Tag: Opinion

Essays

The numbers say inflation is 3.3%. That’s not the real story—and it never was.

Mandy Webster

Just a few months ago, inflation was reported at 2.4%, and we were told that meant things were stabilizing. The messaging was clear: the worst was behind us, the economy was settling down, and wages were starting to catch up. But for a lot of people, that didn’t match reality. Rent was still climbing. Grocery bills were still painful. Insurance premiums kept inching higher. The numbers said “progress,” but everyday life said something else entirely.

Split infographic contrasting official inflation with real living costs. Left side shows a politician at a podium in front of the U.S. Capitol with “Inflation: 3.3%” and positive economic headlines. Right side shows groceries, bills marked “past due,” and a handwritten list of rising expenses like rent, gas, and utilities, alongside the message “Paycheck? Not keeping up.”
When inflation is reduced to a single number, it hides the reality people actually live with—rising rent, higher grocery bills, and paychecks that can’t keep pace.

Now inflation has climbed to 3.3%, and suddenly the tone has shifted. What was once framed as “under control” is now something to watch more closely, something to explain, something to blame on global conflict and rising energy prices. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the difference between 2.4% and 3.3% doesn’t actually explain why people feel like they’re falling behind. Because the problem was already there.

Continue reading “The numbers say inflation is 3.3%. That’s not the real story—and it never was.” →
Ask the Author

Ask the author: Should authors review other authors’ books?

Mandy Webster

Dear Mandy,

Should authors review other authors’ books?

Short answer: Yes—but do it with intention, professionalism, and an awareness of the ecosystem you’re participating in.

Longer answer: I believe authors reviewing other authors’ work can be a genuinely good thing. We’re part of a shared creative community, and thoughtful engagement helps readers discover books while also raising the level of conversation around storytelling. That said, how you review matters just as much as whether you review.

An infographic that spells out the key points made by the article.
Thoughtful reviews don’t tear books down—they build better conversations.

On my own blog, I keep my literary criticism constructive. I talk about what worked for me and what didn’t, but I frame those “didn’t” moments as areas where something could have been stronger—not as the author doing something wrong. That distinction matters. It keeps the focus on craft rather than tearing down the person behind the work. If a book ultimately wasn’t for me, I’ll still highlight the kinds of readers who would connect with it, because every book has an audience—even when I’m not it.

Continue reading “Ask the author: Should authors review other authors’ books?” →
Essays

Why the government shouldn’t control marriage (and why marriage should be a contract)

Mandy Webster

For something people describe as sacred, romantic, and eternal, marriage in the United States is surprisingly bureaucratic. Before two people can be “married,” they need a government-issued license. A clerk records the paperwork. A legal framework determines how assets will be divided if the relationship ends. And in many cases, the couple signs the same basic legal agreement that millions of other couples sign, whether it suits their lives or not. In other words, marriage—at least in the eyes of the state—is already a contract. We just pretend it isn’t.

Two ways to say “I do”: one sacred, one legal—both important, both separate.

The confusion comes from the fact that in modern culture, two completely different institutions are treated as though they are the same thing: religious marriage and legal marriage. They are not.

Continue reading “Why the government shouldn’t control marriage (and why marriage should be a contract)” →
Essays

Journalism: It’s not about “both sides”—it’s about what’s actually true

Mandy Webster

When one person says it’s raining and another insists it’s not, a journalist’s job isn’t to quote them both and call it a day. The job is to go outside, look up, and report what’s actually happening. That basic principle—verification over balance—feels increasingly absent from modern journalism, especially at the local level.

Line drawing of a man standing in an open field looking up at the sky
A young man scans a cloudless sky, caught between what he’s told and what he can plainly see—reminding us that truth isn’t found in competing claims, but in the courage to look for ourselves.

I’ve seen this play out firsthand in the ongoing political arguments over property taxes here in Illinois. Republicans often argue that high property taxes are the governor’s fault. Democrats push back, saying the governor has no control over property taxes at all. And what does much of the local media do? Instead of investigating the claim and explaining how property taxes actually work, they hand each side a microphone and let the audience “decide.” But that’s not journalism. That’s outsourcing the truth.

Continue reading “Journalism: It’s not about “both sides”—it’s about what’s actually true” →
Essays

State governments as change-makers: Raising standards when Washington won’t

Mandy Webster

Many Americans talk about states’ rights as if it’s a shield for inaction, but the truth is that with states’ rights come states’ responsibilities. The federal government sets minimum standards for the country, but it’s up to each state to decide when those standards don’t go far enough. States have the authority—and the obligation—to raise the bar if they believe it’s the right thing for their residents. A higher minimum wage, stronger environmental protections, or expanded healthcare access can all start at the state level before ever being considered federally.

When states take the lead, change becomes possible. Highlighting the power of local action to set higher standards and drive national progress.

It’s easy to forget the sheer size and diversity of the United States. With so many people spread across vast distances and different cultures, making nationwide change is incredibly difficult, sometimes impossible, without groundwork laid by states first. Many social issues, including marriage equality, have followed this path. By June 2015, 36 states plus Washington, D.C., had already legalized same-sex marriage—proving that federal progress often relies on state-level experimentation and leadership. States shouldn’t see this as a hindrance—they should see it as an opportunity to lead national change from their own communities.

Continue reading “State governments as change-makers: Raising standards when Washington won’t” →
Memes

If my opinion offends you…

Mandy Webster

Have you ever gotten into a debate in which you ended up feeling like the only way the other person would let it go is if you just stopped insisting on having an opinion of your own?

If-my-opinion-offends

What if someone’s argument was, “You obviously don’t understand what you are talking about or you wouldn’t feel that way.” Continue reading “If my opinion offends you…” →