W. E. Messamore

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Economist Peter Schiff Forecasts Second Crisis to Hit Around 2013, on the site IVN 6 months ago

What do you do when one of the very few economic analysts to predict the financial crisis would strike in ’07 or ’08 says another, even more catastrophic economic collapse will hit the United States economy in

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Economist Peter Schiff Forecasts Second Crisis to Hit Around 2013, on the site IVN 6 months ago

What do you do when one of the very few economic analysts to predict the financial crisis would strike in ’07 or ’08 says another, even more catastrophic economic collapse will hit the United States economy in

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Barack Obama Wins Reelection Amid Economic Uncertainty, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 1 week ago

Only 39% of voters in the exit polls cited above said they believed the economy was improving. That’s hardly an optimistic electorate.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Barack Obama Wins Reelection Amid Economic Uncertainty, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 1 week ago

Carrying the key battleground state of Ohio, President Barack Obama has secured reelection to a second term in office, several news networks projected Tuesday evening.

In the weeks and days prior to the

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Republicans Blame Gary Johnson, Third Party Candidates For Loss, on the site The Neutral Zone 7 months, 1 week ago

These are facts. This is real journalism. Thanks, Shawn.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Barack Obama Wins Reelection Amid Economic Uncertainty, on the site IVN San Diego 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Carrying the key battleground state of Ohio, President Barack Obama has secured reelection to a second term in office, several news networks projected Tuesday evening.

In the weeks and days prior to the

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Dan Fogler on Presidential Run: I needed more Twitter followers, on the site Cranky Yankee 7 months, 2 weeks ago

For those of you not in the know, the always-funny multi-talented Dan Fogler is ‘running’ for president. You might recognize him from the movie Balls of Fury. You may be familiar with his running mate,

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Dan Fogler on Presidential Run: I needed more Twitter followers, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

For those of you not in the know, the always-funny multi-talented Dan Fogler is ‘running’ for president. You might recognize him from the movie Balls of Fury. You may be familiar with his running mate,

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, 100 Ways Mitt Romney Is Just Like Barack Obama, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The New York Times recently made a less than half-hearted attempt to summarize the similarities between President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican Party nominee, Mitt Romney. As New York Magazine

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, A War of Words Defines The 2012 Elections, on the site The Neutral Zone 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Like the scoutmaster used to tell us when I was in the Boy Scouts– when you point a finger at someone, there are always three pointing right back at you.

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, A History of Cannabis’ Legal Status in America, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

When Ronald Reagan was a little boy growing up in America, marijuana was not illegal. I want to live in that America again.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Latino Voters Poll: Obama Poised to Pick Up Record 73% of Latino Vote, on the site Election Center 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The latest Latino Decisions tracking poll has President Obama way ahead among Latino voters with a total of 73% of respondents saying they plan to vote for Obama, and only 22% of respondents saying they plan

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, High Latino Voter Turnout Could Make the Difference for Obama, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The latest Latino Decisions tracking poll has President Obama way ahead among Latino voters with a total of 73% of respondents saying they plan to vote for Obama, and only 22% of respondents saying they plan

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Why Ron Paul Supporters Should Vote for Gary Johnson, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Author’s note: I should mention to begin with, that The Independent Voter Network is a non-profit that does not make political endorsements of candidates, and that the views expressed in this article are my

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Should Ron Paul Supporters Vote for Gary Johnson? (Yes!), on the site Common Sense 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Author’s note: I should mention to begin with, that The Independent Voter Network is a non-profit that does not make political endorsements of candidates, and that the views expressed in this article are my

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Ten Great 2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists, on the site Election Center 7 months, 2 weeks ago

2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists:
Open Secrets
1. OpenSecrets.org – A project of the Center for Responsive Politics, Open Secrets archives public FEC records on campaign fundraising and

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Who is RT America? Host of the 2nd Free and Equal Debate, on the site The Frog and The Eagle 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The comparison in one of the RT ads above between the US and Iranian presidents with the caption, “Who poses the greater nuclear threat?” may seem absurd or even offensive to most Americans, but to consider a

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Who is RT America? Host of the 2nd Free and Equal Debate, on the site The Frog and The Eagle 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Are we not living in a strange world? American citizens are getting information about things from Russian state-owned media that are being suppressed by most of their own “free,” private, and “independent” media.

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Ten Great 2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

I thought about putting that on the list, but I already gave the NYT a lot of love with two different items on the list that I specifically wanted to highlight as handy election resources.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Ten Great 2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists:
Open Secrets
1. OpenSecrets.org – A project of the Center for Responsive Politics, Open Secrets archives public FEC records on campaign fundraising and

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Ron Paul Comments on FEMA: Causes More Harm Than Good, on the site Common Sense 7 months, 2 weeks ago

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy this week, the New York Times declared, “A big storm requires big government.”

On John Stossel’s Fox Business program this week, however, Congressman and former

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Ten Great 2012 Election Resources for Voters and Journalists, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

I’ve gotta give Shawn Griffiths the credit for telling me about this. It is pretty cool!

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, How One Ohio County Could Determine The Entire Presidential Election, on the site Election Center 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Sure there are other counties in Ohio where the number of votes for the Buckeye State’s winners in 2004 and 2008 was larger than the margin of victory for the state. Swann isn’t saying Hamilton County is the

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Hurricane Sandy Effect on Election Could Hurt Democrats, on the site IVN San Diego 7 months, 2 weeks ago

According to one forecasting firm, Hurricane Sandy will “end up causing about $20 billion in property damages and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business,” and as of Tuesday evening the superstorm had

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Could Voters in Just One Ohio County Elect Our Next President?, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

In this video, Fox19 Cincinnati’s Ben Swann explains how just one county in Ohio, Hamilton County, could determine the entire presidential election:

FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

Home to

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, How One Ohio County Could Determine The Entire Presidential Election, on the site Election Center 7 months, 2 weeks ago

In this video, Fox19 Cincinnati’s Ben Swann explains how just one county in Ohio, Hamilton County, could determine the entire presidential election:

FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

Home to

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Hurricane Sandy Effect on Election Could Hurt Democrats, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 2 weeks ago

According to one forecasting firm, Hurricane Sandy will “end up causing about $20 billion in property damages and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business,” and as of Tuesday evening the superstorm had

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Hurricane Sandy Effect on Election Could Hurt Democrats, on the site Election Center 7 months, 3 weeks ago

According to one forecasting firm, Hurricane Sandy will “end up causing about $20 billion in property damages and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business,” and as of Tuesday evening the superstorm had

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Auto Industry’s Bailout Makes a Comeback as an Election Issue, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Calling the bailouts a job-creating measure is an example of context dropping. The money loaned to the industry represents economic value that was diverted by Congress from other areas in the economy where it

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Auto Industry’s Bailout Makes a Comeback as an Election Issue, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Yeah, it’s an odd hill to die on.

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Auto Industry’s Bailout Makes a Comeback as an Election Issue, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

“Stimulus” efforts by policymakers were far, far more robust than the auto bailout. Big Auto got $17 billion. Big finance got hundreds of billions for toxic mortgage foreclosures that it had bundled into

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Romney’s Endorsement of Mourdock Could Deter Independents, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I have absolutely no clue what Republicans are thinking this election with so much emphasis on social issues after they did so well in 2010 by focusing on economic issues. As for your second question. Women

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Romney’s Endorsement of Mourdock Could Deter Independents, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I tend to think that the air conditioning theory (http://reason.com/archives/2011/06/20/the-crime-rate-puzzle) is an exemplar of the kind of socio-economic forces and advances– quietly shifting without much

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Interview with Judge Jim Gray: I Want Us to Run Again in 2016, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

What a fantastic and revealing interview!! There’s so much great information in here about the Johnson campaign’s post-election plans, status of the CPD lawsuits, and VP candidate Judge Gray’s thoughts about

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Interview with Judge Jim Gray: I Want Us to Run Again in 2016, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Why not remove Obama first by voting for Judge Gray’s ticket in 2012 instead of Romney / Ryan, and skip the four years of an administration you consider second best to Johnson / Gray?

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Interview with Judge Jim Gray: I Want Us to Run Again in 2016, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Do you really think participating in electoral politics outside of the two main parties is traitorous? Or that doing well in an election and taking votes away from other candidates is? And if you are okay with

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Interview with Judge Jim Gray: I Want Us to Run Again in 2016, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I would be pretty shocked to see Ron Paul back the LP ticket in 2016, as wed as he seems to the prospect of his son’s nomination by the GOP, and as much as rocking the boat too hard and leading voters away from

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Interview with Judge Jim Gray: I Want Us to Run Again in 2016, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

An overview of the judge: http://ivn.us/2012/08/15/meet-judge-jim-gray-the-libertarian-partys-vp-candidate/

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, US Candidates Can Learn From “Uruguay Abortion Law” Debate, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry to digress, but President José Mujica– coolest looking head of state ever. Just seems so grandfatherly and kind.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Ten Reasons to Legalize Marijuana Now, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Note from the author: This article was originally published in March of 2012. With attempts to legalize marijuana on ballot measures in three different states this November– Colorado, Oregon, and Washington–

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Editorial: Ten Reasons to Legalize Marijuana Now, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

1. Marijuana prohibition violates liberty.

America has a long and proud tradition of believing in, and increasingly upholding, the right of its citizens to make their own choices about their own bodies,

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Colin Powell Endorses Obama, Again, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Obama isn’t the candidate that I like best personally, but I think it’s very cool that Powell isn’t letting the R next to his name or the D next to Obama’s prevent him from supporting the candidate he likes best.

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Cost of Campaigning: $5.8 Billion Better Spent, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

How do we do that while satisfying the First Amendment protection of free speech?

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, In Battleground Colorado Independents May Have the Last Word, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I love Meghan’s story because it’s easy to relate to. I know so many young voters who supported Mr. Obama in 2008, but, feeling disenchanted, aren’t sure who to support in 2012.

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Military Voters Disenfranchised: Record Low 2012 Turnout Expected, on the site IVN San Diego 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Despite a law passed by Congress in 2009 after low absentee voter turnout in the 2008 elections among US military personnel deployed overseas, the Military Voter Protection Project released statistics earlier

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Absentee Data Provide Insight Into Senate and Assembly Races, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

“Since the mid 1990s, the number of California absentee voters has steadily risen. In 2008, nearly forty-two percent of ballots were cast by mail for the general election and, in 2010, that number rose to

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Cost of Campaigning: $5.8 Billion Better Spent, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

This is a function of the amount that the government in Washington spends. The more money Washington is in charge of taking from us to decide how to spend it for us, the more money special interest groups of every

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, 10 Differences Between Candidate Obama in 2008 vs 2012, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I’ve got to say, the sheer preponderance of broken campaign promises and 180 degree turns on policies (and there are far more than in just this list), and the shocking brazenness of many of these examples, makes

W. E. Messamore commented on the post, Colbert Report War on Drugs Segment Addresses Drug Policy, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

“Remember drugs are not the answer, kids, except when they are

W. E. Messamore wrote a new post, Military Voters Disenfranchised: Record Low 2012 Turnout Expected, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Despite a law passed by Congress in 2009 after low absentee voter turnout in the 2008 elections among US military personnel deployed overseas, the Military Voter Protection Project released statistics earlier

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