This year has been fraught with controversies, one after another: some big, some small; some tragic and some arbitrary. The nature of social media in an ever-shrinking world ensures that there’s always a new problem to fight about. Breast-feeding has been a long-standing point of debate with many sides and many points of view.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney tasted the proverbial foot last week when secretly recorded footage of his speech at a private fundraiser held last May found its way onto the Internet.

In signature Romney style, the presidential hopeful attempted to convince the wealthy donors present at the event that he was primarily concerned with winning over the “5 to 10 percent in the center that are independents.”

The glitz, the glamour, the fame, the scrutiny.

What makes a big-name actor so popular is their fan base. They happen to perform that one role in just the right way and garners accolades and attention from the public. But sometimes that role can blind-side the thespian and force them to face the ugly side of their admirers.

Consider this the first volley.

There was once a storied organization at good old Baylor U.

Democrats argue it was a step “forward” for our country, promising the benefits of fewer uninsured Americans. Republicans, on the other hand, view the act as a step “back”, sacrificing personal liberty while driving up the cost of health insurance for all Americans. According to Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York City (a figurehead of the No Labels movement), there is an easy solution to reconciling our differing political beliefs.

Voting is a right that, as Americans, we are fortunately blessed with.

It stands to reason, therefore, that everyone should have equal opportunity to register to vote, right? Wrong. The Baylor Democrats, and other student political organizations, have been out on the front lines every election year trying to register people to vote, and they have met with success.