A movement of Independent candidates for local office is slowly beginning to take shape in China.  Some of the barriers they face may sound eerily familiar to Independents here in the US.

As the first CNN GOP presidential debate approached and unfolded last night, the network's exclusion of Gov. Gary Johnson was brought to light by two rival networks known more for their boisterous partisanship than for giving voice to such "lesser-known" candidates.

For far too long, California political districts have been created by whoever was in power. Oddly-shaped gerrymandered districts carved out safe areas for the party in control. Loyal members got safe districts, making it easy to get re-elected. Maverick politicians were doled out less safe areas.

A bipartisan group of six representatives, led by presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Texas), released a letter on Thursday calling on President Obama and Congress to scale back military commitments abroad and reduce war spending.