I've always believed in the power of representation to break down misbeliefs. Unfortunately, Representative George Santos seems determined to do the opposite, becoming a source of concern for Latinx Americans, particularly those with Brazilian roots like myself. His actions perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a distorted image of Brazil in the United States. In the midst of George Santos' political antics, I can't help but wonder if there's a Portuguese translation for what others might call 'political idiocy.'

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For Congressman Alan Lownethal, a Democrat of California’s 47th district, March 6, 2020, was a memorable day. The House Transportation Committee, of which he has been a member since 2017, published its damning preliminary findings into Boeing’s mismanagement of its 737 MAX, which was involved in two fatal crashes that left a total of 346 people, including 8 Americans, dead. What was more memorable to his constituents, however, was the insight that Mr. Lowenthal’s wife, Dr. Deborah Malumed, had, the day prior, sold shares of the company -- a conspicuous and downright chilling conflict of interest.

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Misusing public funds for campaigning, and racist comments, and leaving his state in the dust for political stunts, alongside clandestine bills with no public oversight. These are all things that Ron DeSantis has done, but that unfortunately a plurality of politicians all around the world have done. What sets DeSantis apart from other politicians, even those in his own party, is the scapegoating war he has waged on the LGBTQ community, primarily transgender people.

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Initially, CNN’s September 2019 climate change town halls felt like nothing more than a flurry of recycled and oft-repeated, albeit bold, ideas. Candidates, throughout each of their allotted hours, told similar stories, cited identical statistics, and recited the same prognostications about our futures. Despite actually caring a great deal about climate change, I almost could not resist the urge to change the channel. That is, until I came across one moment from Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren’s town hall.

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Throughout the summer, the United States and its surroundings have been feeling the effects of climate change. Wildfire smoke from Canada has choked millions of people in the United States, Vermont is experiencing record levels of flooding, and the hurricane season is starting earlier and deadlier than ever before. Overall the period of June to August, was the hottest summer ever recorded in the Northern Hemisphere.

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