In June, Wisconsin witnessed both enormous highs and distressing setbacks for those who are battling for gay rights.

On June 6, 2014, District Judge Barbara Crabb overturned Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban, asserting that the case “is about liberty and equality, the two cornerstones of the rights protected by the United States Constitution.”

In the fall, California Assemblymember Kristin Olsen will take on a new political role as Republican Minority Leader. Olsen, 40, who represents the 12th Assembly District in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, has a reputation of working effectively on both sides of the political aisle.

The California State Republican Caucus elected Olsen with a united front, announcing the win as unanimous. Assembly colleagues say she's smart, savvy, and ready for the job. Olsen is expected to make the transition in November when Minority Leader Connie Conway’s term is over.

On June 3, County Supervisor Jeff Stone (R) and businesswoman Bonnie Garcia (R) narrowly beat Glenn Miller (R) and Philip Drucker (D) for the top two spots in California's twenty-eighth state Senate district. Stone came in first with 21.9 percent, only 2 percentage points ahead of Garcia. Miller, who placed third, was short just 449 votes behind Garcia.

On July 1, 2014, part of a 2012 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule became active that will make it easier for voters to know who is paying for political TV advertisements.

A bipartisan team of U.S. Senators is hoping legislation can eventually gain the support of President Barack Obama and curb some of the powers of the National Security Agency (NSA).

In an already hotly contested race for the congressional seat in Massachusetts’ sixth district, an independent candidate has just thrown his hat into the ring.

Chris Stockwell, an avowed centrist and political outsider, has launched his campaign to run as an independent candidate for the coveted seat in Massachusetts. More than just a sideshow to the Democratic primary campaign and a strong Republican challenger, Stockwell firmly believes he will win:

In the world where I spend most of my life—the world of higher education administration—the difference between an accommodation and an exception could not be more important.

Accommodating students with specific needs is part of providing equal educational opportunity. Accommodations include such things as providing sign-language interpreters, note takers, recorded textbooks, and extra time on tests.

Independence Day is usually celebrated -- most vocally anyway -- by used car dealerships and department stores. However, it's important for 'We the People' to remember who was driving the four-wheel liberty drive, no money down, no interest for 12 months, freedom machine that became the United States of America on the Fourth of July.

Chief among them, was Benjamin Franklin. Any exercise to choose just one Founding Father as 'the best' is inherently a subjective one. However, the following 6 reasons why Benjamin Franklin is the best will hopefully persuade you to agree.

Leading up to the Fourth of July, Gallup reports that Americans are less satisfied with their freedom to choose what they do with their lives than they were 7 years ago. In 2006, 91 percent of Americans were satisfied with their freedom. That number dropped 12 percentage points to 79 percent in 2013.