There has been a global trend for decades among free nations with representative government, a decline in voter turnout in elections.  In 31 nations, spread over every continent, the franchise - the right to vote - is treated as BOTH a right AND a civic duty. Right and duty are treated as two sides of the same coin, as well they should be, and as our own founding fathers (and mothers) strongly believed.

In response to growing concern over the privacy of personal information online, companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Microsoft have revealed the number of personal data requests received from government entities worldwide.

While conditions such as time period and location vary, one uniform trend is confirmed: Government requests for personal data are at an all-time high.

credit: Flickr/woodleywonderworks

credit:Flickr/woodleywonderworks

With only a year before mandated assessments and administrative evaluations kick in, most Common Cores states have managed to transition to the more rigorous standards, despite the lack of funding and resources set aside for the program.

Four out of five Americans disapprove of Congress'  attempts at serving its nation, a recent study found. This year marks Americans' lowest confidence in Congress since 1973, which amounts to a 10 percent approval rating.

Partisan gridlock is the main culprit for this new low in congressional trust, with 28 percent agreeing that their approval rating was determined by this factor. The second reason given was "failure to accomplish anything or make decisions." At 21 percent of respondents, perception of the legislature as ineffectual comprises nearly half of voters.