POLITICAL POLARIZATION

Feb 17 2026POLITICS

Voting Rules: Who's Really Affected?

In Maryland, voters don't need to show ID when they vote. They only need it to register. This makes Maryland one of 14 states that don't require ID at the polls. Other states do, but some let people skip the photo ID if they have a good reason. Why is this a big deal? Some people think ID rules sto

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Jan 29 2026RELIGION

Indonesia's Changing Faith: A Quiet Shift in Belief

Indonesia is known for its strong religious roots. Islam is the dominant faith, but there are five other recognized religions. These religions shape the country's culture and laws. However, things are changing. Over the past 20 years, the role of religion in people's lives has been shifting. The co

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Jan 06 2026POLITICS

Why Congress Needs a Wake-Up Call

Congress has a big problem: people don't like it. With only 23. 7% approval, it's clear that many folks think Congress isn't doing a great job. But before you dismiss their $174, 000 salary as too high, consider what the job actually involves. Members of Congress are often away from home, working l

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Jan 06 2026POLITICS

Democrats Shine Spotlight on Election Threats and January 6 Aftermath

House Democrats are set to hold a forum to discuss the ongoing threats to elections and public safety, five years after the January 6 riot at the U. S. Capitol. This event, organized by the minority party, aims to highlight concerns about election integrity and the impact of former President Donald

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Jan 04 2026POLITICS

Why Do We Blame Others in Politics?

People are increasingly angry at those with different political views. This anger is not just a small problem. It can cause big issues in society. To fix this, we need to understand why it happens. Blame is a big part of this anger. When people blame others, they often see them as bad or wrong. Thi

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Dec 31 2025OPINION

Why Meeting New People Can Change Your Mind

In a French language class, a person from Russia shared surprising views on the Ukraine conflict. They believed Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was at fault for not keeping promises to Russia. This led to a "limited, special operation" by Russia, as they saw it. The conversation was shocking, showing

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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

Ukraine's 2014 Social Media Divide: A Data-Driven Look

In 2014, Ukraine saw deep divisions in its society. These splits were not just about politics. They were also about people's feelings and where they lived. To understand this better, researchers looked at Twitter data. They used this data to study how opinions changed over time and space. The study

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Dec 27 2025POLITICS

More Americans Choosing to Live Without Religion

A recent study shows that a growing number of Americans are not connecting with any religion. In fact, nearly one in three people now say they do not belong to any faith. This is a big change from just over a decade ago, when only one in six people felt the same way. The shift is especially noticeab

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Dec 21 2025POLITICS

Why Congress is Struggling to Get Anything Done

Congress is in a tough spot. It's not functioning as well as it should. Many former lawmakers say it's broken. They point to several big problems. First, lawmakers are leaving in record numbers. They're tired of the gridlock. They feel like they can't get anything done. This isn't just about one ad

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Dec 16 2025POLITICS

Young Voices, Old Fears: A Clash of Perspectives

A few years back, during a family dinner, an unexpected message popped up. A friend alerted me to a Clubhouse chat about me. Clubhouse, a social app that was big during the pandemic, is like a mix of a conference call and a panel discussion. People create virtual rooms, pick speakers, and others lis

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