In-N-Out is a staple of Californian culture and an iconic American fast-food chain. Founded in 1948 in California, In-N-Out has remained a privately owned company, refusing to franchise to preserve the quality of its food and service. The chain has deep roots in Christian values, as evidenced in both the products it sells and its company culture. The current owner, Lynsi Snyder, is very open about her faith, and since the 90s, the company has printed Bible verses on the cups and wrappers. For instance, on the bottom of the In-N-Out double-double wrappers are “Nahum 1:7,” a reference to the Bible verse “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” The company aligns itself with conservative causes, and it faced backlash for donating $25,000 to the Republican Party in 2018 and $40,000 during the Governor Newsom Recall Campaign, when the COVID-19 pandemic was ongoing. Lynsi Snyder herself donated $2 million to President Trump’s super PAC in 2025. Despite the perception that many conservatives do not value the working class and are the party for the rich, In-N-Out actually has the highest employee satisfaction among major restaurant chains. In-N-Out’s pay and benefits are well above the standard for American fast-food chains, and they provide ample opportunities for promotion. The company has a system that allows hourly associates to advance through different levels into management positions, with store managers often making six-figure salaries. The employment model allows for upward mobility without having a college degree or connections. In-N-Out is one of the few companies still embodying the classic “American Dream,” where you can start at an entry-level position and advance to a management position that allows you to have a comfortable lifestyle. In-N-Out is proof that you can embody traditional conservative values and be successful, while also treating your employees well and not sacrificing everything for profit. In-N-Out’s approach is an example of a better way for conservatives to approach capitalism: by embracing free market principles while also investing in the well-being of workers, rather than taking a “whatever makes the most money,” approach. Focusing solely on deregulation and tax policy is also important; it is equally important to prioritize American workers and their futures. America is not just a machine that generates profit, but a nation built on the promise that prosperity should uplift its people.
By Alexia Silva
Through March 31st, 2026 from the start of the year, the number of competitive grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is down by more than half compared with the same period last year, according to an analysis done by the Washington Post. The same analysis also reports that biomedical funding has also been cut and there have been fewer grants focused on women’s health, cancer, and mental health. The NIH supported 2,700 fewer scientific projects in the fiscal year of 2025 and there was a 31% drop in the number of projects funded that included the word “women”. For Katherine Burns, the leading researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s endometriosis lab, the prospect of the end of her research haunts her. “It’s very scary. It’s very hard. It’s very emotional for me because I’ve worked so very hard to get to this point. I’ve worked and dedicated who I am to this because I have this disease…We really made some strides, and we really made some sacrifices to keep this going.” Burns said. Endometriosis is an extremely stigmatized and misunderstood disease that impacts 1 in 10 reproductive age women. The exact cause still isn’t known, which has led many women to be misdiagnosed, experience blackout levels of pain, and even infertility. If Burn’s research is cut, a leading source for the improved health of millions of American women will be lost. Last month, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told the House Appropriations Committee, which is in charge of giving and withholding funding, that just like last year, the agency will spend its entire budget. “Scientists that are listening, don’t pay attention to the hype. We are in the process of identifying the excellent projects. The grants are already going out the door” he said. However, administrators at research universities struggle with hiring and admissions due to the host of unknowns regarding funding. Since a large portion of grant money goes toward support for trainees in labs, others such as graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, and assistant professors are all affected by the lack of funding clarity. The future of science in the United States is at stake. California is trying to change that. On March 5th, 2026, James B. Milliken announced that the University of California is sponsoring state senator Scott Wiener’s SB 895, also known as The California Science and Health Research Bond Act. This bipartisan legislation would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California. If passed by voters on the November 2026 ballot, it would be a monumental step in preserving research that is important to protecting jobs, sustaining lifesaving medical advancements, supporting the health of communities across the state and maintaining California’s global leadership in innovation. “University research has been under sustained attack over the past year. This bill aims to protect the remarkable advances benefiting millions of Californians now and in the future. We are proud to consponsor this bill and will always stand up for science.” said Milliken. On May 4th, a rally will take place in Sacramento, California for this bill. Students, faculty, staff, researchers, and other supporters are encouraged to attend. If this rally is affected and The California Science and Health Research Act is passed, other states can follow suit and help fund other valuable ventures into science. I encourage readers of Our National Conversation to spread the word about this act and even if you are outside of the state, call lawmakers in your own state and let them know about this act. This act can save many lives, even your own if you get sick. The future of science is at stake, so fight to protect it in any way you can.
By Chandler Flowers
The majority of Americans have a negative outlook on politics right now. According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of adults believe political debate has become less respectful. On top of that, 72% report feeling exhausted by politics, and 69% say they feel angry when they think about it. Perhaps most concerning, 78% believe there is too little attention given to the issues that actually matter in this country. These numbers show that political frustration is widespread. People aren’t just disagreeing; they’re feeling burned out, unheard, and overwhelmed. And when civic engagement becomes associated with anger and exhaustion, it becomes harder for our democracy to stay strong and healthy. In today’s overwhelming political climate, one of the most powerful things we can control is how we consume information. Instead of relying on social media feeds or cable news, which tend to use negative, unproductive language, we can supplement or expand our news sources to get more reliable information. For example, some reputable news sources include the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, and NPR. These outlets prioritize factual reporting over sensational headlines. It’s also important to think critically and fact-check before sharing information. Misinformation spreads quickly, and each of us plays a role in either stopping it or contributing to it. Limiting doomscrolling and intentionally seeking multiple perspectives can help prevent falling into internet echo chambers as well. Feeling frustrated about politics isn’t wrong, it actually shows that we care. But the key question is: what do we do with that frustration? Instead of letting it turn into constant outrage, we can channel it into meaningful action. That means voting in elections, volunteering in our communities, and advocating for issues we care about. If there’s a problem that matters deeply to you, look for solutions. Support policies, organizations, and initiatives that address those concerns. And support candidates who align with your values whether that’s through donating or volunteering on their campaign. Real change can only happen through consistent civic participation. Don’t get discouraged by the overwhelming need for change. You are not alone in this, as, according to a national survey done by Navigator Research, 3 in 5 Americans say the American political system needs major change. If all of us work together, we can make serious and impactful improvements to our country. Across political parties and across different groups, a majority of Americans say the system needs major changes. That tells us that feelings of anger, exhaustion, and dissatisfaction with politics are not just personal, they are shared across the country. Constant negativity, online arguments, and toxic discourse may feel loud, but they rarely create real, lasting change. What actually makes an impact is informed, consistent civic engagement. That means staying informed from reliable sources, thinking critically, supporting candidates and causes we believe in, voting, volunteering, and participating in our communities. These actions may seem small, but collectively they are how democratic change happens. If so many Americans agree that the system needs improvement, that shared concern can be a starting point for progress rather than division. Democracy works best when people stay engaged, respectful, and solution-focused. Therefore, rather than contributing to the noise and negativity, we should focus on being the change we want to see.
By Alexia Silva
Follow Us