The level of discourse in our country has undoubtedly dropped over the last few decades. Calling the opposition "un-American" or "liars" is common practice. And compromise has become a dirty word. In short, civility in news and politics has slowly eroded.

The level of discourse in our country has undoubtably dropped over the last few decades. Calling the opposition "un-American" or "liars" is common practice. And compromise has become a dirty word. In short, civility in news and politics has slowly eroded.

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously in July to close medical marijuana dispensaries within the city. This attempt to enact a Los Angeles medical marijuana ban adds another layer of ambiguity to an already complicated California drug policy.

Last week, Libertarian presidential candidate, Gov. Gary Johnson announced that Tuesday, September 11th, the popular social media and news website, Reddit.com would be hosting its second Gary Johnson Reddit AMA event.

Life throws me chances to practice being independent every day. Yesterday, I landed in the middle of a political conversation when I sat down to get my hair cut. The customer in the next chair was condemning big companies for causing obesity. Her haircutter agreed that businesses have malicious ways of getting us to overeat. The young lady with her hands in my hair chimed in exuberantly.

California's perpetual budget deficit will be a topic for voters to consider again this November. Proposition 30 at the center of Governor Jerry Brown's budget plans.

Presidential candidate Rocky Anderson has gained support across party lines in several states across the country. He is currently on the November ballot in several states.

In Minnesota, a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, state representative and US Senate candidate Kurt Bills is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.