There's no doubt about it: social media played an imperative role in shaping 2012, and its dominance is here to stay. We've witnessed its role in the 2012 election and the rise of Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ in the wake of decreased interest in Facebook.

The two-party structure and compromise within the duopoly hasn't always led to the best solutions. Much like sequestration, Congress let subsidized student loan interest rates pass its deadline, resulting in undesired results stemming from inaction. However, the federal government is now pushing for a compromise on student loan interest rates.

The primary election for New Jersey's vacant Senate seat is less than a month away. New Jersey is one of 19 states with a closed primary system. This requires that only voters affiliated with one specific party can participate in that party's primary.

Six partisan candidates comprise the field ahead of August 13. Four on the Democrat side: Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Democratic Congressman Rush Holt, State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and Congressman Frank Pallone and two Republicans: Alieta Eck, a physician, and Steve Lonegan, the ex-mayor of Bogota.

It seems the controversial CSCOPE lesson plans may survive after all.