Political Issues

The Political Issues Channel discusses hot topics and important political issues such as conventions, scandals and theories.

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First ladies have traditionally played significant roles at the White House. But so far that work has been sans pay.

By Dave Roos

'American Exceptionalism' is a slippery term that has been used both positively and negatively. What does it really mean and how did it come to be embraced by both American Democrats and Republicans?

By Dave Roos

With so much public outcry and concern over the rash of gun violence in the U.S., why would Congress cut federal funding for research into causes and solutions?

By Patrick J. Kiger

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It's been invoked in the past, but never to remove a U.S. president from office. How does it work and when — if ever — should it be used?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Contrary to his tweeted threat to North Korea, President Trump doesn't actually have a nuclear button.

By Patrick J. Kiger

The Constitution gives the U.S. Senate the power to expel one of its members by a two-thirds vote, but it hasn't happened since the Civil War, and there isn't a well-established process for doing it.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached and is on trial for corruption. Who was really pulling the strings during her administration?

By Diana Brown

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Appointing family members to positions they didn't necessarily earn is often criticized. But nepotism reaches far beyond the business world, and it's not always so bad.

By Ed Grabianowski

Sorry, democracy grinches: A single voter's decision can make a difference. American citizens have cast rare, but possible, pivotal votes throughout history.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Gerrymandering the political trick of manipulating the size and shape of electoral districts, to give one party an advantage. It's always been a problem, but technology has taken it to new heights.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Freedom of the press is one of the most overused — and increasingly, misunderstood — phrases in modern society. We explore what it really means and what happens when the freedoms disappear.

By Nathan Chandler

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Some countries have started allowing people to choose an 'X' on their passports to indicate an unspecified sex. Many people argue that's not enough and gender classifications don't belong on government documents at all.

By Dave Roos

This time it's not honey that got Winnie the Pooh in trouble.

By Kate Kershner

Anarchism is often thought of as a synonym for chaos and violence, but the philosophy of anarchism is far more nuanced than that.

By Patrick J. Kiger

President Trump and Congressional Republicans have claimed that protesters who've shown up in force are being paid by their political opponents. Is there any evidence that's true?

By Patrick J. Kiger

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Investigations have been a part of the U.S. Congress since 1790. Who decides on an investigation and how effective are they?

By Patrick J. Kiger

If you're a U.S. citizen with a passport, driver's license or state-issued ID, your face could wind up in a virtual lineup.

By Jonathan Strickland

The National Security Council provides advice to the president on intelligence matters and coordinates activities in various government agencies. At least in theory. In reality, each U.S. president has used the council in the way that suits him.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Whether an item is labeled as "made," "assembled" or "manufactured" in a country makes a big difference.

By Shelley Danzy

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Once enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act provided citizens and journalists more access to government documents and material.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Scandalgate! The connotative suffix has been affixed to imbroglios aplenty. But has its overuse made us forget its original context?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The words we use can suggest transactional or participatory relationships. What's your role in a country? To consume, spend and buy? Or to participate, vote and engage?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The first and only Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787. Why haven't there been others since?

By Dave Roos

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Eight Republican members of Congress are pushing legislation to remove the U.S. from the United Nations. Is that even possible? Has it ever happened before?

By Patrick J. Kiger

You may be surprised at which states are feeding the most at the government trough.

By Dave Roos