I know. What was the likelihood that Denzel Washington and Pope Francis would appear in the same headline... ever? But both have something in common this week: they have come out against the way mainstream and traditional media now treat the 24-hour news cycle.

We understand the basic connection between acting and the political skill of talking in public, but this doesn't explain the trend of actors successfully being voted in office and appealing to people over a politician with years of experience. Can an actor really be an effective politician? Does voting them in show the fundamental disconnect between people and governance? 

Margarine? Really?

That plastic-like stuff that's supposed to taste like butter, but barely looks like it, definitely doesn't smell like it, and has a vague hint of butter flavor that contrary to the marketing you'd never 'believe' it was butter.

But the 19th century debate of the chemist over the cow creating our food became the gateway to the federal government's ever expanding role into regulating the economy, imposing national product standards, and (to some) stripping the Tenth Amendment of its intent in leaving it up to the states to govern.

Let’s face it. It’s easy to be a liberal activist these days.

Here are the key steps, which you can follow in any order:

1. Say that all people without money are good,

2. Say that all people with money are bad, and

3. And promise to be a Santa Claus like savior for children of any religion.

Sacramento, CALIF.- California’s new Democrat supermajority used Monday’s usually congenial legislative swearing-in ceremonies to ram through Assembly and Senate resolutions insisting President-elect Donald Trump abandon his immigration deportation policies – at least in California.

2016 is proving to be a year of change. After the shock of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, Italy showed its discontent with the status quo and took a step toward what could possibly be the first step of an Italian Brexit-style referendum to leave the European Union (#Italeave?).

“Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.” - MLK

It seems like every time we hear a protest going on, the internet is abuzz with trolls shouting “Quit wasting your time… Just stop it. Get a job… This will accomplish nothing.” The theme is that protests don’t really accomplish anything, are really fronted by billionaires, and are populated by hippies who contribute nothing to society and can’t deal with the truth.

The 2010 implementation of the Affordable Care Act ensured that mental and behavioral health treatment would be an essential benefit covered by all health insurance policies sold on the federal health exchange.

For those who have paid close attention to President Barack Obama’s national energy policy, Sunday’s decision to deny the already approved permits to finish construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline came as little surprise.

Here at IVN.us, the integrity of the voting process is very important, so any hint of foul play or voter fraud is something we take an earnest interest in understanding and reporting accurately and comprehensively.

As a forum for independent and third-party voters, the writers and editors here have also been very gracious toward and inclusive of the presidential candidacy and issues raised by Green Party presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein.