WDAM 7, a local station in southern Mississippi, reported on a new initiative Wednesday that would revamp the state's primary system. Initiative 57 seems to support a nonpartisan blanket primary, though the initiative simply refers to it as an "open primary," and the language isn't entirely clear.

The text of the initiative partly reads:

There’s no doubt I don’t like VP Joe Biden’s (D) tactics when it comes to throwing both friends and foes under the proverbial bus when it advances his platform.

But one thing is certain, vice president ‘Potty Mouth,’ well-known for his timed expletives gets stuff done in Washington and is well liked in the Democratic Party.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nwRiuh1Cug

Bernie Sanders may have released his most effective campaign ad to date, certainly one that will have people talking going into the February 1 Iowa Caucuses.

Since 2013, Kansas has required proof of citizenship to vote in elections. But there’s a small problem with that. While the Kansas voter registration form requires proof of citizenship, the federal voter registration form (available at eac.gov) does not.

Kansas has requested that the Election Assistance Commission amend the state-specific instruction to the federal forms to include proof of citizenship, but the Commission has not acted on this request.

The Concord Monitor's political blog, the Political Monitor, reported Wednesday that two bills have been introduced in the New Hampshire House of Representatives that would adopt approval voting for municipal and statewide elections. 

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released projections [Tuesday] that show the federal deficit rising this year for the first time since 2009 and the government sinking deeper into debt over the next decade, a problem that The Concord Coalition says every candidate for federal office should address in this year's political campaigns.

Looking ahead to the Iowa Caucuses on Monday, February 1, IVN predicts that Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders will win their respective caucuses. However, IVN further predicts that the parties will find a way to take these wins away from them.

Social Security deserves better.

The program is the largest expense in the federal budget, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the federal budget. Yet, it will be lucky to draw 1 percent of the coverage in this election cycle.

Beyond its size, the system serves as a life line for many in our society, providing support that keeps millions above poverty. Any question about its stability should be a visible issue in any campaign.

The Royal Bank of Scotland's economists warned investors last week to "sell everything" other than high quality bonds, citing Chinese instability and continued suppression of oil prices.

With January's huge slump in the stock markets, it's looking like there's the significant possibility of a long-term bear market.