I just wrote a post examining which countries are democratic enough that we should seriously consider extending visa-free travel to them. I identified 27 different countries where there is no good reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to travel to the US and Canada without a visa, and I think we need to update our… Continue reading Up and coming democracies
Author: stidmatt
Countries we should extend visa free travel to
Travel is of course a fundamental part of the human experience. It helps people come together, it brings down barriers, and I believe it reduces conflict. It increases trade between countries, which is shown to reduce the probability of conflict. It also is an economic stimulus. There are so many good reasons why travel is… Continue reading Countries we should extend visa free travel to
Potential history in the upper midwest
If the Democrats win the governorships in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan this November, it will be the first time in American history that the Democratic party will control those three governorships and the Presidency after a midterm in American history. The last time a party won these 4 offices at once during a midterm was… Continue reading Potential history in the upper midwest
Washington Primary Results
Last night’s election in Washington State is a big deal. Washington has an undeserved reputation as being as blue as Massachusetts. This is not true, and I’m going to show you why, by going back in history. Presidential elections If you look at the 1980s, Reagan won Washington State twice. Al Gore was the first… Continue reading Washington Primary Results
Twitter has declined
I just deactivated my twitter account. I’m not going back. Here’s why: I am pretty sure they are hiding my posts. I had over 2800 followers and I got maybe 100 impressions per tweet. It clearly didn’t show my tweets to the people who actually interacted with me. I had time off work and I… Continue reading Twitter has declined
Marx on Trade Unions
A common misconception is that trade unions are a critical part of Marx’s theory of revolution. I’m here to convince you that is not the case, and the presence of unions in the First International was merely a temporary and doomed-to-fail alliance of convenience. The First and Second Internationals The International was formed on 28… Continue reading Marx on Trade Unions
What really happened in 1968
The 1968 election is one of the most misunderstood elections in the history of the United States. The common narrative is that Hubert Humphrey lost because he supported the Vietnam War and those radical hippies didn’t vote for him. I’m here to prove that that is not what actually happened. Plus, Nixon didn’t truly oppose… Continue reading What really happened in 1968
The Beginning of Modern Western history
Pretty much everyone knows about the beginning of civilization. Around 4000 BCE different civilizations started to pop up in a few river valleys in Africa and Asia. Sumer was organized as an early dynasty around 4500 BCE. The Indus valley civilization appeared around 3300 BCE. It remained stable for 2000 years. China was established as… Continue reading The Beginning of Modern Western history
The end of privacy
Abortion is now illegal in at least some cases in all but 6 states. Miranda Rights have been effectively repealed. Voter ID laws have been upheld. Public money must be given to private religious schools if parents request it. Clarence Thomas has stated that they might repeal Obergefell v. Hodges. All of this paints a… Continue reading The end of privacy
Successful leadership
A trick to leadership is to under promise and over deliver. Don’t promise something and then fall through, that’s when people become disappointed. Promise something you know you can and will accomplish, just enough to get elected, and then do more than you promised. Another important part of leadership is to try to fire up… Continue reading Successful leadership