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This week in 1917, Tsar Nicolas II abdicated the Russian throne, ending 300 years of the Romanov dynasty’s rule. The modern-day “tsar” who won’t step aside

Russia’s Vladimir Putin, seeking to stay in power until 2036
0%
China’s Xi Jinping, who removed presidential term limits
0%
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, surviving by butchering his countrymen
0%
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, riding a white horse in family tradition
0%
Cuba’s Raul Castro, still holding sway years after Fidel’s death
0%
Total votes: 0
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This week in 1900, the US Socialist Party was formed in Indianapolis, leading a year later to a unified socialist party in the US that lasted for another 70 years. As for socialism today

Like rock n’ roll, “it’s here to stay” in America
0%
Like disco, it’ll one day seem laughably awful
0%
Bernie Sanders’ failing campaign shows its limits
0%
More “Democratic Socialists” like AOC will hold office
0%
Traditional right/left beliefs will outlast any “socialist” brand
0%
Total votes: 0
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Why is the U.S. in the Middle East?

Even if we don’t import oil from the Middle East anymore, we must secure oil access for the global economy.
10%
Israel’s security hinges on a strong U.S. presence in the Middle East.
16%
America must secure the region to deny money and resources to both terrorists and would-be nuclear powers.
25%
Our allies can do fine, and we can offer help with a radically smaller force of mostly air and naval assets.
29%
The U.S. has no real strategic interests in the Middle East and should leave as soon as possible.
20%
Total votes: 154
Off

Watching federal, state and local authorities respond to the COVID-19/coronavirus threat, the most assuring move would be

Make the COVID-19 test more readily available
0%
Have the feds pick up the tab for testing and treatment
0%
Revise/adapt preparedness plans from earlier pandemics
0%
Implement international and domestic travel restrictions
0%
Keep this health crisis out of election-year politics
0%
Total votes: 0
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This week in 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico; nine years later, Florida joined the union. The reason why Texas enjoys America’s largest numeric population growth and Florida the highest level of net domestic migration

No state income tax in either state
0%
Middle- (Florida) to-lower (Texas) costs of living
0%
Home ownership (housing costs half that of California)
0%
Quality higher education choices in both states
0%
Governments committed to economic growth, regulatory reform, job creation
0%
Total votes: 0
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As we approach Leap Day, the biggest difference between Feb. 29, 2020, and the last time there was an extra day on the calendar – February 29, 2016

President Trump seeking reelection vs. candidate Trump deemed unelectable
0%
U.K. leaving European Union vs. British voters mulling over “Brexit”
0%
International uncertainty concerning climate change vs. recently signed Paris Accord
0%
Newly elected Justin Trudeau making Canada “cool” vs. heckled second-term Trudeau
0%
Kobe Bryant’s NBA farewell tour vs. Kobe Bryant (and daughter) RIP
0%
Total votes: 0
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As we approach Valentine’s Day, a time to express heartfelt sentiments, the couple least likely to whisper sweet nothings

President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
0%
Bernie Sanders and non-socialist Democratic rivals
0%
British PM Boris Johnson and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbin
0%
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
0%
The Cambridges (William & Kate) and the Sussexes (Harry & Meghan)
0%
Total votes: 0
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This week in 1972, then-President Richard Nixon embarked upon a trip to the People’s Republic of China, beginning a rapprochement between the two powers. The most pressing concern about China at the moment

Offering US resources to battle the spread of coronavirus
0%
Pressing ahead on “phase two” of the US-China trade deal
0%
Funding long-term Pentagon projects to counter China militarily
0%
Thwarting Chinese hackers who breach US corporate networks
0%
Encouraging the freedom of speech movement within the PRC
0%
Total votes: 0
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This week 170 years ago, Henry Clay introduced what later would become the Compromise of 1850 -- the Fugitive Slave Act in exchange for admitting California into the union as a free state. To the extent that today’s California should “compromise”

Dissolve America’s “nation-state” into two or more smaller states
0%
Convene California’s first constitutional convention in over 140 years
0%
Compel the state to comply with federal laws that it openly, purposely defies
0%
Break up the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to better reflect the west’s population
0%
Make no changes – leave California as it is
0%
Total votes: 0
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A year from now, this week, either President Trump delivers his second inaugural address or a newly elected Democratic president takes the oath of office. The biggest determiner concerning who gets that honor

Continued economic growth or an economic downturn
0%
A foreign policy crisis that puts the nation on edge
0%
Washington’s productivity, or lack thereof, post-impeachment
0%
“Trump Fatigue” – voters wanting a change in tone and tenor
0%
Democrats producing a “mainstream electable” nominee
0%
Total votes: 0
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