opinion

Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.

Johnson pushes to get House GOP holdouts to back tax bill
**Johnson Pushes to Get House GOP Holdouts to Back Tax Bill** House Speaker Mike Johnson is intensifying efforts to rally support among Republican holdouts in the House of Representatives as the GOP attempts to pass a significant tax package. The bill, which has been a priority for House Republicans, includes extensions of business tax breaks, increases in the child tax credit, and measures aimed at economic growth. However, internal party divisions have threatened its passage, with several conservative members withholding their support.
By GLOBAL NEWS9 months ago in The Swamp
The Stolen Seats: How PTI Was Sidelined
In Pakistan’s February 2024 elections, millions voted for candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, PTI could not use its well-known “cricket bat” election symbol. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said the party missed the deadline for its internal polls and classified PTI candidates as independents.
By Muhammad Adil9 months ago in The Swamp
Navigating Competing Priorities in the Senate's Tax Debate
As President Donald Trump's ambitious "Big, Beautiful Bill" landed in the Senate, the Republican Party finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with a complex web of internal divisions and competing demands. What began as a seemingly unified push for comprehensive tax reform has evolved into a legislative gauntlet, revealing deep ideological rifts and pragmatic concerns within the GOP ranks. The bill, a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts, and national security initiatives, is intended to make permanent many of the tax cuts from Trump's first term, alongside new proposals that aim to reshape the American economic landscape. However, the path to passage is proving to be anything but smooth, with the looming July 4th deadline amplifying the pressure on Republican leadership.
By Tallgirl9 months ago in The Swamp
“The July Revolution 2024: A New Dawn That Shook Bangladesh”
In July 2024, Bangladesh experienced a watershed moment. What started out as a protest by students turned into a national call for justice. The “July Revolution” wasn’t just another movement—it was the awakening of a nation’s suppressed hopes. With youthful leaders at the helm and a united chorus of “justice, not the state,” this was a moment when courage lit the way forward.
By kaykobad9 months ago in The Swamp
The Young Revolutionary Leader: Ibrahim Traoré and the New Face of Burkina Faso
“The Young Revolutionary Leader: Ibrahim Traoré and the New Face of Burkina Faso” Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa, with a population of around 20 million. Its flag bears a resemblance to that of Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party 🇧🇫, with red and green colors and a yellow star in the center. Formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, the country changed its name to Burkina Faso on August 4, 1984, which means “Land of the Upright People” — a title that reflects its people's desire for integrity and self-respect.
By Ikram Ullah9 months ago in The Swamp
"Merchant of Menace": Why Is Pakistani Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s Name Linked to Iran’s Nuclear Program?
"Merchant of Menace": Why Is Pakistani Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s Name Linked to Iran’s Nuclear Program? On February 4, 2004, the people of Pakistan witnessed a scene on their television screens that was nothing short of an explosion — and its echoes were heard around the world.
By Ikram Ullah10 months ago in The Swamp
The Power and Responsibility of Influencers in Our Society
In today’s interconnected world, public figures have assumed a variety of roles, and some individuals are recognized as influencers in our society. Names such as Tariq Pathan, Aleem Shah Khilji, Qaim Ali Shah, Afsar Afghan, Shahid Anwar, and Wakeel Khan have become household names, with many people listening intently to their words and following their guidance. However, the central question remains: Is the influence exerted by these figures always positive? In this article, we take a serious, balanced look at both the benefits and drawbacks of influencers in our society.
By Amer Khan✍️10 months ago in The Swamp
The Meaning Of Socialism
Introduction I follow a few left-wing American commentators who do embrace Socialism in their politics but still manage to denigrate it in their posts. These are a few of the ones I am talking about, Bernie Sanders, Dean Obediah and Robert Reichs:
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 10 months ago in The Swamp
Progress is woven, not layered
Within the 21st Century version of Capitalist “Democracies” that we all live under, especially for those of us born after 1980, so Millennials, Gen Z, etc. We’ve come to grow fond of Social Justice issues such as; LGBTQIA+ Rights, Abortion Rights, Women's Rights, Immigrant rights, etc. As much as I am also fervently in favour of all of these and much more, there is an issue with the way that we’ve gone about them, and I don’t think the issue lies with the issues themselves nor the policy changes that have been achieved in correcting them. The issue lies with what we think progress is, or how it's applied to societies. Within the “liberal” framework of things, progress is layered on top of society, and this comes with one big issue. These layered policies can be stripped away by another government, very, very, easily. And there is no buyers remorse button for many western countries, once a country has voted in a Government there is very little that can be actualised to course correct a government that’s trying to strip back these layers.
By Ashyr H.10 months ago in The Swamp
What I Learned Growing Up in a Cult. Top Story - June 2025.
Earlier this week I was talking to a coworker about life. After a while, we somehow got on the subject of religion. I had to explain that I have an aversion to most organized forms of religion, having been raised in a church that at the time was very cult-like, and later after a split, the faction that stayed with the original leader went full cult. But that begs the question.
By Atomic Historian10 months ago in The Swamp
Radio Free California: Resistance Handbook Chapter 3
[Opening Theme Music: static, shortwave tuning, faint siren wail in the background.] ANNOUNCER (calm, serious, resolute): This is Radio Free California. Day 19 of the creeping coup. Broadcasting from the occupied zone.
By Jeff Olen10 months ago in The Swamp
When the Badge Becomes a Bludgeon
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations…” Thomas Jefferson wrote, warning that tyranny doesn’t arrive all at once. It creeps. It disguises itself in uniforms. It insists it’s just following policy.
By Jeff Olen10 months ago in The Swamp