New York has been a hotbed for ideas surrounding campaign finance reform. From public funding of elections to donation matching, New Yorkers have been discussing innovative and constructive solutions to the problem of poor voter participation.

In the latest ACT National Curriculum Survey, 89 percent of high school teachers believe their students are prepared for college-level work. However, only 26 percent of college professors believe their students are prepared. The two professions are at odds on student preparedness:

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Sen. Darrell Steinberg, Credit: ABC News

Ask a nonvoter why they don't vote, and they will reply something like, "my vote doesn't count anyway, nothing ever changes." And they're right. Either a red or blue duopolist clone will win—guaranteed.

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 Disagreement is critical to the well-being of our nation. But we must carry on our arguments with the realization that those with whom we disagree are not our enemies; rather, they are our colleagues in a great enterprise. When we respect each other enough to respond carefully to argument, we are filling roles necessary in a republic.—US District Judge Thomas B.

Illinois Concealed Carry Debate Continues by Carl Wicklander

Approximately one month separates Illinois from its deadline to enact some form of concealed carry legislation and the passions on both sides are heating up.