5/12/12

Politico Prep #8

1. What presidential role do you think is most important?

The the most important presidential role is for the president to keep balances of power between the House and Senate. 

2. What presidential role do you think is least important?

 

3. What does it mean when political scientists claim modern presidents are on a "continuous campaign"?

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article? What do you think the framers of our Constitution would think of the modern presidency?

 

5/12/12

Politico Prep #7

 

EXCUSE AP English 

 

5/8/12

Politico Prep #6

1. Explain why the government farm subsidies were first used?

The government farm subsidies were first used because farming food is an essential to feeding Amierica.

 

2. What other American industries were subsidized by the federal government?

Other American industries were also subsidized by the federal government because the federal government came to realize that certain American industries are a necessary to running our economy.

 

3. What techniques do interest groups use in shaping the public policy?

Techniques often use by interest groups in shaping the public policy is publicizing and advertising their ideas and beliefs. In addition, providing information to politicans to influence the way of the public policy. 

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article? Which do you think is more difficult, passing policy changes or implementing policy changes?

I thought the artilce was informative. I think that implementing policy changes can be more diffcult than passing policy changes.

 

5/7/12

Politico Prep #5

1. Describe the demographics of the membership in the 112^th Congress.

The demographics of the membership in the 112th Congress is that a majority are white, well-educated men.

 

2. Explain how the House and the Senate differ in their legislative procedures.

The House introduce a bill and the Senate reviews it.

 

3. Describe the powers that the Senate does not share with the House.

The power the Senate have that the House doesn't haven't is the power to declare war and to try impeachment.

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article? What strategy would you recommend for congressional freshmen running for reelection?

I thought the article was a helpful to refresh our memory on Congress. The strategy I recommend for congressional freshman running for reelection is to please the voters while still staying true to what you believe in.

 

 

Politico Prep #4

1. What are the most important steps in building a successful presidential campaign?

The most important steps in building a successful presidential campaign is having a lot money and being able to spread your campaign message everywhere whether it's by tv, internet, billboard, or all of the above.

 

2. Explain why campaigns have become more candidate-centered and less party-centered.

Campaigns have become more candidate-centered and less party-centered because voters are judging on the character of the candidates with a message that they can trust.

 

3. What are the positives and negatives of allowing party supporters to nominate candidates in primary elections?

The positives of of allowing party supporters to nominate candidates in the primary election is that the party supporter are actually participating and have a say on who there candidates will be. The negative of allowing party supporters to nominate candidates in primary elections is that the party supporter might not be pick the best candidates out there.

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article? What’s your opinion about candidates being held accountable for comments made by supporters?

Again, I think the article is very informative.  I don't think the candidates should be held accountable for comments made by supporters.

 

5/3/12

Politico Prep #3

 

1. I think that the number of swing voters this year is "maller than ever" because the voters are very clear on their decision of who they are going to voter for.

2.There are many demographic factors that seem to influence  voter behavior and public opinion. The factors  that seem to influence the most are age and race.

3.Candidates use politicial message to resonate with suburban women with message that attracts or interest the suburban women. 

4. Once again I found the article to be very informative. A majority of swing voters of 2012 are suburban women and they tend to be democrats.

 

Politico Prep #2

1. Are interest groups fundamental to a strong democracy? If so, how? How can they be dangerous?

Yes, interest groups are fundamental to a strong democracy because it give them a chance to show what they strongly believe in.  They can be dangerous because they can gain too power n misuse it.

 

2. List some of the most influential interest groups.  What interests do they promote?

Two influential interest group that I could think of the top of my head is AARP which stands for American Association of Retired People and NAACP which is National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

 

3. What interest group techniques seem to work best when influencing public policy?

Interest group techniques that seem to work best when influencing public policy spreading their message everywhere and protesting.

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article?  What’s your opinion about interest groups hiring former members of Congress to influence current members of Congress?

I thought the article was a good review of interest groups. I think interest groups hiring former members of Congress to influence current members of Congress is a risky yet smart idea.

 

5/2/12

Politico Prep #1

 

1. Which groups traditionally made up the broad-based coalition of the Democrats? Which groups traditionally made up the broad-based coalition of the Republicans? How have these coalitions changed over time?

Groups that traditionally  made up the broad-based coalition of the Democrats were the Southerns and the Northerns for the Republicans.  These coalitions have changes over time as it is now vice versa with Southerns being mostly Republicans and Northerns being mostly Democrats.

 

2. Describe the strategies that can be used in redistricting in order to gerrymander a moderate representative into a district that is less favorable to his/her prospects.

Strategy used in redistricting in order to gerrymander a moderate representative into a district that is less favorable to his/her prospects would be to restrict or broaden districts lines so that the majority of the votes would go in their favor.

 

3. Analyze your home state representatives. Where do they fall on the political spectrum?

A majority of our state representatives are republicans.

 

4. What do you think about the topic of this POLITICO article? What’s your opinion about the impact of increased partisanship in Congress?

I found the article to be very informative and helpful.  I wouldn't have a clue to what Blue Dogs are until I read this article. If u ask me a few days before I read this article to what are the Blues Dogs, I would probably reply that they're dogs that are dyed blue. From reading the article, I learn a lot and realize it is WAY harder than it seem to get work done when people have different views. 

 

4/2/12

MARYGRACE & DIANA

Court Cases:

 

Hamdan v. Rumsfeld(2006):

The case concerns the violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Prisoners of war may not be tried in military commissions that do not afford the rights of this code.  Hamdan was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit offences triable by a military commission. He was later granted habeas corpus that dismissed all charges.

 

Betts v. Brady(1942):

The case dealt with the fourteenth amendment. Betts, the petitioner, was accused for a robbery circuit court in Maryland.  Betts was not able to get an attorney and requested one from Maryland’s court. The Court informed Betts that the law states the Court will not appoint attorney to indigent defendants with the exceptions in prosecutions for murder and rape. 

 

Korematsu v. United States(1944):

The talks about restrictions that interfere with the civil rights of a single racial group held under close examination. Korematsu, a Japanese-American, was dragged from his house established at the military areas in California. Although it is a violation of the Constitution to force a particular race of people to leave a certain area, it is said by the United States the expulsion was necessary during the time of war.

 

Gibbons v. Ogden(1824):

The case examined the power of the Commerce Clause. Ogden operated a monopoly of steamboats in New York and New Jersey. Ogden’s monopoly violated the Supremacy Clause. Due to the fact that this was the first major case under the Commerce Clause, the Court interpreted the powers of the clause very broadly. 

 

Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States(1964):

The case dealt with the direct violation of the Civil Right Act of 1964..  Heart of Atlanta Motel in Atlanta, Georgia refused to rent rooms to blacks. The district court issued the final decision that required Heart of Atlanta Motel to provide service to clientele of all races.

 

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia(1931)

The case involves the state of Georgia creating laws that set limits on the Cherokee Nation.  The Cherokee Nation believe that the laws should not be apply to them due to the fact that they are basically their own nation. Ever since gold was founded in 1828 within the land of the Cherokee, the state of Georgia wanted the Cherokee's land more than ever. The Court said since the Cherokee Nation was a domestic dependent nation, the land belongs to Georgia.

 

Tinker v. Des Moines S.D.(1969):

The case talks about the violations of the students' First Amendment rights.  John Tinker, Mary Tinker, Christopher Eckhardt wore black armbands to their schools in protest of the Vietnam War. The principals of the Des Moines schools made a policy that ban armbands and suspended any students who disobey and will continue to be suspended until students agree to follow the rules.  The Court found the that the Tinker's action was not disruption, and that their action was constitutionally protected by the First Amendment symbolic speech.

 

Worcester v. Georgia(1832):

The case concern with the trespassing on Indian lands. The state of Georgia passed laws that prohibited white to go one Cherokee's land unless the person is married to a Cherokee and obtain a state license to live there.  The final decision claim that the state of Georgia are prohibit from enacting laws that were not within their jurisdiction and that any interaction between Cherokee and the state of Georgia are best kept as international relations.

 

3/12/12

Seung Min Kim

Federal Workers Under Seigh

From politico.com

 

In the article "Federal Workers Under Siege", Kim talks about Congress's current plan to reduce federal workforce in order to help slow down our nation's mounting debt. Republicans have been relying the cut back of federal workers to help pay for everything from a payroll tax cut to jobless benefits to transportation bill. Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly have said, "This is the most hostile Congress has ever been to federal employees". The Republicans believe there is an overwhelming number of federal workers in which should lower the number of employees to fund more needed programs. The Democrats on the other hand-surprise, surprise-disagree and believe that the Republicans attacked on the federal workforce is the product of the GOP taking over the House.  

 

2/15/12

Lanahan 36

Bradley Patterson

From The White House Staff: Chief of Staff

 

In The White House Staff: Chief of Staff, Patterson points out the important person behind the scenes of running the government. The chief of staff is the system manager, the overseer of everything. The chief of staff's job is to assist the president, vice president, and their wives. Day by day, the chief of staff deals with the cabinet department s, Congress, the courts, the press, the lobbyists, professional societies, interest groups, and the international community. The chief of staff is in charge of more than one might expect; from the president' schedule to who can meet the president to all the paper work that comes out of the president's office.  Chief of Staff is one of the crucial position there is yet it is highly under appreciated. 

 

2/14/12

Lanahan 35

Kenneth Mayer

From With the stroke of a Pen

 

In With the stroke of a Pen, Mayer describe the president real power comes from giving out executive orders- which are presidential directives that require or authorize some action within the executive branch. Through  the executive order, the president can make policy choices, creating and abolishing executive branch agencies, reorganizing administrative and regulatory processes, determining how legislation is implemented, and taking whatever action that is permitted within the boundaries of their constitutional or statutory authority. One of the most known executive order was the Louisiana Purchase. Mayer further explained the different categories of executive order based of subject matter. The categories are: civil service, public lands, war and emergency powers, foreign affairs, defense and military policy, executive branch administration, labor policy, and domestic policy. More executive orders are carried out in a certain category than others depending on the time of need.

 

 

2/13/12

Lanahan 33

Thomas Cronin and Michael Genovese

From The Paradoxes of the American Presidency 

 

In The Paradoxes of the American Presidency, Cronin and Genovese explained the complexities of the American Presidency using paradoxes. A good president is an effective leader who can understand both sides, knowing how to balance opposing sections, and knowing how to mange contradictions.  As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time." Cronin and Genovese listed several paradoxes that express the Americans' view on the president. Of course everyone has different views and opinions but the majority of the people holds high expectations on what the president can do.  People are too depending on the president's action that is way out of the president's reach. By putting on a two-face behavior, the president hope to meet the demand of the people.

 

 

1/29/12

 

I like the website. It was interesting and unique.  I didn't know there was any website out there that organize what Congress is currently doing into a nice , chic chart. It clearly shows that there are less Democratic bipartisan members than there are Republican bipartisan members. I like the fact that there are bills introduce by the Democratic that are supported by both Democrat and Republican members and vice versa. 

 

12/4/11

 

I am ...........................undecided. I really wish I knew. I was hoping that by taking this class, it would help me decide the political party I belong in. Hopefully. I will know soon. There are some views I agree with the Democrats and some views I agree with the Republicans. For national defense, I agree with republicans, believing in a strong nation defense. Our country safety should always be one of our top priority.  Like the Democrats, I believe in gay rights.  You can't help from being who you are and you should be given the same rights as any other person. For abortion, I am pro-life like the Republicans. It does matter how small the baby is, it is  consider to be a human being who has done nothing wrong. Again I agree with the Republicans, I do believe in the death penalty. I'm not saying the death penalty should be use often. I am saying it should only be use if after much investigation and the criminal is truly guilty for major acts of crimes. I don't believe in criminals who hurt so many people should stay on earth and keep wasting our precious air and tax money. I do believe in welfare like the Democrats. I personally know people on welfare and believe without it, they cannot make it. .Like Democrats, I believe that there should be an increase on taxing the wealthy. The rich should pay more for tax to help out other less fortunate. In both parties, there so much I agree and so much I disagree, It is hard to say which party I'm leaning towards.

 

Issues	Democrats	Republicans	Me
Military	decrease	increase	R- increase
Gay	pro	anti	D-pro
Abortion	pro-choice	pro-life	R-pro-life
Death Penalty	anti	pro	R-pro
Welfare	pro	anti	D-pro
Taxes	increase	decrease	D-increase

 

12/5/11

Lanahan 74

James Ceaser and Andrew Busch

From Red over Blue

 

In Red over Blue, Ceaser and Busch talks about the election in 2000 that had a close result with Red states winning over the Blue states.  Red representing Republicans and Blue representing Democrats on the color coding map.  Ceaser and Busch later also shows that there are some states in purple and fuchsia on the map to demonstrate states that has both red and blue.  By the election of 2004, there was an increase in the Republican party.  People basically switched to the Republican party for an increase in security to help keep our nation safe from terrorists on September 11.  As time goes by, Republicans get many of their vote from religious bodies including Protestant, Orthodox Catholic, and the Jewish communities. 

 

I understand those who switched over to the Republican Party in the time needed security from 9/11 terrorists.  When our country is under attack, our top priority is the nation's safety. I also believe that those Republican are not true Republican. They just switched party in the time of need and nothing more.

 

12/4/11

Lanahan 73

Walter Dean Burnham

From Critical Elections

 

In Critical Elections, Burnham explain that some elections affect the nation more than others.  Critical elections are usually define by people intense hyper.  This magnitude floods party nominations with high voting participations leading to major changes to the nation.  The major changes to the government are normally short term but disrupt the traditional way of voting.  The major changes does not occur at random but from the domination of American politics. The changes often occur when there is tension or trouble happening, taking places every few decades. 

 

Of course when there are situations personally effecting citizens, more people than normal will vote hoping their vote will count towards solving the situations. When there is no major problems in the nation, less people will vote.

 

11/26/11

Lanahan 72

Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward

From Why American Still Don't Vote

 

In Why American Still Don't Vote, Piven and Cloward talks about a reform project that was initiated in 1983 called Human SERVE ( Human Services Employees Registration and Voter Education ).  The entire purpose of the project was to make voting registrations available in the welfare unemployment offices and in specify area such as day care and family planning.  The project was suppose to boost voting since it has been declining. In the end, the reform program still did not increase voting.  From a study made by Rosenstone and Hanson, "have lost their confidence in the effectiveness of their actions."  Piven and Cloward hope that eventually there would be an increase in voting from citizens with low income so that the new voters will attract some politicans who would begin to raise the issues and organize ways to get new voters.

 

I do believe it's true that less and less people are voting, especially the younger generation.  People are become less and less interested in things that is not fun and sparkly.  People are simply too lazy to make time to educate themselves in the political world to vote.  I will be voting in the presidential election to prove that there are still some younger people interested in making a difference. 

 

11/19/11

Lanahan 55

Walter Lippmann 

From the Phantom Public

 

In The Phantom Public , Lippmann expresses his opinion about the public.  He believes that the private citizens’ wants to know what is truly going on with the government but will never know. According to Lippmann, the average citizen has not been taught how to understand the ways of the government and politics.  Although many citizens try to take part in government by voting, their votes have no meaning behind them.  The citizens have not been fully educated for them to make the right vote.  Citizens are often trick into believing one knows what one is doing with reading and researching but the truth is that publication can be misleading.  Therefore, most votes are made out of feelings rather than intellect.  The government knows that the general opinions are confusing which is why no action can be done until the opinions are sorted out and factored down. 

 

Without a doubt, I agree with Walter Lippmann. An average citizen, such as myself, are incapable of making the right choice because we do not have the right amount of knowledge of  what is going. This is indeed why I am take such class to obtain more knowledge of the affairs that are going on right now. 

 

Lanahan 56

V.O. Key

From Public Opinion and American Democracy

 

V.O. Key says that the public opinion is complicated.  Key analyzed the link between the public opinion and the government.  The government hear out the public's opinions but not necessary put them into law. The government has to sort out the different opinions and manage them.  

 

 

 

10/21/11

Charles Beard

From An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution

 

Beard gave little insight to our founding fathers's background for a better understanding of their intention for the Constitution. He listed out their occupation, investment, loan, and properties. The reason behind why certain delegates supported and others opposed the Constitution was due to their differences of experience they have with properties. 

 

I agree that with different background comes different opinions.

 

10/21/11

Powers

Power	Branch
1. Make laws called legislation or statutory laws	Legislative
2. Raise or lower taxes	Legislative
3. Approve the government's budget for expenditure.	Legislative
4. Make foreign treaties	Legislative
5. Power to declare war	Legislative
6. In charge of administrating and supervising different programs and operations	Executive
7.  Sign or veto  laws	Executive

8. Manage arm forces	Executive
9.  Appoint federal judges	Executive
10. Interpret federal laws	Judicial

 

 

 

10/20/11

Chelsea R, Michelle D, Diana N.

www.usconstitution.netconsframedata.html

 

The Framers of the Constitution

Most of them were well-educated. They were mostly Protestant. Most of the Framers occupation were laywers. Nearly all of them were experience in colonial and state government. Their ages range from 29 to 81.

 

10/16/11

p.287

Eugene Rostow

The Democratic Character of Judicial Review

 

Rostow emphasized how vital the judicial review is to the Supreme Court. Judicial review is one of the many key parts of the government's check and balance. It also keeps the government in order and help prevent any unwanted decision made by justices for their benefit, that may cause harm to the people. 

 

I agree with Rostow. I believe the judicial review is a necessity to the Supreme Court.

 

10/16/11

pg.62

Lani Guinier

From The Tyranny of the Majority

 

Guinier got an idea from her four-year-old son, Nikolas, when they were having a conversation started by an exercise in the Sesame Street Magazine. In the exercise, it had a picture of six children: four children raised their hands to play tag and the other two did not raise their hand because they wanted to play hide and seek. Nikolas responded, "They will play both. First they will play tag. Then they will play hide-and-seek." Guinier was intrigue by her son's answer. Guinier realized her son has a good point, that it is not always fair that the majority wins everything. Instead Guinier like her son, also believe there be an alternative to the winner-take-all mayoritarianism so that the minority also have a say. Guinier incorporated the idea for cumulative voting by coming up with system in which both the majority and the minority is taken under consideration.

 

I always thought about this. I always wonder why people always just care about the majority and completely forget about the rest of the people. I never actually thought anyone would ever write about it. I completely understand and glad that Guinier came up with a solution.

 

 

 

 

10/10/11

pg.49 

James Madison

The Federalist 10

 

In the Federalist 10, Madison argued against a sing group called 'faction' and how they tried to control politics.  Only two methods can fix the problems of the faction is to either remove the causes or control the causes. In order to remove the causes, there are again two ways how which is to either destroy the liberty or give every citizen the same opinions, passions, and interests. Destroying the liberty is unimaginable. Liberty is vital to the political life, as 'air is to fire'. As a result, the only option left is to control the causes. Madison strongly believe it is best to have a Republican government to control the faction which people can elect their leader to govern them. The Republican government will then keep everything in check and under control without letting a group from earning too much power. 

 

 

pg. 3

Alexis De Tocqueville

From Democracy in America

 

Tocqueville traveled from France to America seeking for a better understanding of the American democracy, especially in the origin and development of America. To his realization, America's government is truly unique from any other countries in the world.  In the end, he concluded that the secret is equality among its people-minus the women and slaves. Although the wealthy holds a bigger part of the power, the American democracy still shows a governmental breakthrough, giving most people to finally voice their opinion. Unlike other nations, power is limited, giving people more freedom which help America flourishes.

 

 

pg. 48

Richard Hofstadter

From The American Political Tradition

 

Hofstadter talks about the Framers of our Constitution have made many observations based on several brilliant thinkers of the past. One of which is Thomas Hobbes, who believe that men are selfish and contentious. The Framers and Hobbes' followers agreed that 'human being was an atom of self-interest. In addition, the Framers also concluded that humans will always places oneself before others but hopes that the Constitution will control human nature and maintain order.

 

I definitely agree that humans are naturally selfish. We need a government to control the people while still giving the people some freedom. With total monarchy, people are fill with hatred the fact that they have no voice and will revolt against the one with the highest power but with a government with more freedom, people are happier and are more willing to participate. The Found Fathers have succeeded in creating a government that is still going strong today.