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Want to compare voter turnout in different countries? Check this out!

Thomas Friedman article

Hours before her prime-time moment Tuesday as Mitt Romney's best cheerleader, Ann Romney was energetically at work on her mission - doling out homemade pastries to the media, talking up her husband's "regular guy" love of Costco shirts and presenting an ever-smiling face to supporters.

"This particular mob successfully breached the Capitol in an effort, however inchoate, to install Donald Trump as president for a second time, against the will of the majority of voters and their electors. The mob failed to change the outcome of the election, but it showed the world what was possible. If the mob and its enablers - the president and his allies - walk away unpunished, then the mob will return." Jamelle Bouie Comparison to white redemption in New Orleans in the 1870s

In three key battleground states, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, Republicans have shortened the gap with Democrats in terms of voter registration. This is being considered the secret weapon of the Republicans in the race and could possibly propel Trump into a second term. Nevertheless, Democrats still hold a lead in total registration in those states and also have a large advantage in early turnout. Although Biden is leading in the polls this race will be closer than many anticipated.

An interesting article on the Chilean election. This theme reflects on our study of economic approaches, in particular the aftermath of the shock therapy first instituted in Latin America to combat inflation in Chile. This policy was so painful for so many people that, in the 2000s, South America experienced a sharp political left turn, one of whose leaders is Chavez. He has ruled Venezuela with an almost autocratic grip, but seems at his weakest in years for this year's election.

BERLIN - The top leaders of Germany and Italy plan to meet Wednesday as part of an intense round of shuttle diplomacy before several critical decisions that face Europe. The region's leaders are struggling to appease voters questioning the price of unity in the euro currency union after three years of financial turmoil.

I find European economics very fascinating, personally. Germany has been saving much of the Euro economy for three years since the economic crash began, but is not facing its own fiscal issues. In addition, the article discusses the actions of Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti, who has been frantically attending meetings and important "coffees" with other European heads of states to prevent their country's growing national debt--already at 123% GDP!!!

What are Germany's own economic issues? It has seemed like the bulwark of Europe for the last five years! Are there things that are being ignored, e.g. migrant labor, cost of universal health insurance and old age pensions? Is Angela Merkel still popular? Who might succeed her? What are her party's politics?

Mandatory voting proposal. Compares to Australia, which has had mandatory voting since 1924.

Argues that the "incompetence" of the ANC has not been conducive for economic growth and has angered South Africans because "too little wealth trickles down" due to less economic competition from ANC's corruption. Says that the ANC needs more political competition, or should split to accurately reflect it's composition for voters: "the populist left and the fat-cat right". Contrasts this political one-sidedness with the rest of African countries. As I read this article, I wondered how the political conflict will affect the country--probably not to the point where development regresses, but it serves as a reminder that NICs have their own problems.

A Columbian referendum intended to ratify the peace deal signed last week between Columbia and the FARC was shockingly rejected, with 50.24% voting against.

I saw that news. I was stunned! What's behind that vote?