Dr. Tom Coburn, a former member of both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, joins host T.J. O’Hara on this edition of Deconstructed. He discusses the toxic political environment in Washington, D.C. and Congress’ continued resistance to assuming any degree of fiscal responsibility.

Independent candidate Dr. Ann Diamond garnered enough votes in Washington state's 12th legislative district, position 1 Tuesday to place in the top two and advance to the November election. Dr. Diamond could now make history as she would be the first independent elected to the state legislature if she wins in November.

Millions of voters are not just choosing to self-identify as independent of the two major parties, they are dumping their party registrations in droves.

In about half the states that register voters by party, independent voters outnumber at least one of the two major political parties. But here are 9 states where independents not only outnumber registered Republicans AND Democrats, they are also having a significant impact on political developments within the state.

Note: All registration numbers are the most up-to-date as of the time of this writing.

1. Conservatives think you're liberal, and liberals think you're conservative.

When you have discussions with your friends or people online about politics, you get accused by hyper-partisan conservatives of being a radical left winger, and later that same week a hyper-partisan liberal accuses you of being alt-right.

San Diego, CA. - The City Attorney's emergency petition to keep SoccerCity and SDSU West off the November ballot has been denied by the Fourth District Court Of Appeal.

Justices Patricia Benke, Richard Huffman, and Joan Irion  declined to rule on the issues raised by the City Attorney's office.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Facebook has asked large US banks to allow it access to detailed customer data. The social media giant claims the talks were aimed at offering new features with the information.

In my latest interview, I talk with independent campaign manager and digital marketing expert Jenn Gray about a new voter suppression investigation she and her group, Arizona Independents United, are conducting in Maricopa County, Arizona.

San Diego, CA. - The San Diego City Council agreed to an amended stadium lease with SDSU and voted to kill two proposed ballot measures.

City Council Amends SDSU Lease Agreement

The City of San Diego has amended its lease agreement with SDSU and the University's use of SDCCU stadium.

By a vote of 6-1, with Councilmembers Chris Ward and Chris Cate absent, the City Council and University have an agreement through December 31, 2020. The city will receive annual rent of $1.1 million and all parking and concession revenues totaling about $700,000.

OLATHE, Kan. - Kansas independent gubernatorial candidate Greg Orman announced Monday that he and his running mate, State Sen. John Doll, garnered 10,338 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

The Orman campaign submitted over twice the amount of signatures required by state law.

Abraham Lincoln once famously said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”