Independent Voter Network

IVN: Bringing you unfiltered, unbiased, and honest political news since 2006. Speak for Yourself Online Visit: IVN.us var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-28311005-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[ivnetwork-blog]

This is not the democratization of media; I am not equal to CNN in this new world. But the power dynamics between individuals and institutions have been disrupted. I can create and distribute content globally without anyone’s permission, and I can reach CNN’s audience directly with out theirs. They still control the connection between them and their viewers via their broadcast network. But controlling that connection no longer means controlling access to that audience. Even the most reclusive are connected to dozens of other individuals and organizations, so any one edge is almost never the only way to reach someone.

[pbsthisdayinhistory]

[ivnetwork-blog]

October 29, 1929: Stock Market Crashes

On this day in 1929, the New York Stock Exchange market collapsed and signaled the onset of the Great Depression (1929-39). Stock prices began to plummet in early September, triggering panic on Wall Street, after a steady decline since the market’s peak in August. 

By 1932, it was reported that stocks were only worth about 20 percent of their value compared to the summer of 1929.

To learn more, watch American Experience’s “The Crash of 1929” chronicle the country’s fate during the Great Depression era.

Photo: Crowd gathering on Wall Street after the stock market crash of October 1929 (Wikimedia Commons).

via pbsthisdayinhistory

[ivnetwork-blog]

Despite rampant dissatisfaction and disapproval with the way congressional representatives are behaving, there is no evidence to suggest there will be change any time soon. As of July 12, only 15 bills had passed through Congress to reach President Obama’s desk this year. By contrast, in 2005, George W. Bush signed 13 bills into law on July 12, 2005, alone.

Glen Luke Flanagan, "Parties Gamble Big on Political Gridlock; Everyone Loses"

[ivnetwork-blog]

"By design, the Constitution creates a political structure that enables people from very different backgrounds to come together, debate the issues that are important to them, and forge the kinds of compromises that are essential for a large country... The Constitution sets up a deliberative environment. It says very little about specific issues, and it often uses intentionally ambiguous phrases."

Michael Austin, "The Constitution is Not the Code of Hammurabi"

[ivnetwork-blog]

The highest number of Americans in 70 years, 40 percent, now identify as independent voters, more than those who identify as either a Republican or Democrat. Eighty-one percent of Americans report being unhappy with the way Republicans and Democrats are running the country, and support for the two parties is at a 22-year low.

Taylor Tyler, on Why Independent Voters Are Not a Myth

[ivnetwork-blog]

Do you have a favorite political party?

[ivnetwork-blog]

Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.”

Vladimir Putin, New York Times Op-Ed

[fastcompany]

A new report ranks the world’s countries not on their economic indicators, but on their ability to “safeguard the needs of its future generations.” The results might surprise you… Here are the 59 countries that are most prepared to handle an uncertain future…

[instagram]

Instagram Today: 150 Million People

Today we’re excited to announce that Instagram has grown to a community of more than 150 million people capturing and sharing moments every month.

Whether it’s documenting protests in Egypt, sharing the trip of a lifetime across the United States or snapping #petselfiez, this community continues to surprise us every day with your creativity, sense of adventure and unique perspectives on the world.

As the community continues to grow, it’s becoming more global too — now more than 60% of you are from outside the United States. Whether you’re in Moscow or Hong Kong, Berlin or Reykjavik, we’re more committed than ever to bringing you the best Instagram experience possible.

To the 50 million of you who’ve joined in the last six months, welcome. And from our team to all 150 million of you, thank you for making Instagram great. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create next.

[ivnetwork-blog]

The specter of yet another United States military venture in the Middle East sparked heated protests Friday outside Congresswoman Susan Davis’ San Diego office.

Read more on IVN.

[theweekmagazine]

4 big accomplishments of the 1963 March on Washington

[ivnetwork-blog]

"...Voters now seem to be souring on both parties. While the number of North Carolina voters over all has risen since 2008, the number who are registered as either Republicans or Democrats has shrunk. Unaffiliated voters now make up more than a quarter of the voting population."

Campbell Robertson, "North Carolinians Fear the End of a Middle Way" NYTimes

[onaissues]

The recipe for attracting visitors to stories online is changing. Bloggers have traditionally turned to sarcasm and snark to draw attention. But the success of sites like BuzzFeed and Upworthy, whose philosophies embrace the viral nature of upbeat stories, hints that the Web craves positivity.

With Rise of Social Media, Upbeat Stories Draw Most Attention Online | TIME.com (via onaissues)

[ivnetwork-blog]

"We don’t have a two party system. I sort of kid about this by saying that we have a one party system, and someday I’m hoping for a second party! Because my experience in Washington has showed me that the 2 parties are much more closely aligned than the people realize. Both of them support our foreign policy of wars overseas (which is wrong), both parties support the Federal Reserve System and the banking cartel, both parties have endlessly supported deficit financing, and both parties unfortunately have supported the attacks on our personal civil liberties…”

Ron Paul, Reddit #AMA August 22, 2013 http://a.ivn.us/13JP8eF

[ivnetwork-blog]

"The claim that partisan gridlock is a result of a more polarized electorate is wrong. If one looks at the shift in societal attitudes on various issues, it is clear that Americans — and American voters — are less divided, but that is not the perception some people want the public to have. The truth is, the current makeup of Congress does not adequately represent the American populace."

Shawn M. Griffiths, on Political Gridlock 

[ivnetwork-blog]

“Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other."

James Madison, Federalist #10 http://a.ivn.us/1cbtUJn

[ivnetwork-blog]

Cartoon Politics

The power of political cartoons in pointing out social ills dates back to the days of Thomas Nast, who used cartoons to expose the corruption of Boss Tweed and his Tammany Hall to those who could not read in New York. On the “Cartoon Politics” Tumblr, one can find political cartoons discussing everything from education to religion; healthcare to gun control, making it one of the most comprehensive accounts on the Internet.

See our 5 picks for Top #Political Tumblrs here.