Stephan:   If you have been reading SR for a while you may know the vision statement with which I began SR, and which guides it to this day: Schwartzreport is a daily publication in favour of the earth, the inter-connectedness and interdependence of all life, democracy, liberty, and things that are life affirming. It also warns readers about actions, and events that threaten those values. Stories have been vetted for accuracy by either a significant peer reviewed research journal or, at the least, a major journalistic publication. I am a data person. I don't care about partisanship or polemics. And I distinguish between what is said, and what is done. I care about social outcomes that can be objectively quantified. They tell us what works and what doesn't. And they are screaming something at us: If one looks only at social outcomes one see that areas dominated by the Theocratic Right produce life-degrading social policies, that literally leave people in poorer health, and with less chance to advance in their lives. Policies that even take years from people's lives. And the outcome disparity between policies which are life-affirming and polices that demonstrably are not is growing. Only one thing will stop this, and that is voting. We must change the people making policies. -- Stephan