Germaine Descant - Independent Voter News (Page 2)

Why The Two Parties Are Horrible At Predicting the Future

A good share of politics-related content from the mainstream media (i.e., mass media outlets that convey content shaped by dominant thinking, influences, and activities) deals with predicting the future.

By Germaine Descant

/ October 27, 2015

When Rights Collide: Same-Sex Marriage vs. Freedom of Religion

The Supreme Court’s June 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision held that the fundamental right to marry extends to same-sex couples, a small minority of Americans. Among other things, the

By Germaine Descant

/ October 22, 2015

Does the Two-Party System Disrespect the Rule of Law?

Partisan allegations of unconstitutional or illegal conduct in politics are fairly common. Allegations of unconstitutionality can even come from Supreme Court justices, usually in dissent from majority decisions they disagree

By Germaine Descant

/ October 8, 2015

OPINION: Two-Party Politics Fails to Serve the Public Interest

At its core, politics is a matter of convincing other people that policy choices that conform to personal ideology best serves the public interest. Consciously or not, personal ideology is

By Germaine Descant

/ September 24, 2015

Caution: Being an Independent-Minded Voter is Not for the Faint of Heart

Over the last 45 years or so, science has made amazing strides in understanding how people see the world and think about what they see. Those advances in cognitive science

By Germaine Descant

/ September 9, 2015

Caution: Being an Independent-Minded Voter is Not for the Faint of Heart

California’s Reproductive FACT Act: An Attack on Free Speech or a Defense?

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -- According to California Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, California’s pending Reproductive FACT Act, AB 775, is a law “intended to compel crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to offer

By Germaine Descant

/ September 1, 2015

California’s Reproductive FACT Act: An Attack on Free Speech or a Defense?

The Net Tax Gap: You Won't Believe How Much Tax Cheats Steal

To understand American politics at the federal level, it is helpful to consider most issues from four points of view. Despite some simplification, a four-point analysis usually leads to a

By Germaine Descant

/ August 27, 2015

The Net Tax Gap: You Won't Believe How Much Tax Cheats Steal

OPINION: America Needs To Move Past Flawed Two-Party Ideology

Many Americans are uneasy about and opposed to the direction, tone, and nature of two-party politics. That comes despite America’s wealth, dynamic economy, and prospects for future prosperity. Polling

By Germaine Descant

/ August 21, 2015

OPINION: America Needs To Move Past Flawed Two-Party Ideology

OPINION: Facts and Logic Go AWOL in Two-Party Politics

American two-party politics is fairly described as a polarized fight between the left and right. Mutual distrust, contempt, fear and anger, and collective “animosity” drive the polarization. For the most

By Germaine Descant

/ August 5, 2015

OPINION: Facts and Logic Go AWOL in Two-Party Politics

To End Washington Gridlock, It's Time to Experiment with States' Rights

Gridlock dominates American politics at the national level. Among other things, partisan animosity and distrust undermines congressional function. Partisan or ideological differences and policy choices are so far apart that

By Germaine Descant

/ July 29, 2015

To End Washington Gridlock, It's Time to Experiment with States' Rights