NATIONAL -- There are numerous systemic problems with proportional representation (PR).These are rarely ever discussed when comparing and contrasting the U.S. system with most European systems. Oftentimes dissatisfied voters in the United States look longingly toward European systems as the answer to their problems. Unfortunately, proportional representation is not all its cracked up to be.
Marijuana reform has picked up support in Illinois and may be moving toward a new stage.
In January, State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat, introduced Illinois House Bill 218 to amend the Cannabis Control Act. If passed, the amendment would eliminate criminal penalties for marijuana possession of up to 30 grams and replace them with a $100 fine.
CALIFORNIA -- On Friday, March 6, the California Republican Party (CRP) filed a trademark infringement complaint against the Asian American Small Business PAC, claiming that it unlawfully used the Republican trademarked elephant image in a mailer supporting Michaela Hertle (a Republican) in the special election for Senate District 7.
A recent study on the growth of wealth inequality instantly drew the usual finger pointing and denials between hardcore political opponents even though the chart clearly shows a steady trend across all administrations of either party.
As a result, the usual arguments about the failure of trickle-down economics and the failure of tax and spend policies fall short. But the bickering continues.
On March 4, 2015, the General Social Study published its latest report examining the public's opinion on marijuana legalization. The study documents both the shift in popular consensus on marijuana over the past 40 years as well as the monumental growth that has occurred in the last decade. This is the first time that a comprehensive study has found over 50 percent of respondents in favor of marijuana legalization.
In Athens of antiquity, the inventors of democracy set up a law that required every person to vote. Anyone found not voting would be publicly marked and labeled an idiot; someone who thought their own personal needs trumped those of the society around them, wrote Isaac DeVille.
I begin here by asserting that the one certain measure of any democratic society is the measurement of those who vote and those who don't.
In the net neutrality issue, both sides have laid claim to the First Amendment, but our free speech law is not really the issue. The core element is a shift in policies represented by the
Communications Act of 1934 and our Telecommunications Act of 1996.
KENTUCKY -- Kentucky Hemp is coming back. Fiber, seed, fuel, oil, and artisan products are simmering in the recently revived hemp industry.
NATIONAL -- One of the primary selling points for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was affordable insurance premiums with guaranteed issuance. Guaranteed issuance is great for unhealthy people, but is also seen as having the potential of increasing health care costs.
Lower premiums are enticing to healthy people, but anyone who has to use their insurance knows: total cost = premiums + co-pays + deductibles.
CAPITOL HILL -- The U.S. Senate failed to override President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL pipeline on Wednesday, missing the two-thirds threshold by 5 votes in a 62-37 vote. It was the first time the U.S. Senate voted to override a veto from Obama.
Republican lawmakers are still determined to pass Keystone in 2015. However, on its own, there are not many avenues for success, which means it will need to be attached to a must-pass bill to have a fighting chance, and supporters have already decided what bill they will attach it to.