politics

Politics does not dictate our collective cultural mindset as much as it simply reflects it; We've got to look in the mirror sometimes, and we've got one.

The Thing About Alexandria
In October of 2004, I attended Scott Air Force Base Elementary School in the Mascoutah Community Unit School District Number 19. My best friend was a boy named Max. My favorite food was a double cheeseburger. My best subject was world history. 9/11 was still fresh in the collective conscience of America and John Kerry pushed desperately against the rising tide of neoconservatism in the home stretch of the Presidential election. My most pressing dilemma? Which color to paint the shoebox for a diorama.
By Gabriel Cabrera9 years ago in The Swamp
National Economic Reforms: Department of Economic Development
Not since FDR has the United States been faced with the enormity of rebuilding America's economy and infrastructure. Today, our economy and our infrastructure is putting this nation's security and stability in grave danger. Our economy today is already on the verge of falling into the abyss by factors very reminiscent of the events that led to the Great Depression of the 1930s. There is also another housing bubble like the one we just had in 2008 that is poised to burst. But, you wouldn't know it, the way Trump is citing his most illustrious accomplishments and the media with their bogus reporting of the unemployment numbers. What we are faced with today is that the United States is still woefully unprepared to handle any financial calamity. We have too many on capital hill continue to be oblivious to the calamity of either an infrastructure disaster or the continued economic woes that are keeping millions of American's languishing in financial devastation would do to this nation.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
American Tragedy
"Though African Americans and Hispanics make up approximately 32% of the US population, they comprised 56% of all incarcerated people in 2015." – NAACP Criminal Justice Fact Sheet.
By Triple Decker Sandwich9 years ago in The Swamp
My Speech on the Mainstream Media
Recently, I was asked to give a talk at a local Republican Club meeting regarding my experiences with the press. Actually, I was a last minute substitution for a gentleman who was suddenly called out of town. Having only 15 minutes to prepare, I jotted down some notes and "winged it." Fortunately, it went well and I was heartily congratulated afterward. Herein is the reconstructed talk based on my notes from the back of a cocktail napkin:
By Tim Bryce9 years ago in The Swamp
Brexit Terrorism: The Foreseeable Future of Britain’s Brexit Violence
The tectonic political plates of the United Kingdom are shifting and it’s about to cause the most violent vibrations that this island nation has ever experienced. On EU referendum day 2016 we measured the size of the seismic spikes and on that day it was 52% for leave to 48% for remain. But all those who took part know that the result could have been different if the ballots had been cast a week before or after. The fluctuating polls running up to the vote left the losers feeling sickened once the results came in. The leavers celebrated and then they mostly scattered and hid from the responsibility to actually effect the change for which they argued. Within a day of the result, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove had gone from loud to almost mute about the U.K.’s future political direction. Daniel Hannon fled to an extended holiday, Andrea Leadsom flopped in the Tory leadership struggle, and Nigel Farage applied to become German. The main voices of the leave campaign were suddenly as shaky as the ground on which Brexit was built.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
What the Attacks on Our Monuments Truly Means
The attacks on our national monuments have less to do with history and social consciousness, and more to do with control over today's political climate. Allow me to explain. We hear of statues in the south pertaining to the Civil War being removed or defaced, particularly those depicting Generals Robert E. Lee and J.E.B Stuart. As a youngster growing up in the north, I was taught of the evils of slavery and the costly war to end it. However, as I grew up and moved around for my profession, I learned of the culture of the South and the pride of its citizens. They knew they lost the war and learned to live with it. For over a hundred years, they honored their dead for their spirit. Now, suddenly, such symbols are under attack. Even this misplaced Yankee, who now resides in the South, is alarmed by the determined push to deface our history.
By Tim Bryce9 years ago in The Swamp
Paris Reels as Another Attack Hits France
Levallois-Perret, France, is the most densely-populated town in Europe (per Wikipedia) and while the town usually enjoys picturesque views and moderate temperatures, this morning (August 9), it became the newest site of what appears to be a terror attack in France.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Can Art Save The World?
Right now, it feels like the world is on the brink of a global nuclear war. Korea has been flexing its military prowess. China has been slowly trying to move into certain sections of the South Seas. America has Trump's very aggressive cabinet in power, and Brexit's pressures have made the EU very unstable.
By Cato Conroy9 years ago in The Swamp
Apathy
The 2016 General Election set an all time low for voter turn-out at 55.4%. The highest turn-out in the past 60 years was 62.77% in 1960 according to The American Presidency Project. In the 56 years between1900 and 1956 the average turn-out was 59.5% by The APP. In 2016 there were 200 million registered voters – 92 million did not vote.
By Robert B. Jordan9 years ago in The Swamp
My Calling
Much of America and the world feels a tug. It is an anxious feeling like a ball in the pit of our stomachs. We all know that big changes are happening. We just don’t know exactly how it will all play out. I watch daily as conflicting stories flood the Internet. There is a great divide in opinions about the world, just as, there is a great divide in our relationships with each other. I feel an overwhelming need for unity. I believe this was put in my heart by God. To me, everyone should be coming together to help one another. It shouldn’t matter who you are. We will need each other. I feel like I am standing at the start line and God is saying, “Get ready.” Next, he will tell me to get set and go. This change is inevitable, and we will not like it. I pray we are ready, but I don't think we are.
By Sabrina Overbay9 years ago in The Swamp
How to Write News Like the Big Boys
Day after day, President Trump is under attack by the mainstream media with alleged leaked information from anonymous sources. Whether the sources are legitimate or not appears to be inconsequential. They have become so common, the public has become skeptical and the credibility of the press has deteriorated. It is no small wonder people today overwhelmingly do not trust the press and prefer getting news from other sources, particularly social media.
By Tim Bryce9 years ago in The Swamp
Same Sex Marriage
We are living in a world where we have to worry about who is going to take our rights away, even though the First Amendment is to protect us from having our lives ran by someone who doesn't like our choice into whom we choose to marry.
By Melissa Landis9 years ago in The Swamp