The media sources from which an American receives information is considered one of the most important factors for predicting that person’s political views. Research has not firmly established whether the media influences views or whether people simply selectively pick media sources that align with their existing ideas. So, what are the differences in the media diet of Republicans and Democrats? Does one party trust the media more than the other? What do we make of the changing media landscape that includes a growing number of digital media sites?

America’s military is important as a symbol of our nation, to deter conflicts, and for the United States to prevail when conflicts arise. Defense spending is one of the largest programs in the federal budget and is an enormous sum compared to funding for other domestic programs such as education or welfare. What do Americans get from defense spending? How does America’s defense budget compare to spending by other nations?

As the COVID pandemic began to recede in 2021, Americans noticed rising prices throughout the economy, from groceries to gasoline, utility bills, and house prices. Rising prices reduce consumer and business confidence and make it harder for people to make ends meet. What is inflation, what causes it, and what can the United States government do about it?