I voted. I have always voted in every election I could since I was 18. In Australia and then in the USA once I became a dual citizen. I could no longer vote in Australia after 3 years of being a non resident,
I vote for freedom, to work and live where I like, and where I can get a job
I vote for security, to be safe from terrorism and religious persecution
I vote for beliefs, a morally run country and a equality and dignity for all, where humanity comes before profit.
Voting is a privilege that some countries really do enjoy, some countries citizens have no choice in their leaders, and others pretend to allow democracy but, in fact, do not. Leaders are picked due to what family they were born into and never have to give insight into who they are and what they believe, how privileged their ideals and how they feel about others. The United States of America came close to voting that way in 2016, but the end of 2020 the majority were convinced that we needed a new direction.
Since the 2000 presidential election, the process of USA elections has been questioned in a public way. In 2020, the outgoing president tried to bring his followers to a conclusion that because he didn't win, there must have been fraud. Without proof, without facts and without cause. A private militia has been formed and never told to back off. Domestic terrorism is on the rise now. It's not too organised yet. But it needs to be shut down.
Making other political parties, other countries, other non-USA citizens and other ideas the enemy is not the way to integrate the world. Some want integration when it suits them; in trade for large corporations for example, but when it comes to real integration, as in immigration, adopting outside ideas such as renewable energy and climate change agreements, such as non-christian religions, such as treating North American Tribal Land as privately owned, there is great resistance by our elected leaders overall.
In fact it takes private enterprise to change and lead the way. It will take making climate friendly energy sources, the integration and acceptance of all religions that truly have respect for everyone, and the protection of assigned Indian reservations from destructive, environmentally damaging, short term fuel needs. It will take privately run health care insurance providers to come to grips with covering pre-existing conditions, even while they lobby to change it back to pre glory days for profit, regardless of who it effects, who it hurts and how it crushes Americans both financially and health wise.
There is one place that private enterprise falls down though; and that is when it comes to raising wages in the USA. Due to constituent pressure, who want minimum wages to rise, some states are putting it on the ballot while private enterprise is using scare tactics like layoffs and price hikes. The facts are that the price hikes are happening regardless and due to the pandemic there's been plenty of layoffs. If profit margins were capped there wouldn't be an issue. Cost of living reports conveniently leave out the rising costs of accommodations and food! The very basics of living.
So be proud you live in a country where you can vote, where it can be counted, and vote with enthusiasm and non violent commitment. Accept others ideas, but vote with your conscience and your heart. Do not try to fence others in to your way of thinking, stifled thoughts are the same as being in prison. The future has no room for fences, walls or isolation; we either have to learn to live with each other in all ways or remain isolated and disappear.
Voting should cause you to study independently of the "news", try to get some insight into who the candidates and their parties are. Look to past issues that have caused discord in the party and what bills they have voted on. In most democratic countries there are two main parties, like the United States; the "right" which would refer to Republicans, who care about low oversight and regulations and the "left", who prefer to give a humane and equal view to the government, passing bills that create checks and balances on private enterprise to help save the environment and how it effects the citizens, to help keep food service businesses clean and healthy and avoid poisoning and deaths, to try and make sure most Americans have food and shelter, can get an education that allows most to have an equal start when growing into adulthood.
Now here we are on November 7 2020 and more than half of the country are celebrating. Gone is the fear of war due to hurt feelings, gone is the threats to end social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare programs and public schools. A huge sigh of relief has been expelled from the collective lungs, that will be saved from the complete disregard for our air and environment by reversing the dissolution of EPA laws, created in past administrations for everyone, destroyed in a few short years by self-serving monopolies and deep pockets.
The President elect on January 20 2021 will be a President who is open to negotiations, humble is his office, does not promote his own businesses over others to make money for his ailing companies, will not put people's lives at risk so he can appear "tough". The new president understands how to allow others' their ideas without taking it as a threat. Ofcourse Joe Biden has seen it all before. as Vice President to President Obama. A mild and humble, honorable and calm leader who didn't get to change a lot, especially in his second term due to a GOP led Senate. But did what he could and believed in with Joe Biden as his side, leading with dignity. They believed and believe in that instead of building fences around the USA and isolating in this global trading world, to manage the integration of different countries, cultures, ethnicities, religions and colors. After all allowing foreigners to fly and vacation in the USA but then denying them any path to citizenship is contradictory. We are one world, one race and must care for all.
So here we come out of the darkness of the past 4 years, with some gloom hanging on such as the Covid-19 pandemic, trillions more in debt due to outrageous tax cuts for the very wealthy, that did not and never had trickled down, with a volatile stock market, real estate and health insurance market that wants to go back to the roaring 90's, putting profits over healthcare aided by republican law makers. The Affordable Care Act changed the face of healthcare in the USA forever, allowing for most Americans to get coverage one way or another, and covering pre-existing conditions, such as long term effects of Covid-19. The GOP have tried everything to appease the big donor health care companies but to no avail. I am no longer worried about collecting a small amount of social security in my old age or getting covered when no longer working with Medicare, as millions more are also.
So these are some of the reasons why I vote and believe it is a necessary tool in this democracy. Due to past hiccups, the election for our new President and law makers was fair and legal, uncorrupted and spoke for the majority of the voters.
So always vote when you have the opportunity, to save democracy, to honor your citizenship and to lead the country in a humane direction.
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Grandad
I met a grand father who was born in Italy and raised in Philadelphia. He told me about his uncle's speak easy and how he was raised there as he worked there after school and on weekends. It was warm, rich, extremely cozy and felt safe, even when it was packed with bodies; even with some colorful characters.
By Maryanne O'Keeffe Potter5 years ago in Families
Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 3 days ago in The Swamp
Washington Post Fires One-Third of Staff, Including All Its Middle East Journalists
The Washington Post has laid off roughly one-third of its newsroom staff in a sweeping round of job cuts that includes the dismissal of its entire Middle East reporting team, a move that has sent shockwaves through the global journalism community and raised serious concerns about the future of international coverage at one of America’s most influential newspapers. The layoffs, confirmed by company executives on Tuesday, come as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at stabilizing the paper’s finances amid declining digital subscriptions, falling advertising revenue, and rising operational costs. While the Post described the cuts as “necessary for long-term sustainability,” critics argue the decision reflects a troubling retreat from in-depth foreign reporting at a time of heightened global conflict. Among those affected were veteran correspondents based in Jerusalem, Beirut, and Cairo, as well as editors and producers who supported coverage across the Middle East. Several journalists said they were informed with little notice and offered severance packages that varied by tenure. “This is devastating not only for the people who lost their jobs but for readers who depend on rigorous reporting from one of the world’s most complex regions,” said one former correspondent, who requested anonymity due to ongoing negotiations with the company. Financial Pressures and Strategic Shift In a memo to staff, Washington Post publisher Will Lewis cited financial challenges facing the newspaper industry and the need to “refocus resources on core priorities.” “Our responsibility is to ensure the Post remains a strong and viable institution for the future,” Lewis wrote. “These decisions were not made lightly, but they are necessary to adapt to changing audience habits and economic realities.” The Post has struggled in recent years to maintain the rapid subscriber growth it enjoyed during the Trump presidency, when political coverage drove record digital engagement. As interest in U.S. politics has cooled and competition from free online news sources has intensified, the paper’s revenue has reportedly declined significantly. Insiders say management has chosen to concentrate more heavily on domestic politics, investigations, and opinion content while relying increasingly on wire services and partnerships for international news. Media analysts warn that this strategy risks eroding the Post’s reputation as a global news leader. “Cutting an entire regional bureau is not just a cost-saving measure—it’s a statement about priorities,” said Margaret Collins, a professor of journalism at Columbia University. “The Middle East is central to U.S. foreign policy, global security, and humanitarian issues. Removing dedicated coverage weakens public understanding.” Impact on Middle East Coverage The elimination of the Middle East desk comes amid ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, rising tensions between Iran and Israel, and continued instability in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon. Journalists who specialized in the region say their work required years of cultural knowledge, language skills, and trusted local networks that cannot easily be replaced. “Parachute reporting doesn’t work in the Middle East,” said a former Post editor. “You need people on the ground who understand the politics, history, and communities. Without that, coverage becomes shallow and reactive.” Several international press organizations condemned the move, calling it a setback for accountability journalism. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that “reducing foreign correspondents at a time of global crisis undermines the public’s right to accurate and independent information.” Staff Reaction and Morale Within the newsroom, the layoffs have fueled anxiety and anger among remaining employees. Union representatives said the cuts disproportionately affected foreign correspondents and junior reporters while leaving management largely untouched. “The burden of financial mistakes is being placed squarely on journalists who do the work,” said a spokesperson for the Post’s union. “This will weaken coverage and harm trust with readers.” Employees also expressed concern about workload increases and burnout as fewer reporters are expected to produce more content across multiple beats. “This isn’t just about losing colleagues,” one staff writer said. “It’s about losing institutional knowledge. People who spent decades building sources and expertise are suddenly gone.” A Broader Industry Trend The Washington Post is not alone in shrinking its foreign bureaus. Major news organizations across the United States and Europe have scaled back international reporting over the past decade due to high costs and shrinking profit margins. Maintaining overseas offices requires security arrangements, translators, travel budgets, and legal support—expenses many outlets can no longer sustain. However, critics argue that the trend creates a dangerous information gap. “When major papers pull out of regions like the Middle East, coverage increasingly comes from social media or partisan sources,” said Collins. “That leaves audiences vulnerable to misinformation and propaganda.” The layoffs also raise questions about the role of billionaire ownership in shaping newsroom priorities. The Washington Post is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who purchased the paper in 2013 and invested heavily in digital expansion during its early turnaround years. While Bezos has not commented publicly on the latest cuts, some staff members have questioned whether financial discipline has overtaken journalistic mission. What Comes Next Management says the newspaper will continue to cover the Middle East through freelance reporters and partnerships with international outlets. Yet former staff warn that this approach cannot replace a dedicated bureau with institutional continuity. Readers have already begun to voice concerns on social media, with many saying they subscribed specifically for the Post’s international reporting. “This was one of the last American papers with serious foreign coverage,” one subscriber wrote. “Now it feels like another retreat inward.” The layoffs mark a turning point for the Post, long regarded as a standard-bearer for investigative and global journalism. While executives insist the paper will remain committed to international news, the absence of a permanent Middle East team suggests a narrower vision of its future role. For journalists who lost their jobs, the decision represents more than a financial setback. “We believed in the mission of informing the public about a region that shapes world events,” said a former correspondent. “Now that mission feels compromised.” As newsrooms continue to struggle with economic realities, the question remains whether leading institutions can balance survival with their responsibility to provide deep, independent coverage of the world beyond their borders.
By Fiaz Ahmed about 6 hours ago in The Swamp
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