From historic inequality to modern foreign entanglements, America is at a turning point that will define the next century of governance… America is at a critical crossroads, and the time for both preparation and action is here. The Democratic Party and American patriots must engage in a serious and urgent conversation about the alarming pending state of our nation and the capture/corruption of the GOP by the morbidly rich. Remember the historical fears of foreign influence in American politics? From the "malign French influence" XYZ Affair during John Adams' presidency to McCarthy's witch hunts against communists in the 1950s, those worries are trivial compared to what we face today. For the first time in our history, we're on the brink of having a convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, and "friend" of a foreign foe in the White House. But that's not even the most terrifying aspect of our new reality. What should truly keep us awake at night is the unprecedented power wielded by a single billionaire who has direct access to the president and, alarmingly, to the Kremlin. The richest man in the world, who controls our largest social media platform and crucial satellite technology, is not only a close advisor to President Trump but is also, according to the Wall Street Journal, regularly communicating with Vladimir Putin. This is oligarchy at its most dangerous.

The Help America Vote Act may provide another answer to the puzzling mystery of American red shift (where exit polls show Democrats won but Republicans got the most recorded votes). That legislation, written in large part by Representative Bob Ney, R-Ohio, contains a provision requiring people who show up to vote—even if they’ve been purged from the voting lists—to be given something called a “provisional ballot.”

What happens when global powers abandon their word? Just ask Ukraine… Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Ukraine, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States signing the Budapest Memorandum. To celebrate, Russia massed thousands of troops on Ukraine's southern border, preparing for another massive and bloody invasion. Donald Trump, meanwhile, continued to ignore the situation, much to the delight of Putin and Xi, increasing the chances of a third world war. While countries around the world are trying to create and build nuclear weapons stockpiles (particularly China, Iran, and North Korea) only one country in the history of the world has ever given up their nuclear hoard and unilaterally denuclearized their military: Ukraine.

How Yoon's State of Emergency and Trump's Strategies Are Eroding Global Freedoms South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of a state of emergency yesterday shocked the world, has often been referred to (both within and outside of his country) as "South Korea's Donald Trump." A political outsider, he came to power with anti-establishment and often outrageously inflammatory rhetoric, trash talking women's rights, "reforming" their healthcare system, and pushing hard for a neoliberal agenda that included raising the workweek from 52 to 69 hours. In that, he reflects a growing trend among advanced democracies around the world, as decades of neoliberalism have weakened multiple nations' abilities to sustain middle class lifestyles while enriching an oligarch class that's now reaching out — worldwide — to seize control of democratic governments to their own financial benefit.