Independent voices from the TWT Communities
– (dēmokratía) "rule of the people", which was coined from δῆμος (dêmos) "people" and κράτος (krátos) "power", in the middle of the fifth-fourth century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.Even though there is no specific, universally accepted definition of 'democracy', equality and freedom have been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times. These principles are reflected in all citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to power. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no restrictions can apply to anyone wanting to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution. - Source: Wikipedia
Maryland Republicans might concede the fight over the state's death penalty, saying that they are unlikely to mount a referendum effort as the House prepares to grant final passage to a repeal.
The Maryland Senate has passed a comprehensive gun-control measure.
It has happened again. Sam Tanenhaus, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, referred to by Paul Krugman the other day as "a longtime conservative," has essayed in the New Republic the modern conservative movement and traced us all back to John C. Calhoun.
Peter Burian's pursuit of his lost luggage is almost a metaphor for his country, the Slovak Republic, and its quest for respect and relevance in Europe.
The bitter partisan gridlock facing Congress really isn’t a problem in Tennessee. Or California. Or North Dakota. The same voters who re-elected the Republican House and Democratic Senate also swept in one-party rule in a whopping 45 state legislatures, up from 41 in 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Republicans turned to voters in nearly a dozen states Tuesday in hopes of broadening the party's hold on governors' mansions across the country, with some GOP candidates viewing this election as their best opportunity to win in a quarter-century.
A George Soros-funded super PAC is vowing to send operatives to stake out Republican campaigns to hunt for and to record any gaffes or controversial statements the candidates may make.
The biggest threat to American Muslims comes from extremism in their own communities, not from government surveillance or police profiling, a Muslim activist told lawmakers Wednesday.
The party of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said she had led it to a landslide election victory Sunday, setting the stage for her to take public office for the first time and head a small opposition in the military-dominated Parliament.
President Barack Obama is making the rounds in reliably Democratic California, joking with Jay Leno and tapping the coffers of wealthy, celebrity donors as he raises money for his re-election bid.
Maryland House Republicans outlined plans Tuesday to reduce state spending by $621 million more than Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget proposal for the coming fiscal year.
The Berkeley City Council, known for its forays into international affairs, has narrowly rejected a measure that would have welcomed freed Guantanamo Bay detainees to resettle in the college town.
Nearly two years ago on a cold February day, President Obama stood for the first time before a joint session of Congress and spoke of a national day of reckoning. It was time not just to stabilize the shaken economy, he declared, but to reach for lasting prosperity. As the president prepares to stand before Congress once again on Tuesday, he will size up a changed State of the Union.
Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee will seek to hold the Obama administration's feet to the fire on the implementation of sanctions against Iran, undercutting the president's diplomatic efforts to stifle Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The "tea party" movement plainly has shaken up American politics and economic policymaking. Will international economic policy be next?
