It is not cognitive dissonance — the impossibility of holding two or more contradictory beliefs simultaneously — to favor the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump while at the same time worrying about what the increasing national debt (nearing $24 trillion and counting) will do to the country. […]

In “The Decameron,” seven women and three men leave plague-tormented Florence for a villa in the hills, where they tell one another bawdy stories. Written nearly 700 years ago, the tale remains fresh, as affluent New Yorkers try to escape the coronavirus outbreak by moving into their second homes at the beach or in the […]

What William McKinley was to the front-porch campaign, Joe Biden is to the basement campaign. Sidelined and confined to his house by the dictates of coronavirus social distancing, the former vice president has been limited to intermittent appearances from a makeshift studio in his basement. They have been awkward and low-energy, but that doesn’t really […]

“We have it totally under control. It’s going to be just fine.” Donald Trump, Jan. 22, 2020 “One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.” Donald Trump, Feb. 27, 2020 “Anybody that wants a test can get a test.” Donald Trump, March 6, 2020 “No, I don’t take responsibility at all.” Donald […]

Earlier this year President Trump called on lawmakers to come together to advance market-based, bipartisan drug pricing reform. And with good reason. Drug prices are out-of-control, putting much-needed medications out of reach for nearly half a million Mainers in 2017. And across the country, a recent survey found that 58 million Americans struggled to afford […]

He was the 44th vice president of the United States in the George H.W. Bush administration, but for the last 20 years, Dan Quayle has stayed mostly away from the unfriendly glare of political life. I called him to get his thoughts on the coronavirus and the current political scene. On the virus and the […]

Countries have experienced economic depressions before, but not usually as a matter of choice. The nationwide coronavirus shutdowns over the past two weeks have ground parts of the country to a halt. We have probably never before in our history seen so much economic activity vaporize so quickly — within days or even hours. The […]

Milan is the V-8 engine of Italy’s economy. Known as an industrial and financial powerhouse, Milan is also famous for its foul air. Now the city and its region, Lombardy, have become the epicenter of Europe’s coronavirus pandemic. To stop the virus’ spread, factories, offices, restaurants and bars are closed. People are ordered to stay […]