opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
The Culture of Illusion
First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Evan Allen. I was born in Canada. My family became legal Permanent Residents in the USA in 2008. I currently reside in Las Vegas. In this article I will share with you the difference in each country in a number of topic. Most in which the people that run the USA will tell you isn't true. Why? Well if Americans knew the truth they might just like it.(Information may vary state to state or province to province.)
By Evan Allen8 years ago in The Swamp
Why the UN is Touring the US
How do we make it better? This is a rant, an opinion, a talking point and a life on the edge. Here it is... My life has been one up and down, mostly down, after another. I can't seem to get to a place of any comfort. Whether it be for my mind or for my broken body. This isn't the land of opportunity anymore. No, this is not a level playing field.
By jessica young8 years ago in The Swamp
Canadian Liberal Party Bullying All Who Disagree
As applications for Summer Student grants are being submitted, many potential employers are concerned. A new mandate from the Canadian Liberal government has made it mandatory for those receiving the grant to agree with their point of view. This has caused concern and disappointment among many people who wish to hire temporary employees, specifically students for the summer months.
By P.E. Lihou8 years ago in The Swamp
People Like Us: The Proximity of Empathy
The trial of Ratko Mladic was in the news a few weeks ago, as we saw his lengthy trial draw to a close a full 22 years after he committed his terrible crimes. Justice has been served on many of the major players in the Bosnian War, although there are still some trials ongoing (and some peculiar outcomes). I was a child during the time of the war, and living in the UK, so what I remember of it was gleaned from half-remembered news reports in the early 1990's (I'm glad my parents didn't switch the news off when I was in the room—it's important for children to learn things through the media, rather than face the issues ill-equipped as adults). I didn't appreciate the magnitude and nature of the events at the time—either some things were not reported, or I didn't give the reports my fullest attention—but now I watch and read evidence of the atrocities and I am horrified. A mere 50 years after the Holocaust, there was another genocide within Europe, this one within my lifetime. Have we learned nothing from (very recent) history? The killings were systematic and large-scale. The scenes could easily have been from 1940's Germany or Poland. It feels too soon for history to repeat itself. I hope it never happens again.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Bernie Sanders Is Bad For American Students
Bernie Sanders used the "free college" talking point to win millennial votes. Millennial voters have been scammed by a con-artist. "Free college" doesn't work and it will not work in America. Hypothetically, if we were able to give out "free college," it would completely destroy the point of a college degree. "Free college" would destroy the future of America and destroy the present America. Here's a couple things to think about next time you hear someone like Bernie Sanders promise "free college."
By Brian Chilcoat8 years ago in The Swamp
Millennials Are Financially Screwed Over
Millennials are the largest and most diverse generation to exist. The creators of Facebook, Snapchat and any social media website that exists were created by millennials. With all this innovation and creativity from the largest and most diverse generation, we were screwed over. How my generation was screwed over, is due to creating bad economic policies and continuing to debate the same old economic issues which should have been solved long ago. An example of the same old economic issues is raising the minimum wage, we can see it’s way past time for America to have a livable wage where the people can afford the basic necessities to live and Millennials should not be under-employed make less than Baby Boomers and previous generations. Recap: in a previous article, I discussed how America is losing progress because we failed to learn from history, specifically the 1912 and 1940 elections. These two elections have a common theme with the 2016 elections, and that is Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Wallace and Bernie Sanders all understood the future, these men who received all the support from the people-coughs, but was undermined by the establishment are the people we need running for office and running our government. Millennials were screwed over because the previous generations did not understand the future and they still do not understand the future.
By Eve's Politics8 years ago in The Swamp
It's Not Our Fault, and It Never Is....
Another day, another excuse. This is the ongoing trend regarding the current SNP administration. The new Queensferry crossing, a bridge too far, has become the latest in a long line of dismal failures from this decaying, glorified regional council. It's not difficult to see what was blowing through their minds when the late/early opening of the new "super bridge."
By Michael Blair8 years ago in The Swamp
The Importance of Women’s Reproductive Freedom
Women have been fighting for fair and equal rights for two centuries, with the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. At the convention, the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, much like the Declaration of Independence, which “demanded equality with men before the law, in education and employment.” (Imbornoni, n.d.). The struggle for equal rights did not go without violence, protests, resistance, and retaliation, which eventually led to hard-earned victories such as the right to vote; Colorado being the first state to adopt an amendment granting women the right to vote in 1893. 21st century women have been fighting a controversial battle in recent decades, regarding reproductive freedom and being denied the right to access healthcare regarding their reproductive health. Denying women the right to make their own personal and private choices regarding their reproductive health can lead women of all ages, races, and ethnicities to make dangerous, uninformed decisions regarding unwanted pregnancies due to lack of professional assistance and care.
By Jess Didway8 years ago in The Swamp
The U.S. and Guns
Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems the United States faces at the moment is the plague of gun violence around the country. According to the CDC, approximately 34,000 people die each year in the U.S. because of firearms. That is a big number when you compare it to the other well developed countries around the world. The United States is the country with the most guns in the world. The U.S. constitution allows its citizens to purchase and own guns, however each state has the right to elaborate around these laws, either making it easier or harder to purchase a gun. There is a positive correlation between the states with the highest gun related deaths and the ease of access to guns in those states.
By Tiago Souza8 years ago in The Swamp
The "Magic" of White Men, White Women and Whiteness
Yeah I said it. White people have their own Magic. It just... isn't actual magic. I have come to the conclusion that white men look better on TV than they do in real life. This conclusion is based on observations of the media vs reality. It is also based on how the glassy expectations of white people (set by white people) were shattered by the hard hands of real life and truth. Back when I was in Africa, anytime I saw a white man, he was always portrayed as the hero, the successful businessman, the clever detective, the handsome romantic, the one who saved the "savages" (Africans and Native Americans) and in many more "positive" roles. There was nothing the white man could not do according to the (whitewashed and neo-colonized) media. Heck, you see white men in stories they had nothing to do with come out as the glorified hero, i.e. a white dude magically out bested every Chinese solider in a martial art that the Chinese have practiced for hundreds of years... in just two to three months (what the fuck?!). So of course I thought white men were magical creatures, I mean they were on TV, so it had to be true. I just had to go to America to end up with one for the rest of my life. Then I came to America... and let's say it was a big ass disappointment.
By PHILLY THE AFRICANA8 years ago in The Swamp
