The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been described as “the biggest free trade deal you’ve never heard of.” The arrangement would liberalize trade by bringing down protective tariffs and “harmonizing” regulations and standards in order to facilitate the exchange of goods and services across 12 countries along the Pacific rim.

While the agreement is being negotiated, experts and politicians are debating the potential effects of the TPP on the United States.

"We have to fix this," said President Obama shortly after the 2012 presidential election saw widespread problems with long waiting times at polling places across the country. The single most poignant example of someone affected by the problem was Desiline Victor, a 102-year-old woman who waited in line for 5 hours to vote.

In May, President Obama announced that 9,800 American soldiers will remain in Afghanistan in 2015 -- a significant troop reduction from the current level of 32,000. This residual force, in conjunction with more than 2,000 NATO troops, will continue training the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and engaging in counterterrorism operations, both of which are essential for safeguarding Afghanistan’s political transition into the post-Karzai era.

This commitment jells with the recommendations of the current top brass, as well as independent assessments.

Eric Cantor will no longer represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District. In what is arguably the biggest primary defeat since Republicans took control of the U.S. House in 2010, the chamber's majority leader was ousted by primary opponent Dave Brat.

"The Tea Party has been a tremendously positive input, I think."                                                    --Eric Cantor, November 10, 2010

The election of 1820 was the beginning of the “Era of Good Feelings.” The Federalist Party of Hamilton, Washington, and Adams barely even existed and did not even field a candidate in the presidential election.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis released the current data for the total debt in the United States Economy on June 5, 2014 -- All Sectors; Credit Market Instruments; Liability, Level (TCMDO). While people, companies, and governments blamed bad weather for a dismal showing in economic activity, it appears they had little trouble finding their way to the banks to add on $471 billion in new debt.

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (Figures in billions of dollars)

Politico reports that U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has decided to stay out of the Mississippi U.S. Senate primary runoff race between state Senator Chris McDaniel and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. The low turnout expected in the summer runoff election will give McDaniel an opportunity to unseat the incumbent.

“We’re not going to get involved,” Paul said.

In the wake of all of the controversy surrounding the release of five Guantanamo Bay detainees in exchange for the freedom of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a number of questions have been hotly debated and even more cliché catchphrases have been thrown around.

"Nobody gets left behind," was the phrase the Obama administration is using to justify the decision, while "we don't negotiate with terrorists," is the quote of choice for critics.

Is there a way to end gridlock forever? What about gerrymandering, closed primaries, and high-barrier requirements for outsiders? Even then, what about the complete dependence candidates have on a tiny group of funders that have corrupted our government?

When considered all together, we are back to a time of taxation without any meaningful representation. A conclusion that a recent Princeton study resoundingly confirms.

It is no surprise that the indefatigable Ralph Nader -- lawyer, author, consumer advocate, and five-time presidential candidate -- possesses a vision for how to energize and mobilize an electorate that feels increasingly dissatisfied and disempowered.