Collectively, there are thousands of organizations and funders already working to improve our country. So why does our country appear to be a mess?

The weakest part of our country is our willingness to live in a narrative/news stream that confirms our own bias and demonizes others. We could make our collective work exponentially more effective by fostering strong relationships among people of different viewpoints.

We are only three months into 2018, but already big things are happening within the independent movement -- especially in Colorado.

Unite America (formerly the Centrist Project) recently launched with an ambitious goal: to elect enough independents to shift the balance of power in several states and in DC away from the Republican and Democratic Parties, and give a voice back to the people.

This week, T.J. is joined by Debra Hanby, the mother of an opioid addict who found her life’s purpose through her son’s experience.

T.J. is the host of 'Deconstructed,' formerly titled 'A Civil Assessment.' You can follow IVN's podcast channel on iTunes or SoundCloud!

In an unusual move, President Trump, citing national security concerns, has issued an executive order blocking Broadcom Ltd. from acquiring San Diego based Qualcomm Inc.

The move by the president effectively kills the  $117 billion deal that had been subject to U.S. government scrutiny on national security grounds.

We decide who we are, as a country, every day, and announce it to the world by both our words and our actions. We continually declare our values, our priorities, and exactly what “We The People” stands for, both to ourselves and to all of our global neighbors.

But has that declaration, and those decisions, included your own voice? Have you had a meaningful role in helping shape the very definition of what the United States of America stands for? What is a country, anyway?

Medical marijuana legalization is making its way through the Commonwealth of Kentucky's legislature with House Bill 166, which enjoys the support of both Republicans and Democrats in the Kentucky legislature, and would allow patients with certain conditions to consume the plant or products made from it.

In the immediate aftermath of the Parkland mass shooting, a new element was incorporated into our collective response. The survivors, and families of those killed, began demanding change.

Student leaders from Parkland emerged, and these young people channeled their emotions into activism. They insisted that the Parkland school shooting be the last, and directly engaged politicians responsible for ensuring schools be safe.

Read about what really matters from the news last week. We provide you the least-biased news about current events so you can go about your day informed, not brainwashed.

#1. "The fundamental assumptions of Western Civilization are valid."

Jordan Peterson begins a lecture he gave last June:

"12 principles for a 21st century conservatism"

With the caveat:

"I am not making the claim that the statement is perfect, comprehensive, or final."

Good.

Below I've transcribed an excerpt from his first principle above.

Please don't skip over it to the part about borders because pretty much everything he says here is my critique of his fourth principle.

Which is:

The Maine Republican Party sent out an email Friday to its supporters with the subject line, "Ranked-Choice Voting risks the security of YOUR vote." Words emboldened in the email include "Department of Homeland Security" and "security vulnerabilities." Pretty intense, right?