Why Republicans can’t agree on the budget

Another continuing resolution won't solve the real problem within the Republican Party [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 23 January 2018 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note The government is now open and funded – for three weeks. While nearly all media coverage of the recent shutdown has focused on a dispute over protections for “Dreamers,” an issue on which Democrats and Republicans actually tend to agree, another deep obstacle facing Congress is passing a budget. Binghamton scholars Olga Shvetsova and William Heller point out that “factions within the GOP hold contradictory policy positions on almost every issue,” [making it difficult to agree]( on where and for whom to cut expenditures. In the meantime, a general malaise seems to have settled over the country. At the time of the Great Recession this would be expected. But why, during an economic recovery, have levels of happiness among adults and children continued to decline? Psychologist Jean Twenge has published a new analysis that [points to a likely culprit]( – and it has nothing to do with politics or growing income inequality. Even in January, many Americans can buy fresh strawberries at the grocery store. And they’re probably from California, which grows 90 percent of the U.S. crop. For UC Santa Cruz social scientist Julie Guthman, California strawberries are a case study in the complexities of farming in the Golden State, where many growers [raise healthy crops using unhealthy methods](. Danielle Douez Associate Editor, Politics + Society Top stories Senator Mitch McConnell walks to the chamber on the first morning of a government shutdown. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite [Another continuing resolution won't solve the real problem within the Republican Party]( William B. Heller, Binghamton University, State University of New York; Olga Shvetsova, Binghamton University, State University of New York The party's promise to be all things to all people has hit a wall. Although measures of teen and adult happiness dropped during the high unemployment rates of the Great Recession, it didn’t rebound when the economy started to improve. ASDF_MEDIA/Shutterstock.com [What might explain the unhappiness epidemic?]( Jean Twenge, San Diego State University Changes in how we're spending our free time is a likely culprit. Suspected infestation of Macrophomina phaseolina, a “novel” soil pathogen, in the non-fumigated buffer zone of a strawberry field. Julie Guthman [Healthy to eat, unhealthy to grow: Strawberries embody the contradictions of California agriculture]( Julie Guthman, University of California, Santa Cruz California produces 90 percent of the US strawberry crop, but growers face curbs on toxic chemicals that have helped their industry expand. Can a system centered on mass production become more sustainable? Environment + Energy - [There are better ways to foster solar innovation and save jobs than Trump's tariffs]( Edward Barbier, Colorado State University; Terry Iverson, Colorado State University Slapping duties on imported panels is unwise. Politics + Society - [Spanish use is steady or dropping in US despite high Latino immigration]( Phillip M Carter, Florida International University Spanish is not overtaking English in the U.S., despite political fearmongering. In fact, due to the 'three-generation pattern,' Spanish speaking in immigrant families tends to decline over time. Science + Technology - [Is attraction to an age group another kind of sexual orientation?]( Michael Seto, University of Toronto Chronophilias – such as pedophilia – are age-based sexual attractions. Psychologists don't know much about why people have them or how best to help people not act on sexual interests in children. Economy + Business - [Medicaid work requirements could cost the government more in the long run]( Diane Dewar, University at Albany, State University of New York The new rules Kentucky and other states want to impose could leave millions of Americans who benefit from this safety net program uninsured – and resorting to the emergency room for their health care. Health + Medicine - [When it comes to your health, where you live matters]( Jessica Young, American University Why are people from some states so much healthier than others? Despite what you may hear, it's not just about genetics or poor choices. From our international editions - [Neuroscientists put the dubious theory of 'phrenology' through rigorous testing for the first time]( Harriet Dempsey-Jones, University of Oxford The Victorians believed that the shape and size of the skull could reveal details about a person’s demeanour. Now it's been put to the test. - [How to understand and harness your workplace rage]( Peter O'Connor, Queensland University of Technology Anger can help you in negotiations but it might get you fired if you don't learn your triggers and how to control it. - [The roots of organic farming lie in fascism]( John Toohey, Concordia University Organic farming has roots in 20th century fascism, challenging the assumption that environmentalism and progressive politics are symbiotic. Today’s quote [Ample research indicates that work requirements do not automatically lead the poor to find jobs or earn their way out of poverty.]( [Medicaid work requirements could cost the government more in the long run]( Diane Dewar University at Albany, State University of New York [Diane Dewar] [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111