Articles by Jacqueline Mary

Marijuana legalization is an issue gaining traction and popularity in the United States, a fact highlighted by the increase in ballot measures nationwide to legalize the drug for either recreational or medicinal use. In 2016 alone, 5 states could legalize marijuana completely for adults 21 or older while 3 or 4 more states will consider legalizing medical marijuana. Full Legalization Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and California all have ballot initiatives taxing and regulating mariju...

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) may be breaking federal tax laws by claiming 501(c)(3) tax status while favoring candidates preferred by the two major political parties. It is possible for a nonprofit to have a political agenda legally, but the privileged 501(c)(3) tax status is reserved for charitable and education nonprofits. It is a special tax status that implies that the CPD should educate in a nonpartisan manner. Interestingly, many commentators and voters conflate “nonpartis...

Many of America's disabled people are often forced into a cyclical and financial trap. Supplemental Security Income (SSI ) recipients are forced to save under a low income limit that is up to (but usually less than) $2,000 in order to maintain access to disability benefits and other entitlements. These entitlements include programs such as Medicaid health insurance to treat their disabilities If a benefit recipient fails to obey income limits, the Social Security Administration can label that p...

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, also known as the TPP, was just released to the public after negotiations in November 2015. The White House backs the deal claiming that it will serve human rights, environmental, labor, and American economic interests well. Opponents, however, accuse the proposal of expanding corporate powers at the expense of those interests. The TPP evokes high suspicions due to the secrecy and exclusiveness of its negotiations. U.S. elected officials did little of the negotiat...