Best Political Moments of 20141. IMMIGRATION ACTIVISTS successfully persuade President Obama to provide deportation relief to five million undocumented immigrants.
For years, a lack of legislative action on immigration, combined with a record number of deportations of undocumented immigrants, deeply disappointed immigrants' rights organizations. That all changed after advocates successfully compelled President Obama to provide mass deportation relief. Thanks to this action, millions of immigrants can now live without fear of the separation of families or being sent into political and economic turmoil. Obama's actions reaffirmed the American spirit of welcoming, with open arms, people who come to our shores in expectation of a better life.
2. ENROLLMENT in the Affordable Care Act beats expectations.
When the ACA website tumbled in October 2013, few political observers anticipated that the enrollment in the health care law would ultimately match, let alone beat, the initial administration expectations. Nevertheless, a tireless political effort from health care reform advocacy organizations and the White House helped make that possible. Today, as a consequence of this law and its expansion of insurance, millions of Americans are enjoying the kind of economic security for their families that long eluded them. That is no small feat.
3. CLIMATE ACTIVISTS march in New York City.
Environmentalists put climate change at the forefront of the national political agenda this year. Consequently, President Obama's administration took decisive action on emissions regulations through the EPA's authority. No greater display of activism in favor of action was seen than in the streets of New York City earlier this year. The march that took place was reflective of a yearning among young Americans to our political leaders that we will not stand for policies of fossil fuel burning that would only worsen the planet for us.
4. FEMINIST ACTIVISTS ignite national dialogue, discussion, and changes in school and legal policies on sexual assault.
More than ever before, feminists succeeded in spotlighting issues related to violence against women in a serious and significant way. The civil rights division of the Department of Justice is now investigating over 70 colleges and universities for how they handle sexual assault. Further, the "It's on Us" campaign, as well as the focus on cases of domestic violence in the NFL and other private sector organizations, forced many Americans to come to terms with the fact that there is a rape epidemic that has plagued our culture.
5. LABOR UNIONS win key NLRB rulings and state wage battles.
For the first time in a long time, labor activists could confidently claim that they had a fine year in terms of important policy wins. National Labor Relations Board rulings going after McDonald's and Wal-Mart, as well as minimum wage increases in various states across the U.S. and President Obama's executive actions on labor rights for workers under federal contractors, were hard-earned accomplishments for workers. These are gains that will only amplify economic growth as workers take home more money for their families and enjoy the blessings of a more economically stable and secure life.
Honorable Mention: LGBT activists win key policy victories on marriage equality and employment discrimination.
Best Policy Ideas of 2014
1. REFINANCING STUDENT LOANS (Elizabeth Warren)
Student debt is exploding and there is no better spokesperson for students' rights amid this development than Senator Warren. She has stood strong for refinancing of student loans, among other progressive policy ideas that benefit students, and college-aged activists across the U.S. have noticed. Lifting unnecessary economic burdens from students would liberate them in a way that would allow them to have the kind of financial stability that encourages the growth of families and the broader economy.
2. VETERANS' AFFAIRS REFORM (Bernie Sanders)
For far too long, policymakers urged key changes in how the VA does business but these policies never saw the light of day. The VA scandal brought to light the need for some of these significant reforms. Thanks to Senator Sanders' legislation, these reforms are now law. Firing of senior executives who have not performed adequately and more funding for fixing backlogs in care are coming to fruition. This care for those who served us in war is badly needed and long overdue.
3. MAKE UNIONIZATION A CIVIL RIGHT (Keith Ellison)
Labor unions built the middle class and helped grow the economy over the last several decades. The benefits they bring home for millions of workers are ones that have made our country better and our families more prosperous. More broadly though, these benefits are ones that reflect the dignity that represents work and ought to be recognized as basic human rights and reasonable worker protections. Rep. Ellison understands this well and his proposal should be given more attention in the national political debate.
4. MAKE VOTING A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT (Mark Pocan)
Although the 15th Amendment technically makes clear that voting is a constitutional right, it needs to be further codified into law. Making it a clear-cut constitutional right, through the Amendment process, would do that. It would also help squash voter ID laws which are clearly partisan, discriminatory, and not founded in any real, substantive evidence with regards to alleged voter fraud. They seek to fix a problem that does not exist, to paraphrase my former state representative (Phyllis Mundy), and they're aimed at dissuading minority voters. Voting rights advocates would be on stronger legal footing if voting rights were reaffirmed in the Constitution though. Voting is a most sacred American right - it defines us a self-governing republic - so it should be recognized as such.
5. BAN FRACKING (Andrew Cuomo)
Governor Cuomo took a bold, yet overdue, step in banning hydraulic fracturing in New York. His assessment that the environmental costs of fracking outweigh the economic benefits is the kind of evidence-based, nuanced, and pragmatic approach that defines good governing. Ultimately, the people of New York will be better off - in their health, safety and welfare - because of this decision.
Honorable Mention: President Obama's initiation of the restoration of U.S. diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Best Movies I Saw in 2014
1. Boyhood
The film strongly resonated with me, given that I grew up in largely the same generational time-frame as the main character. The acting was quite superb, particularly on the part of Ethan Hawke, and the construction of the movie's narrative was extremely impressive.
2. Birdman
Though relatively slow-paced, the movie was excellent in that it brilliantly poked fun at the self-obsessed nature of many actors, producers, and directors.
3. Gone Girl
The acting in this film made it particularly good. Ben Affleck performed exceptionally well while Tyler Perry proved his chops as a serious actor. Meanwhile, Neil Patrick Harris was impeccable in his depiction of a rather bizarre character but, more than anyone else, Rosamund Pike shined as Amy.
4. Interstellar
The special effects and emotional pull of the movie made it a must-see. Beyond that, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine, and Jessica Chastain were especially strong in their performances.
5. The Skeleton Twins
The movie was far more serious in nature and tone than I anticipated. Nonetheless, the interesting mixture of dark humor with heart-wrenching matters like suicide and depression provided for a well-constructed story.
Honorable Mention: Rosewater
Best TV I Watched in 2014
1. The Affair
Fascinating storyline, with various subplots and different perspectives clearly at play on display, makes it a compelling series.
2. Homeland
The show is finally returning to the thrilling, complex, and smart nature of its first two seasons.
3. House of Cards
Although notably not as good as the first season, the second season of HOC was still satisfyingly action-packed and marked by great acting from Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright.
4. The Colbert Report final episodes
Stephen Colbert's star-studded, emotionally resonant series finale and his GW sit-down interview with President Obama made for an appropriately exciting and enthusiastic conclusion to the show.
5. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
When Jimmy Fallon took over the reins of this show early in 2014, he proved he could make it an energetic, fun-loving program again. Thanks to his impersonations, skits, and social media-friendly bits, the show is deservedly enjoying its highest ratings since the days of Johnny Carson.
Honorable Mention: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Essays and Articles I Read in 2014
1. The Great Wage Slowdown
A comprehensive piece on wage and income inequalities puts into perspective the financial stagnation that besets too many Americans.
2. Going the Distance with Barack Obama
David Remnick's profile of President Obama, which includes an extensive and in-depth interview, is an amazing read as it gives us a rare glimpse of Obama's intellectual curiosity and complex understanding of politics and policy.
3. Buy Experiences, Not Things
The article wisely advises us to shun materialism in favor of rolling with the punches and enjoying the beauties of what life brings our way.
4. How David Gregory Lost His Job
This lengthy read is a very interesting, inside look at how exactly David Gregory fell from grace at NBC.
5. How Immigrant Rights Movement Got Obama to Change His Mind
The BuzzFeed exclusive gives credence to its editors' desires for the site to be taken seriously in its reporting as the article closely looks at how immigrants' rights' organizations helped bring about real changes in public policy.
Honorable Mention: In Defense of Obama
Best Books I Read in 2014
1. Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Thomas Piketty's comprehensive studies and analyses of inequality in the world force us to grapple with the dangerous effect that wealth disparity is having on economic growth and how government policies have only made it worse since the 1980's.
2. The Director
David Ignatius has done an impressive job at weaving together a deeply interesting story about a Snowden-type leak at the CIA that forges unusual relationships in a dysfunctional world.
3. A Fighting Chance
Elizabeth Warren's memoir reads less like a politically carefully constructed biography and more like a bold political manifesto. She draws a clear link between how her experiences growing up in a middle-class family helped shape her political and policy views that she espouses today. The background she provides gives readers a good glimpse into the story of one of our boldest modern politicians.
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