opinion

Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.

Dictatorship with a Smile
If you need to double check the exact definition of democracy in Google search (like I did), then you're probably not in one. At least, not really.
By Sophie Barker7 years ago in The Swamp
Why I Voted for "Her"
I originally wrote this piece in September 2016 in response to a liberal friend of mine who was urging Democrats to basically fall in line and vote for Hillary Clinton. I agreed wholeheartedly but she went a step further and tried to whitewash her record, which I could not abide.
By The Disruptors7 years ago in The Swamp
Pride, Denial, and Isolation
Americans have always been proud of their fight for freedom, independence, and human rights. Ever since Jamestown, Virginia was colonized by the British in 1607, we have been fiercely clawing, spitting and vigorously brawling for these rights as humans. It has been over 410 years since then, and we have only evolved the original rights given to us to tailor the majority of the population, but not yet all of it. For decades, a large percentage of the population have been fighting a constant battle against racism, slavery, lack of women’s rights, and many more.
By Alonna John7 years ago in The Swamp
Reason First: Why Brett Kavanaugh Ought to Sit Away from the US Supreme Court Bench
What ought to be done about Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh is that he should cease any attempts to be on the highest judiciary bench in the United States of America. Though he may hold exemplary positions on issues like the human environment, he lags with other major concerns like Roe v. Wade. While he has stated that he would follow the decision “fully and faithfully” if he is confirmed, he may overturn that decision.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in The Swamp
Redefining Patriotism in America
Before I get into this, I would like to point out that this is not a post about taking sides, and it is meant as a way to reach out to everyone regardless of political stance. I was given the idea for this article by a great woman in my life, and she deserved a mention before I dove in.
By Alexis Lindberg7 years ago in The Swamp
Help Should Start in the US
How many times have you heard, "We shouldn't be helping people in other countries when we have so many in need here, in the United States."
By Andrea Van Scoyoc7 years ago in The Swamp
The Super Tweeter!!!
I just remembered something. It just goes to show you just how tired I am. In any case, it involves the POTUS. As we all know, a certain guy in the White House has a huge infatuation with his Twitter account. I am sure that he has many followers, both supporters and non-supporters. I obviously do not know how many supporters he actually has, but I will say, for the sake of my point, that he has one billion followers. The actual number can be higher or lower, but I will use this to make my point.
By Maurice Bernier7 years ago in The Swamp
The Censorship Wars in Media
Recently we have seen a digital cleansing, of sorts. You see, the world of social media has received immense pressures from the mainstream media to silence voices of opposition. This week, that is exactly what happened! The way the social media outlets and big tech companies have been purging the internet of people who share views that are contrary to them is unprecedented. We are in a digital book burning of sorts. I mean this, we can refuse to let people who say things that we don't like have an opinion, but it is a matter of time before it happens to all of us. The media outlets have been the ones pushing for censorship on the internet, and now that they suddenly have it, they will not stop.
By Bradley Perry7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Are You Ranking: Best Case for Medicine Free of Controls in the United States Listed from Healthy to Fit
To say that someone is “happy” to pay taxes on health care is like saying that someone enjoys having a pistol pressed to their temple. The money that is generated by Americans ought to belong to them. Each individual ought to be able to use his or her money at their discretion. With “Medicare for all” and “Obamacare for everyone” we tend to forget just from where those funds stem. Money has to be stolen from the United States citizens to pay for their neighbor’s tonsillectomy. Why should an individual use his smart earned dollars to see that their potential enemy has the “right” to an operation? Stealing is wrong in any context. No matter how many democratic votes that a committee receives, it still doesn’t change the fact that government run health care programs are evil. Health insurance to boot is in a dizzying tailspin. They are vicious because of the fact that the individual has no say in how his or her money is utilized. The beauty of the United States (as it was founded) are the principles that said that a life belongs to an individual to go about as he pleases and not infringe upon the rights of others—liberty holds that that person can go about without the gaze of tyranny holding him or her back—property, although it was omitted from the Declaration of Independence is not just stuff that someone owns, but their ability to dispose of such items, including their own body—and the pursuit of happiness means a man or woman going after their version of what brings them joy in this world. So, get your medical records for, Why Are You Ranking: Best Case for Medicine Free of Controls in the United States Listed from Healthy to Fit.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in The Swamp
Lies and Statistics
Lies, damn lies and statistics. I see many posts on Facebook claiming “evidence” for things that are simply not true. I am sure that someone has devised a statistic to enable the claim to be made but statistics can hide the truth as well as indicate one possible truth.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
Overcoming Fascist-Racism
The thing about hating somebody different from you is that you don’t get a chance to actually talk to this person. Talking to somebody different from you helps you overcome stereotypes, lack of knowledge, and, in general, the way racism can sink its teeth in you. The modern-day fascists are racist people who want to curb immigration completely. They support everything certain people do to stop it because the ban wasn’t totally successful. There is also such thing as being uncomfortable around people different from you. The key is to keep talking to them until you beat your discomfort.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
The Unbreakable Peace
Nuclear weapons have been in the news quite regularly over the last year, from North Korea's technological breakthroughs to troubles with the Iran Deal. Yet the public concern which accompanies these topics is wildly disproportionate to the effect they stand to have over our future. The word "nuclear weapon" gets no more attention in the news than a major corporate announcement or an important local election. Perhaps some can view this as a good thing. The American hegemony which emerged with the fall of the Soviet Union meant that everyday citizens no longer had to think about the possibility of everything they ever knew or loved being disintegrated into ash at the push of a button.
By m z8 years ago in The Swamp