Author: empireposts

If it hasn’t happened to you yet it will. You go to the pharmacy and/or schedule a medical procedure only to discover that both are denied because the authorization is “pending”. Insurance authorization, also known as prior authorization or preauthorization, is a process where health insurance companies require providers to get approval before delivering certain services or medications. Many insurance companies deny approval. Other insurance companies offer alternative medicines or condition approval for a procedure if the patient first submits themselves to the procedure of the insurance company’s choice.  For example, you twist your ankle and an MRI would be the most adequate diagnostic tool because it can produce an image of soft tissue as well as bone with no raditation. However, despite an MRI being the most appropriate and less harmful (since it offers no radiation) most if not all insurance companies will obligate you to have an XRAY first because it is less expensive. Therefore, it all comes down to money, your care depends on the cost to the insurance company.  Further, medicines that would be most appropriate are often denied by insurance companies leaving the patient with the less effective medicine. For all intents and purposes neither doctors nor patients are in control of their medical treatment.  There is a growing need for the new administration bring change to a much needed issue that has remained ignored for too long.  The desperation among the American people is clear with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson being one of multiple high profile occurances that have brought awareness to the public’s discontent with the current healthcare system. In conclusion, this and all issues that affect our society should be addressed obviously not by violence but by inducing our elected officials to correct the challenges that still remain unresolved.  As a first world developed country we should put patient first, doctors second and insurance companies last, in other words our elected officials must find a way to allocate the proper funding and resources that will allow patients and doctors to regain control of medical decision making.   

As of Thursday March 20th of 2025 President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. This recent development has gotten Empire Posts wondering the pros and cons this would have and if it is even realistic given the challenges it would face in the Legislative Branch. REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL  LOCAL CONTROL OVER EDUCATION The main argument for abolishing the Department of Education is that education policy should be controlled at the state and local levels rather than by Washington, D.C. People in favor of abolishing the Department argue that states know their students’ needs better and can create policies that are more relevant to their specific populations. Critics of the Department of Education claim it has become an unecessary burden resulting in the waste of billions of dollars for little to no educational benefit. REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT Some conservatives argue that the federal government has used the Department of Education to push left-leaning ideologies in schools, particularly in areas like gender studies, race relations, and history. By eliminating the department, states and local school districts would have more power in shaping educational content without government intervention. SCHOOL CHOICE School choice policies, such as charter schools, voucher programs, and homeschooling could benefit from the department’s dismantling. Dismantling the Department of Education could lead to less government influence on private and charter schools, allowing for expanded school choice. SAVING MONEY The Department of Education’s budget in the fiscal year of 2024 was approximately $268 billion. Eliminating the department could save billions IN THEORY, however it is not clear what the billions saved would be allocated to. WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE Democrats have cited the following as reasons to not dismantle the Department of Education : LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS The Department of Education provides funding for programs that support low-income students, students with disabilities, and federal financial aid for college students. If the Department of Education is eliminated, states would need to make up for this lost funding, which may not be possible in states with less money on hand. DISCRIMINATION RISK The Department of Education enforces federal civil rights laws in schools, including protections for students against discrimination and the department’s dismantling could make it harder to supervise and punish states that do not uphold the protections the department gave them. DISRUPTION TO STUDENT LOANS The department oversees federal student loans, if abolished, it is unknown at this time who would take over these responsibilities, creating uncertainty for millions of students relying on federal aid. OPPOSITION Teachers’ unions, civil rights groups and multiple other organizations would likely find ways to protest and oppose the dismantling leading to potential disruption and/or unrest. IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE? Even if President Trump were to push forward with his plan, abolishing the Department of Education would likely require the passage of a bill. Given that past attempts to eliminate the department have failed, it remains unknown whether this effort would succeed. Republican majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate mean that abolishing the Department of Education could be easier than originally thought, that is if every Senator and Representative votes on party lines. Empire Posts leaves the decision of whether the Department of Education is worth dismantling to the reader, however this student organization’s purpose is to encourage action, therefore regardless of your conclusion it is highly recommended you contact your local congressman or state senator to do your part in the legislative process.  

January 30th 2025 Written by Editor in Chief Benjamin Dominguez  The new administration has made clear its intentions to carry out a mass deportation effort in an attempt to send back the millions of migrants who entered the country illegally during the first four years of the Biden administration. We are already seeing these intentions being carried out. This has led Empire Posts to wonder: While the intention of removing criminals is valid, what happens to the undocumented individuals who have been here for longer than a decade? Those who came under the Biden administration knew of the benefits they would receive once they entered the country, such as free room and board, cell phones, credit cards, and the likelihood that they would not have to go before a judge to receive a removal order. Everyone knew that, under the Biden administration, the Catch and Release policy was in full effect. This meant that those who entered the country were not placed into immediate deportation; rather, they were allowed to enter freely and settle in the state of their choice. Those who arrived 10 or 20 years ago, specifically during the Obama administration (which carried out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history by total number of people deported, for those who didn’t know), likely came for the sole purpose of work or to flee dangerous conditions in their home countries, as it was more difficult to enter and remain in the country back then. Furthermore, during that period, undocumented immigrants were not eligible for all the free services and financial aid that are available to them under the Biden administration. Therefore, those who entered prior to the Biden administration should be given a second look and offered an alternative to immediate deportation, as their circumstances were different. Aside from closing our borders, the new administration should address the need for immigration reform. This reform should analyze each case and consider the circumstances and timing of entry in order to ensure a fair judicial proceeding. Biden proposed a fast path to citizenship without analyzing who was on that path. I would suggest a path to residency that allows us to analyze who the person is and why they should remain in the country, followed by a slower path to citizenship. A slower path to citizenship would give individuals the privilege of becoming American citizens by providing them time to demonstrate that they would be an asset to the nation. Finally, another issue that remains discomforting is the fact that individuals born to undocumented parents could lose their citizenship. These individuals did not ask to be born here and should be granted residency, with the opportunity to attain citizenship when they are adults, should they prove they are an asset to this country.

2024 will be remembered as an unprecedented year in history. From global conflicts to domestic turning points, Empire Posts looks back on the year and its most notable events. JANUARY – January was the first month in 2024 in which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be mentioned. Having started in late 2023, this conflict is still ongoing in December 2024, driven by an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas that served as the motive for the war’s commencement. FEBRUARY – Special Counsel Robert Hurr recommended no charges be brought forth in the classified documents investigation of President Joe Biden, citing the president’s “poor memory,” which could elicit sympathy from the jury. However, this ordeal—especially the way it concluded—raised questions about the President’s mental acuity, which would be questioned again later in the year. MARCH – Donald Trump officially won the Republican nomination for president in March, this marked the first time a person so heavily persecuted by the jutice system rose this high. APRIL – The Supreme Court reviewed Donald Trump’s immunity case. Empire Posts dedicated the month to analyzing the case, which concluded with a 6-3 vote to reject Trump’s broad claim of immunity, meaning the charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results would not be dismissed. MAY- May marked the beginning of three consecutive historic months, starting with Donald Trump being convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. JUNE – June became a turning point in the 2024 Presidential Election. Former President Trump and President Biden faced off in a debate as presumptive nominees of their respective parties, but Biden’s incredibly poor performance began to cast doubt on his standing as the party’s nominee for a second term. JULY – Two historic events occurred this month, both influencing the upcoming election. The first was an assassination attempt on Former President Donald Trump, which came within inches of taking his life. The photo capturing the event became iconic. The second event vindicated those doubting President Biden’s ability to govern for another term, as July also brought the news that he would be dropping out. AUGUST- August saw Kamala Harris rise to the Democratic nomination, as was widely speculated, given her status as the heir apparent to the party’s mantle for four years. SEPTEMBER- Vice President Harris and Former President Trump faced off in the first and only presidential debate. While the debate’s conclusions were viewed either as a draw or more favorable to Harris, it marked a turning point where Harris emerged as the favorite to win the presidency according to opinion polls. OCTOBER – October was a relatively quiet month in terms of news both domestically and abroad, aside from some minor leaks by “sources” with information that threatened to sink the former president’s chances, which were never fully revealed. However, the month did bring a resurgence for the Trump campaign, as JD Vance was widely agreed to have won the first and only Vice Presidential debate against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. While mostly insignificant in the big picture, this provided the Trump campaign with its first piece of good news in months. NOVEMBER – Few stories in November can compete with the biggest one of the year: Donald Trump won comfortably, capturing both the popular vote and the electoral college to secure his second non-consecutive term as president. DECEMBER – Two headlines dominated December 2024. The first, occurring early in the month, was the killing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which provoked a shocking reaction of support for his killer, Luigi Mangione. This at least suggests something significant about public opinion on healthcare, as some were willing to go as far as condoning murder. The second story, marking the closest news to the new year, signifies the end of two eras: the conclusion of 2024 and the end of the “old Democrats” with the passing of Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024. This marks the closure of an era characterized by Democrats who seemed compassionate towards the working class, less morally and politically corrupt, as well as the passing of a man whose post-presidency was defined by honor, respect, and charity. This year has certainly been one to remember, and everyone at Empire Posts wishes you a happy new year!

With Election Day just around the corner—New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote in various congressional races, the presidential election, and the Senate election. Additionally, they will face an often-overlooked decision on the ballot: whether to support or oppose Proposition 1. Proposition 1, also known as the New York Equal Rights Amendment, proposes the following: – Establishment of constitutional protections against discrimination – Protection of abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare, including birth control and IVF – Safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers – Protection of older, disabled, pregnant, and LGBTQ+ individuals – Ensuring access for older and disabled New Yorkers – Prevention of discrimination against all individuals Opponents of Proposition 1 present several arguments against it: They contend that the wording of Proposition 1, specifically the phrase “any such class is granted equal protection of the laws,” is ambiguous and could lead to various interpretations. Critics warn that the amendment’s provision against discrimination based on “national origin” might create confusion and open the door to loopholes that could be exploited to advance specific agendas. One prominent concern is that the proposal could be used to grant noncitizens the right to vote. Additionally, there is controversy surrounding the possibility that this legislation might allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, according to critics of the proposition. Finally, detractors argue that the act is unnecessary, as protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and abortion rights have already been established and remain in effect in the state. I invite the reader to draw their own conclusions, as the implications of these decisions can be far-reaching. Elections have consequences that extend beyond the immediate ballot choices, and propositions like this one—though often overlooked amid the excitement and attention given to more high-profile races—deserve careful consideration and scrutiny. It is essential to recognize that every vote contributes to shaping the future and that seemingly minor measures can have significant impacts on our rights and freedoms. Thus, I encourage a thoughtful examination of these issues so that informed choices can be made, ensuring that all voices are heard in the democratic process.

Article written by editor in chief Benjamin Dominguez – Volpe   As the 2024 election cycle heats up, many Americans find themselves grappling with a disheartening reality regarding the candidates they have to choose from at the ballot box. The candidates vying for office from both the Republican and Democratic parties often seem to misrepresent voters’ ideologies. Voter dissatisfaction is palpable, with polls indicating that a significant portion of the electorate feels trapped between two unappealing choices. In the presidential election, which is undoubtedly the most anticipated election in November, it is clear that undecided voters and independent voters are the ones left out in the cold the most. Both candidates have shown they would rather continue to appeal to their base and wait for undecided voters to flock to the lesser of two “evils” than to reach out and attempt to appeal to the crucial voters who will ultimately decide who occupies the White House for the next four years. For Republicans, the problem is more visible in statewide races than in the presidential ticket. A common notion since roughly late 2021 is that a majority of voters are dissatisfied with the Biden administration, and Republicans were able to capitalize on that dissatisfaction in statewide elections, such as the race for governor of Virginia in 2021. However, in the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans let one of their biggest opportunities to take back the House and the Senate by large margins slip away, resulting in a razor-thin House majority. The President had been suffering from record disapproval, and Republicans were poised to take back both legislative chambers and leave President Biden in a bind. What happened? The answer is simple, the lack of adequate candidates. Two notable statewide candidates who ran as Republicans in 2022 were a television doctor and a football player, both of whom ran in elections that could have most likely been won by any other nominee. However, they fumbled the chance and handed Democrats the Senate. While not as significant an issue as it was in 2022, candidate quality remains a concern. For Democrats, their strategy revolves around changing the narrative. In an era where the incumbent Democratic President, Joe Biden, is still widely disapproved of, the current Vice President, who is part of this unpopular administration, is trying to distance herself from the controversies surrounding it. Harris is attempting to convince voters that she is a completely different person and that, if elected, she will accomplish great things for the country. Many of the promises she and Joe Biden made four years ago are being repackaged and used again as talking points for the upcoming election. If messaging is truly the key to success for Democrats, then they are not exactly excelling at it. Rhetoric from former President Barack Obama serves as a perfect example of this. Obama pressured and shamed a voter bloc they are trying to court—Black male voters—by guilt-tripping them into voting for Harris. Obama emphasized that reluctance to vote for Harris was coming from “the brothers” (meaning black male voters) with his exact quote being as follows: “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” While there must be some reasoning behind this approach, it is safe to say that it does not appeal to undecided voters. Ultimately, both the statewide and nationwide elections will likely be decided by a slim margin, regardless of which party ends up winning. While most voters have already made up their minds, it will be that crucial handful of undecided voters who determine which party controls the executive and legislative branches on Election Day. The narrative that will sway the election in favor of one candidate or the other is still unknown. However, if one had to guess, a strong narrative would likely consist of a candidate tapping into the majority of voters’ disapproval of the current administration, the less-than-stellar economy, the crisis at the southern border that has funneled illegal immigrants into the country, and the U.S.’s standing abroad regarding our involvement in foreign wars and our ability to project strength on the world stage

Much is at stake in the upcoming elections, control of the house of representatives, control of the senate and the most awaited edition : control of the presidency. Empire Posts took an oppotunity we were given very recently to visit and tour some of the buildings that run this country amidst the upcoming election cycle. While in Washington DC area we got the opportunity to pay a visit to Arlington Cementery where we got a reminder of how much our men and women in the armed forces do for us all throughout different time periods all to secure the safety of the union. We also got to see up close the final resting place of 3 Kennedy brothers which included John, Robert and Ted Kennedy and the final resting place of former President William Howard Taft. We also got a look at the famous changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. A day later Empire Posts were able to get a tour of the U.S Capitol Building through a congressman’s internal office. The tour led us through the capitol rotunda, the old senate floor, and a limited but clear view of the current house and senate floor where some of the most significant legislation has been passed, the true heart of the country and decision maker in terms of economic, crime and educational issues among many others. An outside view of the department of education gave Empire Posts a glimpse of the building where America’s educational system is run. Returning to the intial theme of this article, with the elections coming up a visit to the capitol city reminded us of all of what was at stake this election, control of the legislative and executive branch and indirectly control of these smaller yet equally significanr departments that make up the president’s cabinet, Empire Posts will be there to cover the elections every step of the way. BELOW ARE PHOTOS EXCLUSIVELY TAKEN BY EMPIRE POSTS IN AREAS WE WERE ALLOWED TO PHOTOGRAPH

  Just a few weeks ago America witnessed what had the potential to be a history altering event, Former President Donald Trump was inches away from becoming the first Presidential nominee to ever be assassinated mid election, and the fifth president to ever be assassinated. This event sparked a question within the Empire Posts’ organization : could tragedies and near tragedies like the one that occured a few weeks ago be preventable had the perpetrator recieved mental help through parental and societal means?  While much is still unknown over Thomas Matthew Crooks (the man that tried to assassinate Donald Trump), some information on his parents tells us that they were social workers, while potential mental health problems could be to blame the parents once again come into question : what exactly did they know about their son’s mental health status, if no clear indicators of mental illness where shown then how present were the parents in this person’s life? Could this near tragedy have been avoided if it wasn’t for a lack of concern by the parents?  While this near tragedy is yet to get a difinitive answer, Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter presents a perfect example of the question we are trying to present. Lanza had a troubled upbringing with limited parental supervision and support, particularly after his parent’s divorce. This lack of parental presence and guidance has been cited as a contributing factor in his severe mental health issues and eventual violent actions which resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 people including 20 children. It is quite obvious reading about this person’s life that the right parental guidance could’ve led to him recieving mental help and preventing the nationwide tragedy that occured that day.  As a popular saying goes – “It takes a village”, it takes multiple different people and precisely the right guidance for a decent human being to be raised, when either the school system, a social services system or the guidance and supervision of a parent is cut off then a severe risk is being taken in the upbringing of a child. So, tell us what you think : could the crime rate in this country be reduced with the simple help of social services or parental intervention?  

America’s judicial system was mapped out by our founders to be one of total impartiality, a system that can be relied on to settle cases in the correct manner. However, now more than ever in recent history, people are beginning to question how exactly unbaised is the judicial system, not the system itself, but those who run it. Most of these questions have been brought up by the trial of Former President Donald Trump, who was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records which is a felony in New York. Regardless of your opinion about the Former President it is important to take into account some strange circumstances in which the trial was held. One example includes the location, New York and specifically New York City is known to be a heavily Democratic stronghold, therefore it already raises a suspicion about the jury’s possible bias. Another example includes the judge himself, a self described Democrat it is clear that doubt over how exactly impartial this case isn’t exactly unreasonable. A recent talking point that does bring up an interesting question is “if they can do this to a multimillionare who also served as President what could they do to a regular American who might not have the credentials or the money to defend himself?” This case does beg one final question, how hard exactly would it have been for the trial to be held in an impartial state or even just an impartial county in New York with an impartial judge where any rulling against the Former President could be easily respected without any possible ammunition for doubt? The judicial system is supposed to be one that is completely impartial, blind of who you are, however many are questioning how fair exactly was this trial?

On Sunday April 29, 2024, we sent out an Empire Posts representative to a local rally for Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Our media outlet had a goal of interviewing a presidential candidate in 2024 and interview one we did. Our representative reported that after about an hour long speech by Mr Kennedy he took to the photo line where with the press pass in hand he intented on completing Empire Post’s task at hand. Getting to ask Mr Kennedy at least one question. Our Empire Post representative was granted backstage access thanks to the press pass which allowed them to meet Mr Kennedy. Knowing his views on issues such as vaccines, we decided to ask him a question regarding vaccine mandates in our schools. Across the country, including New York, many families have decided to pull their children out of the school system because of the mandates. Our question for him went as follows “As a candidate for the presidency, what is your stance on vaccine mandates in our schools, something that has caused many parents to opt their children out of the school system” Mr Kennedy responded by saying the following “I think the whole thing with Covid, vaccine mandates and the closing of schools should never have happened. Parents should be able to make their own decisions on their children’s health. I am against the mandates, it is hurting our children and our education system and it is against our values.” Stay tuned for more interviews and articles on the Empire Posts website, with elections at the federal and local level kicking off we will have interviews coming soon with many of the candidates in these state and local elections. Our Empire Post representative was able to get an interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.