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Rachel Maddow Recaps the GOP Primary 2016
YES, IT WAS THAT BAD Rachel’s recap of the 2016 Republican Primary shows the Keystone Cop influences on the party. Read more
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Twilight of the Superdelegates
A SANDERS AND A CLINTON ARGUMENT FOR DEMOCRATIZING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY This election cycle has really been a lesson in American politics. The most significant lesson comes with an awakening and clarifying awareness of how delegates are selected in both parties’ nominating process. We’ve always known that delegates played a role in selecting presidential nominees, but Read more
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Testing Season
HOW PUNITIVE HIGH STAKES TESTING DUMBS DOWN THE CLASSROOM An edited version of the following essay appeared in the Fort Myers News Press. It’s mid-April, so let the testing season begin. This is the time of year when parents watch helplessly as their children become increasingly anxious. Teachers lose valuable instruction time as students are Read more
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Conservatism v. Liberalism/Fascism v. Socialism
A POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY PRIMER Bernie Sanders’ campaign has brought quite a bit of political energy to the surface. Turns out, there is considerable passion and anger in the progressive community. It is also clear that the word “socialist” doesn’t pack quite the punch that it used to. Who would have thought that someone openly campaigning as Read more
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Rise of the Bernie Beasts!
THE UNHOLY SPAWN OF DEMOCRATIC FEAR MONGERING On November 7, 2000 I stepped into a Florida voting booth and pulled the lever for…dun dun duuuuun… Ralph Nader! (Insert blood curdling scream here!) That’s right. I said it. George W. Bush was all my fault! At least that’s the claim of Democratic operatives. Yes, it’s likely that Nader Read more
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Hitler is Overworked
IN CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL DISCOURSE If you are involved in political debate, you are almost certain to be faced with Hitler…at least those who use Hitler and Nazism as a strategy to discredit what you are saying. Associating a position with Hitler and Nazism is a surefire way to silence that position. It is also easy, Read more
The Mad Sociologist Blog 