Enterprising Afghans are selling their voter cards for five bucks. Which is more than many Americans get for their votes. Democracy works – in Afghanistan!
Spiritual Journeyman
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President Obama works hard to maintain his spirituality. How does that square with his murdering?
Soul Hack
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Dick Cheney says he worries that terrorists could kill him by hacking into his artificial heart, which can be controlled via a wireless Internet connection.
Unexpected Error
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You’ll be taxed unless you buy for-profit insurance under Obamacare. But the websites you’re supposed to use to sign up don’t work. They crash. You can’t check if your local hospital or doctor participates in a given plan. You can’t find out if you’ll get a subsidy.
The New Abnormal
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Hours before the U.S. government would have gone into default, the Republican-dominated Congress raised the federal debt limit. But only for a few months, in exchange for relatively trivial concessions. Is this the new normal?
The Maybe Society
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As the United States government comes within breathing room of default on its credit obligations due to the Congress’ refusal to raise the federal debt limit, it’s a reminder that the “full faith and credit” of the government isn’t the only thing at stake in a society where uncertainty and broken promises have been normalized.
Polarized
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Pundits say the US is politically polarized between the Democrats and Republicans. But the two parties are more similar than alike: ideologically far to the right. From assassinations to preemptive wars to drones to kowtowing to business to backburnering the environment to torture, the Democrats and Republicans embrace extremist right positions.
How a Bill Becomes Law – Updated
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Everything you need to know about how a bill becomes law – or not – in today’s dysfunctional Congress. From signing statements to invisible filibusters to debt limits, it’s the best system of government anyone ever came up with.
The Ransom of Red Party
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The Republican Party is threatening not to raise the debt limit unless President Obama and the Democrats accede to their list of demands, which includes defunding the Affordable Care Act. Economists believe that this would precipitate an economic downturn. Effectively, then, the GOP is holding economy hostage. So why don’t most Americans seem scared? Because for them, the downturn began years ago, and is merely continuing.
Creativity 2.0
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If you have a great idea in the age of the Internet, you need to push it out via social networks! But what if, after you’ve publicized your great idea, there’s no time left to execute your great idea?
