Scrapping The SAT

Penna Dexter Some colleges and universities have decided to stop using the SAT and ACT exams to make admissions decisions. The largest system to make such an announcement is the University of California. Its size and prestige will certainly influence others. The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Riley says, “That’s unfortunate because low-income minorities have more to lose than gain from…

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Hillsdale Graduation

Penna Dexter A dear friend texted me a photo of her daughter and two classmates on their graduation day from medical school. Decked out in traditional graduation garb — gathered in one of their apartments — these three young doctors were about to go online for their virtual graduation. Many colleges and universities have outright canceled graduation due to Covid-19….

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Disincentivizing Work

Penna Dexter Finally, states are allowing — and encouraging — businesses to reopen. But when they attempt to re-hire laid-off workers, many employers are getting a surprising response: “No thank you” We actually should not be shocked by this because the U.S. government has made unemployment pay better than work. The government created this disincentive to work in March by…

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Hybrid Homeschooling

Penna Dexter ‘We’re all homeschoolers now’ became a familiar parental refrain as Americans began a weeks-long ‘shelter-at-home’ period. Some can’t wait to be done with this particular duty. For others, the experience wasn’t as hard as they thought, perhaps more satisfying than expected. Some families may learn from this that they love homeschooling and want to keep it up. Others…

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Little Sisters — Again

Penna Dexter The Little Sisters of the Poor is a religious order that runs nursing homes for the poor. They’re back at the U.S. Supreme Court to, hopefully, conclude their nearly-8-year battle against the ObamaCare contraceptive mandate obligating these nuns to provide their employees with birth control. Under the Affordable Care Act, workplace health plans are supposed to cover “preventative…

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Capitalism V. Coronavirus

Penna Dexter The Left predictably exploits the coronavirus pandemic to bash capitalism. The Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel counters, “To the extent America is weathering this moment, it is in enormous part thanks to the strength, ingenuity, and flexibility of our thriving, competitive capitalist players.” The U.S. response has not been without its problems, but capitalism is providing many more…

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No Spectators

Penna Dexter There’s a wide disparity across America regarding how we’re experiencing the coronavirus pandemic. More and more of us know people who have or have had COVID-19, but polling shows the majority still doesn’t. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 59 percent of Americans don’t know a soul who has contracted the virus. Yet every one…

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Opening Up

Penna Dexter The air is leaking out of the bubble of frustration we’ve all been living in. There’s a national sense of relief as states and localities announce they’re relaxing lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing standards. We’re anxious to jump back into normal life, but also cautious – a bit hesitant. Now that Americans are getting a few more opportunities…

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Shutdown Silver Linings

Penna Dexter In one of those ZOOM get-togethers that have become a social lifeline lately, participants were asked to reveal their worst and best experiences during life in the coronavirus lockdown. My worst is an underlying angst and sleeplessness I can’t shake as I watch businesses and workers idled and try to swallow the passage of trillions of dollars in…

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Coronavirus and Globalization

Penna Dexter What has COVID-19 done to the Europe that coalesced into a formal union in 1993 meant to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital? What’s become of its borderless economy? As the coronavirus was spreading across Europe, the German government announced a ban on the export of surgical face masks. Shipments on the way to…

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Giving During Pandemics

Penna Dexter Have you found yourself tipping generously these days? Americans are of a mind to be generous with those working hard to deliver food and supplies and the things we need during social distancing. But fears and uncertainties also arise. Even for people who are fully able to pay their bills, the specter of some disturbing economic scenarios gives…

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