Where everything is bipartisan until it is not.
In parliamentary law, a motion concerning the rights and privileges of the assembly or its members, taking precedence over regular business. Not to be confused with checking one's privilege, though some politicians could benefit from both.
An acronym for feminism that allegedly supports capitalism and government expansion through economic growth, typically used as a critique of corporate feminism that prioritizes profit over systemic change. Essentially calling out "girl boss" culture that fights the patriarchy while enthusiastically participating in late-stage capitalism.
Members or supporters of the Democratic Party in the United States, one of the two major political parties that have dominated American politics since the 1850s. These left-leaning politicos advocate for progressive policies, social programs, and regulations, while conservatives insist they're secretly socialists and moderates wish they'd just get along. The term also applies to democracy advocates generally, though American political discourse has made this its primary meaning.
A professional promise-maker whose job involves kissing babies, shaking hands, and crafting carefully worded statements that somehow simultaneously appeal to everyone and offend no one. These career electables have mastered the delicate dance of appearing relatable while being funded by entities most voters will never meet. The term has evolved from neutral descriptor to mild insult, probably because politicians themselves ruined it.
A taxpayer-funded trip disguised as fact-finding where legislators research important issues like French wine policy from a château in Bordeaux. It's business class travel justified by a perfunctory meeting and expense reports that would make fiction writers jealous.
A formal relationship between two cities in different countries for cultural and commercial exchanges, proving that municipalities can have better diplomatic relations than their national governments. City-level diplomacy for when federal relations are awkward.
The art of securing taxpayer dollars for pet projects in your district that nobody else wants or needs. Think of it as professional favor-trading disguised as fiscal policy, where representatives slide special-interest funding into bills like a kid hiding vegetables under mashed potatoes. The term comes from the old practice of distributing barrels of salt pork to constituents—modern pork just comes with better PR.
Someone who has successfully navigated the political gauntlet and now occupies a position of public authority. Whether elected, appointed, or simply too stubborn to leave, these individuals are the current inhabitants of government offices. They're distinguished from candidates by actually having the job rather than just wanting it desperately.
Anything related to elections or the elaborate systems we've created to choose leaders while making sure some votes count more than others. It's the adjective that transforms simple voting into complex political machinery involving districts, colleges, and enough math to require a flowchart. The word that makes democracy sound more sophisticated than 'most votes wins.'
A formal argument between candidates designed to change nobody's mind while making everyone feel like they won—the political equivalent of yelling at strangers on the internet but televised.
Using computational models and voter data to pack opposition voters into impossible districts— 21st-century gerrymandering that makes 1990s efforts look quaint.
A temporary alliance of political parties, groups, or nations formed to achieve a common goal — emphasis on temporary, because these marriages of convenience rarely last. Essential in parliamentary systems where no single party has a majority, forcing rivals to play nice and share power. The political equivalent of frenemies working together on a group project.
Someone officially proposed for a position, election, award, or honor by another person or group — they're not in yet, but they're on the shortlist. In politics, it's the person chosen to represent a party in an election. The term also applies to proxy ownership situations where assets are registered in someone's name on behalf of the actual owner.
Party enforcers in legislative bodies who ensure members vote the party line, using tactics ranging from gentle persuasion to career-ending threats. Named after the person who keeps hunting dogs in line, which tells you everything about how politicians view their colleagues. The whip's job is to count votes, twist arms, and make sure nobody gets any funny ideas about independent thinking.
A rank-and-file legislator without a leadership position, literally sitting in the back rows of parliament and metaphorically sitting in the back rows of power. They vote as told and dream of the frontbench.
A parliamentary objection claiming that rules or procedures are being violated, allowing any member to interrupt proceedings and demand the chair make a ruling. It's the legislative equivalent of calling for the referee.
A requirement that amendments must be relevant to the bill being amended, preventing legislators from attaching random provisions to unrelated legislation. It's the parliamentary equivalent of 'stay on topic' with varying degrees of enforcement.
A temporary joint committee formed to reconcile differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, essentially democracy's couples therapy. Members negotiate behind closed doors to create compromise legislation both chambers can accept.
An electoral district so heavily favoring one party that the incumbent faces virtually no threat, making general elections meaningless formalities. Democracy's equivalent of a participation trophy.
The state of currently holding an office or position, typically giving you an unfair advantage over challengers who don't already have the keys to the executive washroom. In politics, it's the art of being re-elected simply because voters recognize your name from the last campaign sign they drove past. Think of it as tenure, but with more attack ads.
The politician's art of enthusiastically shaking hands and making superficial small talk with voters, often at events where everyone knows it's performative but participates anyway. Retail politics with a side of hand sanitizer.
When the federal government requires state or local governments to implement policies without providing money to do so. The political version of assigning homework without providing textbooks.
The behind-the-scenes vote counting and arm-twisting conducted by party leadership to ensure legislative outcomes, combining spreadsheet management with psychological warfare. Parliamentary democracy's version of herding wolverines.
When a politician publicly criticizes their own party's extreme wing to demonstrate independence and court moderate voters. Strategic betrayal rebranded as principled leadership.