politics
Politics does not dictate our collective cultural mindset as much as it simply reflects it; We've got to look in the mirror sometimes, and we've got one.
President Trump Declares a National Emergency
President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, declared a national emergency over threats against American tech. He believes that certain telecommunications companies pose a national security risk. This move could strain the giant Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.
How to Defeat Ben Shapiro–Shapiro's Tactics and Techniques Exposed
I’ve been listening to Ben Shapiro intensely for over two years. I’ve been a regular listener, but not because I respect his points of view on any subject, and especially not because I love the tone of his voice, but because I’ve been preparing for the future. A few years ago, I decided to change the way I communicate with people of a different ideological persuasion. The Brexit debate had taught me something intriguing about how two opposing forces actually discuss their opinions. Most sticking points in any argument over such a divisive issue were usually because of the language used. People would often become offended enough to halt the discussion and declare someone an obvious racist, or a wet liberal. This would then lead to an exchange of personal insults, and/or virtue signaling, followed by the end of discussing any real issue. I thought that was not how adults were meant to act, but to be honest it seems as though the majority of people are only capable of a discussion with people who wholeheartedly agree with all of their opinions. Houses all over the world are filled with people of similar views agreeing with each other, and cursing their joint ideological enemies. How are we meant to get anywhere if we are incapable of having a simple discussion about policies with the people we oppose? So I decided to learn how to listen to the enemy.
Johnny VedmorePublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhy I Won't Vote in Today's Elections
It's that time of the year again, where in around 60 million registered Filipino voters will go to the voting precincts, and vote for their preferred candidates for seats in the Senate, the House of Representatives, and also local government positions such as Mayors, Vice Mayors, and Councillors. 2019 is the third year of Rodrigo Duterte's term after he was elected in 2016, promising to curb the rampant criminality, corruption, and prevalence of drugs. Filipinos still retain a great amount of trust in him despite all the controversies he, his allies, and even some of his family members were embroiled in as showed by the latest polls from the Social Weather Survey, wherein Duterte enjoyed a satisfaction rating of around 79 percent during the first quarter of the year. With this, the battle between the candidates from the Administration (those in the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and PDP-Laban coalition) and the candidates from Otso Diretso (Liberal Party slate) and other senatorial bets from the Opposition are getting deeper, and more heated. This battle takes on many different fronts, from senatorial debates hosted by the Philippines' biggest television networks, to social media posts, and candidates from both sides devised different kinds of strategies, and gimmicks to capture the attention, as well as the hearts and minds, of the voting public. This election will also be the first time that members of the Gen Z population, those born in the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, will be able to demonstrate their power in making their voice heard in perhaps one of the most divisive, and debated elections in history. Everything is up for grabs in this election, which at first doesn't seem to show importance at first glance. Everyone, from former Senators, lawyers, civil society leaders, and re-electionists to sons and daughters of former politicians, and even a doctor famous on social media named Dr. Willie Ong is testing their luck to gain the privilege to be among the members of one of the most powerful bodies in the Philippine government. Every Filipino is also picking their bets on this elections, citing their various reasons from candidates' credentials, and past accomplishments to the perceived charm, and kindness a senatorial candidate possesses. Nonetheless, the 2019 midterm elections is the talk of the town. Despite my constant activity when it comes to politics, and also the power that new and young voters are now willing to wield, on May 13, I will choose not to vote in today's elections, no matter how historical its importance could be.
Jakeson EudelaPublished 5 years ago in The SwampAmerican Detainees in North Korea
North Korea has been known for their infamous concentration and labor camps. Many people have been captured for numerous illegal activities, but a lot of people are unaware of how many United State citizens have been captured. Many people have lost their lives due to the harsh conditions.
Jasmine MasonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Emperor Has Abdicated—Long Live the Emperor!
Back in 2016, now former Japanese Emperor, Akihito, announced his intent to abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne, after more than 30 years of reign, which began in 1989 after the death of Emperor Hirohito, Japan's Emperor during the Second World War, due to failing health and his own concern in fulfilling his duties as the symbol of the Japanese people and the state.
Jakeson EudelaPublished 5 years ago in The SwampGeneration Z and Politics
I recently graduated high school about two and a half years ago, and once I turned 18, I didn't even think about enrolling to vote—because why should I? Shouldn't I just save that for the baby boomers, the X generation, and pretty much anyone who is at least 10 to 20 years older than me?
Chloe JaynePublished 5 years ago in The SwampBattle For Brexit
In 2016, on the eve of the Brexit Referendum result, Nigel Farage stood before the Press declaring that he felt Leave had lost the vote. He concluded that he, and many other campaigners, had done everything they could to take Britain out of the EU. Even hardened Brexiteers, Boris Johnson and Co. felt the same, as unlike the Remain campaigners, no party had been organised in case of victory.
Jonathan ReedPublished 5 years ago in The SwampBrexit Is the Real World's Boaty McBoatface
I’d like to take you back to the Summer of 2016. A colossal vote had just been undertaken. A marvel of democracy and a saviour for the people’s voice. A clear majority that cannot be disputed.
Joe SouthwoodPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhat Is Federalism, and Would It Help the Philippines?
The word "Federalism" has been a trending one all over the mainstream, and social, media. People both online and offline are debating about whether federalism is something that the Philippines needs. In a country composed of more than 7,000 islands that is a home to about 187 languages, and hundreds of ethnic groups, as well as the perceived failure of the current unitary system has made the topic more relevant than ever. But what is federalism? And would it help the Philippines develop and prosper?
Jakeson EudelaPublished 5 years ago in The SwampNHS: Bring Out Your Dead
The NHS has again found itself on the front cover of the national press; just as before, for all the wrong reasons. Theresa May's Conservative party is pursuing its ideological drive to sell off all assets, strip back funding, and flog any services it can. With NHS spending growth the lowest it has been since 1955—a meagre 1.3 percent per annum, well below the four percent historic average spending growth—the Tory plan is coming to fruition. As an institution, the NHS has become a victim of its own successes in the past: an ageing population, increased awareness of the hazards of smoking and obesity, and a push for a healthier society with schemes such as the 'Change4Life' and '5 A Day.' Because of this, additional funding is evermore vital to the globally unrivaled social health system; yet the Tories are set on a war against the NHS.
Joe SouthwoodPublished 5 years ago in The SwampSomething Doesn't Add Up
BRYCE ON POLITICS The Democrats' perspective of our country. Click for AUDIO VERSION. As I watch the televised news, and listen to Democrats, particularly the younger generation, be it on college campuses, the streets, or protesting in the halls of Congress, I am struck by their naivety in terms of our government, our history, and the concept of earning a living. I look at them, and cannot believe what I am witnessing. It simply doesn't add up. To illustrate...
The 16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913, due to the American federal government wanting a source of revenue while in fact reversing the 1896 Supreme Court decision that did not allow for a nationwide income tax build-up. The income tax is a modern invention because the United States had its eye on making more money to fund itself with.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp