Sean McElwee

Even though the evidence doesn't necessarily show it, many people continue to believe that young Americans are less prone to racist attitudes than the generations that came before them. "Most young Americans see their generation as part of a slow…

The political power of the donor class is well established, and could be exacerbated by recent Supreme Court decisions and abysmal voter turnout. This donor class is disproportionately white, male and old. But as millennials become more politically…

As the 2016 campaign heats up, one story that's being largely ignored is how voter turnout will affect policy. Although many people, particularly young Americans, believe that their vote doesn't matter, new research suggests nothing could be further…

Let's say it all together now: The United States has a problem with guns. Since the horrifying Sandy Hook tragedy of 2012, there have been 74 school shootings and 17,042 gun deaths. To the frustration of many Americans, a stalled debate stands in…

Last weekend, a Maybach limousine pulled up to the Venetian casino and resort in Las Vegas. Out stepped Sheldon Adelson, billionaire Republican donor, for his four-day Republican convention. Donors and politicians, from Chris Christie to Scott…

The State of the Union, that much-hyped, heavily viewed (often whilst drunk) yearly speech happened last night. The purpose of the State of the Union these days appears largely to be creating full employment for pundits, comedians and fact-checkers…

Very serious people are very worried. They are very worried that millennials won't sign up for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), causing the whole bill to crumble in a "death spiral." This "death spiral" theory has caused a "war of the inane ad" to win…

America's youngest female billionaire didn't build an empire, but instead did what many American billionaires do: Lynsi Torres was born into the right family. Her grandfather founded In-N-Out Burger in 1948, and in 2010 she became the president.…

Conservatives are really mad this week. Not just about the fact that racist, homophobic comments can get you suspended from a TV show (although they had no problem boycotting the Dixie Chicks). Nope, they're mad about men wearing onesies. Obama's…