link removed]> - The deal negotiated by the Presidential Emergency Board in September was a fair deal and
it is appropriate for Congress to use its powers to enforce this deal and spare Americans the significant consequences of a railway shutdown. The possible strike highlights how unions’ rigid rules have prevented many unionized employers from responding to changing circumstances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. That rigidity and labor shortages likely contributed to railroad workers’ complaints about being overworked and under-compensated throughout the pandemic. When employers’ hands are mostly tied on workforce issues and they only have opportunities once every five years to address new circumstances and needs, it’s hard for companies to meet their workers’ and their customers’ demands—especially with a shock like COVID-19. The major holdout is over issues of scheduling and sick leave. Like most other workers, railroad workers should be able to take paid time off when they are sick and should have some flexibility in their schedules. But unions’ chokeholds on all things workforce-related make it extremely difficult and costly for railroads in particular to provide sick leave. Heritage Experts: Rachel Greszler <[link removed]> and Diana Furchtgott-Roth <[link removed]>
Democrats More Likely to Trust Delayed Elections Results, but Americans Don’t, Poll Finds <[link removed]> - When asked, “How much do you trust that America’s elections <[link removed]> are fair and accurate?” only 43.2% of respondents said they “strongly trust” the election system. A majority, 56.8%, expressed concerns about the system, with 17% saying they “somewhat trust” it, 17.9% saying they “somewhat distrust” it, and 21.9% saying they “strongly distrust it.” Heritage Expert Tyler O’Neil <[link removed]>
The U.S. Must Strengthen Its Nucler Forces to Deter Growing Nuclear Threats <[link removed]> - The United States must strengthen its nuclear forces in response to the significant growth in nuclear threats in recent years, especially from
China. An effective nuclear force requires a long-term commitment, which in turn requires sufficient budget requests from the current and future Administrations and consistent funding from Congress. This undertaking should also address all areas of the aging nuclear enterprise, to include aging National Nuclear Security Administration infrastructure and nuclear component production capabilities. Nuclear weapons pose the only existential threat to the United States, and the United States must be prepared to meet the challenge. Heritage Expert: Patty-Jane Geller <[link removed]>
New Polling Shows Americans Reject ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ Assault on Religious Liberty <[link removed]> - Respondents were asked whether they supported or opposed the Respect for Marriage Act and a 47% plurality of voters in these states opposed
the bill, compared with just 41% who supported it. Right-leaning voters, in particular, are especially opposed to this unnecessary legislation, with 70% of Republicans and 73% of self-identified conservatives expressing opposition. Heritage Experts: Jay Richards <[link removed]>, Roger Severino <[link removed]>, and Emma Waters <[link removed]>
The U.S. Must Strengthen Its Nuclear Forces to Deter Growing Nuclear Threats <[link removed]> - The United States must strengthen its nuclear forces in response to the significant growth in nuclear threats in recent years, especially from China. An effective nuclear force requires a long-term commitment, which in turn requires sufficient budget requests from the current and future Administrations and consistent funding from Congress. This undertaking should also address all areas of the aging nuclear enterprise, to include aging National Nuclear Security Administration infrastructure and nuclear component production capabilities. Nuclear weapons pose the only existential threat to the United States, and the United States must be prepared to meet the challenge. Heritage Expert: Patty-Jane Geller <[link removed]>
Privileged billionaire Michael Bloomberg needs to apologize to the Chinese people <[link removed]> – Today, Chinese students in the U.S. and elsewhere are bravely defying threats to their personal safety by speaking up and protesting on college campuses to denounce Mr. Xi’s power grab. They deserve the international community’s support, not apologetic excuses for Communist Party rule from a privileged American billionaire who doesn’t know what it’s like to live under Mr. Xi’s oppressive government. Heritage Experts: Jeff Smith <[link removed]> and Michael Cunningham <[link removed]>
Why This Graphic Designer Can’t Be Forced to Endorse Same-Sex Marriage <[link removed]> - Colorado says that Smith would violate its non-discrimination law if she refused to create a website promoting a same-sex marriage. Smith is willing to make websites for a wide variety of clients and purposes, but she draws the line when projects would require her to express a viewpoint that she doesn’t hold. Compelled speech cases should be easy. No one thinks we can force people to believe certain things or promote certain messages. The difficulty comes when free speech rights intersect with public-accommodation laws such as Colorado’s—laws meant to prevent discrimination. Heritage Expert: Jay Richards <[link removed]>
3 Ways Chinese Nuclear Buildup Threatens U.S. National Security Interests <[link removed]> - That warning came on the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call for “a strong system of strategic deterrence <[link removed]>,” a likely reference to Beijing’s nuclear arsenal, at the recent 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress. Richard’s and Xi’s comments confirm what we have been learning about China’s buildup of its nuclear forces <[link removed]> that have the potential to match—or even overtake—those of the United States. Heritage Expert: Patty-Jane Geller <[link removed]>
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