Primary voters aren’t that different from general election voters

(JR)  – Voters who turn out for primary elections often are characterized as party extremists responsible for nominating candidates with ideologically extreme views. But a new analysis finds that these voters may not be much different from those who participate in general elections — although they do seem to be more interested in politics. Election reform advocates frequently argue that changing the primary process could reduce political polarization. The forthcoming study, from researchers at George Washington University and the University of California, Los Angeles, offers insights about the men and…

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US to Strip Funding from Women’s Health Providers

Washington, DC (HRW) – The Trump Administration yesterday proposed a policy that would ban organizations providing abortion services in the US from receiving federal family planning money, known as Title X funding. This proposed rule is aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of women’s health care in the country. It will inflict tremendous harm on poor women and women of color in the US, who are more likely to depend on healthcare providers who receive this funding. The proposed rule, introduced by the US Department of Health and Human…

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Are the Lives of White Killers More Important than Everyday Black Lives?

(Conversation) – The horrific mass murder of innocent pedestrians in Toronto on April 23 triggered a mixture of torment and grief. The pain many of us experienced for the innocent lives lost in the traumatic act of violence and brutality was heartbreaking, fear-inducing and life-changing. Yet the possible misogynist and sexist motives are not surprising in a world that constantly violates women, girls and boys and the sexually diverse, (dis) abled, poor, Indigenous and racialized. For many of us, this reality brings up anger and memories of murdered women, men…

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