Terry Gross Interview

Facts/Details:

1. Terry Goss is a Law professor at George Washington University.
2. None of the existing amendments give answers to the basic questions we have today.
3. We should have no expectation of privacy in public.
4. There is a difference between short term and long term surveillance.
5. Most of the technology already exists for Facebook to track using open planet.
6. Lawyers at Facebook, Microsoft, Google, etc have more power over govt/constitution.
7. There have been efforts to propose a meaningful privacy commission in America.
8. There are people at Google, Facebook, and Twitter that have more control over privacy/free speech than the courts do.
9. Justice Scalia determined that the use of thermal imaging technology outside of the house was an invasion of privacy.
10. Jurors give more weight to the pictures of the brain than other evidence.

Questions:

1. How can we find a basic precedent for privacy issues online if the founding fathers couldnt have even dreamed of the technology today.
2. Have there been any cases decided about privacy in public?
3. How do lawyers of google, facebook, etc have more power?
4. Will there most likely be an amendment made addressing online privacy issues?
5. Does probable cause ever come into play for example in the thermal imaging case?

Cartoon 12/12

• Who is this cartoon taking a shot at?
• What does this mean?
• Did this candidate (hint for question #1) demonstrate that he/she is out of touch with the American people?

Electoral College Reform

Facts/Details

1. Many Americans have difficulty understanding that it is not always the candidate that wins the popular vote that is the president.
2. The EC never meets as a single entity.
3. Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its membership in Congress.
4. Each state has at least 3 votes.
5. Critics believe the electors have the ability to alter or distort the election.
6. EC triples the political clout of voters in the seven least populous states.
7. Critics argue that electors are an anachronism.
8. Existence of EC undermines 3rd parties.
9. 538 total electoral votes
10. The electoral votes usually exaggerates the popular strength of the majority party.

Questions

1. Does any one party out number another in the EC?
2. Do electors ever vote against their party?
3. How does the EC undermine 3rd parties?
4. Does any one state overpower/influence the election significantly more than another?
5. Has a change ever been considered?

My Opinion:

After reading both Daniel Lazare's and Richard A Posner's arguments, I do not believe the Electoral College should be abolished by any means.  Although sometime the candidate that wins the popular vote will not become president, it is usually by a slim margin.  Also, the electors are much more educated and informed about the candidates.  For instance, if a candidate wins the pop. vote by 3 ballots, there is no reason why that candidate qualifies for office as much as his or her opponent. With the electoral college, valued votes are tallied and the right candidate will be chosen.

National Debt

At what rate is the debt increasing?

• The US National Debt is constantly increasing month by month, year by year.  However,some days the debt will decrease insignificantly, and some days it will rise. This graph represents the National Debt. 

What was the main cause of the national debt spiraling out of control?

• In Lisa Harris's essay entitled Causes of our National Debt, she states "Part of the constant growing debt is from people spending all of this money, even when they don’t have it. Individuals are taking out loans more often because it is so easy. They then have trouble paying off those loans. The banks that give out these loans don’t worry about it, until now, because the government has to bail them out. Companies are spending more and not making as much, therefore they are also going into debt, and when companies and individuals go into debt they have to ask the banks for help, but if the banks are having trouble, then they are not able to help out the businesses."

When did we have the most debt before now?

• Before now, the US was in most debt during the Bush administration.  However, the debt has increased with every presidency.

Sources:
http://cedarcomm.com/~stevelm1/usdebt.htm
http://www.facingup.org/causes-our-national-debt
http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

NY Times Budget Puzzle

How Much Did You Save?: $465Billion (2015), $1,185Billion (2030)

What Percent Came From Tax Increases? 58%

What Percent Came From Spending Cuts? 42%

Reflection:
Some oe easy choices included cutting foreign aid in half and increasing Medicare eligibility to age 65.  The dicult choices involved jobs, and federal workers. Also, my det cut earmarks was difficult. I cannot imagine how difficult these choices would be if votes and compromisesvolved.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/dwightdeisenhower

Miller Center:
http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower

Presidential Library:
http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/

Army:
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Ike/ike.htm

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower

Lessons:

• How to ease tensions with foreign nations
• How to effectively fight a war
• How to compromise/make deals with other countries
• Domestic Policy
• Fairness and equality between classes

Learn to Earn Act of 2011

Details:

• The purpose of this bill is to provide priority consideration to local educational agencies that establish high-quality entrepreneurship education programs for secondary schools, and for other purposes.
• It was introduced by David Loebsack D-IA
• It is attempting to add entrepreneurial programs in more secondary schools.
• There will be "High Quality Entrepreneurship Programs" available to student who are interested.
• There will be an Entrepreneurship Partner Entity- The term ‘entrepreneurship partner entity’ means an entity such as a local business, a local community organization, a local municipality, a local Small Business Administration office, a local Chamber of Commerce, or another State, local, or tribal government entity that specializes in entrepreneurship, small business development, or workforce development that has entered into an agreement with a local educational agency designated an entrepreneurship community under section 4(a), as determined by the Secretary of Education.

Questions:

• Will this be for both public and private schools?
• Will there be qualifications for students to enter this program?
• How much money will it cost?

Cartoon

1. What does this say about President Obama?
2. What is the satirical value of the classic cartoon, Charlie Brown?
3. What is the Author implying about the way Obama handles things when he writes "to keep things fair..."

Campaign Ad Analysis

6 Techniques

• Clinton v. Bush v. Perothttp://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1992
• Concept of "The next gereation"
• I do not think it was effective because it was too idealistic.
• Carter v. Fordhttp://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976
• The Working Class
• I think it was effective because the working class had a chance to relate to President Carter.
• Bush v. Kerryhttp://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/2004
• Address current issues in the country and a sense of turning the country around.
• I think it was effective because every american can relate to the problems addressed.
• Bush v. Dukakis: http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1988
• Describe "Family Values" of the candidate.
• I think it was effective because it conveyed a sense of humanity in the candidate that a lot of Americans want to see.
• Obama v. McCain http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/2008
• Uncover the other candidates flaws
• It was effective because it allowed Americans to see what McCain had done wrong, and the effects of such.
• Reagan v. Mondale http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1984
• Tell a story
• It was effective because it did not just state facts/plans, but it put things into a way that majority of voting Americans can understand.

3 Assertions:

• The preceding analysis shows that campaign advertisements have substantial persuasive effects. When 
• these effects are properly measured, they appear to dwarf the mobilization and informational effects that 
• previous observational studies have ascribed to televised campaign commercials.
• there are no differences other than advertising across media markets within individual non-battleground states.
• "Third, perhaps our results are due to some correlation between advertising volume and partisan imbalance. In other words, we may be estimating persuasion effects based on relatively uncontested media markets, when in fact these persuasion effects may be substantially smaller when overall advertising volume increases."

Electoral College Article

Facts/Details:

1. The Electoral College is malapportioned
2. Each State gets 2 electoral votes
3. The two party system does not help the electoral college
4. If a president wins the pop. vote, that does not mean he will win the electoral college vote
5. Many states have passed laws requiring electors to honor their pledge to the candidate who selected them.
6. No defection by electors has yet swung an election .
7. The only authority the Constitution grants the states is authority for the state legislature to determine the manner in which the electors are appointed.
8. Electoral votes are counted in the presence of both houses of congress.
9. Congress is authorized to resolve disputes over whose votes should be counted.
10. There was a serious push in 1969-1970 to abolish the Electoral College.

Questions:

1. How is it malapportioned?
2. How does the two party system contradict the electoral college?
3. what was the serious push in 1969-70?
4. How do most states appoint electors?
5. How many members are in the Electoral College?

2 Articles from Taxpayer

Pet Rock Budgeting
http://www.taxpayer.net/resources.php?action=issues&proj_id=5008&category=&type=Project

1. One of the favorite tactics of program apologists is to claim “it’s less than one percent of the budget,” implying that there are bigger fiscal fish to fry. There is no single cut, or revenue raiser, or entitlement reform that will balance the books.
2. A lot of it is about "I did this for you, what have you done for me?"
3. Washington’s deficit cutting rhetoric needs to be replaced with deficit cutting reality, and all options must be on the table.
4. The country forgoes more than $1 trillion in revenue every year through a patchwork quilt of tax breaks and loopholes in the code.
5. "If the nation is going to be successful at tackling the yawning budget defict and the chasm of debt, lawmakers have to leave their budgetary pet rocks at home."

FutureGen Project Timeline

http://www.taxpayer.net/resources.php?action=issues&proj_id=5003&category=&type=Project

1. From the FutureGen website: "The FutureGen Industrial Alliance was formed to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy on the FutureGen 2.0 project. It is a non-profit membership organization created to benefit the public interest, and the interests of science through research, development and demonstration of near-zero emissions coal technology."
2. The estimated cost has risen, then began to decline.
3. Began Construction on October 1.
4. Introduced by Bush administration in February, 2003.
5. It was cancelled in January of 2008, then revived by Obama administration in June, 2009.

3 Bills

Heartbeat Informed Consent Act:

• Introduced October 6, 2011
• Referred to Committee October 7, 2011

Personal Privacy Clarification Act:

• Introduced January 6, 2011
• Referred to Committee February 8, 2011

Learn to Earn Act of 2011

• Introduced November 16, 2011
• Referred to Committee November 16, 2011

Political Cartoon

• What is the significance of "Another Nail"?
• Do you think Herman Cain will drop out of the GOP race?
• Is this foreshadowing, the demise of Herman Cain?

Pennsylvania 2008 Election

Facts:

1. 86% of voters were white.
2. Majority of voters were between the ages of 25 and 44.
3. Majority of the individual counties in PA are Republican.
4. The major cities in PA are Democratic.
5. Compared to the 2004 election, there was a greater voter turnout.

How Washington Works

Facts/Details:

1. Many people are under the impression that Washington is disconnected from the country. (90)
2. "Potomac Fever": the incurable addiction of wielding political power or feeling at the political center. (91)
3. You can't be a major player in budget politics unless you know the difference between constant dollars and current dollars, outlays and obligations, and the baseline and the out years. (92)
4. Hendrick Smith believes most people come to Washington largely motivated by a sense of public service. (94)
5. "It's a city of people who are more interested in being petted and admired than in rendering the exercise of power." (Richardson) (95)
6. Things in Washington happen very fast and the political atmosphere and mood change abrubtly. (96)
7. "It's a one-subject town".  Only politics is discussed. (96)
8. Few politicians will admit how much they crave public recognition. (97)
9. Newt Gingrich said "there are very few games as fun as being a Congressman" (97)
10. Politicians naturally band together in power networks. (97)

Questions:

1. Is Washington too much abut public recognition?
2. What is the difference between constant dollars and current dollars?
3. What is Gingrich referring to when he compares being a Congressman to a game?
4. Is it good or bad that Washington is a one-subject town?
5. Are the people who do not crave public recognition getting the most done, and not receiving credit for it?

Issue of the Week: Death Penalty

1. On average, how long are inmates held on death row before they are put to death?

• Currently, an inmate is on death row for 169 months or 14 years and one month before he or she is executed.  
• In Foster v. Florida, 2002, the Supreme Court noted that long delays between sentencing and execution, compounded by a prisoner’s uncertainty over time of execution, could be agonizing, resulting in “horrible feelings” and “immense mental anxiety amounting to a great increase in the offender’s punishment.”.

2. What was the first case in which the death penalty was used?

• According to the University of Alaska at Anchorage Justice center, "the first known execution in the territory now known as the United States of America was of Captain George Kendall, who was shot by a firing squad in Jamestown in December 1607 (other sources say sometime in 1608), accused of sowing discord and mutiny".

3. What other countries have the death penalty?

• Afghanistan Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belize Botswana Chad China (People's Republic) Comoros Congo (Democratic Republic) Cuba Dominica Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Guinea Guyana India Indonesia Iran Iraq Jamaica Japan Jordan Kuwait Lebanon

  Lesotho Libya Malaysia Mongolia Nigeria North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestinian Authority Qatar St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Singapore Somalia Sudan Syria Taiwan Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Uganda United Arab Emirates United States Vietnam Yemen Zimbabwe

  
  
  Read more: The Death Penalty Worldwide — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777460.html#ixzz1fge9baFk

Sources:

• http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/time-death-row
• http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/death/history.html
• http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777460.html

Congressional Districts

Facts/Details

• Delaware County is part of the 1st, and 7th Congressional District
• Philadelphia County is represented in multiple Congressional Districts
• The Fifth and Ninth Congressional Districts are the largest.
• Districts can overlap.
• There were originally 21 Districts.
• Due to reapportionment, there are presently only 18.
• From 2000 to 2010, the number of Congressional Districts decreased from 19 to 18.
• Pat Meehan (R) represents our Congressional District.
• The majority of representatives from our district have historically been Republican.
• The 7th District is 89.2% White, 5.5% Black, 3.7% Asian, and 1.3% Hispanic.

Terry Gross Interview

Facts/Details

• Mississippi voters rejected granting a fertilized rights of person hood.
• Such would make an abortion a crime 
• "Planned Parenthood" will no longer be funded
• Margaret Sanger created 1st abortion clinic.
• Sanger was arrested for giving out information on birth control.
• The 'danger' of childbirth was examined.
• abortion was criminalized over the course of the 19th century.
• Birth Control and discussion thereof was illegal during Sanger's time.
• Margaret Sanger had to start teaming up with doctors at her clinic.
• As early as the 19th century, Sanger was forced out of the organization she founded.

Questions

• Did Sanger initiate a progressive feminist movement?
• If a fertilized egg were to gain rights of person hood, what would happen?
• Did Sanger issue contraceptives?
• How many women were having abortions at the time?
• What was the Catholic Church's view on Sanger?
• What prominent individuals supported Sanger?

Frontline: Lost In Detention

Facts:

• Obama "cracked down hard" and has been deporting illegal immigrants at an extremely high rate.
• Illegal immigrants account for over 1000 murderers, 6000 sex offenders
• "There is no chance of comprehensive immigration reform in this political environment"
• ICE was corrupt
• ICE was doing more than what was ordered/necessary
• Many of the immigrants deported have families
• The children born in the United States of illegal immigrants are citizens but their parents are not.
• Many illegal immigrants work jobs that would otherwise not be done as efficiently.

Questions:

• Is Obama's plan a waste of money?
• Will illegal immigration ever fully be prevented?
• Do illegal immigrants, in fact, boost our economy?
• Who will do the jobs of those deported?
• Is it right to deport an illegal immigrant with children who are citizens?

Committees of Pat Toomey

Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

• This committee has 22 members
• The committee is neither predominately Republican nor predominantly Democrat
• They have signed numerous bills involving home ownership and national security.

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

• This committee has seven subcommittees, all of which relate to natural resources or technology.
• This Committee has 8 bills that have failed passage.
• This committee has twenty five members.

Senate Committee on the Budget

• Four bills have been referred to this committee
• Only one bill from this committee has failed passage
• All bills in this committee revolve around budget and the national economy.

West Wing: The Stackhouse Filibuster

Connections:

• Stackhouse issued the filibuster because he had a bill that had previously been rejected.
• A cloture is invoked.
• There is campaigning for a bill
• They discuss the "markup" of a bill
• They mention the idea of logrolling
• A caucus would have been helpful
• Stackhouse has incumbency
• Rule 22 of the Senate which governs the precedence of motions in the Senate

Questions:

• Is this much competition among Congress realistic?
• Why was Stackhouse creating the filibuster?
• Why did they not create a caucus?
• How often are clotures needed?
• How did they enforce Rule 22?

Electoral College

Facts/Details

1. Mr. Pileggi would have Pennsylvania join two other states, Nebraska and Maine, in abandoning the winner-take-all system. One electoral vote would be awarded for each of the state's Congressional districts, and the winner of the popular vote would receive two more.
2. Even though Democrats have won Pennsylvania in the last five presidential elections, the state remains competitive.
3. In two states, PA and WI, GOP legislators have introduced bills that would change how electoral votes.
4. Pennsylvania's 12 publican U.S. representatives suddenly became nervous about any possible danger to their re-elections that the change in electoral vote apportionment might pose and then sent word tostate legislators to “cool it.”
5. Nebraska Republicans are looking to return to winner-take-all.
6. The two electoral votes that go to the statewide winner won’t motivate candidates sufficiently to campaign statewide to win them.
7. The concept of awarding electoral votes by congressional district has been around since the 1950s.
8. Under the current system, the most important part of the Democratic campaign strategy in Pennsylvania is to try to maximize turnout in Philadelphia and southeastern counties.
9. If the congressional district plan had been in place in Pennsylvania in recent presidential elections, it would not have affected the outcome of any presidential election.
10. By early September, GOP Gov. Tom Corbett and the state House and Senate leaders, Mike Turzai and Dominic Pileggi, both Republicans, had all expressed their support for the idea.

Questions:

1. Why, all of a sudden are changes being proposed?
2. What differences to the Democrats and Republicans have on these changes?
3. Are certain states almost joining together and alienating from other states?
4. How did this plan come about?
5. Is it likely the electoral college will change in the near future?

Sources:

http://hellertown.patch.com/articles/what-to-watch-in-pas-electoral-college-debate

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/09/17/a_really_bad_idea_111367.html

http://pennsylvanianews.info/pennsylvania-top-stories/nervous-pennsylvania-gop-house-members-kill-electoral-college-change.html

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/11/pennsylvania-electoral-college-all-votes-matter

John Boehner

Facts:

1. Boehner's mantra is "tThe House should 'work its will'"
2. While Boehner negotiates in good faith, he often doesn’t have the backing to pull the trigger on a deal.
3. His 1st package of spending cuts was his "biggest regret".
4. He failed to cut a multitrillion-dollar deficit-reduction deal with President Barack Obama after the mere perception that he might give ground on taxes filtered back to his troops.
5. He had to pull his debt-limit bill from the floor at the eleventh hour before reviving it with concessions to conservatives.
6. Boehner’s Republicans have used the leverage of controlling a single chamber of Congress to slash $1 trillion or so from the budget over the next decade.
7. He hasn’t yet demonstrated that he has the juice to move an agenda aimed at making laws with Obama and Reid.
8. he supports the will of the House working its way

Questions:

1. What kind of disagreements/issues do Boehner and Obama have?
2. Why does he have trouble "pulling the trigger" on a deal?
3. Why is he so afraid of taking a 'risk'?
4. What does he mean by the house "working its way" or "working its will"?
5. How much control do he and his Republicans have over Congress?

Is the US House too Small?

Facts:

• In 1789 there were 65 members.
• The US House has fewer members than the British House of Commons and the German Bundestag which   both have smaller populations.
• Democrats support a larger House
• 20% want to increase, 20% want to decrease, and 60% want to keep the same size.
• In larger institutions it becomes more challenging for members to get to know and trust each other, which in turn makes it more difficult to build the coalitions and consensus essential for smooth functioning.

Questions:

• Why 435 members?
• What is the process of changing the number of representatives?
• Why use the cube rule?
• What are the pros/cons of a small house?
• Is it inevitable that the number will eventually change?

In my opinion, the current size needs to change.  America is only getting bigger.  Although it was set in stone in 1911, we had a smaller country at the time.  I think the House should be larger but only to a certain extent. The Federal Government should put a cap on how big the House can get and not let it exceed that number.  If the house ends up getting too big, nothing will be done efficiently.  It would take up too much time.

My Two Representatives Personal Finances

Finances:

• Pat Toomey
• Pat Toomey's net worth is $1,770,062 to 4,900,999
• He has 44 assetts totaling $2,020,062 to $5,001,000
• He has 5 incomes totaling $186,807
• Mike McIntyre
• His net worth ranges from From $68,006 to $196,000
• He has four assetts totaling $68,006 to $196,000

Why Does This Matter?

I do agree with the author. I think we do have the right to know our Representatives' income and how they are making their money and what they are doing with it.  The author also discussed  how they are filed on paper, not electronically.  This is an issue that introduces the reliability of the numbers we are seeing.  When reported on paper, it takes longer for the paperwork to process and the numbers/amounts may not be fully up-to-date. 

Illegal Immigration

• 1. How many total illegal immigrants are living in the United States?
• In 2007, it was estimated that the illegal immigrant population in the United States has risen to above 13 million people.  
• According to FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) It is difficult to have an exact figure because the illegal nature of their presence prevents any enumeration, but the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 8.7 million illegal immigrants were here in 2000, and immigration officials estimate that the illegal immigrant population grows by as many as 500,000 every year 
• 2. What happens if illegal immigrants have children that were born in the US? Are they (the children) also considered illegal immigrants?
• A common misconception is that the Constitution through the Fourteenth Amendment confers citizenship upon everyone born in the United States whether or not they were born to an illegal alien. Actually, the Constitution itself does not provide citizenship to those born of illegal parents; the Supreme Court only said it did in an 1898 decision known as ‘U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark’, and it is politically correct to accept this Supreme Court decision while ignoring others.
• 3. Are there any advantages to the economy when hiring illegal immigrants?
• If illegal immigration came to a standstill, it would disrupt the economy,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “It would lead to higher prices for many goods and services, and some things literally would not get done. It would be a major adjustment for our economy, for sure.

Sources: 

• http://www.fairus.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=16859&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1007
• http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.6742/pub_detail.asp
• http://blog.chron.com/immigration/2009/12/how-much-do-illegal-immigrants-benefit-u-s-economy/

Stevens: Atkins V. Virginia

Facts:

1. Daryl Renard Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder
2. the defense relied on one witness, a forensic psychologist, who testified that Atkins was mildly mentally retarded
3. The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form
4. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this time the State rebutted Atkins' intelligence
5. The jury again sentenced Atkins to death
6. In affirming, the Virginia Supreme Court relied on Penry v. Lynaugh, in rejecting Atkins' contention that he could not be sentenced to death because he is mentally retarded.

Questions:

1. Is one witness not enough?
2. How reliable was the forensic psychologist?
3. How was he proven mentally retarded?
4. what was his penalty if not the death penalty?

Sources:

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2001/2001_00_8452/

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-8452.ZS.html

The Supreme Court Justices

Facts/Details/Questions:

• John Roberts was Special Assistant to the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice from 1981–1982, Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, White House Counsel’s Office from 1982–1986, and Principal Deputy Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice from 1989–1993.
• Majority of the justices received higher levels of education at very prestigious schools.
• The Justices are diverse with 3 women, one black male, and 5 white males.
• Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic justice.
• All of the justices have a wealth of background experience in law before becoming justices.
• Ginsburg is the oldest justice
• Kagan is the youngest justice
• Many of the justices have backgrounds in the US courts of Appeals.
• Ginsburg was previously the ACLU's general counsel.
• Bush, Reaga, Clinton, and Obama nominated all of the current justices.

Three Court Cases

• Northern Pipeline Constr. Co. v. Marathon Pipe Line Co. (1982)
• This case interested me because of the economic aspect of it. This case is a bankruptcy case involving Northern Pipeline Constuction Company and Marathon Pipe Line Company.
• The only Bankruptcy case on the websitr
•  "The Bankruptcy Act of 1978 (Act) established a United States bankruptcy court in each judicial district as an adjunct to the district court for such district.". After it had filed a petition for reorganization in a Bankruptcy Court, appellant Northern Pipeline Construction Co. (Northern) filed in that court a suit against appellee Marathon Pipe Line Co. (Marathon) seeking damages for an alleged breach of contract and warranty, as well as for misrepresentation, coercion, and duress. Marathon sought dismissal of the suit on the ground that the Act unconstitutionally conferred Art. III judicial power upon judges who lacked life tenure and protection against salary diminution. The Bankruptcy Court denied the motion to dismiss, but on appeal the District Court granted the motion."
• I was captivated by the back and forth type of case this was. 
• Zelman V. Simmons-Harris (2002)
• Education case.
• This is one of the more recent freedom of religion court cases.
• What interested me right off the bat in this case was the unique aspect of the Ohio Scholarship Program and how it was very flexible.
• Also, the fact that all types of schools whether they be private, charter, or public can be involved in the Ohio scholarship Program for underprivileged children.
• Bob Jones Univ. V. United States (1982)
• I was interested in the fact that this was a court case that involved a University and the Federal Government.
• In this case, Bob Jones University admitted un married blacks to the school, it did not accept students involved in an interracial relationship.
• Because of this admissions policy, the IRS revoked the University's tax-exempt status. After paying a portion of the federal unemployment taxes for a certain taxable year, the University filed a refund action in Federal District Court, and the Government counterclaimed for unpaid taxes for that and other taxable years.

Roe V. Wade

Facts/Details

• It has been argued occasionally that these laws were the product of a Victorian social concern to discourage illicit sexual conduct.
• When most criminal abortion laws were first enacted, the procedure was a hazardous one for the woman.
• In the Early 20th century, abortion mortality rates were significantly high.
• Mortality rates for women undergoing early abortions, where the procedure is legal, appear to be as low as or lower than the rates for normal childbirth.
• Many abortion clinics are referred to as "Abortion mills"
• The Constitution does not explicitly mention any right of privacy.
• the Ninth Amendment's reservation of rights to the people, is broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.
• Abortions not only lead to physical harm, but also psychological harm.
• The Court's decisions recognizing a right of privacy also acknowledge that some state regulation in areas protected by that right is appropriate.
• Viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.

Questions:

• Is there a date in which a woman has carried the fetus too long, and therefore is forbidden to get an abortion?
• What are the "logical" and "biological" justifications for abortion?
•  Is an abortion acceptable if a woman who is seven month's pregnant will suffer serious permanent health effects if an abortion is not performed?
• Does the government run any abortion clinics or are they all private?
• How do state abortion laws vary?
• 
  

"Order Without Law" (2000 Election)

Facts/Details

• Minimalism, from Rhenquist Court was in "full display during the 'Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board' case".
• In "Bush v. Gore" the vote was not unanimous.
• Bush argued that Florida court had violated Article II or the Constitution.
• The recount was voted 4-3 by Florida Supreme Court.
• Six Justices were unwilling to accept Bush's main submission, that FL Supreme court had produced an unacceptable change in Florida State Law.
• Many recounts were done neither formally nor correctly.
• The Court's decision lacked support in precedent or history.
• The recount was halted because the Court thought it clear that the Florida Supreme Court would interpret Florida Law so as to halt the process.

Questions:

• Was November 14th far too early of a deadline?
• Did Florida Supreme Court truly violate Article II of the Constitution?
• How did "Minimalism" in Rhenquist Court originate?
• Did the concept of minimalism greatly affect the outcome of this case?
• How "corrupt" were the recounts?

The Common Good

First of all, I would like to say I agree with Newsweek's Robert J. Samuelson when he said "We face a choice between a society where people accept modest sacrifices for a common good or a more contentious society where group selfishly protect their own benefits". The article defined the 'Common Good' as consisting "primarily of having the social systems, institutions, and environments on which we all depend work in a manner that benefits all people."

Unfortunatley, due to peoples' protection of their own benefits, it is hard to have social systems and institutions that benefit all people.  When everyone has the mentality of "only the strong survive" and "survival of the fittest", it leaves people on a very unbalanced playing field.  Today, people are almost adopting a Machiavellian attitude.  

In order to achieve the common good, the cooperative efforts of people is necessary.  However, such a feat seems unattainable in the state of the world today.  The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.    Values have gone out the window and money has taken priority.  Frankly, if one has money, they are keeping it, if one does not, well good luck.  I, personally do not think that a 'Common Good' will ever be completely attainable.

Mike McIntyre Update

Update: On August 1st of 2011, Congressman Mike McIntyre introduced the bill To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate one city in the United States each year as an "American World War II City", and for other purposes. More recently, on September 12th, 2011 it was referred to the house sub-comitee. The current status is that is has been referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

2000 Election

Facts:
People were denied the right to vote just because of their name.
There are State Supreme Courts.
The Judge which decides the case can impact the outcome significantly.
Bush won the popular vote.
Bush won electoral vote 271-266
Popular vote essentially has no meaning.
Floridas Supreme Court method of recounting was violating Equal Protection Clause.
Katherine Harris was under intense criticism.

Questions:
What was wrong with why Katherine Harris was doing?
What specific errors were made in the actual recounting?
Can you truly define the "intent to vote" for a candidate?
Why were the deadlines so early?
What changes have been made to the voting process?
Why was Florida the crucial state?
Why did Gore not run in '08?
How significant was the numerous people denied a vote?
How much of an impact did this case have on the Supreme Court?

Was Bush vs. Gore correctly Decided?

Pre-reading:
1. who authorized the recount?
2. How considerable was the error?
3. Is there a way to detect "intent to vote" for a candidate?
4. Why was Florida the deciding state?
5. What has been done to fix this problem for future elections?

Reading:
1. Was Bork a dem or rep.?
2. What does it take for something to move up from State-Supreme to Supreme?
3. How long would the process have continued if Bork did not call a halt?
4. Did Gore "Give up"?
5. What exactly was Stevens arguing when he mentioned the courts "misgivings"?

Post Reading:
1. Will Gore run again?
2. Is Florida still a huge state to win?
3. What margin of error was there?
4. How impactful is this case?
5. What has been changed about voting?

ObamaCare destroying Jobs?

Not only are HSA's a big issue with ObamaCare, the threat of unemployment is also evident. When ObamaCare was introduced, Nancy Pelosi  declared there was an, “anvil” around businesses because of the cost of health care and that the bill was, "about jobs" (gop.gov). Pelosi even predicted that it would, “create 400,000 jobs almost immediately.”  However, the effect is opposite. 

On February 11, 2011  Douglas Elmendorf reiterated his statement that the exact opposite is the case.  ObamaCare will destroy around 800,000 jobs.  One reason why the plan will destroy jobs is that in

"Section 1411: increases the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) portion of the payroll tax. This provision will increase the employee’s portion from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent for families making more than $250,000 a year (and for individuals making more than $200,000). Combined with the employer’s portion, the total rate will be 3.8 percent on every dollar of income over $250,000 when the tax hike takes effect in 2013." (heritage.org)  Such a large tax hike is not exactly ideal especially due to the current state of the American Economy.

Healthcare Issues #1 Obama Care

Many would consider President Obama's health care plan, also known as "Obama Care" a complete mess. One issue is the tax on HSAs or Health Savings Accounts.  One Problem is that ObamaCare raises taxes on HSAs and makes them less consumer friendly.  On January 1, 2011,  Over-the-counter drugs and other household health care items cannot be reimbursed tax-free from HSAs without a prescription.  This will increase taxes on American families by $5 billion.  Also,  Penalty for non-qualified withdrawals from HSAs increases from 10 percent to 20 percent.  There is no “hardship” exception.  This will increase taxes on American families by $1.4 billion.

Not only are taxes an issue with ObamaCare, but there are many regulatory concerns.  according to GOP.gov, "Under ObamaCare, health insurance plans are supposed to pay for at least 60 percent of the expected cost of covered benefits, on average (i.e., the “actuarial value”).  The actuarial value takes into account the benefit package, deductible, copayment, and coinsurance differences for each plan.  High-deductible plans typically have lower actuarial values than old-school health insurance plans or HMOs because they are not designed to pay for routine expenses.  However, some high-deductible plans are combined with a health savings account, which is intended to pay for routine medical care.  It is essential that HHS consider both the employer and employee annual HSA contributions when it sets the standards for determining whether these plans meet the minimum 60 percent actuarial value requirement.  Failure to include the annual contributions in the actuarial value or failure to include it properly could determine whether HSAs will survive under ObamaCare."  This explains that it all leads back to the HSA tax.  Basically, ObamaCare is costing too much for little benefits.    

Politicians

Pat Toomey:  Senator Pat Toomey just sponsored the "Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention actof 2011".  The bill was introduced nine days ago on October 12, 2011.  It was referred to the senate committee.  The most recent status is that it has been read twice and referred to the Commitee of Veterans' Affairs.

Mike McIntyre: On August 1st of 2011, Congressman Mike McIntyre introduced the bill To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate one city in the United States each year as an "American World War II City", and for other purposes. More recently, on September 12th, 2011 it was referred to the house sub-comitee. The current status is that is has been referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Factions

James Madison, in Federalist No. 10 defines a faction as "A number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."  After reading Federalist No. 10, I realized that there are different types of what Madison refers to as a faction.  To me, factions can be both harmful and proactive in a government system.  For example, a beneficial faction would be a peaceful, political group that works towards a cause in a polite, and professional way.  A harmful faction could also be a group that protests, riots, and endangers Americans.  I think that, although vastly different, the Tea Party, and Al Qaeda can be examples of factions that exist today.

Questions:

• What are some modern factions in America?
• How are factions formed?
• Are factions generally harmful?
• Is there a way to prevent factions?
• Are the political parties technically considered factions?

Today, factions are evident throughout our daily lives.  Many Americans are part of factions.  For example, if one is registered with a political party, they are part of a faction.  Also, if one works in a union, that is also considered a faction.  Factions help unite Americans but at the same time, can turn many Americans against each other due to the varying views of each faction.

2 Members of Congress

Sen. Pat Toomey
Republican (PA






Congressman Mike McIntyre
Democrat (NC)

What is Your Political Ideology?

My results came back as Moderate.

YLI Said "You probably identify with some of the views of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. You may also be interested in the Green Party and the Libertarian Party. Your ideology is shared by the following Members of the House of Representatives":

Mike McIntyre (D - NC, 7th District)
Jim Marshall (D - GA, 8th District)

2 Responses to Questions about the Constitution

Alex R. Said: Does the Constitution today function as the supreme law of the land or do you think that it is just a document that outlines the way our country should be run and all current issues should not be influenced by it?

- I think that this is a question that is asked many times throughout the Government.  In my opinion, I believe the writers of the Constitution almost had the idea of the Constitution being a 'supreme law of the land'.  However aspirations such as that are very unlikely to be attainable.  Our Constitution today serves as more of less outlines of how our country should be run. Although, Alex's question also brings up the ever popular debate on whether the constitution should be interpreted literally or just as guidelines.

Justin Juliano Said: When writing the constitution, who did the founding fathers have in mind as "We the people", when not everyone was infavor of the constitution?

- I think that when writing the Constitution, and specifically writing "We the People", the writers were mostly thinking of the citizens of the country.  However, they were probably thinking of citizens as white, land owning, males and their families.  I think they disregarded slaves, and women for the most part.  Also, although many were not in favor of the Constitution, all that mattered to them was that the higher levels of Government and majority of the population were in favor of it.

10 Facts/Questions from the Video 10/5/2011

Facts:
1. Restrictions were put on law enforcement to protect individuals' privacy.
2. The gray wolves have gotten the most attention out of all endangered species.
3. The state of Iowa wanted wolves removed.
4. 40% of deaths on highways are caused by drunk drivers.
5. South Carolina refused to adopt the law in which required the breathalyzer.
6. They adopted the .10 blood alcohol level.
7. National Law wanted to make the Maximum Blood Alcohol Level .08
8. New deal brought Federal Social Welfare program.
9.In the 1990s, the government was convinced welfare was not working.
10. States are now in charge of their own welfare policies.

Questions:
1. Why did the wolves get the most attention of all the endangered species?
2. Why hasn't Iowa taken the US to court?
3. Why did South Carolina want a higher limit?
4. Did South Carolina override National Law for some time?
5. How does the state control welfare?
6. Why was welfare system not working while economy was flourishing?
7. Do people manipulate the welfare system? If so, how does it affect the American Economy?
8. How often does National Law dominate States' Laws?
9. How does the welfare system impact the American Economy?
10. Which state has the best welfare system? Should there be a national model off of that?

Federalist No. 51

Questions:
1. What would happen if all three branches were one?
2. What is the difference between a Compounded Republic and a Pure Republic?
3.How do Checks and balances keep our government in tact?
4. What is the best way to fight tyranny over a minority?
5.What would happen to our government if the system of Checks and Balances was absent?

Quotes:
"It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others, for the emoluments annexed to their offices. Were the executive magistrate, or the judges, not independent of the legislature in this particular, their independence in every other would be merely nominal."
I chose this quote because it made me think about how dependent each department really should be on each other. Madison says that they should be a little dependent as possible, but at the same time, they are working in the same government.

"In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government"
I chose this quote because here, Madison explains how in a Republic, the power that the people surrender and give up to the representatives is ultimately going towards a single government.

"This policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public"
In this quote, Madison explains how power is divided up almost strategically so that each smaller office may rely on the other.

"If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure"
In this quote, Madison is saying that, if a majority of a population shares the same interest, the minority's interest will be insecure because the majority will override anything the minority says.

"There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority"
This quote is the solution to the fourth quote.  If a will, independent of the majority is created in the community, the minority will not be dominated as easily.

Federalist No. 10

Questions:
1. How can factions 'control the Government'?
2. Is corruption more prevalent in a Direct Democracy?
3. What advantages to Representatives present?
4. What is your view of the States' rights both before and after the Constitution?
5. How can you satisfy everyone in the issue of the distribution of land?

Quotes:
"There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests."
I chose this quote because I think it shows how Madison plans to conquer the issue of the factions.  He says, in order to remove the causes of faction, one, destroy liberty, and two, by giving every citizen the same rights or options.

"A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking. Let us examine the points in which it varies from pure democracy, and we shall comprehend both the nature of the cure and the efficacy which it must derive from the Union."
In this quote, Madison addresses the United States as a republic.  He compares it to a complete democracy and says that in a republic, representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which the United States is seeking.

"The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended."
In this quote, Madison addresses the two main differences between a democracy and a republic.  He explains how a small number of people representing a larger population is more effective.

"By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."
In this quote, Madison explains what, exactly a faction is.  Factions, he explains, whether small or large, generally disregard other citizens and the interests of the larger community.

"There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects."
I chose this quote because here, Madison tells how to cure the "mischiefs of faction".  First, you need to remove its causes, (explained in quote 1), and second, control its effects.

Political Cartoon

A very hot topic in the political world to day is whether Chris Christie, the Governor of New Jersey will decide to run for president.  He originally stated that he will not run for President, and is now changing his thoughts and said he has not completely rejected the idea.

1. What political party is this cartoon taking a shot at?
2. Who is reading the paper?
3. Why, at the end, does the reader say, "He's Perfect!"

Simile for American System of Separation and Checks and Balances

The Checks and Balances and America's system of separation is like a tree.  Each branch, the judicial, legislative, and Executive are all branches on the tree.  For all of them to work, they must be in tact with the whole system and work together through the tree trunk.  Also, the entire tree, the government is anchored by the roots which can represent the Constitution.

Frontline

Facts:
President Bush was prepared to spend whatever amount of money necessary after 9/11.
The Government was keeping secret certain procedures after 9/11.
The main goal immediately after 9/11 was to defeat Al-Qaeda and kill Bin Laden.
'Graystone' was the name of the plan to kill Bin Laden.
The CIA had more influence than the Military.
Bush authorized Black and the CIA to wage a war on Al-Qaeda.
It was the largest covert operation since the Cold War.
The CIA considers 'Graystone' it's finest hour.

Questions:
What does the phrase "after 9/11, the gloves come off" mean?
Why was the Government hiding what they were doing from United States citizens?
Did anger have too much of an influence in immediate decision making after the attacks?
Was President Bush too impulsive in enacting 'Graystone'?
Why were the combat operations performed by the CIA?
Was the military offended by the CIA's take over of the plans to attack Al-Qaeda.
Ultimately, was 'Graystone' effective?
Was Black too aggressive right off the bat?

Interview

I ended up interviewing a friend of mine who I believe to be very knowledgeable about the government.  I began by asking him what he thinks about the current state of the government.  He said, if he was able to vote, he would have voted for Obama.  However, he now finds himself a republican.  He has followed the Republican debates and really likes Mitt Romney.  He strongly opposes "Obama Care" and thinks our country needs a more conservative leader who can get the economy back on its feet.
After talking about the current United States Government, I switched topics to the Constitution.  I asked what he thought about how the constitution should be interpreted.  He believes the Constitution was meant to be taken literally at the time; however to interpret the constitution literally is almost impossible due the the way our world has changed socially.  Then, we began talking about whether he thinks the Constitution should be changed.  Both of us agree that it is a very delicate subject.  To change the constitution can be wrong, and right at the same time.  Our country needs a new set of 'guidelines' to keep up with the times, but to alter our founding fathers' work is almost disrespectful as well.
Overall, this interview allowed me to realize another peer's perspective on our government as it stands today, and how our government was started.  It helps looking at concepts/issues from another person's point of view because it can enhance my knowledge and bring about discussions that would otherwise not have been brought up.

A People's History of the United States

The article "A People's History of the United States" described the thought process and motives that went into the creation of the Cnstitution. The main part of this article that caught my attention was the fact that most of the men who wrote the Constitution were wealthy and part of the upper class. It makes me wonder whether the writers were writing such an important document with bias. However, I do recognize the fairness that was also evident. The thoughts that went into the Constitution were revolutionary. Ultimately, I believe the Constitution was writtten very well. Although I can understand how people can think the Constitution needs change, I think the general ideas from 1787 can and have held up daily well in this day in age.
• Did the 55 men who wrote the Constitution write it in a way in which they were either consciously or subconsciously benefiting the rich, or upper class?
• Do you agree with Thomas Jefferson and think the uprisings such as Shay's Rebellion were "healthy for society"?
• Would you say that it would benefit the country for the Constitution to be changed/altered at certain times?
• Would you agree with the statement in the image below? "Your Country, Your Ideas"

Cartoon: Dragging the GOP Down

http://theweek.com/section/cartoon/0/219448/all-cartoons

Open-Ended Questions

1. Who is the GOP?

2. Why is there an elephant and what does it represent?

3. How does this relate to what is happeneing in the government?

20 Questions

1. Why did 31% of immigrants between 1900 to 1990 voluntarily return to their home countries?
2. Why did the people at the Constitutional Convention want to name the Episcopalian Church, the new Anglican church?
3. What Catholic school was burned down in the riots of 1844?
4. Why do most people born poor, stay poor?
5. Why was there a wave of immigration from Asia and Latin-America in the 1980's and 1990's?
6. Is "identity politics" ethical?
7. What are the different political cultures?
8. What is the "unfinished work" of preserving the Union?
9. Did the desire to speak one language create discrimination?
10.  Has PA established the English Speaking law(s)?
11. Approximately how many illegal aliens are living in the United States?
12. How many racial categories have been added to the census since 1790?
13. Why was the "multiracial" category rejected?
14. What does "the numbers drive the dollars" mean?
15. How accurate is the census?
16. Why did the INS open its doors so much in 1991?
17. Why did only some states levy a religious tax?
18. ^^Should a religious tax been unanimous?
19. how popular and how long did the "Know Nothing Party" last?
20. Will the United States become over populated?

Politics...

Before the first day of AP government, I had absolutely no interest in anything involving the government or politics.  However, I soon realized that even though I do not pay any attention to politics, I do know some of the basics.  I like to say I am pretty informed and up-to-date about what is going on in the world.  In class, I was able to recognize many of the faces put up on the smart board and unknowingly, understand who they are and what they are doing for the government.

This made me realize...  Although I do not have a particular interest in politics, our world is full of it.  And whether I like it or not, I am surrounded by it.  Just by watching the news, I guess I am subconsciously absorbing information about the world in which I live, and who is governing it.  

I feel like AP Government will allow me to finally learn about who I see on the news and give me the chance to dive deeper into what the government is, and who exactly the people are that run our government.  I can say that the few issues/concepts I am intrigued by are the education system, corruption in the government, and the views/morals of the different parties.  

Each of these concepts affect me directly.  I am a part of the public education system and I am curious to see how it is run, and how  decisions are made.  Also, I need to gain more knowledge about the parties involved in the government since I will be voting in the upcoming election.  I would like to be able to understand what each party and candidate stands for and eventually develop opinions on how each strategy and plan will ultimately effect the world in which I live.