opinion

Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.

The Head of Gazprom Supports the Racism
A scandal around two Russian football players from Zenit, St. Petersburg’s football club, is still raging around. Pavel Mamaev and Alexander Kokorin have beaten up a Russian official severely for his Asian background. The accident happened while both sportsmen were under the influence of alcohol.
By Robert Waldo7 years ago in The Swamp
The Political Miscalculations of the Democrats
BRYCE ON POLITICS - How their tactics backfired. Click for AUDIO VERSION. As expected, this has been an extraordinary midterm election thus far. The Democrats are desperate for a win in order to survive. To do so, they have raised considerable money for Congressional and State races, and tried to create controversy in the court of public opinion. Democrat Congressional candidates alone raised more than one billion dollars for their campaigns, a new record. According to the Campaign Finance Institute, sixty-two House races exceeded $1 million in expenditures (compared to 20 in 2016).
By Tim Bryce7 years ago in The Swamp
How Free Are You?
The real issues with life in America aren't as cut and dry as most would have you believe; however, it's also not as complicated as others who lead you to believe. In America right now, the majority of the population lives either under or right on the poverty line. Many would ask why that is, and the very basic answer would be, our government. Reading on, you'll see a very compelling argument on the corruption and over powering control of the United States government.
By Tony Campbell7 years ago in The Swamp
Gun Control, Well... Gun "Control"
Gun violence has been a plague on the American society, it has come to a point where ignoring it feels irresponsible. This article was started several months ago, however, I did not finish it because I could not fully choose a side, but that is no longer the case. Guns are often glorified, in a culture of cowboy mentality, that their detrimental impact on the people of our country has been brushed aside. This cannot continue. The lives lost to this scourge are those of our neighbors; and encouraging the continued peril of our loved one's is not American spirit nor right, it is barbaric.
By Victoria Gawlik7 years ago in The Swamp
A National Crisis
Throughout history nations sought to gain security by protecting their borders. Many a time the process of protection involved military intervention. The United States though has had a long history of border protection without military intervention. We have been a safe haven for millions of immigrants for over 100 years. It is what has made this country unique. Now, the escalation of refugees coming from south of the border has again put the spotlight on immigration and border protection. Many have begun to realize that the timing of this crisis is by no means just happenstance. It could very well be an orchestrated ploy by the Republicans to use this crisis as a means to an end. Using tactics of fear and intimidation to push an agenda by its own nature is contrary to what the United States has stood for.
By Dr. Williams7 years ago in The Swamp
A Systematic Cycle of Oppression
The abuse of power by authority figures is embedded in the roots of our nation—it has existed since the moment of its conception, and is an aspect of politics that continues to thrive today.
By Mobin Khan7 years ago in The Swamp
God Save the Queen! - Why Monarchy Is Relevant in the Modern Age
With everybody anxiously awaiting the series 3 release of the hit Netflix original show The Crown, which chronicles the life and reign of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, there are some important core themes present in the show that are still relevant today. In season one of The Crown, we are introduced to the world of the British Monarchy at a time where everything about Britain had be shaken to its very core by the horrific event of World War II. From the very first episode the stage is set and we’re confronted with the grim reality of George VI’s lung cancer as he’s coughing up blood in a dimly lit washroom toilet. Although he doesn’t yet know his fate, his desire to make sure his family are in good standing become stronger.
By John Romanov7 years ago in The Swamp
I Am a Republican, and I Am Pro Choice
I identify as a Republican. I know a lot of you are probably shocked by that statement. However, I was raised in a household where it was expected that you be politically aware. The news was watched regularly and debates came up a lot during nighttime conversations. I did my research. I'm an avid reader of the major newspapers and I still enjoy watching the news with my dad. And I am more Republican than Democratic. However, lately, there has been major talk of defunding Planned Parenthood, making abortions illegal, and taking away certain rights to woman.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in The Swamp
Managing Middle-Class Cuts: the Good, the Bad, & the Grattons
(OCT 1st, 2017) — Even with a Senate and House of Representatives weighted in his political favor, Donald Trump still is finding difficulty getting Republicans to agree on his newly formalized tax structure. A surprisingly easy read (even for those less fluent in mathematics and tax codes), the tax plan values simplicity and ease-of-understanding. At face value, an effort for tax reform is long overdue and something that a majority of Americans support. Whether this reform is the one to rule them all remains to be seen. These efforts supposedly stem from a desire to grow the middle class, an assuredly noble goal for any politician, and one that has shown to spur baseline economic growth. Yet some Senate Republicans are still unruly in the matter, and almost half of all Americans oppose Trump’s tax reform, at least that which he outlined before assuming the presidency. (Interestingly enough, a majority of those who responded also identified as Independent, with equal representation from both Republicans and Democrats.) So why is it that so many find issue with these newly restructured tax codes, while others drool over its potential to grow the middle class? Hopefully this article can help us to make sense of the good, the bad, and grattons (for those uninformed, a Cajun term colloquially used to refer to extra tidbits) in Donald Trump’s new tax structure.
By Jonathan Moore7 years ago in The Swamp
What's Wrong with Society
I don't normally do this but I've about had it with the way things are done in this world. People are so blind to what's right in front of them. Can't you see the problem with America...the world? This ignorance that appeases the those who want power and those who have nothing but hate. We wonder why do children lash out against one another with such violence. It's because of today's society. They have been raised in a time where violence is a problem solver. We as Americans fail to see that we are the cause. All of the hatred and pressure to be or look a certain way. The need to have only the best clothes or finest home and for what? Just to go into debt to try an put yourself on a higher standard that your neighbor. Why is the need to kill so great in our society? No it's not the cartoons. Nor is it just psychological disorders. Children are forced into this ongoing demand to fit into this world we as Americans have created. This world of one race is to be superior to another and taking offense to the most ridiculous things. There is not one race better than the other. We are all equal and all at fault. We fail to see what we do and what we say influence our children and their lives. Speaking without thinking and over reacting for nothing. Mainly people can't just be happy with minding their own business and worrying about their lives. Putting their focus where it matters and that's on their family and themselves. I don't care who you are, who you choose to love, what color you are, or language you speak. We are all one in the same. This craziness about a wall. Seriously what's it gonna solve. The drugs are here already and America produces them. Think about it. It's all connected. Why do people use drugs? They use them as an escape. An escape from what? The stresses of everyday life and pain. The life we have created and the pressure young people are put under is to much. Do I think using drugs is a good thing? NO! The change will come when we as Americans decide to change. Another thing calling for gun bans. Listen, guns are not the problem, again it's society. America was supposed to be a free country, we lost that right so long ago. Yes it tears my heart out to hear of the violence that is happening in these days and times. We put ideas into our children's minds, maybe not consciously but none the less we do it. Children aren't born with hatred in their hearts, nor are they born killers. We choose to ignore what hatred does. Why does this even happen? It happens because we turn on one another, to blind by our own ignorance to see what we are doing to the future of not only this country but to the world. This kicking people out thing is stupid. How can you tear these people from the only life they know and from their families? What if it was you or your child forced away? This country was founded on immigration. If they are here illegal so are all US citizens. The only original Americans are the Native Americans. We are all descendants from immigrants. No I don't believe in a free ride through life. Anyone coming here should work and pay taxes just like everyone else. We should be helping one another instead of trying to destroy one another. Now for the stinger. The hatred of those who choose to be with the same sex or change the sex they identify as. Tell me where someone else's business is anyone else's. We all hate when someone tries to be a busy body when it comes to you and yours right? So tell me where this is any different. The LGBT community shouldn't have to be pushed into a separate community anyway. We are all one in the same. We come into this world the same and we will all meet our end someday. Sad part is the end comes way to soon for a lot of young people. Why? Society, hatred, and we allow it. No one cares what which leg your pants go one first, so why do we care so much who our neighbor chooses to love? If it's your faith that compels the issue then once again... it's your faith, not everyone is of the same faith. Have some respect for one another. That's another thing that is lacking. Just have some respect and honor one another's differences. Differences are what makes the world interesting. Same concept as going on vacations. You go on vacation to somewhere totally opposite of your everyday life. Most people who live in the city or country even want to vacation on the beach. People from the beach areas want to see the mountains. We crave difference but yet choose to be biased when it comes to one another. Basically what it all comes down to is that we as a society are the problem. We have created the world we live in and until we change things will continue down this destructive path. Take it for what it's worth.
By Amy N7 years ago in The Swamp
To Be At Odds
I was recently at a Pro-Family event at the Florida Capital put on by The Florida Family Policy Counsel (FFPC). The last two days I have been asking myself… Is there way of going about certain political issues helping or hurting? Even better, is it bringing people closer to God or pushing them further away?
By Hunter Adkins7 years ago in The Swamp
Equality and Hate Crimes
Equality and hate crimes. Are we in danger of getting too legalistic and too bogged down in fine detail abut discrimination and Equality? The law has introduced the notion that “hate” is both definable and is a crime. Hating is now illegal.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp