Ending Gerrymandering Is Easy If Voters Are Up To The Challenge

Every 10 years, this nation conducts a census, a count of all people living in the 50 states. Immediately following the release of the results, the 435 members of the House of Representatives are reapportioned followed by the states redrawing both congressional and state legislative districts.

7 Most 'Independent' Politicians in 2013

2013 was an 'off' year politically for the vast majority of Americans. There was no presidential election where one-liners like "I've got binders full of women" or "you didn't build that" were drilled into the American psyche. Similarly, the most exciting politician wasn't even an American. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford takes that category hands down.

Yet, 7 politicians stuck out this year as the most 'independent.' For this list, independent means going outside a particular party's interest for better or worse.

Top 10 Issues That Matter the Most to Independent Voters in 2013

If 2013 has taught us one thing about the American electorate, it's that independent-minded voters are the new norm in the political sphere. 

Since 2008, the number of registered independents has risen by 2,484,104, representing an 11.19 percent increase. Meanwhile, support for both major parties is rapidly dropping, with less than 1 percent of new voters registering with either the Republican or Democratic party.

#Selfie v. Privacy: Words of the Year for 2013 Define Who We Are

Oxford, the old trusted dictionary. Serious name. Serious history. Serious definitions. Even the name “Oxford” conveys a sense of hoity-toity and a smart-alek with thick glasses and a sponge for a brain.

Their word of the year: #Selfie

#Selfie is defined by Oxford as: a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website

Colorado GOP Chairman: If You Want A Meaningful Vote, Join a Party

Colorado is just one of a number of states now considering proposals to move to a nonpartisan primary system similar to California and Washington state. Two people in particular are leading efforts to change the state's electoral system: Kent Thiry, chief executive of kidney dialysis company DaVita, and Ryan Ross, director of the Coalition for a New Colorado Election System.

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Budget Deal to Make Air Travel More Expensive for Americans

It would appear that Congress has finally done its job and will pass a budget. The House passed the legislation last week before adjourning for the holidays while the Senate is expected to do so this week. While we might hail the bipartisan effort to avoid another government shutdown for the next two years, there are still many problems with this budget deal.

The budget deal eliminated $45 billion in sequester cuts (equally on military and non-discretionary spending) that were set to take place at the beginning of 2014, and also another $18 billion in cuts that were set to hit in 2015.