Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders gave his take on the results of the 2014 elections in an interview with Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central's Colbert Report on Monday.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy. --attrib. Alexander F.

Late Tuesday, the Senate voted against debating the USA Freedom Act of 2014. The legislation failed to garner 60 votes -- the threshold necessary for cloture. The final vote was 58 in favor to 42 opposed.

The bill was lauded by supporters as an attempt to reign in the expansive surveillance programs of the National Security Agency (NSA).

Debate over states' rights and the rights of the people goes as far back as the 18th century. Today, that political discussion is alive and well in the form of a struggle over gerrymandering. This term, the Supreme Court will hear Arizona State Legislature v.

A projected total of $3.6 billion was spent during the 2014 midterm election, according the Center for Responsive Politics. According to the Supreme Court, unlimited spending on elections is protected speech under the First Amendment, leaving the floodgates open for high-wealth individuals and organizations to assert their interests.

Last week, the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition served as a backdrop for high-level meetings between China and Pakistan discussing greater military (especially air force) cooperation between the two countries.

On Thursday, November 13, I published an article in an attempt to explain what net neutrality is and to explain the general concerns of those who support the implementation of net neutrality rules. After looking at the responses to the article, I have concluded that most people support net neutrality. Who should ultimately be responsible for protecting a free and open Internet is where people disagree.

As Congress enters the so-called lame duck session, certain bills are likely to come up for a debate and vote while political repercussions are at their lowest. However, when it comes to one purportedly anti-surveillance bill, opposition may be fierce.

I remember watching an episode of “I Love Lucy” where Lucy was feeling depressed so Ricky hired a fake psychologist to examine his wife, but also to hit on her. The idea was that Lucy’s self-esteem would improve and the two start dancing while Ricky looks on. Ricky eventually gets jealous and tries to separate them, but the actor/psychologist simply says, “The treatment, Ricky; the treatment!” and Ricky stops himself. Needless to say, the plan went awry.

Across the Americas, marijuana is entering the mainstream. Along with a Republican victory in the November elections, various marijuana laws passed around the country in referendum measures. Similarly, marijuana legislation has passed in elected bodies around Latin America in recent years.

The nature of these laws, however, differ drastically. Here is a regional comparison to see the state of legalization and decriminalization around the Western hemisphere.