http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/world/asia/in-chinas-legislature-the-rich-are-more-than-represented.html?ref=topics&_r=0
In a lot of countries legislatures are in the pockets of billionaires, but in China the legislatures are the billionares. More than 1/7 of the richest people in China are delegates to Parliament or it's advisory body. The net worth of this delegates combined is $463.8 billion. More than the annual economic output of Austria. 18 of the Chinese delegates have a net worth greater than the combined wealth of all 535 member of the U.S. Congress, the nine members of the Supreme Court, and President Obama's Cabinet. This shows the growing influence of the wealthy in China's politics. "The Communist Party of China today is about doing whatever it takes to strengthen it's capacity to stay in power," Steve Tsang, a professor of contemporary Chinese studies said, "The lack of institutional check and balances allows politics and money to come together on a scale that is not imaginable in a capitalist country like the U.S.A. or a social-democratic country like the U.K."
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
3-2-2015: Obama and Netanyahu:A Clash of World Views, Not Just Personalities(Term 3)
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/01/politics/obama-benjamin-netanyahu-clash/index.html
First, go watch the video in this article. Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have never really gotten along. They have different personalities and global views. The U.S. and Israel have always butted heads, but right now the disagreements are about Obama try to create a nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu is against this. While he is here he won't talk to the President, but rather campaign against this nuclear deal. Obama believes that his responsibility is to end foreign land wars and strengthen relationships with America's enemies. Netanyahu says he has the responsibility of protecting the Jewish state from the threat of Iran's upcoming nuclear progam.
What does Obama need to do in order to strengthen this relationship with Israel? Is it necessary to have a good relationship with them? What do you think of Obama's nuclear policy with Iran?
First, go watch the video in this article. Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have never really gotten along. They have different personalities and global views. The U.S. and Israel have always butted heads, but right now the disagreements are about Obama try to create a nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu is against this. While he is here he won't talk to the President, but rather campaign against this nuclear deal. Obama believes that his responsibility is to end foreign land wars and strengthen relationships with America's enemies. Netanyahu says he has the responsibility of protecting the Jewish state from the threat of Iran's upcoming nuclear progam.
What does Obama need to do in order to strengthen this relationship with Israel? Is it necessary to have a good relationship with them? What do you think of Obama's nuclear policy with Iran?
Monday, February 2, 2015
2-1-2015: Chris Christie Sidesteps Vaccine Science (Term 3)
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/politics/chris-christie-vaccines/index.html
There has been a 14-state outbreak with measles, a disease that is coming back after being largely eradicated by science. Chris Christie was asked whether or not parents should be required to vaccinate their children. He replied with, "All I can say is we vaccinated ours...parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that's the balance that the government has to decide." There have been rumors that Christie is anti-science. Kevin Roberts, spokesman for Chris Christie, said, "To be clear: the Governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated."
Is it smart for Chris Christie to quiet about this topic? Is he potential presidential contender? What are your thoughts about the measles vaccine and the current break out?
There has been a 14-state outbreak with measles, a disease that is coming back after being largely eradicated by science. Chris Christie was asked whether or not parents should be required to vaccinate their children. He replied with, "All I can say is we vaccinated ours...parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that's the balance that the government has to decide." There have been rumors that Christie is anti-science. Kevin Roberts, spokesman for Chris Christie, said, "To be clear: the Governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated."
Saturday, January 10, 2015
1-9-2015 It's Happening: Mitt Romney Considering Another Run for President
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/09/mitt-romney-2016_n_6446064.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
Mitt Romney told donors in New York City that he is actively weighing another run for president in 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. According to the Journal, Romney cited turbulent events overseas and the state of the economy as two reasons why he is considering another run. Former advisers have been pushing the 2012 Republican presidential nominee to run for months. After initially delivering firm denials about throwing his hat into the ring for a third time, Romney recently became more coy about the matter. "We've got a lot of people looking at the race," he said, "We'll see what happens." If he does run, Romney would join a jam-packed field of potential candidates, including Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, and Governors Rick Perry of Texas, Mike Pence of Indiana, John Kasich of Ohio, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and Chris Christie of New Jersey. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is also considering a run, has been the most proactive potential candidate, setting up a leadership PAC and reaching out to prospective donors should he decide to enter the race.
Do you think Romney will run again? Will he be successful? Is he the president our country needs?
Mitt Romney told donors in New York City that he is actively weighing another run for president in 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. According to the Journal, Romney cited turbulent events overseas and the state of the economy as two reasons why he is considering another run. Former advisers have been pushing the 2012 Republican presidential nominee to run for months. After initially delivering firm denials about throwing his hat into the ring for a third time, Romney recently became more coy about the matter. "We've got a lot of people looking at the race," he said, "We'll see what happens." If he does run, Romney would join a jam-packed field of potential candidates, including Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, and Governors Rick Perry of Texas, Mike Pence of Indiana, John Kasich of Ohio, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and Chris Christie of New Jersey. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is also considering a run, has been the most proactive potential candidate, setting up a leadership PAC and reaching out to prospective donors should he decide to enter the race.
Do you think Romney will run again? Will he be successful? Is he the president our country needs?
1-8-2015 Obama to Propose Paying Community College Tuition for Some
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/07/politics/rubio-courts-overturn-gay-marriage-ban/
Is this a plan? Is this part of Socialism? Will the Republican Congress be interested in hearing about it?
1-8-2015 Marco Rubio: 'We're going to abide' by gay marriage rulings
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/07/politics/rubio-courts-overturn-gay-marriage-ban/
When do you think the Supreme Court will make a decision on gay marriage?
1-8-2015 House GOP plans immigration showdown
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/08/politics/house-gop-immigration/
An emerging plan would wrap some type of provision that focuses on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this is the agency that hands out work permits. The plan would not allow any new money be put into a funding bill for the department of Homeland Security, according to two House Republican members. House Republican leaders agreed to a strategy pushed by House conservatives who want to use their chief power -- the power over the purse -- to force changes in the President's immigration policies, which they argue are unconstitutional. Many expected the spending bill debate to reignite the fight over the most recent action Obama took to allow roughly 5 million undocumented workers in the country to stay. But the latest plan is much broader and reaches back to try and nullify other executive actions taken by the Obama Administration in the last several years. House Republican leaders agreed to a strategy pushed by House conservatives who want to use their chief power -- the power over the purse -- to force changes in the President's immigration policies, which they argue are unconstitutional. Many expected the spending bill debate to reignite the fight over the most recent action Obama took to allow roughly 5 million undocumented workers in the country to stay. But the latest plan is much broader and reaches back to try and nullify other executive actions taken by the Obama Administration in the last several years. Republican leaders decided to allow separate votes on amendments pushed that repeal or change the Administration's immigration laws. These would be added to the Homeland Security spending bill. That
agency runs out of money at the end of February. One amendment blocks the ability of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to spend any of the fees it collects to hand out new work permits. Another amendment would roll back the president's 2012 executive order that defers deportations of children, a program known as "DACA" (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
An emerging plan would wrap some type of provision that focuses on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this is the agency that hands out work permits. The plan would not allow any new money be put into a funding bill for the department of Homeland Security, according to two House Republican members. House Republican leaders agreed to a strategy pushed by House conservatives who want to use their chief power -- the power over the purse -- to force changes in the President's immigration policies, which they argue are unconstitutional. Many expected the spending bill debate to reignite the fight over the most recent action Obama took to allow roughly 5 million undocumented workers in the country to stay. But the latest plan is much broader and reaches back to try and nullify other executive actions taken by the Obama Administration in the last several years. House Republican leaders agreed to a strategy pushed by House conservatives who want to use their chief power -- the power over the purse -- to force changes in the President's immigration policies, which they argue are unconstitutional. Many expected the spending bill debate to reignite the fight over the most recent action Obama took to allow roughly 5 million undocumented workers in the country to stay. But the latest plan is much broader and reaches back to try and nullify other executive actions taken by the Obama Administration in the last several years. Republican leaders decided to allow separate votes on amendments pushed that repeal or change the Administration's immigration laws. These would be added to the Homeland Security spending bill. That
agency runs out of money at the end of February. One amendment blocks the ability of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to spend any of the fees it collects to hand out new work permits. Another amendment would roll back the president's 2012 executive order that defers deportations of children, a program known as "DACA" (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
Thursday, January 8, 2015
1-7-2015 Obama's gas price warning: They won't last forever
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/07/politics/obama-gas-prices/
Haven't you noticed how nice it is to feel up your car for twenty dollars? Gas prices have been below two dollars for a little bit and America is loving it, but enjoy it while you can because it won't last forever. That was the message that President Obama gave to American consumers on Tuesday. He said, "I would strongly advise American consumers to continue to think about how you save money at the pump because it is good for the environment, it's good for family pocketbooks and if you go back to old habits and suddenly gas is back at $3.50, you are going to not be real happy." The nationwide average is sitting just below $2.20 a gallon and many gas stations around the country are advertising gas prices below $2 a gallon.(Costco is $1.87) Obama encouraged us to not return to "old habits" and to save our money or even use our savings and buy a new car. Many members of Congress are counting on gas prices to remain low, however, they to use the low prices as an opportunity to increase the gas tax. This would be the first time raising it in two decades.
How do you think the gas prices will play out? Will Americans drive more with the cheap gas? How long before gas prices go up again?
Haven't you noticed how nice it is to feel up your car for twenty dollars? Gas prices have been below two dollars for a little bit and America is loving it, but enjoy it while you can because it won't last forever. That was the message that President Obama gave to American consumers on Tuesday. He said, "I would strongly advise American consumers to continue to think about how you save money at the pump because it is good for the environment, it's good for family pocketbooks and if you go back to old habits and suddenly gas is back at $3.50, you are going to not be real happy." The nationwide average is sitting just below $2.20 a gallon and many gas stations around the country are advertising gas prices below $2 a gallon.(Costco is $1.87) Obama encouraged us to not return to "old habits" and to save our money or even use our savings and buy a new car. Many members of Congress are counting on gas prices to remain low, however, they to use the low prices as an opportunity to increase the gas tax. This would be the first time raising it in two decades.
How do you think the gas prices will play out? Will Americans drive more with the cheap gas? How long before gas prices go up again?
1-7-2015: Texas Abortion Clinic Rules Tested in Appeals Court
Go read this whole article because I am not going to summarize the whole thing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/us/texas-abortion-clinic-rules-tested-in-appeals-court.html?_r=0
Lawyers for abortion clinics went to a federal appeals court with Texas state attorneys. The argue was over the constitutionality of stringent abortion clinic rules that would force more than half the remaining abortion providers to close. But there is more at stake whether large portions of South and West Texas will be left with no abortion clinics, forcing some women to drive hundreds of miles for an abortion, due to safety reasons that the doctors and clinic owners called a pretense. The main question where the constitutional boundaries lie, as anti-abortion forces, unable to ban the procedure, seek to use clinic regulations to raise costs and limit access. Roe v. Wade said that women have a right to an abortion until the fetus is viable, but the Supreme Court has allowed states to impose restrictions on abortion provided that they do not present and "undue burden".
How many clinics do they have to close before the Supreme Court finally says enough? There must be a way for these women to safely drive to an abortion clinic and not have to worry about only one being open in the whole state.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/us/texas-abortion-clinic-rules-tested-in-appeals-court.html?_r=0
Lawyers for abortion clinics went to a federal appeals court with Texas state attorneys. The argue was over the constitutionality of stringent abortion clinic rules that would force more than half the remaining abortion providers to close. But there is more at stake whether large portions of South and West Texas will be left with no abortion clinics, forcing some women to drive hundreds of miles for an abortion, due to safety reasons that the doctors and clinic owners called a pretense. The main question where the constitutional boundaries lie, as anti-abortion forces, unable to ban the procedure, seek to use clinic regulations to raise costs and limit access. Roe v. Wade said that women have a right to an abortion until the fetus is viable, but the Supreme Court has allowed states to impose restrictions on abortion provided that they do not present and "undue burden".
How many clinics do they have to close before the Supreme Court finally says enough? There must be a way for these women to safely drive to an abortion clinic and not have to worry about only one being open in the whole state.
1-6-2015: CNN Poll: New Congress? Americans not feeling change
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/06/politics/poll-americans-congress-no-change/
The Republican Senate takeover is a hot conversation topic in Washington, but outside the nation's capital, Americans aren't feeling much of a change as the new Congress gavels into session. Six out of ten Americans believe the new Congress won't get more done compared to the previous Congress. About half of Americans said they don't expect Congress to be more or less responsive this time around. However, 37% of Americans believe that Congress will get more done than the previous one and 30% think that they will be more responsive to the public in the new session. 28% of Americans think the Senate will be better off with Republicans in charge and 24% think Republicans will do worse.
What do you think is going to get done with Republican run Congress? Will it be better or worse? Will there be more laws being passed or will it continue with how it was going on?
The Republican Senate takeover is a hot conversation topic in Washington, but outside the nation's capital, Americans aren't feeling much of a change as the new Congress gavels into session. Six out of ten Americans believe the new Congress won't get more done compared to the previous Congress. About half of Americans said they don't expect Congress to be more or less responsive this time around. However, 37% of Americans believe that Congress will get more done than the previous one and 30% think that they will be more responsive to the public in the new session. 28% of Americans think the Senate will be better off with Republicans in charge and 24% think Republicans will do worse.
What do you think is going to get done with Republican run Congress? Will it be better or worse? Will there be more laws being passed or will it continue with how it was going on?
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