“Ideas that matter,
since 1965.”
The latest edition of The Ripon Forum examines the history of government reform in the United States and whether the lessons of the past are even relevant given the changes underway today.
A Brief History of Government Reform
There have been more than 15 attempts to reform the U.S. government since the early 1900s. Are the lessons of these past efforts even relevant in this age of DOGE?
The Mission of the DOGE Caucus
With America more than $36 trillion in debt, the Senator from Iowa outlines the effort she is leading on Capitol Hill to make government smaller, smarter, and more accountable to the people.
Good Government Begins with Accountability
Letting officials take responsibility for results means they must answer to superior officials and, ultimately, to elected officials. This is how democratic government is supposed to work.
The Drivers of our Debt and the Empty Rhetoric of Politics Today
America’s fiscal situation is quickly deteriorating. But instead of fixing it, our nation’s leaders are engaging in fake justifications and finger-pointing.
Will the Congress and the Courts Respond to the Trump Power Grab?
The key question in Washington these days is how much the President will be able to bypass the other branches of government in pursuit of his priorities.
A Cornerstone of America’s Economic Revival
President Trump’s trade and tariff agenda is not just a negotiating tool — it is essential to rebuilding our nation’s industrial base.
Their Courage Changed a Nation and Remains an Example for Us All
If the Civil Rights marchers could put their lives on the line to fight for one of the most important causes ever to exist, we can do the hard things in front of us — and ultimately, that’s what God calls us to do.
Through sustained action and engagement, things change in our country. They can change much faster than we expect.
Selma teaches us that progress is neither a straight line nor forged by accident. The work to build a more perfect union is an ongoing mission and it is a task that belongs to all of us.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: A Legacy of Unity and Freedom
The ability of citizens to organize, march, and voice their grievances is a cornerstone of our republic, allowing crusades like the Civil Rights Movement to shape our nation for the better.
60 Years Later, the Fight for Voting Rights Continues
While Congress reauthorized the VRA with bipartisan support for decades, this new era of gridlock has driven a wedge between the parties on voting rights.
Coming Together to Honor the Legacy of Those Who Marched
By visiting the Pettus Bridge in Selma, as well as historic civil rights sites in Montgomery and Birmingham, we continue the important work of honoring the past while charting a new path forward.
Mississippi State Rep. Rodney Hall discusses what public service is all about.
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