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In an email sent to reporters Monday morning, Texas Congressman Ron Paul announced he is suspending his campaign in the remaining 11 primary states. He cited a lack of resources as the cause, explaining that participating in the primary states "would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have." He will, however, continue to "take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future.” While fu

What little commentary we've seen from the media on Ron Paul's silent coup presently underway in the Republican Party has focused mostly on its implications for the 2012 Republican Primary and whether Paul can hold back Romney's delegate count just long enough to ensure a brokered convention, which is the only feasible scenario in which Paul could emerge as the party's nominee. But perhaps more important and far-reaching in its implications for the future of national politics in the US, is not

Since the Republican Presidential nominating contest began last year, the Independent Voter Network has posted a number of stories concerning the effect Dr. Ron Paul's candidacy has had on the process. The reason for the focus on Dr. Paul is because his bid acts as a textbook example of how an insurgent candidacy successfully challenges party establishment. Whether it was antipathy to Hilary Clinton or Democratic fears of her effect on down ballot races in their states, President Obama had subs

Given the public's deep disapproval of the Democratic and Republican parties, there are likely a great many Americans who have already come to the conclusion that this year's race for president will, once again, boil down to a choice between Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dumber. Yet there are alternatives. Earlier this month, we took a look at the Green Party's Jill Stein and Libertarian Gary Johnson. Independents who are thinking outside the two-party box may also consider the candidacy of former Sal

The primary season is more than half over, and with former-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney all but assured the nomination of the Republican Party (especially now that former-Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has suspended his campaign), all I eyes have now turned to the general election though that doesn't officially start until September after both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions have been held.  But I wanted to look back at a few things that have been on my mind about th

Legitimacy is integral to voters, political candidates and organizations identifying, advocating or pursuing independent solutions to the partisan deficiencies of our current political climate. Those outside the two-party system face incredible odds. Americans Elect is a well-funded organization who's goal is "to nominate a presidential ticket that answers directly to voters-not the political system". They aim to host an online convention in June, where users will vote for a presidential ticket

[Update - US Department of Health and Human Services website is now healthcare.gov] The Affordable Care Act, before the Supreme Court this week, includes partial elimination for “gender rating”, a practice that costs women $1 billion a year. According to statistics, women between the ages of 19 to 55 tend to use more health care services than men of the same age. They are more likely to visit doctors for regular checkups, have certain chronic illnesses and take prescription drugs. Because of t

The US Supreme Court will hold hearings this week on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Obama’s health care plan. The lawsuit was filed by twenty six states, four small business owners, and the proudly ferocious National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB.)  The lawsuit contends the federal government does not have the authority to order people and businesses to buy health insurance (and face fines if they don’t.)  The hearings will surely be closely watched. Indeed, the future

With the Puerto Rico primary behind them, GOP candidates embark on a final campaign blitz across the state of Illinois. With Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum making their final attempts at appealing to the Land of Lincoln voters, both argue that a victory in the state could seal the GOP nomination.  Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul continue on in the race with no signs of backing down. And while Paul is still without a win, his campaign continues to vie for stray delegates in states that have

Today the GOP Presidential Candidates head to the South for a pair of highly contested primaries in Alabama and Mississippi. In what has become an increasingly close race, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are competing for the Conservative vote, while Mitt Romney looks to the Deep South as a chance at sealing front-runner status. After his first victory in the Virgin Islands, Ron Paul has refrained from actively campaigning in the states. 119 delegates are at stake today: Alabama (50 delegates),