Acton Occasional Series

April 01, 2016

Unemployment as Economic-Spiritual Indicator — March 2016 Report

Series Note: Jobs are one of the most important aspects of a morally functioning economy. They help us serve the needs of our neighbors and lead to human flourishing both for the individual and for communities. Continue Reading...

March 29, 2016

Explainer: Supreme Court Rules on Conservative Challenge to Public-Sector Unions

What just happened? Earlier today the U.S. Supreme Court split 4-4 on a legal challenge to a California law that forces non-union workers to pay fees to public-employee unions. What was the case about? Continue Reading...

March 24, 2016

5 facts about Easter in America

Throughout the world Easter is celebrated as the greatest event of the Christian faith. But as with most things associated with Christianity, we Americans tend to put our peculiar stamp on the holiday. Continue Reading...

March 23, 2016

The FAQs: Religious Liberty and the Little Sisters of the Poor

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in a case from religious nonprofit groups challenging the federal government’s contraceptive/abortifacient mandate. Here is what you should know about that case. What is this case, and what’s it about? Continue Reading...

March 21, 2016

Explainer: What is Holy Week?

What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the week before Easter, a period which includes the religious holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Holy week does not include Easter Sunday. Continue Reading...

March 18, 2016

The FAQs: State Department Says Actions of Islamic State Constitute Genocide

What did Secretary Kerry say about Islamic State and genocide? In a speech on Thursday, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the U.S. has determined that the actions of Islamic State (aka ISIS) against Christians and other minority groups in Iraq and Syria constitutes an act of genocide. Continue Reading...

March 17, 2016

5 Facts About Patrick, the Indiana Jones of Saints

An aristocratic British teenager is kidnapped by pirates, sold into slavery, escapes and returns home, becomes a priest, returns to his land of captivity and face off against hordes of Druids. Continue Reading...

March 16, 2016

Explainer: What You Should Know About GMOs and Mandatory Food Labeling

Last year, the House passed a bill to preempt states from imposing mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food (GMOs). But as Daren Bakst notes, “While it looked like the Senate was going to follow suit, in the last minute, the new Senate bill would actually effectively mandate the labeling of genetically engineered food.” Continue Reading...

March 10, 2016

7 Figures: NPR/Harvard Survey on Patients’ Perspectives on Health Care

A new survey by NPR and Harvard University reports the self-reported experiences of health care consumers across the country, in states that have (New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon) and have not (Florida, Kansas, Texas) expanded Medicaid, and in one (Wisconsin) that did not have to expand Medicare. Continue Reading...

March 07, 2016

Explainer: U.S. Finally Bans Imports of Goods Produced by Slavery and Child Labor

What the story about? Last week the Senate passed, and President Obama signed into law, a bill that would block imports “made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor.” The new law is enforceable under Trans-Pacific Partnership, a sweeping multinational trade pact affecting 40 percent of the world’s economy. Continue Reading...

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