“I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.”― Oliver Cromwell
Socialism. Communism. Few words are more misunderstood, mistreated, and mysterious in American politics.
On Thursday, news was released to the world that former South African President Nelson Madela had died at the age of 95. In recent years, his health had been declining, but that still does not diminish the impact of his passing.
Mandela was born in July 1918. While living in Johannesburg later, he became involved in anti-colonial politics.
In 1948, the government began implementing the policy of apartheid, which he would be a voice against. Although he was a man of non-violence, he co-founded the militant organization, Umkhonto we Sizwe, in 1961.
The First Amendment protects one's right to free speech, the value of which was enshrined by John Stuart Mill in his 19th century classic, On Liberty:
Fundraising is the backbone of political campaigns. Without the money coming in, candidates are limited to what they can afford and not everyone has pockets like Michael Bloomberg.
Ironically, political parties themselves are private organizations, separate from the candidates they are affiliated with. The money they use for conventions, elections, and their overhead, or housekeeping purposes, are subsidized by the taxpayers. This creates problems with corruption and campaign finance laws, especially during perpetual election cycles.
With another campaign season rapidly approaching, termed-out legislators are filing for other offices and calls to establish term limits for Congress are once again being heard.
State and local governments can agree to stand behind each other’s debts. These agreements became more common in recent years, amidst the Great Recession and higher government fiscal stress. In accounting lingo, the deals are called “nonexchange financial guarantees.”
In April 2013, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No.
Could the Republican Party be spent as a national electoral force? It will be if it doesn’t learn from its mistakes and return to a more central position in American life which includes talking to independent voters, according to seasoned election strategist Ford O’Connell’s new book, Hail Mary: The 10-Step Playbook for Republican Recovery.
Genetically-modified food may soon be a thing of the past on Hawaii Island, the largest island in the state of Hawaii. The island's governing council recently passed a bill banning the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and banning biotech companies such as Monsanto from operating in the area.
Perhaps the least helpful criticism I have ever received on my writing went like this (caps in the original): "THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT LIBTARD RANT. IF YOU ARE SO SMART AND HATE AMERICA SO MUCH, WHY DON'T YOU INVENT A TIME MACHINE AND HELP THE BRITISH WIN." I replied the only way one could possibly respond to such a statement: I said, "You're welcome."
I am not going to go on from here and talk about civility. Clearly, those who use words like "libtard" (or comparable epithets like "Repugnican") do not give any thought to being civil.