John Amaruso articles on Democracy Chronicles

John Amaruso is a filmmaker and writer based in the greater New York area. His interests include politics, film, and travel. You can find his other writings on his website Mind Under Matter or by following him on Twitter @MindUnderMattr or on Facebook. John is the director of DC's documentary film "Design of a Broken System", currently filming.

The NDAA Lives On: US Constitution in Peril

By John Amaruso - December 21, 2012 Leave a Comment

Patriot Act openly disregarded fundamental rights in the Constitution and sought to alter what is “reasonable” search and seizure.

Growing Challenges to Democracy in a Reforming Myanmar

By John Amaruso - December 11, 2012 Leave a Comment

Like many countries before it, Myanmar is experiencing growing pains of democratic rule. Can Myanmar become a democracy? It can. With right circumstances.

Looking For War in Iran! Or Looking For Peace?

By Jack Jones

If you are trying to avoid a confrontation, the smart move would be to give your neighbors room. Use peaceful speech, be understanding, forget past issues and possibly stop spying on them. If we choose to not do these things, we are cornering them.

The Menudo Story

By Julio César Guerrero

Immigration has historically been a controversial issue in the US political discourse. Whether Germans, Irish, Italians, Asians or Latin Americans they have all faced resistance based at worst on racist or nativist attitudes.

Podcast: Congressional Oversight and Making America Pragmatic Again

By Jenna Spinelle

We tend to think about congressional oversight in very academic terms — checks and balances, the Framers, etc. But what does it actually look like on the ground in Congress? To find out, we’re talking this week with Charlie Dent.

From My Philippines Experience To My Run For US Congress

By Andrew Straw

For the past year, I have lived in the Philippines on the Southern coast of Luzon Island. This article is to reflect on this travel as a lawyer, disabled person, and American citizen, and what I will do when I get home.

Zimbabwe Government’s Top Priority Is Avoiding Mass Protests

By Farai Chirimumimba

Popular Zimbabwean movements seem to understand the difficulty of mobilizing disaffected citizens outside of the channels established by the parties and labour unions that dominate politics.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

By Jack Jones

The Koch brothers alone have put hundreds of millions of their dollars into our elections. What will be your contribution for democracy? What influence will you have on world affairs?

New York State Senate to Propose Automatic Voter Registration

By Thomas Manning

New York State Democrats continue to make dramatic reforms to state law following their successful election in 2018. Today, they’re focusing their attention on a new issue: automatic voter registration.

US: Inequality in America

By Aydasara Ortega

The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal.” But doesn’t the US have a stratified class structure based on family background, wealth, authority, occupation, age, gender, etc.? Sure.

Kansas Firing Range To Double As A Voting Site

Barton Community College’s Science and Math building will no longer be a voting site for residents of Barton County Township-A.

Nonprofit Registers Thousands Of Voters at Music Festivals Like Bonnaroo

Voter registration non-profit HeadCount was onsite and hard at work getting music lovers both young and old involved in our country’s democratic system.