America / Foreign Policy / Politics / Rule of Law

US Allies Recognizing the Losing Nature of the Current “War on Drugs”

Earlier this week, Guatemala’s newly elected President Otto Perez Molina said that the US’s inability to decrease illegal drug consumption has left Guatemala in a position where it must consider legalizing the use and transport of drugs. He plans to raise the issue of legalization of illicit drugs at an upcoming summit of Central American … Continue reading →

Economy / Politics / Presidency

President’s budget ignores real reforms, shirks responsibility

Yesterday, the President announced his budget for fiscal year 2013, a plan that, if implemented, would raise taxes and burden younger Americans with a legacy of chronic budget deficits. The budget the President is proposing is a house of cards on a foundation of volatile debt that is quite obviously not “built to last.” During … Continue reading →

America / Economy / Education / Politics

How the Economy is Affecting the Millennial Generation

Policy issue areas for the college-aged (Millennial) generation: 1. The National Budget 2. Growing National Debt 3. Entitlement Programs 4. Great Recession General Background Information: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Millennials face unemployment rates above 25% and are still searching for the return on educational investments Fully 55% of those ages 18 to … Continue reading →

Foreign Policy / Politics

Venezuela’s Opposition Looking For Its Presidential Candidate

Venezuela’s highly anticipated presidential election does not take place until October 7, but the competition will begin in earnest this weekend. Venezuela’s opposition party is holding its first presidential primary on Sunday, February 12th. This is an important step for the opposition because it will offer them an opportunity to create a more unified movement … Continue reading →

Communications / Politics

The Accountability of Social Media

Social media instigated major political change in 2011.  Most notably the Arab Spring saw governments corrode under the pressure of its citizens who were fed up with years of corruption, poverty and joblessness.  Social media sites, Facebook and Twitter, enabled people to quickly learn about the demonstrations, organize and react through massive protests.  The accessibility … Continue reading →

Foreign Policy / Politics

2012 Mexican Presidential Election Primer

Mexico’s three main political parties have selected their respective candidates for the July 1, 2012 presidential contest. The favorite appears to be Enrique Peña Nieto, the former governor of the state of Mexico, from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI dominated Mexican politics for over 70 years until 2000, when it failed to win … Continue reading →

America / Education / Politics / Uncategorized

Why Education Will be a Top Issue for the 2012 Election

In 2011, education emerged indirectly as a hot button issue during the public sector collective bargaining battles in states across the country. The bitter pill offered by Republican governors has still left a bad taste in the mouths of voters and has resulted in the recall of lawmakers and the repeal of legislation. Unfortunately for … Continue reading →