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In each presidency there is a watershed moment. For some, it is a positive triumph that defines the presidency. Wartime presidents like Lincoln and FDR cemented their legacy by leading the nation to victory. Nixon's Watergate scandal left a permanent blemish on his record. For Obama so far, his healthcare bill, the Affordable Care Act, has widely been considered that watershed moment. For supporters, it was the major reform of his first term. However, great moments attract critics. Opponents of

This week the state of Texas is arguing its case in support of the state's new voter ID law in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The law, which was passed last year, requires voters to present photo identification in order to be able to cast a ballot in the state's elections. In March, however, the Justice Department blocked the implementation of the new law under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires that states with a history of disc

[Yesterday], I wrote about an important New York Times report revealing, for the first time ever, the astonishing scale of government surveillance of cell phone users. In response to queries from Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), most of the nation’s major cell providers revealed the number of government requests they process each year. The total—covering everything from traditional wiretaps to location tracking orders, “pen registers,” and subpoenas for basic subscriber records—came to an astonishing 1

Governor Rick Perry of Texas joins a list of growing states who say they will refuse to implement Medicaid expansion in their states. The one-time presidential hopeful stated yesterday, “If anyone was in doubt, we in Texas have no intention to implement so-called state exchanges or to expand Medicaid under Obamacare.” Gov. Rick Perry’s decision makes Texas the sixth state to opt out of Medicaid expansion so far. Texas joins Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Wisconsin in using

Today's News Tip Sheet. Your Independent Breakdown of Today's News. IVN – Health Care Decision by an Expert Constitutional law scholar Daniel Farber opines on the Supreme Court’s health care decision and gives us a glimpse into the effects of the decision. WaPo – Syria Opposition Says Death Toll Over 17,000 After months of fighting between a rebel group and the Assad regime the opposition claims that over 17,000 people have died as a result. AP – Romney Outraises Obama 106-71 The President

Recent polls show a highly competitive race between the Democratic and Republican party candidates for president. However, it appears that when polling organizations present the public with a more accurate reflection of the presidential ballot this is simply not the case. A Gallup poll published last Friday found that roughly 7% of registered voters support a third party candidate for president. Among survey organizations, it is standard practice to exclude all third party and Independent candi

A Gallup poll released on Friday shows a tepid response by likely voters to third-party candidates. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson comes in with 3%, for the best showing. Majority of voters intend on casting their ballots in favor of Mitt Romney or President Obama. Two percent volunteer Ron Paul's name, despite the Texas congressman still bidding for the Republican nomination. Per Gallup: With no high-profile third-party candidate entering the presidential race thus far, the third-pa

Ron Paul-- the congressman from Texas who unwittingly launched a vibrant and eclectic political movement with his 2008 and 2012 bids for the Republican Party's presidential nomination-- is focusing his movement's attention and resources on a single-issue long important to him and his libertarian supporters: Internet Freedom. Ever a proponent of an unregulated, untaxed, laissez-faire Internet and World Wide Web, Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign's promotional materials boasted that Ron Paul

The Supreme Court of the United States, as part of their decision on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ruled that the federal government cannot penalize states that choose to opt-out of expanding the Medicaid program. Texas is likely to be one state to reject that particular provision in the health care law, popularly known as “Obamacare.” Texas joined twenty-five other states in arguing that cutting state funding as a way of coercing states to adopt a new federal program is not a power delegated

Today's News Tip Sheet. The Independent Breakdown of Today's News. CNN – Phelps Drops 200m Freestyle, Liukin Out for London Michael Phelps swore to never swim as difficult a program as he did in Beijing in 2008, but was set to swim the exact same schedule until this morning when his coach announced he will drop the 200m Freestyle. Slate – FL Rejecting Medicaid Money, What Other States Will Follow Suit?Florida Governor Rick Scott has made a career out of campaigning against Obamacare and has s