"No Taxation without Representation," was a major rallying cry of the American Revolution. At the heart of it was the fact that Colonial Americans had absolutely no say in the legislation process that created taxes.

I have often wondered what our early Founders did toward taxation after the Revolution, yet never had the time to really research it or had access to the documents to find out.

Out of 100 civics questions for people applying for U.S. citizenship, question 45 suggests that future citizens have two options and only two options in American politics.

It is a win-win between Republicans and Democrats as the only possible answers gives exposure only to them and no other political party or option, such as participating without being obligated to associate with a party.

Question 45. "What are the two major political parties in the United States?"

Answer: Democratic and Republican.

Redistricting is a process that occurs once every ten years, where census data is utilized to redraw the boundaries of each congressional district, so as to keep the representational power of each district relatively even. The underlying rationale for redistricting is to ensure that the "one man, one vote" ethos stays meaningful.

As the protests in Ferguson, Missouri continue, the U.S. Congress recently blocked a vote on a bipartisan bill that would have restricted the transfer of military-grade weapons and vehicles to local police.

Primaries, despite all appearances, are actually necessary as vehicles of Democracy. Most readers of IVN have a general idea of what primaries are and how they function. However, I would argue that the benefits of primaries are rarely, if ever, mentioned. The reason for this is because they are old and we, as a society, have forgotten why they were necessary.

At a time when fewer than 35 of 435 Congressional races are competitive, political spending in midterm elections has never been higher. The projected total for the 2014 elections was $3.67 billion.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, issued on October 3, 1789, was our nation's first executive order. Following the set examples of the Continental Congress and Congress Assembled under the Articles, the new Congress requested that Washington set aside a national day of thanksgiving.

Examining this short, 500 word proclamation and the precedents it set into motion would definitely help our understanding of the current political crisis, as well as what George Washington thought was important for a thankful people to do.

China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world. -- Napoleon Bonaparte

This week, in yet another announcement of China's growing list of military partnerships, The People's Daily News announced greater military partnership with Canada. The deal gives the Chinese Navy access to Canadian ports, further increasing China's aspirations for a blue-water navy.

Marijuana legalization under the new Congress is likely to continue its current path -- slow and steady, but sure, experts say.

"The next Congress will see another slate of pro-cannabis reform bills introduced -- more like reintroduced -- ranging from legalization to medical access to industrial hemp to banking regulations to sentencing," said Allen St. Pierre, executive director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "However, like in this Congress, the prospects of these bills actually passing both houses of Congress are practically non-existent."