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Matt is a native Rhode Islander and a recent graduate of Brown with a bachelor's degree in history. After spending the last three years living in Boston and working at Harvard Law School, he returned to Brown to pursue a master's degree in public policy. When not inundated with schoolwork, Matt likes to relax with a Red Sox game, some Miles Davis, or a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

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Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act (from Wikimedia Commons) I’ve come to view Paul Krugman as belligerent and repetitive, but he’s still a smart writer who can turn a phrase. Last year Krugman noted that the federal government is essentially...

Take From the Young, Give to the Old

Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act (from Wikimedia Commons) I’ve come to view Paul Krugman as belligerent and repetitive, but he’s still a smart writer who can turn a phrase. Last year Krugman noted that the federal government is essentially...

Bill O’Reilly (by Justin Hoch) On election night, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly said, regarding the demographic shifts that helped President Obama win reelection, “It’s not a traditional America anymore.” O’Reilly went on to say that many...

America: A Tradition Like No Other

Bill O’Reilly (by Justin Hoch) On election night, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly said, regarding the demographic shifts that helped President Obama win reelection, “It’s not a traditional America anymore.” O’Reilly went on to say that many...

I’m a political junkie, and even I’m sick of this campaign. If 2008 felt like we were watching history textbooks being written, 2012 has felt like an underground boxing match that’s gone the distance. Now we’re just waiting for the final bell...

A Liberal’s Argument for Romney

I’m a political junkie, and even I’m sick of this campaign. If 2008 felt like we were watching history textbooks being written, 2012 has felt like an underground boxing match that’s gone the distance. Now we’re just waiting for the final bell...

As Election Day approaches, it’s easy to despair that we live in an era of unprecedented political polarization. But take heart: this is nothing new. As recounted in Ron Chernow’s biography of the first president, Benjamin Franklin Bache, publish...

We the Polarized People…

As Election Day approaches, it’s easy to despair that we live in an era of unprecedented political polarization. But take heart: this is nothing new. As recounted in Ron Chernow’s biography of the first president, Benjamin Franklin Bache, publish...

Mitt Romney emerged from last week’s debate the undisputed champion and the owner of a substantial bounce in the polls, but he was almost upstaged by an eight-foot tall bird. Romney pledged – while professing his love for Big Bird and debate mode...

Free (Big) Bird

Mitt Romney emerged from last week’s debate the undisputed champion and the owner of a substantial bounce in the polls, but he was almost upstaged by an eight-foot tall bird. Romney pledged – while professing his love for Big Bird and debate mode...

Last week, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) published a report that recommended changes to Rhode Island government intended to foster business growth. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee commissioned the report in response to ...

It’s Rhode Island’s Economy, Stupid

Last week, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) published a report that recommended changes to Rhode Island government intended to foster business growth. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee commissioned the report in response to ...

The topics for the first presidential debate have been announced and education is not on the agenda. The economy dominates half of the planned topics, which is unsurprising. But the recently ended teachers strike in Chicago has put education back on ...

No Teacher Left Behind

The topics for the first presidential debate have been announced and education is not on the agenda. The economy dominates half of the planned topics, which is unsurprising. But the recently ended teachers strike in Chicago has put education back on ...

The first thing you notice is the smell. As one of the few places that allows indoor smoking, Twin River Casino is infused with the odor of cigarettes. The casino, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, was formerly a greyhound racetrack known as Lincoln ...

Gambling on Rhode Island’s Future

The first thing you notice is the smell. As one of the few places that allows indoor smoking, Twin River Casino is infused with the odor of cigarettes. The casino, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, was formerly a greyhound racetrack known as Lincoln ...