Electronic voting machines are gaining favor in many states and localities. The machines are mass produced by companies like DieBold and are the subject of a lot of controversy. Politicians and laymen alike argue the benefits and drawbacks of electronic voting systems. In election years, these debates can get to a fever pitch. Here’s a look at some of the major pros and cons of electronic voting machine technology. Read the rest

In the year 2000 the United Nations Millennium Project formulated eight Millennium Development Goals to be accomplished by 2015. Read the rest

Probably the most polarizing political issue of 2009 is the debate over healthcare reform. Now that the Democratic Party has complete control over both the executive and legislative branches, they believe the time is right to enact sweeping legislation that overhauls this country’s healthcare system. President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress have been pushing for a reform package that includes a government-run health insurance option, while Republicans desire more moderate changes that do not include a public option; insurance would continue to be provided only by private insurers. Read the rest

Barack Obama campaigned for and won the Presidency of the United States on a platform of sweeping change.  Change not only in what was done by the government, but how it was done.  Change, he promised, that Americans could believe in.  To implement this change, Obama made a lot of promises.  Now, as President, his record of actions can be compared to his words. Read the rest

A common nickname for the media is “The Fourth Estate” – this term, which was first recorded in the 19th century, referred to the three estates of the British Parliament. Newspapers of the time formed an unofficial fourth group that wielded just as much, if not more, power in shaping public opinion. The press has long been the middleman between the actions of politicians and the opinions of the public, and it can be shocking just how much force a motivated media can wield. In this article, I will trace a brief history of media’s involvement in politics so we can judge whether that power is being used wisely. Read the rest

At just 27 years of age, Aaron Schock has accomplished more than most people twice his age, most recently being voted into the US House, the youngest person ever to be elected to Congress. Read the rest

Despite the fact that the Constitution gives the American people the right to bear arms, there are many that feel we could do without it. This debate has been rehashed countless numbers of times and in many different formats. From court cases to the media, the argument against gun control is one that we are unlikely to see resolution for anytime soon. Read the rest

It seems as if the United States has never been more divided ideologically than it is today, save for the Civil War period. The country is split almost evenly between Republicans and Democrats, with a small fraction of the population counting themselves in a different camp such as the Libertarians or the Green Party. And although there are many similarities between those on different sides of the aisle, it is their differences that define them in the American public’s eyes. Read the rest

Up here in the frozen Canadian wastelands, we typically find ourselves sandwiched between two different political races; the elections for Prime Minister, and the elections for the United States president. Believe it or not, the Canadian population, (at least, the population in my area,) was just as focused on the various debates and political platforms of Obama and McCain; after all, we’re directly above the U.S., it only makes sense we keep an eye on our southern neighbors. Read the rest

145 years since Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States, admiration for “Honest Abe” still runs as high as ever. Or at least according to a new survey reported on CNN.com. Read the rest