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 Handshake Versus the Fist
In 1978, two gentlemen from Ontario, Rick Bolstler and Mike Little, quit their well-paying jobs to move to British Columbia and start the libertarian movement in that province.
By Marco den Ouden4 years ago in The Swamp
Analyzing the 2020 NC district map
Here is the newly-passed North Carolina congressional district map. It is a partisan gerrymander. I can tell this at a glance without having to consult the estimated election results. North Carolina has a long history of gerrymandering (by both parties), including the previous map.
By Tomas McIntee4 years ago in The Swamp
Leadership, Magicians & Credibility
We hold our leaders in democracies in high regard, right until the point that they show a decline in integrity. Democratically elected leaders around the world have an important magic trick to perform if they wish to remain in power, and that is to keep their integrity intact. Around the world, however, we see leaders that undermine their own credibility, and they lose their integrity.
By Dean Gee4 years ago in The Swamp
A Historic Defeat for Populism, but With A Warning
A major economic crisis. Rising prices, in everything from food to housing. A disappointing response to the pandemic, with shows of clear disregard of the COVID-19 guidelines (such as the first lady’s birthday party in the middle of a nationwide lockdown)
By Taru Anniina Liikanen4 years ago in The Swamp
China is going all out into becoming world's strongest power
The US President Joe Biden withdrew American forces from Afghanistan in order to refocus on China. Many experts believe China will launch an attack on Taiwan next.
By Binay Srivastava4 years ago in The Swamp
Cubans More Excited About School Reopening Than Regime Change
By Medea Benjamin “If you build it, they will come,” said Kevin Costner in the Field of Dreams. In Cuba, they didn’t come. Dissidents on the island, with their U.S. backers, had been working feverishly for months to turn the unprecedented July 11 protests into a crescendo of government opposition on November 15. They built a formidable structure, with sophisticated social media (including an abundance of fake news), piles of cash from Cuban Americans and the U.S. government, and declarations of support from a bipartisan Congress and all the way up to the White House.
By CODEPINK4 years ago in The Swamp
Boris, Brexit Corruption, Independence and the Death of Democracy in England.
When England ceases to carry the flag of democracy Russia will produce the greatest civilisation ever known. (Attributed, probably wrongly, to Madam Blavatsky).
By Axel P Kulit4 years ago in The Swamp
Free Speech and Double Standards
On 1 October 2021, Professor David Miller was fired by the University of Bristol for his controversial statements about Israel. The reason for terminating his employment, the university said, was that 'Professor Miller did not meet the standards of behaviour we expect from our staff.' The behaviour in question consisted of words: contentious words with which many would disagree, but words nonetheless, words not directed against any specific individual and not conforming to any conventional definition of harassment, though respected colleagues have argued otherwise.
By Rebecca Ruth Gould4 years ago in The Swamp
USA vs. China
USA and China This a brief(ish), and in no way even pretending to be an authoritative or deeply studied article. All the numbers are from public, but IMHO, reliable sources. I do not promote either country, I love Finland too much. With all its flaws, Finnish governance is still superior to both. I'm totally biased, but so are you! 😁
By JC Soulwood4 years ago in The Swamp
Abortion Denial Is Often About Privilege
When I moved to Argentina, I was shocked to find out the country, as most others in Latin America, didn’t allow for women to terminate their pregnancies legally and safely, in a hospital.
By Taru Anniina Liikanen4 years ago in The Swamp
Are You a Slave of Your Political Party?
Not so long ago, a person in a real country dedicated to a particular politician said, “I don’t care that our minister has murder charges and was convicted by the court. He has done a lot for our city and gave us jobs.”
By Wide Writer4 years ago in The Swamp
Living With 50% Inflation. Top Story - November 2021.
I moved to Argentina in October 2009, when the country’s inflation rate had just started to rise. Through the following decade, the inflation has usually hovered between 25% and 30%, rising to around 50% in the past couple of years. Just this September, the inflation rate was 3.5%. In one month.
By Taru Anniina Liikanen4 years ago in The Swamp