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The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
The real message behind Musk's America Party
America has never lacked political showmen. So when Elon Musk — a man as comfortable launching rockets as launching tweets — announces his intention to form a new political party, the instinctive response is skepticism, if not outright derision. Call it the 'America Party,' he says, a banner for those tired of both elephants and donkeys. Naturally, the memes wrote themselves. But peel away the theatrics, and something more consequential is hiding in plain sight: the yearning. Americans are not necessarily flocking to Musk's cause, but millions are scanning the horizon for something else. The spectacle may be Musk's — but the discontent it feeds on is widely shared. It is tempting to dismiss this moment as déjà vu. Third-party attempts are stitched into America's political folklore. From Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose insurgency to Ross Perot's data-heavy crusade, outsiders have long challenged the duopoly, only to be crushed by the machinery of incumbency. The U.S. political system, with its winner-take-all incentives and rigid party structures, has proven uniquely impervious to disruption. But today's landscape feels different — not because the rules have changed, but because the public mood has. Start with trust — once a civic virtue, now a casualty. A Pew Research survey earlier this year found that only 22 percent of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right 'just about always' or 'most of the time' — down from over 70 percent in the 1960s. Meanwhile, Gallup reports that confidence in Congress sits at around 10 percent. This isn't apathy. It's disillusionment — a broad-based sense that the current political structure no longer listens, let alone delivers. On July 3, Musk announced he formed the America Party, sparking immediate speculation about 2026 House races. A SnapPoll24 survey days later found 27 percent of Gen Z and Millennial respondents 'interested' in supporting a non-affiliated candidate in 2026 — numbers that would have been inconceivable a decade ago. Into this void steps Musk. Not with policy, not yet — but with performance. And in a media ecosystem where attention is power, that's often enough. His platform remains a cipher, but the appeal is clear: disruption without the burden of ideology. In an era when Democrats speak the lexicon of elite progressivism and Republicans oscillate between grievance and populism, Musk is offering a third lane defined not by ideas but by estrangement. Of course, the barriers to entry remain formidable. Ballot access laws, campaign finance hurdles and entrenched party loyalties conspire to keep challengers out. But technology, once the ally of incumbents, now levels the field. A candidate with a smartphone, a war chest, and a loyal digital following can bypass gatekeepers entirely. Donald Trump did it in 2016. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also built a movement with little more than a microphone and a mailing list. And the center, as they say, cannot hold. Political polarization has pushed the parties to their ideological poles, leaving a vast no-man's-land where independents, moderates and suburban voters wander unaffiliated. Recent data shows that 43 percent of Americans identify as independents. The appetite for a new voice is real. What remains elusive is whether it can be organized into a coherent political force. That's where most third-party ventures falter. They speak fluent grievance but go silent on governance. They thrive on outrage, but wither when the conversation turns to solutions. That's not a bug; it's the structure. Populism, left or right, is easiest to sell when your only goal is to sneer at the system. Governing, however, requires trade-offs — something Musk has famously disdained, whether building tunnels or tweeting policy. Still, disruption has value, even when it fails. By threatening the status quo, it can jolt legacy parties into responsiveness. Consider Emmanuel Macron in France. His upstart party dislodged a calcified system not because it was flawless, but because it was fresh. Similar stories have played out in Italy, Chile, and even Taiwan — democracies where old parties collapsed under the weight of their own complacency. The U.S., with its older institutions and more rigid rules, may prove harder to crack — but pressure matters. America's founders never envisioned permanent political parties. They built a framework — checks, balances, federalism — that could outlast any faction. That resilience is a double-edged sword. It guards against demagoguery, yes, but also cushions the sclerosis of status quo governance. Change, when it comes, is rarely elegant. But it is often catalyzed by those who seem least likely to lead it. So no, the America Party is unlikely to take Congress by storm. It may not even make it past a news cycle. But its emergence is a flare, signaling a deeper instability in the system. If Democrats and Republicans choose to ignore it, they do so at their peril. Voters are not disengaged — they're disenchanted. And if Musk's provocation forces the parties to rethink how they earn trust, rather than expect it, then even his most outlandish political experiment will have served a purpose. The challenge — and opportunity — for America's institutions is not to suppress these new voices, but to absorb their critiques and adapt. Ranked-choice voting, open primaries and campaign finance reform are not silver bullets, but they might be the scaffolding for a democracy that listens before it crumbles. It is often said that democracies renew themselves not through revolution, but through adaptation. Perhaps this is one of those moments. And perhaps it will take the world's richest man, hurling rhetorical grenades at both parties, to remind the establishment that the center of gravity is not fixed. It moves — sometimes suddenly — and often under their feet.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Gen Z men are becoming more conservative. It's impacting dating.
"I do believe that everybody has, deep down inside them, a controversial take," she says. "This man, he first was like, 'I don't have any.' And I was like, 'That's not true. Tell me what comes to mind.' And then he thinks about it for a second, and he was like, 'Oh, I think being gay is wrong.' " 'Banksying': This new dating trend is leaving people baffled and heartbroken It's because of instances like this that Shea, who describes herself as solidly left-wing, draws a hard line when it comes to dating and politics: If someone's on the far-right, she's not interested. If someone's moderate or center-right - in the vein of John McCain or Mitt Romney, she says - she might give them a chance. "Politics is definitely a factor in my dating," Shea says. "If someone matches with me, or not matches with me but they like my profile or whatnot, and it says 'conservative,' I will absolutely 'X' them. I do think I'm OK with a difference in political opinions to a certain extent. I draw a line when it comes to certain issues, such as human rights." She's not alone. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter In addition to the many pitfalls of online dating, Gen Z is also having to navigate a dating landscape marked by steep political polarization between men and women. An April poll by NBC News found the partisan divide between men and women ages 18 to 29 to be wider than that of any other age range, with 53% percent of Gen Z women identifying as Democrats, compared to just 35% of Gen Z men. On the flip side, 38% of young men surveyed called themselves Republicans, versus just 20% of young women. The political gender divide is yet another romantic hurdle for a generation that's having less sex and burned out on dating apps. "It's easier to align yourself with a political identity now than it was maybe back then, because of technology, and I do think it funnels you into certain sects," Shea says. "So I do think it fragments and segments people, making it harder to find common ground when it comes to dating." How politics is impacting dating for Gen Z Politics has become an increasingly fraught topic in the realm of dating, with many unwilling to date across the aisle. A 2020 Pew Research report found 71% of Democrats said they probably or definitely would not date someone who voted for Trump. About half of Republicans - 47% - said they probably or definitely wouldn't date someone who voted for Biden. Among Gen Z, the political polarization between men and women showed itself prominently during the 2024 presidential election. On election day, Gen Z men turned out for Trump, with 49% of them voting for him and 47% voting for Harris, according to NBC News exit polling. Trump also gained ground with Gen Z women, though that same exit polling showed 61% of these voters still went for Harris. The conservative swing among young men hasn't been lost on daters, either. "I have seen an uptick in men displaying that they're conservative (on dating apps)," Shea says. This is true even in liberal dating markets, says Kimberly Bizu, a 28-year-old who hosts "Rich Little Brokegirls," a podcast about modern womanhood. Bizu, who identifies as center-left says that, even in blue cities, many young men hold conservative views, even if they don't discuss them. "A lot of people in New York, in LA, they wear these liberal masks socially, while still holding more conservative views behind closed doors," Bizu says. "I know some of my friends who are likely conservative would never admit it publicly." Right-leaning men have noticed the divide too. Winn Howard, a former United States Marine Corps infantry officer who's now getting a dual masters at Georgetown University, re-entered the dating scene in February, after getting out of a long-term relationship. Though he's on the dating app Hinge, he says he rarely uses it, preferring to meet women in person, where it's easier to get know someone beyond the limited information on a dating app profile. Still, "I have noticed on the dating apps, probably more often than not, I come across female profiles that will have their political view," he says. "And, in DC, I feel like I definitely come across liberal more often." Howard, who is 30 and labels himself center-right, says he's opening to dating liberal women and believes finding common ground is an important part of dating. "I'm still a huge, huge proponent and believer in bipartisanship and meeting in the middle, and that's how the two-party system is supposed to work," he says. "So that is how I approach dating. I think just because someone is on the left, and I'm more towards the right, that's not a dealbreaker for me." Should liberals and conservatives date each other? Relationship experts agree it's certainly possible for people with opposing political views to have a thriving romance - so long as they still share core values and treat each other with respect. For Bizu, she says it's important to get to know someone beyond politics. After all, she says most people don't fall neatly into conservative and liberal categories. She finds that acknowledging this nuance can be a good way to find commonality while holding fast to your values. "Honestly, when someone has a bigoted opinion super early on, it typically and usually comes from either the far right or the far left," she says. "At that point, it's less about politics, and it's more about this complete lack of nuance or compassion. And, for me personally, I just feel like, if you're not curious or open to understanding different perspectives, then I am not interested in building a deeper connection." More: The rise of Trump bros and why some Gen Z men are shifting right It's also important to remember Gen Z is still young - and many of its members could change their views with time. Because of this, Bizu encourages fellow Gen Zers to stay open-minded when it comes to dating. "Be open to understanding different perspectives," she says. "Especially Gen Z, we're only at the beginning, right? We're still building our careers and our networks, and I think it's way more important to open yourself up to as many fulfilling relationships as possible, even if that means like, hey, maybe we hold different political views, but we could definitely get something out of this relationship."
Forbes
5 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Why Fewer Americans Are Having Kids: The Soaring Cost Of Parenthood
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Deciding to have a kid is one of the most personal choices someone can make—it's also one of the most expensive. Between hospital bills, child care and the everyday cost of living, many Americans are finding that starting a family will put a stretch on their finances. According to the CDC, the general fertility rate in the U.S. dropped 3% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a historic low. Between 2014 and 2020, the rate had declined by about 2% yearly, with a brief 1% increase from 2020 to 2021. The recent drop is part of a steady pattern of low or declining birth rates across the country—a trend that has people wondering what it means for the future. The U.S. birth rate has been dropping for years, hitting record lows we haven't seen in decades. There are plenty of reasons for that, from shifting priorities or changing lifestyles, but for many people, it comes down to something simple: having a baby in America just costs too much. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 41% of adults ages 18 to 39 who don't want children say the high cost of raising a child is a major reason. The U.S. ranks among the most expensive places in the world to give birth, and even with insurance, families often face hefty bills. On average, insured patients pay about $2,854 out of pocket for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care costs, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker . Without insurance, the price of giving birth can soar past $26,000, depending on the hospital, delivery method and any complications that may arise from giving birth. For many families, that kind of bill is devastating. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly a quarter of pregnant and postpartum women reported unmet health care needs due to cost underscoring just how tough it is to navigate the financial side of early parenthood in the U.S. health system. The bills start piling up long before the baby arrives. Prenatal care—including OB-GYN visits, ultrasounds, and routine tests—can cost $2,000 to $3,000 without insurance. With coverage, it's usually closer to $250 to $500. Then comes everything else: diapers, wipes, a crib, a car seat, a stroller—the list goes on. The USDA estimated in 2015, the most recent data available, that parents are expected to spend between $12,350 and $13,900 for a child per year—and that was before inflation spiked in recent years. Caring for a newborn is a full-time job—but in the U.S., most parents don't get paid for it. Unlike many other countries, there's no federal guarantee of paid family leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible workers take up to 12 weeks off, but it's unpaid. That means many families face a tough choice: take unpaid time off and lose weeks—or months—of income, or return to work sooner than they'd like. Some states like California, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island offer paid leave programs with some wage support. But in most of the country parents must rely on savings or employer policies, if they're lucky to have them. For many, it's an added cost they can't afford at all. If you're planning to have children, choosing the right health insurance plan matters more than ever. Forbes Advisor highlights a handful of strong options worth comparing on coverage, cost and reputation: Health insurance is a big help when it comes to managing the skyrocketing costs of having a baby. Childbirth can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars, but fortunately, insurance companies work out discounted rates with hospitals and doctors, so people with coverage usually pay much less than the full price. Most plans cover essential things like prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, the hospital stay for labor and delivery, and care after birth. While you'll likely still have some out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or copays, those are generally much smaller than the total bill without insurance. Having a baby in the U.S. is expensive—not just financially but emotionally and physically, too. Even when people try to plan, the cost can make parenthood seem out of reach. Still, having the right health insurance can help cover many of those costs—from checkups to delivery and aftercare—making things a bit easier when starting a family.
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
When will Muslims rule the world? Muslim population spreading rapidly across world, Hindu population decrease in India due to...
Islam is currently the fastest-growing religion across the globe. In the past few years, the number of people following Islam has increased rapidly. As a result, the Muslim population is rising quickly in many parts of the world. According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, a well-known research organization based in the United States, the number of Muslims will continue to grow even faster in the coming decades. In fact, in one of their earlier studies, Pew estimated that by the year 2060, the global Muslim population could grow by up to 70 per cent. This means there may be more than 3 billion Muslims in the world by then. Not only that, researchers also believe that by 2060, Islam could become the largest religion in the world, even surpassing Christianity, which is currently the religion with the most followers worldwide. Muslims grew faster than Christians in the last 10 years Between 2010 and 2020, the number of Muslims in the world increased by 347 million. Today, there are over 2 billion Muslims globally. In comparison, the number of Christians grew by only 122 million during the same period, and their total global population is now a little over 2.3 billion. On the other hand, the Buddhist population dropped by about 19 million, and now stands at approximately 324 million. When we compare the numbers, it's clear that the growth in the Muslim population was much higher than that of non-Muslims during this period. Non-Muslim populations increased by only 248 million, far less than the rise seen among Muslims. Will Islam become the world's largest religion in 35 years? Right now, according to the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the most followed religion in the world. Out of the global population of about 7.3 billion, around 31 per cent are Christians. Islam is the second-largest religion, and Hinduism is third. But this might change in the next 35 years. Pew Research says that Islam is growing faster than any other religion, and if this continues, by the year 2060, Muslims could become the largest religious group in the world. The term 'rule' here doesn't mean political power, it means social and population dominance in terms of numbers. Why is the Muslim population growing so fast? There are three main reasons why the Muslim population is increasing quickly: Younger population: Most Muslims in the world are young and in their childbearing age. Higher birth rates: On average, Muslim families have more children than families of other religions. Conversions: Many people around the world are choosing to become Muslims. Muslims, a younger population One of the key reasons behind this fast growth is that the Muslim population is much younger compared to other religious groups. According to Pew's 2010 report: About 34 per cent of Muslims were younger than 15 years old Around 60 per cent were aged between 15 and 59 Only 7 per cent were 60 or older What about Muslims in India? In India too, the Muslim population is expected to rise, but not as sharply as in some other countries. In 2015, Muslims made up about 14.9 per cent of India's population. By 2060, this share is expected to reach 19.4 per cent. The total number of Muslims in India may reach about 330 million (33 crore) by then, according to the study. Even with this growth, India will continue to have a mix of many religions, and Hindus will still remain the largest group in the country. Hindu population to grow slowly According to a study by the Pew Research Center, the world's religious population is changing quickly. Over the next few decades, the Hindu population is expected to grow by only 27 per cent, while the Christian population may grow by around 34 per cent. This is slower than the average global population growth rate. Right now, Christians make up about 34 per cent of the world's population, and Hindus make up about 15 per cent. Muslim population growing the fastest Pew Research studied population trends in 201 countries. Their findings show that the Muslim population is growing faster than any other major religious group, while the Christian population is shrinking in many places. In 2010, Muslims made up about 23.9 per cent of the world's population. By 2020, that number grew to 25.6 per cent. On the other hand, Christians dropped from 30.6% in 2010 to 28.6 per cent in 2020.
Business Insider
13-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
5 Millennial Dads on Juggling Parenting, Careers and Seeking Balance
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Millennial dads yearn to split parenting duties with their spouses and balance their jobs while still keeping their heads screwed on. However, the quest for 50/50 isn't always easy. As Business Insider's Josie Cox wrote, millennial dads are trying to take a greater share of the responsibilities when it comes to parenting young kids. BI asked dads to weigh in on their experiences balancing childcare and work in an informal reader survey. In 48 hours, we received over two dozen responses from millennial dads across the country. Many of the dads who replied said they were somewhat able to balance parenthood and their careers, with some weeks being tougher than others. A handful said they were drowning in responsibilities at work, home, or both, with a rarely balanced schedule. Related video Are you a dad trying to "have it all"? Business Insider is interested in hearing stories from fathers trying to balance parenting and their careers. Please fill out this quick form. A 2016 Pew Research study found that dads were spending an average of eight hours a week on childcare, three times the amount of time spent in 1965. Dads told us they wanted to change the perception of fathers and be more present at school events and recreational activities. The flying trapeze act of parenting can be difficult. Here are some of the questions we asked and what the dads had to say. What are your biggest challenges as a dad trying to "have it all"? Nicholas Gilpin Nicholas Gilpin "Trying to 'have it all' as a dad today often feels like spinning plates. I want to support my family financially, nurture a business I believe in, and be fully present with my kids, but doing all three well at once is nearly impossible without burning out. The hardest part is managing the guilt that comes with constantly feeling like I'm not doing enough." — Nicholas Gilpin, 38, entrepreneur and stay-at-home dad of two in Fair Oaks, California. Related stories Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know "It's a grind, and a balance, and a helping hand from our parents every once in a while. I don't have 'days off,' everything is just part of my life like fluid momentum. Sometimes there's turbulence and adjustments are needed (and grandparents), but that's just nature — fit it in when you can get it in." — Joshua Harville, 35, real estate agent and dad of one in Fort Worth, Texas. Michael Schmutz Michael Schmutz "Being able to perform at a high level for my clients while also being involved in my kids' lives. I'm also a competitive bodybuilder, so I have to wake up early to train, have all my food prepped for the day, and then be ready to be a dad by 4 p.m. most days in order to stay involved with my kids and their activities." — Michael Schmutz, 39, marketing consultant, CEO, and dad of four in Salt Lake City. "Making sure I get to all of my kids' events and appointments. This requires late nights and early mornings to make up the difference." — Jason Schilling, 41, head of assurance services at a CPA Firm and dad of two in Minneapolis. "I put my career on hold to better balance time with my children. I was a teacher for close to 10 years before the demands of both became too much, and I chose to find a job that allowed me to focus on my children as opposed to my students." — Ben McChesney, 41, IT manager and dad of two, in Chicago. What percentage of parenting responsibilities do you take care of vs. your partner? "About 70—80% of the daily responsibilities, especially during the weekdays. My partner supports more in the evenings and on weekends when she's not working." — Gilpin "I'd say around 35% (so far as she breastfed and gets up at night)." — Harville "We split pretty evenly, I'd say I'm at 40%." — Schmutz "100% on me when I have my kids." — Schilling, who splits custody time. "I would say my wife and I split the responsibility between 65/35 and 55/45 in my wife's favor. I do a lot of the household chores, but she plans everything as well as keeping up with the finances." — McChesney Do you feel like your employer gives you the flexibility to be the type of parent you want to be? "I'm currently unemployed and building my own business, which gives me flexibility — but also means there's no formal support, no paid time off, and a constant tension between working on the business and taking care of the kids." — Gilpin, who spends around 60-70 hours a week with his kids. Joshua Harville and his daughter at a listing Joshua Harville "My employer doesn't have a choice — I'm my employer." — Harville, who says he spends at least 54 hours a week with his little one. "Since I'm self-employed, it's harder to balance. My clients can contact me at any time, and I have to be able to help them. Flexibility isn't an option right now." — Schmutz, who estimates he spends about 50-60 hours a week with his kids. "I told my employer, 'hey, I'm a dad first, I want to make sure I can go to my kids' appointments and my kids' games.' I thankfully was the coach of my daughter's basketball team this season." — Schilling, who spends at least 25 hours with his 2 kids each week. Ben McChesney Ben McChesney "Currently, yes, but when I worked as a public educator, it really felt like taking time away from work was frowned upon. This was doubly difficult for me because I tended to work in school districts in low socioeconomic areas in which my absence was difficult to accommodate due to limited qualified substitutes." — McChesney, who spends around 40-50 hours a week with his kids.
