Libertarianism versus Anarchism

Posted on by Ben Carron

The Libertarian Party is the fastest growing and third largest political party in the United States. Each year, more and more Americans become disillusioned with the two party system that has dominated American politics and are looking at other parties and other ideologies. A large group of these people believe that when it comes to government, less is more. Less regulation, less federal spending and less people telling them how they should be living their lives. Per their official website, the Libertarian Party states that libertarians “strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions. Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.” If it’s not hurting them and not hurting others, then the government doesn’t need to be a part of it. However, there must be a balance, as complete opposition to the state falls into the territory of anarchism.

What is Libertarianism?

Libertarianism rejects the control of the government over its citizens and advocates heavily for individual rights. Essentially, Libertarians just want to be left alone to be free to live their lives, and not be coerced by the Federal government. While Democrats and Republicans clash over issues such as immigration, drugs, abortion, law enforcement, and most recently the morality of our capitalist system, libertarians argue that government involvement in these areas infringes on their rights, not only as an American, but as a human being.

The libertarian philosophy supports drug decriminalization, open borders, LGBTQ+ rights, property rights, and free-market economy. With the ideas of freedom and self-ownership in mind, Libertarians consider themselves free-thinkers independent of the conservative/liberal dichotomy. Despite this, left and right wing philosophy do exist within the realm of libertarianism. The spectrum of libertarianism lies mostly with the issue of natural resources. The extent to which an individual believes in the equal distribution of natural resources is a key indicator of their right or left tendency within the libertarian philosophy. Advocating for natural resources to be distributed more evenly would put someone on the left end of libertarianism, and vice versa.

Libertarianism versus Anarchy: Understanding the Key Differences

Increasingly more Americans each year are breaking away from the Democrat/Republican dichotomy and embracing libertarianism, valuing their rights and freedom above all else. Libertarianism is a valuable and necessary philosophy for any democratic system; however, there comes a point where the focus on freedom and self-ownership can devolve into a lack of order and poor judgement. While many libertarians would argue that the effects of the state on its citizens are generally harmful and limiting, there are many inherent problems in the anarchist stance towards an established state.

The rejection of government institutions entirely is where the potential for anarchy begins to creep into the picture. Anarchism is a philosophy that is skeptical of all forms of authority and their intentions. The Russian revolutionary anarchist Mikhail Bakunin famously claimed that “If there is a State, there must be domination of one class by another and, as a result, slavery; the State without slavery is unthinkable—and this is why we are the enemies of the State.” While Libertarians are also skeptical of governmental power structures, anarchists view the authority of the state as an enemy force that they must continue to work against.

Libertarians are not advocating for abolition of government, as anarchists do. Rather, they understand that limited governmental structures are required to allow a free society to function without chaos and harm to others, providing safety for its citizens. A government that allows its citizens to participate in the open market, to be free to own property, firearms, and live according to their own desires and orientations is not a bad thing to them. If it was, a dedicated Libertarian Party wouldn’t exist in the first place.

Anarchist philosophy, such as the beliefs espoused by Bakunin, places trust in the hands of the people and seeks to abolish systems of power that are “repressive”. This philosophy becomes problematic in that it empowers people to act with full freedom and autonomy, which opens up the possibility of causing violence or danger to others, thereby infringing on their ability to live their lives and be as free as possible. When those who have adopted anarchist ideology use it as a means of acting violently in an attempt to dismantle the system, personal freedom is no longer the goal and society can quickly turn into unsafe territory. Libertarians are not advocating for an overthrow of the system, rather they are looking for a political solution that gives the power back to the people, rather than increasing government scope and power as well as government debt, which Libertarians feel will inevitably negatively affect the people.

Currently, there is no anarchist part in the US in any form in mainstream politics, but the Libertarian party is growing every year. In the 2016 US presidential election, Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson received 3.27% of the national vote with over 4 million votes, which though small, was the highest result for a third party candidate since Ross Perot in 1996. Compared to the party’s 2012 presidential election, which saw Libertarians win just under 1% of the vote, this is a sign of the party’s growth and increasing interest of Americans in other options beyond Democrats and Republicans. The 2020 Libertarian Party presidential candidate is Jo Jorgensen, an academic and political activist from South Carolina. It is anticipated that she will be on the ballot in all 50 states.

 

Putin vs Trump: How Are They Different?

Posted on by Ben Carron

Few members of the world stage are talked about quite as much as American president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Both leaders preside over some of the largest countries on earth and hold tremendous power on the world stage. It’s easy to see ways in which they are similar, and lump them together, but there are many ways in which they differ. Both leaders are at the forefront of global politics. With the United States being the world’s sole superpower, it makes sense that Trump’s name is brought up constantly, whether in talks about China, the European Union or the Middle East, the United States is heavily integrated into global politics. Putin and his Russia also play a major role on the world stage, oftentimes in opposition to US interests.

Vladimir Putin has a long history of political experience in Russia. After a career as an officer in the KGB, he got into local politics in his home of Saint Petersburg. He was picked as prime minister to Boris Yeltsin in 1999 and later became acting president after Yeltsin resigned. He ran for president after and won, remaining in power ever since, currently serving his fourth term as president with one term as prime minister.  As president, Putin was charged with bringing a post-Soviet Union Russia back to global relevance. One of the world’s most polarizing leaders, many praise Putin for stabilizing Russia and bringing it back to global relevance after a tumultuous period following the fall of the Soviet Union. Many others have criticized his rule as autocratic and have referred to him as a dictator.

Donald Trump did not have the kind of military or political experience that someone like Putin had before he became president. Trump’s experience was in business and real estate, inheriting the family business and expanding it into a multinational real estate empire with the “Trump” name appearing on buildings throughout the world. While Donald Trump did not have the political experience that Putin had, he nevertheless was able to win the presidency in 2016, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. He is currently running for reelection, with the November 2020 election determining if his term as president will end or be extended for four more years.

Though it is difficult to compare two countries with vastly different political systems, cultures and histories, there are clear differences between the two styles of leadership from the American and Russian leaders, starting with their personalities. Putin is typically more reserved and calm, more calculated than his American counterpart who often comes across as bombastic, with many instances of him resorting to name calling and inflammatory remarks over social media. This may be a result of Putin’s many years in politics on the world stage, as opposed to Trump who had never held office until his election in 2016.

Their Foreign Policy Differences

One of the key differences between the two lies in their foreign policy. US interests often find themselves in opposition to Russian interests. While the US ramps up its trade war with China, Russia and China continue to increase their cooperation as members of the BRICS alliance. Military involvement in Syria has nearly caused confrontation between the two countries as the USA supports the rebels operating in the country while Russia supports President Bashar al-Assad. In regards to their political alliances, the US remains a member of NATO, despite President Trump’s calls to remove the US from the organization due to what he perceives as lack of effort and funding by other member countries. Putin has repeatedly criticized NATO for creeping toward Russia as more members join the organization. As the US continues its cooperation with the European Union, Russia works with the Eurasian Economic Union, comprised of many former Soviet states. While Trump’s USA increases sanctions on Russia and its partners, Russia continually finds itself allying closer and closer with countries the US sees as problematic such as Syria, Iran, China, North Korea and Venezuela.

Trump made it clear since before he was even elected that he intended to follow an “America First” policy, and as a result has withdrawn the United States from several international organizations and treaties that he felt were not beneficial or taking advantage of the United States. During his presidency, the US has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the UN Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, the Iran Nuclear Agreement as well as others. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO and expressed interest in removing the US from the organization. Putin’s Russia knows the importance of international cooperation, especially as a result of sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others. While the US sees China as an opponent, Russia sees them as a partner.

While both countries have long histories of foreign military involvement, Trump’s approach has been different from his predecessor, Obama. Trump has ordered the withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as expressing interest in removing US military bases in Germany. Putin is no stranger to Russian military involvement in other countries. Most notably, Russia was involved in the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine as well as its role in the Ukrainian civil war which drew the ire of the international community. Russian military involvement in Georgia and Syria also occurred while Putin was either president or prime minister of Russia. Trump’s stances on military intervention have won him the praise of many as well as the condemnation of others.

Dealing with the Press

One of the major differences between the two leaders is how both Trump and Putin have dealt with the press and media. Trump lashing out at media outlets is a common occurrence, with news outlets such as CNN receiving the most ire. Trump has expressed his disdain with mainstream media, which he has often referred to as “Lame Stream Media”. Accusations of being “fake news” have been common during his time in office. Despite his attacks on media outlets, the United States does not have a state run media outlet and is ranked as a “free” country when it comes to freedom of speech. Putin’s Russia has tight control over the media, with numerous state run media outlets. Russia has repeatedly been accused of being unfree with censorship of journalists and the internet. Accusations of Putin silencing and even having journalists assassinated have occurred throughout his years in power. Among the most notable is the death of journalist Alexander Litvinenko. Litvinenko, who was extremely critical of Putin, was poisoned while residing in the United Kingdom. Numerous investigations have accused Putin and those close to him of ordering the assassination. Censorship in Russia has been a hotly debated topic during Putin’s many years in power.

Both Trump and Putin hold great power when it comes to international politics, but similarities beyond being the elected officials of their country are far fewer than the differences between the two and their leadership styles. While Trump may have no issue being loud and even abrasive as he calls out a political opponent, Putin would be calm and controlled, as he has been dating back decades to his time as a member of the KGB. What is certain is that both are at the forefront of global politics. With 2020 being an election year in the US, it remains to be seen if we’re seeing the end of Trump’s time in power, or if we’re only halfway through.

 

 

Libertarianism and Conservatism: Understanding the Difference

Posted on by Ben Carron

Despite the dominance of the two party system in American politics, a majority of American voters neither identify as Republicans or Democrats. In a country as large and diverse as the US, it makes sense that things are in reality much more complicated than the liberal/conservative divide. An increasing number of voters identify as libertarians, with the Libertarian Party being the third largest and fastest growing party in the country. Despite the increasing number of individuals identifying as libertarians, there is still some confusion as to how libertarianism differs and overlaps with conservatism.

Understanding the Differences

While many tenets of libertarianism and conservatism appear to share similarities, they are different ideologies. According to the Libertarian Party, libertarians are neither liberal nor conservative, but have many stances that could fall in either party, however, it is more complicated than that.

Libertarians value personal as well as economic freedom, believing that individual liberty is the key to society. The freer the people, the better the society. Economic freedom by lowering or eliminating taxes, shrinking the central government to a minimal state, isolationist tendencies, fair trade, drastically removing smothering bureaucracy and regulations for businesses as well as charitable welfare, rather than government welfare, are some of the biggest platforms libertarians believe in. Socially, they are inclusive and believe that individuals should be free to choose their own way of living as long as they do not infringe on others’ rights. Libertarians are against all laws that attempt to control someone’s personal lives such as restrictions on same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control and the criminalization of drugs and victimless crimes that do not infringe upon the rights of others. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, with the idea that the individual should possess as much freedom as possible, with little, if any, interference from the government. Libertarian principles are based around the cooperation and consent of the individual, and want to leave the government out of their lives as much as possible.

This is in contrast to conservatism, which may appear similar to libertarianism on the surface, but upon closer inspection has many differences.  Conservatives seek to preserve or conserve, hence their name, the institutions that made the country what is it today. Traditional values, personal responsibility, limited government and strong national defense are some of the tenets of conservatism. Conservatives feel that the role of the government is to empower the individual to solve their own problems. While these may appear to be many of the same beliefs held by libertarians, conservatives have shown to be much more likely to support interfering in other country’s affairs, restricting personal freedom such as opposition to social issues such as same-sex marriage, the abortion issue as well as being against illegal immigration. Conservatives are also more likely to support increased military spending, which libertarians oppose.

Why the Difference Matters

While it is easy to say that liberals are Democrats and conservatives are Republican, in reality it is more complicated than that. There are many members of Congress who identify as conservative Democrats, such as Joe Manchin, senator from West Virginia, and Ben McAdams, representative from Utah, as well as members of the Republican party who hold many strong libertarian views, such as Rand Paul, senator from Kentucky and Mike Lee, senator from Utah. Because political parties in the US are so large and diverse, it is important to understand the individual candidate’s stances and beliefs, and not to simply vote based on party.

Particularly in election years such as this one, it is important to understand where each party stands on the key issues and how they affect the average voter. Many people may find themselves holding strong libertarian views but feeling they must choose between Republicans or Democrats. Likewise, someone may feel very strongly on certain social issues, but feel there is a need for a fiscally conservative government, and that neither Democrat nor Republican is the right choice. In that case, the Libertarian party and its 2020 presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen might be the candidate they are looking for. Understanding the difference when someone claims to be conservative or libertarian could help undecided voters make up their mind when choosing who to vote for.

 

Top 20 Politician Tweets about George Floyd

Posted on by Connor Haugen

Co-Author: Claudia Morales

The nation and the world are seeing the largest movement for race equality since Martin Luther King Jr. Peaceful protests to riots, the death of George Floyd has sparked a powder keg. Many Americans are outraged.

This came right after the loosening of restrictions from social distancing. Many government officials have an opinion on this issue. Here are the top 20 from some of the biggest names in government right now.

20. Cory Booker

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey has shown active support for the Black Lives Matter movement. On June 2nd he attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to co-sponsor a bill that would prohibit police officers to engage in a choke-hold, eliminate racial profiling, increase police accountability, etc. Furthermore, Booker is wanting to end qualified immunity for police officers. Even though there is concern for a surplus number of lawsuits filed against police officers without immunity, Booker believes that priority should be placed on civilians being able to take civil action against police officers if their rights are violated.

19. Keisha Lance Bottoms

After a long day of peaceful protest in Atlanta on May 29th, riots overturned the evening into a disaster. The city began burning in flames as the situation got out of control and police officers turned to tear gassing to disperse crowds. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms attended a press conference at City Hall that same night to deliver a speech that received high appraisal by the nation. She expressed, “When I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother would hurt . . . What I see happening on the streets of Atlanta, is not Atlanta. . . If you care about this city, then go home.” Her speech proved to be effective because many returned home that night shortly after it.

Mayor Bottoms implemented a city curfew immediately, but since then there have only been peaceful protests so the curfew has been lifted. She has been serving as mayor since 2017. According to the Washington Examiner, her prospects of being vetted as a nominee to become Joe Biden’s vice president has improved as she has gained the spotlight for delivering an extraordinary speech.

18. Gavin Newsom

Along with other major cities, Los Angeles has witnessed a lot of rioting these past couple of weeks. Governor Gavin Newsom has seized the opportunity to meet with the community members and leaders to discuss police brutality and racism. He is also meeting with multiple mayors to further discuss the Black Lives Matter Movement and what can be modified in their system to provide equality to black members of the community. Many of them are considering cutting the police budget.

Newsom has recently expressed his opposition to the use of force against peaceful protesters on Twitter. He is “Calling for the creation of a new statewide standard for the use of protests” which will not be tolerated. Newsom’s approval ratings have increased significantly.

17. Tom Wolf

Philadelphia is one of the cities that has captured the nation’s attention as multiple police vehicles were set on fire, police officers were injured, and local businesses were looted. Governor Tom Wolf implemented a night curfew and declared a state of emergency calling on the national guard.

However, Governor Wolf has recently done something that is not being commonly done by other governors, he joined the protesters. Marching from Harrisburg capitol to a community center protesting police brutality and racial injustice.

16. Kate Brown

Oregon Governor Kate Brown is currently dealing with two critical issues: handling the protests in her state and challenging a county court rule in which churches can reopen. She is supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and is praising protestors. Governor Brown even included how “I count myself as one of the many white politicians whose good intentions haven’t done enough to tackle the scourge of systematic racism.” She promised that she will push for state level work to focus on racial equality.

On the other hand, multiple rural churches are challenging her COVID-19 state orders. Judge Matthew Shirtcliff issued an injunction on Brown’s order, but the State Supreme Court immediately stepped in. The court is now awaiting to set deadlines for the case.

15. Henry McMaster

Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, is supportive of Trump’s perspective on how to handle protests as he witnessed firsthand the state confronting massive riots. There were historical statues being graffitied, looting, setting fire to police vehicles, etc. McMaster recently had a telephone call with Trump describing the chaos of the situation. He specifically pointed out the difference between protests that were handled on different days with force compared to those that were not. McMaster even acknowledged that Trump was right about the urgency of sending a heavy police force.

However, McMaster later tweeted support for peaceful protesters. He expressed understanding for the anger members of the community are feeling about racial injustice.

14. John Kasich

Governor John Kasich, a former 2016 Republican presidential nomination, is vocalizing his understanding for members of the community feeling frustrated and angry due to racial injustice. He has been working on issues that are centered on racial injustice since December. After the Cleveland Division of Police came under scrutiny for gunning down a 12 year old black boy named Tamir Rice, he created a task force. This task force is currently working on a state policy regarding the use of deadly force by police. The practice of recruiting and hiring police officers is also going to be modified.

13. Ron DeSantis

Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis had a telephone call meeting with Trump and other advisors, he increased the amount of police force in Florida and implemented a curfew. In a statement released by DeSantis, he proclaimed that, “Florida has zero tolerance for violence, rioting and looting . . . George Floyd’s murder was appalling . . . but this cannot be used as a pretext for violence in our Florida communities.” The amount of resources that Florida has available for security include mobilizing 700 National Guard soldiers and 1300 Highway Patrol troopers. Many protesters have since been arrested for not following curfew and misbehavior conduct.

12. JB Pritzker

Following the unrest of protesters, looting, and disaster that has taken place in Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker was one of the many governors who participated in a conference call with Trump. Pritzker confronted him by expressing how “I wanted to take this moment . . . to speak up and say that I’ve been extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that’s been used by you,” according to CNBC Chicago 5. Trump responded by shifting attention to the concerning rhetoric from Pritzker regarding the pandemic. Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot both then publicly criticized Trump for his response in handling the situation in Minneapolis.

11. Mitt Romney

Senator Mitt Romney has recently made headlines for being the first GOP senator to actively participate in a Black Lives Matter protest. He marched with a Christian group in Washington D.C. He tweeted that “We need a voice against racism, we need many voices against racism and against brutality.” Although, he was recently criticized by Trump for participating in the march.

10. Gregg Abbott

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has stated that, “This is the most horrific tragedy I’ve ever personally observed,” and has personally visited the Floyd Family. He has also hinted that there may be something called the George Floyd Act which would see to the restructuring of police departments and services.

His state had special attention as George Floyd’s service and burial where held in Huston.

9. Andrew Cuomo

Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has stated that George Floyds death should not go in vain. He has stated that this is a time for change and for the nation to learn something. He is saying that this was due to decades of racial injustice.

He has also said that it is time for a new era of policing and called out Trump’s reaction as crude, mean and irresponsible.

8. Gary Herbert

Utah Governor Gary Herbert has stated support for the police and use of the national guard in Washington D.C. He has also stated that he is deeply saddened by George Floyds death, calling it “inhumane” and “Brutal.” Violent protests broke out in Salt Lake City as those asking for change not only mourned George, but local man Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal. who was gunned down by police.

7. Jay Inslee

Governor of Washington D.C Jay Inslee stated his opinion on reforming policing. He has urged those in his community to propose new legislation. He is meeting with Ethnic Minority leaders and the police department to come to the best conclusions. President Trump reached out to Governor Jay Inslee through a tweet. Trump expressed concern for the city of Seattle and the urgency of the governor and mayor to take control of the riots.

He has also heavily criticized Trump and his remarks on deploying the national guard to stop protestors stating that “These are the rantings of an insecure man trying to look strong, after building his entire political career on racism and the lie of birtherism.

6. Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has had little public statement on George’s death and protests. Participating in the moment of silence and kneeling in the Emancipation Hall for 8 mins 46 seconds. Each major member wearing Kente cloth, a traditional African scarf, has brought heavy criticism as a PR play rather than respect.

Nancy is also on board for police reform and went over some of the changes she and other members of the house would like to see like demilitarization and lynching as a federal crime and the tearing down of confederate statues.

5. Tim Walz

Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, has been vocal about how tragic this event has been. Going to the site where the death of George Floyd occurred he has stated that he is afraid of “white politicians appropriating black pain.” He went on to say that he is saddened that he has become friends with mothers because of events like this coming to light. He also asked his state early on June 9th to have a moment of silence in honor of George for 8 min 46 sec, the time George was on the ground suffocating.

4. Bill Barr

Attorney General William “Bill” Barr is for the police force. He has stated in interviews that a majority of Police are good people and that policing is one of the toughest jobs. He stated that you shouldn’t “automatically [assume] that the actions of an individual necessarily mean that their organization is rotten.”

Bill was involved in the unwarranted clearing of peaceful protesters so Trump could have a photo-shoot in front of a church.

3. Barack Obama

The first black president in office for two terms and a hero to many people of color, Barack Obama has been active in stating his opinion on reform. He also started and still funds the My Brother’s keeper alliance “so that every boy and young man of color in America would know that their dreams mattered as much as any other child’s.”

He has also written articles on how protesters and activists can bring real change to this problem. Being one of the best examples that equality has come a long way, but still have much further to go.

2. Joe Biden

Taking this opportunity, Joe Biden has been continually active on social media. Talking with Hollywood actor Don Cheadle, who plays Roadie in Iron Man 2 and Avengers series. Not making a direct appearance at his funeral, Joe did make a video to be played stating his condolences and understanding at the loss of loved ones.

He has also stated that reform is in order for banning choke-holds and having more accountability for officers’ actions.

1. Donald Trump

Many are criticizing Trump on his reaction to the protests. From tear gassing to clear a way to St. John’s Church, an Episcopal church, for a photo shoot. He has been retweeting videos judging George Floyd’s character (this has since been removed from his twitter feed).

The video judged George’s character and criminal history but still said that what police did was wrong. He has also tweeted, stating that official’s “Should have let police do their job and brought in National Guard on Day One, not Day Four!” in a Tweet about the protests turned into riots.

Why Your Vote Matters

Posted on by Ben Carron

Your Vote Counts

It’s easy to get discouraged when thinking about politics. Candidates come and go, parties take and then lose power, laws can be passed and repealed and in some people’s minds, the wrong person stays in power way too long. Thinking that your vote doesn’t matter is a common thought for many, and a reason many skip going to the polling stations. For many, the only elections they bother with are presidential elections, forgetting how important state and local elections are when it comes to issues that can directly impact them. It’s often when the polls are closed and the decisions have been called that people regret not voting and getting involved sooner.

2020 is an important year as not only will current president Donald Trump be up against his Democratic contender, but all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 seats in the Senate will be in contention . That’s not including numerous gubernatorial and state legislature elections. If someone thinks their voice and their vote doesn’t count, think again.

Getting Informed

With so much happening in the world, being informed and up to date with current events and happenings in the political world can seem daunting, especially for someone who has never gotten involved in politics before. Things like the economy, foreign policy, social issues, climate change and more can seem overwhelming, to the point of discouragement. However, the internet has made it easier than ever to find out not just what is happening in the world and our country, but what our political leaders have to say and where they stand on the issues. Politician Compare allows anyone, regardless of home state or political affiliation to find out who’s running, and what their stances are on key issues.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by what the media tells you, especially with so many news outlets offering seemingly contradictory views of the same facts. Factoring in all the different races that are happening, news and political fatigue becomes real. Politician Compare allows you to search specific candidates and compare them and see where their views align or clash.

Getting Involved

With election day still several months away, there is still plenty of time for people to get involved in issues that they feel strongly about. Candidates are still campaigning and need hard working individuals to support them. Campaigns need donations to keep them running and allow candidates to reach as many people as possible. Getting out there and getting involved connects you to the campaign and helps you feel like more than just a casual observer, simply waiting for the day of the election to cast your ballot and hope for the best.

Even at the local levels, there are ways to let your voice be heard and let local leaders know what the people they represent are feeling. Local town hall meetings and larger city council meetings are a great way to get informed as to what is happening in your community. They allow you to voice your opinion and ask questions. Those wanting to get involved politically have several options of getting informed and getting involved.

Your Vote Matters

Those who think their vote doesn’t matter need only look back to the 2000 presidential election and remember that the race for president came down to the state of Florida’s 25 electoral college votes, a state George Bush won by just 537 votes, making it the closest presidential race in US history. In that same election, New Mexico, though not as strategically important as Florida, was decided by just 366 votes. Several hundred votes in a country of over 300 million. Consider that next time you think your voice doesn’t matter.

The Effects of Protests in the Modern Era

Posted on by Claudia Morales

For centuries around the globe individuals have become united in vocalizing the need for a change from the government. These individuals proceed in this manner throughout history with the hope that the protests will change their government, law, society, or culture.

Protests in the Modern Era

The First Amendment grants Americans the right to assemble and petition the government for a redress of issues. From the Boston Tea Party in the 1700s to the protests against the involvement of the U.S. in the Iraq War in 2003, protests play a critical role in the eyes of citizens as a means to increase awareness of an issue and conduct change. In 2012 George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin while he was on the clock as a neighborhood watch volunteer.  As Martin walked out of a 7/11 store Zimmerman followed him due to his suspicious behaviors. Although the rest remains unclear as to what actually happened that night, Zimmerman claims to have shot Martin in self-defense and was acquitted of all charges. This particular case, along with many others that involved the fatal shooting of unarmed black men, ushered a movement called Black Lives Matter.

Furthermore, when President Trump entered office millions gathered to march for female empowerment in the Women’s March. This “Was said to be the largest single day demonstration in the history of the U.S,” according to The New Yorker. There were many reasons for the historical march which included concerns about abortion, health care, diversity, and climate change.

Another protest that grasps the country’s attention is the March for Life, annually held in Washington, D.C. usually in January, around the same time that the Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade was held. Thousands gather to rally against the practice of abortion in support of the Pro-Life movement which claims that the fetus is alive and human life begins at conception. Supporters contend that the life of unborn children should be protected.Overall there are many reasons for the historical marches which included concerns about abortion, health care, diversity, and climate change.

Recently, since the pandemic severely struck the U.S. in 2020, social distancing was implemented. These restrictions sparked protests from individuals concerned with the economy and personal financial situations. On the other hand, nurses and other health care workers participated in silent protests against the anti-restrictions protesters to remind everyone the seriousness of the situation and the importance of practicing those restrictions.

The Effect of Protests on the Government

The ability for protesters to gather around due to a political, sociological or cultural problem shines light on their concerns and seriousness for that issue. There is a certain effectiveness in an organized protest. When  protests directly affect the government it can raise alarms for them and sometimes even cause damage, but despite the consequences it is still not enough sometimes. Take the case of what occurred in Hong Kong when protesters, demanding the elimination of a new bill that allows extradition to mainland China, disrupted one of the busiest airports in the world. The Hong Kong airport had to reschedule and cancel many flights. This caused a domino effect and led to further actions like protests at universities regarding the bill. Even though “The bill was finally withdrawn . . .  protesters said this was ‘too little, too late,’’ according to the BBC. They continue to protest for five specific demands and the clash between them and the police has only escalated.

The Effect of Protests on Citizens

The action of protesting can influence individuals across the nation and globe. When analyzing the collapse of the East bloc during the 80s and the revolutions that began in the 2000s to the Arab Springs protests, it can be inferred that they had an effect on one another. These countries had a “Contagion effect” which led to citizens imitating the actions of other protesters, according to The World. Several economists from Harvard University and Stockholm University evaluated and concluded that protesters do have a salient influence on politics. They found that the answer lies within the effect that the protests have on the protesters themselves. Protesters become politically activated and motivated to bring about change, according to Quartz. This can be attributed to how there can be an effect on voting, political contributions, ideology, and participation in the movement.

Looking To The Past as We Vote For The Future

Posted on by Ben Carron

It’s hard to imagine a time when the United States was more divided than it is today. The Civil War, of course, happened, and the 1960s, with protests over the Vietnam War and civil rights. The United States of today is experiencing its own divide, with the Democratic and Republican parties seeming almost like warring factions rather than political parties. And with 2020 being an election year, the divide will only grow larger, especially after the presidential election when the future of our nation becomes more clear.

For many Americans who have grown up in the past two decades, this will be their first chance to vote in an election, and there are plenty of topics  such as immigration, abortion, foreign policy and many others will be at the forefront of their minds when they cast their ballots. Others may have seen this many times already in their lives. But what is certain, is that this election cycle in our current political climate has both sides worked up. It’s helpful to look to the past and revisit those who have influenced politics in positive ways and look to their examples.

One figure from America’s past who can be looked back on for their positive actions is Robert F. Kennedy. To this day, people who lived during the same time as him still remember him and his efforts to bring equality and fairness to a divided nation. If Robert F. Kennedy was a part of our current political landscape, maybe there would be less division and more unity.

Who Was Robert Kennedy?

Born in 1925 to the Kennedy family, Robert was the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy. After service in the Navy in WWII, Robert would go on to serve on the committees for his brother’s Senate and presidential campaigns. After helping his older brother win the presidency, Robert Kennedy would be appointed as United States Attorney General and advisor to his older brother. As Attorney General, Robert Kennedy fought relentlessly against organized crime and the Mafia. Kennedy was passionate about civil rights and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. In 1968, after the assassination of King, Robert Kennedy, in what has come to be considered one of history’s greatest speeches, spoke to a crowd in Indianapolis asking for calm, love and compassion and understanding when it came to racial tensions dividing the nation at that time. Riots broke out in cities across the nation after King’s death, but not in Indianapolis, a fact attributed to Kennedy’s speech.

After the assassination of his brother, Robert Kennedy successfully ran for Senate and in 1968 was a presidential candidate. Unfortunately, he met his demise in the same way as his older brother: assassination. Kennedy was shot on June 5, 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan, and died the next day. One can only speculate how history may have played out had Kennedy not been assassinated. His legacy of fighting for the disenfranchised, fighting crime and corruption and calling for unity and peace throughout the United States, however, lives on.

Why He Matters Today

It’s now been over 50 years since Kennedy’s death, but many of the issues he dedicated his life to fighting still exist. The United States is as divided as ever on issues related to race, immigration, healthcare, abortion and others. Some support building a wall along the southern border, others want to accept immigrants and refugees. The issue of equality for all and fair treatment is still a hot topic in the US, as issues regarding race are still being discussed and fought over, more than 50 years after Robert Kennedy made it one of the main focuses of his presidential campaign. Corruption by those in power is still an issue, sometimes one that many people aren’t even aware of. Robert Kennedy worked tirelessly as Attorney General to fight corruption and crime by those in power. The issues of today are not so different from issues of the past.

Regardless of where one stands politically, left, right or anywhere in-between, there are countless figures from America’s past that can continue to inspire and influence people today. Politician Compare makes it easier than ever to see where a candidate stands on the issues.  Rather than be divided by the issues, many of them the very same issues that have been prevalent for more than 50 years, people should look to those who strove to fight injustice and inequality and promote peace in the United States and abroad, figures such as Robert Kennedy and others.

National Security and Privacy Rights

Posted on by Claudia Morales

National Security is enforced in order to protect the country and Privacy Rights are enforced for individual’s rights. The two are constantly being involved with one another in legislation.

What is National Security?

National Security revolves around a broad definition that the nation needs to be protected from external dangers through armed force and guarding state secrets. It also includes the defense of protecting economic, geopolitical, and other interests. National Security encompasses the international systems and non-military ideas of national security. International systems of security include collective defense and security, global security, and international law. These securities integrate the perspective of defending and supporting member states as well as with other nations globally, if they are under attack. Non-military ideas of national security incorporate political, economic, homeland, environmental and cyber security.

Moreover, there are threats that National Security specifically aims to prevent or mitigate the cause. These include terrorism, espionage, cyber threats, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and pandemics like COVID-19. After the 9/11 attacks the Department of Homeland security was created to strengthen anti-terrorism tasks according to Business Insider. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security is working closely with multiple agencies, like Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to slow the spread of the virus.

What is the Right to Privacy?

Even though the U.S Constitution does not specifically outline privacy rights, they are emphasized somewhat in the Bill of Rights. The first amendment protects freedom of speech while the fourth amendment prohibits unreasonable searches. Through a variety of Supreme Court cases like Roe v. Wade and Kelly v. Johnson, it has been ruled that these amendments grant certain rights like privacy. Government intrusion on privacy includes collecting private information of citizens through a variety of databases when suspicious activities arise. This right incorporates to not have one’s personal matters disclosed. In addition, it includes the right against immoderate government intrusion in personal decisions.

How do the Two Interact?

As our technology evolves, so too must our rights to privacy, there is a spike of increase in the interests of Americans regarding their rights to privacy. Citizens are becoming more weary about the accessibility of their personal information and how the government could use it.

According to TNW, the “Government has the power to audit our tax returns, to prosecute and imprison us, to grant or deny licenses to do business, and many other things.” Therefore, due to the power the government could have over individuals there are also additional statutes that regulate the collection of an individual’s information. Recently, the Carpenter v. United States case ruled that the government must retrieve a warrant in order to access a person’s cell phone location data. According to the ACLU, the Supreme Court’s decision contains one of the most critical rulings in regards to technological privacy.

Are We Open Yet?

Posted on by Connor Haugen

May 1st has passed and states are starting to slowly reopen businesses. Though there has not been a clear announcement for some, government officials have not pushed for further stay at home orders.

What Does “Reopen” Entail?

Some states are still in lock-down status like California, New York, Washington and Virginia. Other states never had a lock-down such as Utah, Nebraska and South Dakota though stay at home orders were still enforced. Even one of the hardest hit countries, Italy, is lifting restrictions after Nearly 2 months according to Forbes.

Though businesses like retail, hair salons and cafes are reopening, it is in small steps. Mandatory Mask orders and precautions are still being enforced by state officials for businesses and citizens.

“[Colorado] state recommends that anyone returning to a workplace maintain 6 feet between themselves and others at all times; take breaks to wash hands or use hand sanitizer; wear masks and gloves,” According to an article from the Denver Post. Colorado plans to reopen about 50% of its business and hopes to open the rest by May 27th.

Other states like Florida will be allowing the reopen of beaches, sit-in restaurants as long as they are at 25% capacity. Bars, hair salons and movie theaters will still remain closed until further notice. Georgia is also taking a similar route, encouraging business to practice social distancing and screening employees for illness.

Other states like Delaware, Washington D.C. and Iowa to list a few have just issued mandatory stay at home orders till May 15th with expectations of extension.

Since state governments were left to make decisions on what to do during this crisis, there are many different avenues each is taking. Though all are doing their best to enforce or encourage social distancing guidelines.

Is the Virus Gone?

Though even with reopening we are still at risk of the virus. According to the CDC they are still working on a vaccine for COVID-19.“When people recover from COVID-19, their blood contains antibodies, convalescent plasma — literally plasma from recovered patients — has been used for more than 100 years to treat a variety of illnesses,” said Harvard’s health institute. While waiting for this and without a proper way to treat more severe cases we all need to stay vigilant and continue to practice social distancing.

COVID-19 and the Spanish Flu, How They are Related.

Posted on by Connor Haugen

The U.S. is facing a serious pandemic with Covid-19 for the first time in 100 years, as new cases rise rapidly. What’s disturbing is how similar our situation is to one of the deadliest diseases in human history, the Spanish Flu. Even with this history to drawback on, America still isn’t taking it seriously, perhaps, because history sometimes likes to repeat itself.

Spanish Flu

The most devastating of all pandemics in human history other than the Bubonic plague, the Spanish flu took 10% of the world’s population, and of that 10% were roughly 675,000 Americans.

“Officials in some communities imposed quarantines, ordered citizens to wear masks and shut down public places, including schools, churches and theaters.” according to history.com. This is the case with many pandemic level outbreaks. During this time was also the first use of the quarantine system. It has been 100 years since we have had to implement it on this scale again.

People are not happy with being shut in, especially by an entity who is supposed to let its citizens have “freedom.” There were three spikes during the Spanish flu during summer, fall and winter of 1918. 

“Historians now believe that the fatal severity of the Spanish flu’s ‘second wave’ was caused by a mutated virus spread by wartime troop movements.” wrote Dave Roose, a writer for history.com. Viruses tend to mutate, and extra exposure and changing bodies help it do so. With loosening restrictions and exposure after months indoors, we could see some devastating mutations.

Similarities

The key to containing any disease, according to Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D in an article with nhi.gov, is containment speed and awareness. Unlike the late warnings given to the world by China about COVID-19, people in 1918 were able to lock down quickly when this began spreading to the US. 

“Introducing public health measures soon after the first cases appear could greatly reduce the number of people who get sick,” said Jeremy. But just like COVID-19, people were not too keen to be told what to do. 

Humans have a tendency to repeat history, and just like back then, today, people protested against being locked in and locked down. There were similar protests that occurred during the Spanish flu as well since this was the first implementation of quarantine. Just like in 1918 there will be a spike of new cases after large congregations.

“On Dec 19,  officials voted down a mandatory mask order, by far the worst day of flu/pneumonia deaths followed on Dec 30.” Tweeted Tim Mak, an NPR investigative correspondent. Tim has been doing extensive digging into articles, news clippings and government records to gather this information about Spanish flu protests.

Just like today there were protests against mandatory orders such as masks and business closure. The most relevant being the “Anti-Mask League” in San Francisco. According to an article from 1919 4,000–5,000 citizens attended a meeting on January 25 to protest mandatory masks. Though no solid numbers can be found, one can only guess the outcome.

Many believe that the protests today were organized by the national tea party movement according to NPR. Even so we all need to stay cognizant and understand that a virus doesn’t care what party you are fighting for or if you have a job or not. Staying at home has slowed the spread significantly according to the CDC, but has spiked around April 5th by 63,000 new cases.

Differences

The largest difference between Spanish Flu and COVID-19 is that the first came right after WWI ended. This left many communities without available care because many doctors were drafted or dead. Food, working men, and everyday life was upended because of this. Not to mention that the disease was able to spread due to troops returning home. The war and the flu were able to wipe out roughly two thirds the world’s population within 5 years. 

Medical

Another difference is the types of medicine we have available today. Even with the most severe cases we have the ability to keep someone alive to fight through their symptoms. Respirators, antibiotics, a sterile working environment and sheer knowledge give us an incredible advantage since the last pandemic.

Even with all this though many hospitals at the start didn’t have enough equipment. Stores ran out of face masks and respirators within days without hope of restock. People today panicked and rushed to get supplies when they learned that this was more than just another flu. According to the LA Times however, during the Spanish flu people were already accustomed to their pandemic.

Travel

Unlike today the airplane was just invented and not used for commercial purposes. We have the ability to get across the world in a little less than a day, they took weeks or even months to get from one continent to the other. Most people were still using trains or boats for major transport needs, not to mention the expense. The biggest reason the Spanish flu hit so hard is because of troops returning home from the war, spreading a new strand of the disease.

“The first quarantines in the region were enacted in September 1918 at the Naval Reserve Station at Los Angeles Harbor and the U.S. Army Balloon School in Arcadia,” Wrote Gustavo Arellano of the LA times. Some of the first sites quarantined were naval bases or military outposts with returned soldiers.

The End?

Just like the Spanish Flu, Coronavirus will pass and it will be business as usual. Even when this will start to look better it doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. According to the CDC there will be spikes following looser restrictions, and we might not see the end for a while. Wear the mask a bit longer, wash your hands regularly, try to stay home if you are feeling ill. When the government lifts restrictions it is up to the citizens to stay vigilant and enact what we have learned. This isn’t the first and it won’t be the last pandemic humanity will have to deal with, but hopefully we will learn.

The Suppression of Democracy

Posted on by Arundhati Oommen

There are 7.4 billion people who walk this earth. Each and every one of them a mental mosaic of individual perspectives, life experiences, instinct, intellect, and power. Every sentence that has ever spilled off your lips was conceived by you, delivered by you. The transmission and collaboration of our world celebrates both the power of personal belief and the collage of opinions that can be created in a supportive environment. An environment nurtured through democracy.

Right to expression is a fundamental human right. As Thomas Jefferson wisely put it: “The people are the only censors of their governors: and even their errors will tend to keep these to the true principles of their institution.”

The very document that signifies the birth of America, the constitution, begins with “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…” We the people. Not we the government. We the people. Our ideas come together to evolve and gain new insight and further propel our nation forward. Creating a more perfect union as a whole.

The press is the sole institution with the ability to converse with the people and the organized government, providing the transfer of knowledge, opinions, and facts from one end of America to the other. The press are protectors of the people, though exposure can be a dangerous game… “Two Reuter’s journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, were detained and jailed in Myanmar on Dec.12, 2017. At the time of their arrests, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in a village in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.”(Reuters Sept.3, 2018) These journalists had exposed this massacre of men and children, and in turn were immediately arrested and thrown in jail for seven years. This comes just as the U.N. announced the government of Myanmar should be tried for genocide against Rohingya Muslims. Although they had been arrested, these journalists sparked a conversation. Without any knowledge of this horrific massacre nobody would have been aware of what horrors had befallen these men and children. This is one of the stories with a less gruesome ending. All around the world, journalists are being gunned down. Shot in the head. Assassinated. And why?   Because the press is a monumental obstacle to untethered rogue dictators.

Attempting to silence the press is equivalent to a blatant disregard of the United States Constitution. Press represents people, and to silence the press is to close the people of America off of knowledge, new ideas, and the facts of the government they themselves elected. A ruthless subversion of democracy.

Realize that the press is not our adversary, government officials who believe in a totalitarian utopia are the enemy of the press. These are the people who consistently issue death threats, order assassinations, and aggressively turn a blind eye to the facts. Many simply believing that every single supplier of their information about the world around them is indeed out to get them. As the great George Orwell put it: “In this country intellectual cowardice is the worst enemy any writer or journalist has to face.” Ramifications of this notion cause us to segregate what we believe is the truth versus genuine facts and information provided by our press. We become uninformed and believe fact less erroneous assumptions due to our closemindedness about the world around us, effectively leading a fictitious life.

We say history repeats itself, round and round again. Someone too greedy and power hungry, Taking advantage of the people. Silencing one by one those who speak. We say silence is submission, condemn those who stand up and call us out. Call them outspoken, treasonous, lying. Labeled with the worst we can think of. And yet, every single one of us has the means to be unyielding. A platform to speak the truth. From social media to the world stage, someone will always be watching. You will be heard. We are all journalists; you have a voice. Use it.