This primary season, many states across the nation reported low voter turnout and the disengagement of voters from the democratic process. Voters were unenthusiastic to get to the polls and cast a ballot in the Republican primary, and even Republicans were dissatisfied with their potential presidential nominees. The general election is not looking much better, with general voter sentiment low and dissatisfaction high. Voters are frustrated with their options, and many who were adamant Obama supporters in 2008 have lost faith and motivation.

Earlier in the week, the Capitol community was abuzz when The Bee uncovered an unauthorized vacation buyout program taking place in the Department of Parks and Recreation. A buyout that cost the state over $271,000- which is especially shocking when you consider the scale of cutbacks underway due to our budget deficit. Turns out that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The shooting that occurred Thursday night at a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado has reportedly led to 12 deaths and over 50 wounded. With hundreds in the theater, many of the movie goers were blindsided by an apparent smoke bomb that first went off before the shooting began. The continuing investigation has spotlighted James Holmes, a neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Colorado, as a suspect. He is currently in custody and is due in court on Monday.

In wake of the tragic Colorado shooting in the city of Aurora, our country's leaders spoke to rally the spirits of the people and send their condolences to the victims and their families. Here's what they had to say.

The California park system secretly hid $54 million as it cut services and begged for money from private donors, which is certainly some kind of new low in bottom-dwelling, cynical, manipulative, politics.

Today’s world news round-up. An independent breakdown of notable global developments in a news update.

Washington Post - How Spain went from quiet to crisis in two days

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released today gives new insight into employment numbers, state by state, for the month of June.

Compared to the month before, unemployment has increased in 27 states. Meanwhile, 11 states, as well as the District of Columbia, reported a decrease in unemployment in June compared to May. 12 other states reported no change.

New York City's Mayor Mike Bloomberg came out swinging today in the aftermath of the horrific movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. He pressed the presidential candidates to go beyond the typical political response to the situation and propose solutions. Mayor Bloomberg is a vocal proponent for tougher gun control laws.

Before the birth of America and the movement of independent politics, there was another use for the term "independent." In England, during their first civil war, the Puritans had decent control of their Long Parliament, but they were split into two factions- the Independents and the Presbyterians. The split was caused by religious differences and differing opinions on the conduct of war. While they help some political beliefs they were not political parties but rather religious sects. They split politically on whether to pursue war or peace in the english civil war.