politics

Politics does not dictate our collective cultural mindset as much as it simply reflects it; We've got to look in the mirror sometimes, and we've got one.

Mr. Trump Versus the Democrats
Click for AUDIO VERSION. I had a friend recently comment to me, "The biggest threat to the Republicans maintaining control of the Congress is Donald Trump." Admittedly, he was never a fan of the president, nor did he vote for him in the 2016 election as he thought Mr. Trump was rather un-presidential and his rhetoric embarrassing. I countered that I found the president's comments rather refreshing as compared to the stale gobbledygook typically coming out of Washington. I also find it interesting my friend doesn't seem to have a problem with the disparaging comments made by the president's opponents in the other party who frequently accuse him of corruption, racism, misconduct, and hate. Their unbridled distortion of the truth leads me to believe what is good for the goose is not good for the gander.
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
Ways to Fix the Democratic Party
There's no hiding from it anymore: the DNC needs some R&R—or, something that can not only be of benefit, but of overall holistic change to the entirety of the party. While it's obvious that these adaptations and "bug fixes" won't happen overnight, it must not go unnoticed that the party does need mending and that a more insightful examination into the practices, leadership, and thought processes involved on a deeper level of the Democratic National Committee must all be brought further into the limelight.
By Donald Gray8 years ago in The Swamp
The Genius of Identity Politics
Click for AUDIO VERSION. I recently wrote a column describing the concept of "Old White Men" which is a mean-spirited attempt to discredit the wisdom of our elders, who are portrayed as stumbling blocks to progress. I want to take this a step further as this is a part of what is today referred to as "Identity Politics."
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
Do Voters Study Policy?
Do voters actually study policy before deciding who to vote for? How much do we know? How much real information are we given about anything?
By Peter Rose8 years ago in The Swamp
Brexit and Cambridge Analytica Could Cost Scotland Independence
Distrust of Politicians Hardens Attitudes Hardly anyone under 60 trusts politicians or the mainstream media anymore, thus leaving them open to populist manipulation—for example using the techniques used by Cambridge Analytica, with its top Tory dominated board, in the EU referendum to confirm their biases and make them impervious to argument.
By Axel P Kulit8 years ago in The Swamp
The State of the Welfare State
The UK welfare system has a lot of problems at the moment. The reasons behind those problems differ depending on one’s political outlook, but there are issues that need addressing whatever your views. It’s worth looking back at the history of welfare in the UK, in order to understand how we have arrived at this point. First, we need to define “the welfare state.” In general terms it is:
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
The Death of the Liberal Dream
"Liberalism here, as well as across Europe, is not faring well against the politics of fear." Those were the words spoken by Nick Clegg, former Liberal Democrat leader, after his party's catastrophic losses in the 2015 General Election. It's almost like he was an oracle, seeing visions of the future, looking forward to see the (some would call) follys of Brexit and Trump. Maybe he saw Britain aflame with Jacob Rees-Mogg looking over all, the would-be-king. And the king deemed it good.*
By Tom Wyatt8 years ago in The Swamp
Brexit — It Looks Like It's Happening
Both of the main political parties in the UK are committed to Brexit – well, sort of. The Tories more so, and I’m a little bit impressed that their pro-Remain MPs have been kept in line. Labour’s a bit more ambiguous, not because Jeremy Corbyn’s voiced anti-EU sentiment in the past, but because now he’s not really saying much of any substance. Most Labour MPs and party members are pro-Remain, and in PMQs and interviews, Corbyn expresses sentiments that would fit within a Remain framework. But he can’t bring himself to actually say it explicitly.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
So Rich Yet So Poor
Intro There are many developing countries, from el Salvador to Argentina, but I’ve decided to focus on Afghanistan. Now why is Afghanistan considered a developing country? Maybe the fact that hundreds of people die daily because of the wars going on there, maybe because there are hundreds of rebel groups that bring so much corruption like ISIS and even the government. Afghanistan does not really lack many natural resources, in fact it has many, which in my opinion would bring it out of its tittle as a developing country. But those many resources are what brings a lot of conflict. These things also affect its infrastructure and population, all these things combined have a huge tole on income per capita and its growth.
By Edwin Chavez8 years ago in The Swamp
When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot
Click for AUDIO VERSION. Earlier this month, my liberal and news media friends went into a state of panic over a recent report the Sinclair Broadcast Group was pushing the owner's conservative agenda through their many television outlets. It wasn't bad enough the owner was a conservative, but it was alleged by CNN the Sinclair stations were now being forced to run segments in support of President Trump.
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
Decision Making by Governments
Are decisions made by the right people? There are many solutions to any problem but there is only one best solution. There may be a few acceptable solutions and there will be several unacceptable ones, but only one best solution.
By Peter Rose8 years ago in The Swamp
Conservatives and Liberals
As the years have gone by I have seen a huge similarity on both sides of the generally accepted political scale in America. Both sides say the same thing, "Why do we need the other side?"
By William Valleau8 years ago in The Swamp