Voting, Thomas Paine once said, “is the beating heart of democracy.” It’s what makes our democracy possible. Without it, Paine said, “man would be reduced to slavery.”

It’s for this very reason, of course, that conservatives have worked since the founding of our republic to make it harder or downright impossible for people who are not part of the political and economic elite to vote.

The Democratic Party is facing a serious existential question.

And if the party doesn't make the right moves in 2016 - if they don't hang onto the independent voters and first time voters who are turning out in droves to vote for Bernie and other progressive challengers to the DNC establishment - the Democratic Party seriously risks alienating an entire generation of voters.

Eight years after we bailed the big banks to the tune of $14 trillion, American taxpayers could soon be on the hook again, this time to help out the coal industry.

Just a few years ago, Big Coal was riding high on the crest of a nice little boom. Energy prices were high, as was demand from China’s rising economy.

• Why Shouldn’t Women Be Executed For Having Abortions?
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• Jackson Potter, Chicago Teachers Union: We’ve Had Enough… In the Streets For the New American Spring!!
• Farron Cousins, Ring of Fire/Trial Lawyer Magazine: Making Climate Action the Profitable Option...