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.

Dear IVN Readers,

As the media brings you 24/7 news coverage of a British baby, we are proud to do real investigative reporting on things that matter to the foundation of our democracy and a productive civil discourse.

Follow along this week as we cover the Hawaii Democratic Party's attempt to prevent nonaffiliated voters from having the right to participate in the primary elections, or the Republican v. Independent head-to-head match-up in the 52nd district resulting from California's new nonpartisan primary system.

Currently, Tumblr hosts 125.7 million blogs. Tumblr's micro-blogging format allows users to post text, photos, quotes, links, music, and videos easily from a computer or smartphone. While Tumblr appeals largely to a younger audience, politicians and political groups have been increasingly using the platform to share information in a coherent, clever, and thought-provoking manner.