4-18-2013
1) Would you say your satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S fell after the Boston Marathon bombing? My article states that a survey taken by Gallup's Economy and Personal Finance reported 30% of Americans were happy with the way things were going in the U.S directly before the Boston Marathon incident.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/161912/boston-bombings-satisfaction.aspx
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
H6
a) Judicial Review gives the judiciary the power to review actions of the legislative and executive branches.
b) The power of judicial review allows the supreme court to declare actions of congress or the president unconstitutional. This contributes to the idea of checks and balances because it gives the supreme court the power to monitor the two other branches and make sure they are working within their powers and rights.
c) The losing party in a court case files a "Cert Petition" asking the Supreme Court to review the decision made by the lower court, the Supreme Court then decides whether to hear an appeal from the lower court or not, called a Writ of Certiorari.
d) A stare decisis can have an influence on justices because it basically asks them to leave previous decisions in cases alone. If a case from a lower court is granted a Writ of Certiorari, and the Supreme Court decides to look at the case, then the stare decisis can influence justices to keep the result of the case the same, changing nothing and allowing the case to move on swiftly.
Judicial Activism affects justices because it is suggesting a bias within the courts. If a justice believes something is wrong even though it is not against the law and makes a case decision based on this, then that is an example of judicial activism. Justices are expected to interpret the law, not their opinions, and so judicial activism should be left out of the Supreme Court.
a) Judicial Review gives the judiciary the power to review actions of the legislative and executive branches.
b) The power of judicial review allows the supreme court to declare actions of congress or the president unconstitutional. This contributes to the idea of checks and balances because it gives the supreme court the power to monitor the two other branches and make sure they are working within their powers and rights.
c) The losing party in a court case files a "Cert Petition" asking the Supreme Court to review the decision made by the lower court, the Supreme Court then decides whether to hear an appeal from the lower court or not, called a Writ of Certiorari.
d) A stare decisis can have an influence on justices because it basically asks them to leave previous decisions in cases alone. If a case from a lower court is granted a Writ of Certiorari, and the Supreme Court decides to look at the case, then the stare decisis can influence justices to keep the result of the case the same, changing nothing and allowing the case to move on swiftly.
Judicial Activism affects justices because it is suggesting a bias within the courts. If a justice believes something is wrong even though it is not against the law and makes a case decision based on this, then that is an example of judicial activism. Justices are expected to interpret the law, not their opinions, and so judicial activism should be left out of the Supreme Court.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
H3
1. a) Three characteristics of Supreme Court nominees are they are usually old aged, well educated and in most cases graduated from an ivy league, and have experience in law.
b) With age comes experience, and experience in law and legal matters is important for a justice to have in his decision making process within the courts. A full education is also important for a justice because it helps qualify the justice for his position and his ability to make decisions on important legal matters, which in some cases may be life or death decisions.
c) Eleanor Kagan was confirmed as a justice partly for her age. At 50 years old, she has plenty of experience and has worked in legal matters for a long enough time to give her the proper qualifications of a justice, however still has many years ahead of her to spend as a justice.
2. a) Two methods used by interest groups to influence the appointment process are they can donate money and endorse certain candidates and rallying support for their views and spreading their opinions through the media.
b) Donations help candidates' campaigns and can give them better chances and opportunities to win the position. Working the media helps gain support for the candidate being publicized the most widely.
c) Interest groups have endorsed Kagan through both donations, such as the ones given by pro choice groups, and coverage through the media.
1. a) Three characteristics of Supreme Court nominees are they are usually old aged, well educated and in most cases graduated from an ivy league, and have experience in law.
b) With age comes experience, and experience in law and legal matters is important for a justice to have in his decision making process within the courts. A full education is also important for a justice because it helps qualify the justice for his position and his ability to make decisions on important legal matters, which in some cases may be life or death decisions.
c) Eleanor Kagan was confirmed as a justice partly for her age. At 50 years old, she has plenty of experience and has worked in legal matters for a long enough time to give her the proper qualifications of a justice, however still has many years ahead of her to spend as a justice.
2. a) Two methods used by interest groups to influence the appointment process are they can donate money and endorse certain candidates and rallying support for their views and spreading their opinions through the media.
b) Donations help candidates' campaigns and can give them better chances and opportunities to win the position. Working the media helps gain support for the candidate being publicized the most widely.
c) Interest groups have endorsed Kagan through both donations, such as the ones given by pro choice groups, and coverage through the media.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Antonin Scalia
1) Scalia is one of the most talkative and flamboyant justices, being of italian heritage. He is very traditional and believes in keeping his religious views and intellectual views together as one in his thought process. He is against abortion and gun control and in favor of the death penalty.
2) Scalia believes in the theory of originalism, which most courts don't agree with. Scalia believes that Judges should only interpret the constitution in the meaning that the original framers assigned, giving no room for allowing judges' own interpretations of the constitution.
3) Scalia's "slash and burn" style lost him his opportunities to write for the majority and his shot at chief justice. However, he is still seen as one of the most influential justices, having killed the handgun ban in D.C and resurrecting the second amendment.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
G15
a) A Balanced Budget is a budget with revenues equal to expenditures, where neither a budget deficit or budget surplus exist.
b) Federal payments to groups or individuals under government programs that disperse money to people who meet certain criteria.
c) One example of a federal entitlement is Medicare. Federal entitlement programs act as barriers to a balanced budget because they are not limited, and every person who meets the criteria for the programs will be eligible to the entitlements of that program. The only way to decrease the amount of expenditures payed for these programs is to lower the number of people eligible, which is not popular among the public, making it unpopular amongst politicians. Therefore entitlement programs force the government to fund certain projects and pay certain amounts of money, while making no money under the program.
d) A consequence of a large budget deficit is that they can put the country in risk by putting themselves in too much debt.
e) For 2012, our projected revenue was $2.47 trillion, our expenditures were $3.79 trillion our budget deficit was $1.1 Trillion.
http://useconomy.about.com/od/usfederalbudget/p/US-Government-Federal-Budget-FY2012-Summary.htm
f) The total national debt is 16.533 Trillion, and pending.
http://www.usdebtclock.org
a) A Balanced Budget is a budget with revenues equal to expenditures, where neither a budget deficit or budget surplus exist.
b) Federal payments to groups or individuals under government programs that disperse money to people who meet certain criteria.
c) One example of a federal entitlement is Medicare. Federal entitlement programs act as barriers to a balanced budget because they are not limited, and every person who meets the criteria for the programs will be eligible to the entitlements of that program. The only way to decrease the amount of expenditures payed for these programs is to lower the number of people eligible, which is not popular among the public, making it unpopular amongst politicians. Therefore entitlement programs force the government to fund certain projects and pay certain amounts of money, while making no money under the program.
d) A consequence of a large budget deficit is that they can put the country in risk by putting themselves in too much debt.
e) For 2012, our projected revenue was $2.47 trillion, our expenditures were $3.79 trillion our budget deficit was $1.1 Trillion.
http://useconomy.about.com/od/usfederalbudget/p/US-Government-Federal-Budget-FY2012-Summary.htm
f) The total national debt is 16.533 Trillion, and pending.
http://www.usdebtclock.org
Thursday, February 14, 2013
G12
Substance- Obama proposed to raise the minimum wage to $9.00, cut spending and raise taxes on the upperclass, and a shift to cleaner energy.
Style- Obama spoke very confidently and made it clear what his goals for the nation were. He used hand gestures and other body notions to further express his emotions. Obama mentioned numerous people, including the families from New Town Connecticut.
Response- The camera zoomed in on Joe Biden a lot, who was standing behind the president. The media also showed John Boehner and Paul Ryan, both of whom seemed uninterested and in bad moods. Obama received the biggest reaction when he talked about the end of the Afghanistan War and the troops coming home.
Substance- Obama proposed to raise the minimum wage to $9.00, cut spending and raise taxes on the upperclass, and a shift to cleaner energy.
Style- Obama spoke very confidently and made it clear what his goals for the nation were. He used hand gestures and other body notions to further express his emotions. Obama mentioned numerous people, including the families from New Town Connecticut.
Response- The camera zoomed in on Joe Biden a lot, who was standing behind the president. The media also showed John Boehner and Paul Ryan, both of whom seemed uninterested and in bad moods. Obama received the biggest reaction when he talked about the end of the Afghanistan War and the troops coming home.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
G7
1) a. Congress gives agencies policy making discretion because these agencies can have more expertise on certain policies, where as Congress can not be an expert on every policy it makes. Congress covers a broad range of policies while agencies usually cover one specific policy. Another reason Congress does this is to take the blame for any policies gone wrong off of them. If they assign an agency to take control of creating the policies, than they can put all the blame onto these agencies if something goes wrong and the policy isn't taken well by the public.
1) b.
2) a. EPA- Exercises policy making discretion over the Environment and climate.
FCC- Deals with interstate and international communications through forms of media.
Federal Reserve Board- Deals with monetary policies of the United States
2) b. EPA- The EPA announces data through media depicting the differences between healthy water and polluted water in certain areas of the U.S
FCC- This agency can fine television or radio broadcasters for inappropriate remarks, actions or gestures.
Federal Reserve Board- The FRB can change interest rates in banks to help either encourage or discourage investing.
3) Congress decides the bureaucracies budget, so they can make sure the agencies are following their legislative intent and punish them by decreasing their budget if they are not. Congress can also choose to create pieces of legislation so that they are more specific and leave less room for bureaucratic discrepancy.
1) a. Congress gives agencies policy making discretion because these agencies can have more expertise on certain policies, where as Congress can not be an expert on every policy it makes. Congress covers a broad range of policies while agencies usually cover one specific policy. Another reason Congress does this is to take the blame for any policies gone wrong off of them. If they assign an agency to take control of creating the policies, than they can put all the blame onto these agencies if something goes wrong and the policy isn't taken well by the public.
1) b.
2) a. EPA- Exercises policy making discretion over the Environment and climate.
FCC- Deals with interstate and international communications through forms of media.
Federal Reserve Board- Deals with monetary policies of the United States
2) b. EPA- The EPA announces data through media depicting the differences between healthy water and polluted water in certain areas of the U.S
FCC- This agency can fine television or radio broadcasters for inappropriate remarks, actions or gestures.
Federal Reserve Board- The FRB can change interest rates in banks to help either encourage or discourage investing.
3) Congress decides the bureaucracies budget, so they can make sure the agencies are following their legislative intent and punish them by decreasing their budget if they are not. Congress can also choose to create pieces of legislation so that they are more specific and leave less room for bureaucratic discrepancy.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
G2
a) One formal power of the President is the power to conduct diplomatic missions and make foreign policies for the U.S. Another constitutional power the President has is the power to deploy troops in foreign countries as Commander in Chief.
b) One formal constitutional power of Congress is the power to declare war. Another constitutional power is their power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and the states.
c) One informal power that the president has which gives him advantage over congress in foreign policy making is the power to use the media to publicize events. Another informal power he has is the power to attend meetings with leaders of foreign countries, giving him the advantage to make agreements and informal treaties of his own with these nations.
d) The power to use the media to his advantage helps the president because he can influence the public to take certain stances on foreign issues by expressing bias and persuading the viewers. The power to attend meetings with foreign leaders gives him the advantage to make personal agreements and informal treaties of his own with these leaders, deciding issues of trade and compromising regulations on trade, along with how closely or harshly these trade laws are enforced.
a) One formal power of the President is the power to conduct diplomatic missions and make foreign policies for the U.S. Another constitutional power the President has is the power to deploy troops in foreign countries as Commander in Chief.
b) One formal constitutional power of Congress is the power to declare war. Another constitutional power is their power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and the states.
c) One informal power that the president has which gives him advantage over congress in foreign policy making is the power to use the media to publicize events. Another informal power he has is the power to attend meetings with leaders of foreign countries, giving him the advantage to make agreements and informal treaties of his own with these nations.
d) The power to use the media to his advantage helps the president because he can influence the public to take certain stances on foreign issues by expressing bias and persuading the viewers. The power to attend meetings with foreign leaders gives him the advantage to make personal agreements and informal treaties of his own with these leaders, deciding issues of trade and compromising regulations on trade, along with how closely or harshly these trade laws are enforced.
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/us/politics/obamas-foreign-policy-goals-appear-more-modest.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
2. President Obama has not achieved all that he promised to the people of America in his first term of his presidency, however he hopes to once again turn his focus towards these original goals that won him the nobel peace prize, only in a less ambitious and more realistic way. President Obama wishes to secure a strong American influence in Asia, and break from the U.S's dependence on the middle east for gas and oil, along with to reduce the amount of deployed nuclear weapons in the hands of countries worldwide. Most of all, Obama wants to reestablish America's role as the leading power in the world.
3. The president has the power to deploy troops, he could use this power to force other nations to give up their nuclear weapons if they refuse to agree on a compromise having to do with the amount of deployed nuclear weapons a country is allowed to have.
4. The president can influence the public through the media, and help reach a unified country that restrains from participating in international trading with countries that refuse to get rid of their deployed nuclear weapons.
2. President Obama has not achieved all that he promised to the people of America in his first term of his presidency, however he hopes to once again turn his focus towards these original goals that won him the nobel peace prize, only in a less ambitious and more realistic way. President Obama wishes to secure a strong American influence in Asia, and break from the U.S's dependence on the middle east for gas and oil, along with to reduce the amount of deployed nuclear weapons in the hands of countries worldwide. Most of all, Obama wants to reestablish America's role as the leading power in the world.
3. The president has the power to deploy troops, he could use this power to force other nations to give up their nuclear weapons if they refuse to agree on a compromise having to do with the amount of deployed nuclear weapons a country is allowed to have.
4. The president can influence the public through the media, and help reach a unified country that restrains from participating in international trading with countries that refuse to get rid of their deployed nuclear weapons.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Questions and Amendments
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 4(c), will this bill establish the “newly established committee,” or will another bill do that?
Amendment: In section 5(a), change “depending on the amount of money” to “any sum of money exceeding $1,000”
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2(b), what does meaningful and substantial way mean?
Rep. Hibbard- Amendment: In section 3, define Green Tobacco Sickness as a type of nicotine poisoning caused by the dermal absorption of nicotine from the surface of wet tobacco plants, and Byssinosis as a lung disease caused by exposure to dusts from cotton processing, hemp and flax.
Representative Hibbard- Question: Are you going to make the process of obtaining a gun license more difficult?
Amendment: In section 4(b), change “have not been part of organizations such as the National Rifle Association,” to “are not part of organizations such as the National Rifle Association” to allow room for individuals who have experienced a change of heart on the issue of gun ownership.
Rep. Hibbard- Question: Specify how many shootings in the U.S involved automatic weapons
Amendment: In section 2 number 4, change “basic handguns” to “semi-automatic weapons”
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2(b), why do you feel English and Mathematics need to be stressed more?
Rep. Hibabrd- Question/suggestion: Section 2 is a little repetitive, for example you state “To ensure no person is sentenced to death by execution by the federal courts” and “To enforce rules upon the federal court that prevents them from convicting an individual to execution.”
Representative Hibbard- Question- How will you make up for all the money lost from cutting pill prices by 50%?
Amendment: In section 2(b), under purposes, change “increase sexual education for young women” to “change sexual education for young women and men.”
Rep. Hibbard- Amendment: In section 6 number 3, add “such as obtaining a DUI” to give an example of an action that could result in the removal of financial aid.
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2 after the quote, specifically state what the quote has to do with your bill and how you will make the court process different.
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 4(c), will this bill establish the “newly established committee,” or will another bill do that?
Amendment: In section 5(a), change “depending on the amount of money” to “any sum of money exceeding $1,000”
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2(b), what does meaningful and substantial way mean?
Rep. Hibbard- Amendment: In section 3, define Green Tobacco Sickness as a type of nicotine poisoning caused by the dermal absorption of nicotine from the surface of wet tobacco plants, and Byssinosis as a lung disease caused by exposure to dusts from cotton processing, hemp and flax.
Representative Hibbard- Question: Are you going to make the process of obtaining a gun license more difficult?
Amendment: In section 4(b), change “have not been part of organizations such as the National Rifle Association,” to “are not part of organizations such as the National Rifle Association” to allow room for individuals who have experienced a change of heart on the issue of gun ownership.
Rep. Hibbard- Question: Specify how many shootings in the U.S involved automatic weapons
Amendment: In section 2 number 4, change “basic handguns” to “semi-automatic weapons”
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2(b), why do you feel English and Mathematics need to be stressed more?
Rep. Hibabrd- Question/suggestion: Section 2 is a little repetitive, for example you state “To ensure no person is sentenced to death by execution by the federal courts” and “To enforce rules upon the federal court that prevents them from convicting an individual to execution.”
Representative Hibbard- Question- How will you make up for all the money lost from cutting pill prices by 50%?
Amendment: In section 2(b), under purposes, change “increase sexual education for young women” to “change sexual education for young women and men.”
Rep. Hibbard- Amendment: In section 6 number 3, add “such as obtaining a DUI” to give an example of an action that could result in the removal of financial aid.
Rep. Hibbard- Question: In section 2 after the quote, specifically state what the quote has to do with your bill and how you will make the court process different.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
113th Congress
1st session
H.R. 89
To define marriage nationally as a union between two people of the appropriate age, regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
In The Senate Of The United States
January 10, 2013
Ari Hibbard introduced the following bill; Which was referred to the Ethics Committee.
A Bill
To define marriage nationally as a union between two people of the appropriate age, regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled
Section 1: Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the Gay Marriage Act.
Section 2: Findings and Purpose.
Findings: Congress finds that-
Marriage should be defined as a civil union. Sex is not an involved aspect of the marriage process. Marriage depends on preferences, and since people have different preferences, and attractions to certain sexes is a preference, the criteria for marriage can not ban same sex unions.
The Declaration of Independence declares all men to be created equal in the United States of America.
The separation of church and state is practiced in the United States government.
Purpose: The purposes of this act are to-
Establish marriage as a union between two people regardless of sex or sexual orientation.
Protect equal rights and uphold the nations status as treating all men as equals.
Fully establish a separation between church and state.
Treat marriage as a national concern for the federal government to deal with.
Section 3: Definitions.
In this act-
Union- The term union means the action of joining together or being joined together, especially in a political context.
Full Faith and Credit Clause- This clause declares that states within the United States have to respect the public acts records and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Legitimize- This term means to make official
Sexual Orientation- This is defined as the pattern of attraction to persons of the opposite sex, same sex or both sexes.
Comply- This term means to meet specified standards.
Section 4: Provisions
The Gay Marriage Act will establish marriage as a concern of the federal government, and furthermore relieve state governments of all duties pertaining to marriage.
The Gay Marriage Act will add to the Full Faith and Credit Clause by making gay marriage legitimized in each state, forcing each individual state to recognize and respect a couple's status as "married," regardless of sex or sexual orientation.
The Gay Marriage Act will specifically refer to gay marriage in the constitution as a legal union between two people.
The Gay Marriage Act will protect same sex couples from any discrimination within public institutions refusing to participate in the union of the couple.
The Gay Marriage Act prohibits discrimination in public facilities of any sort against gay couples, and any who refuse to comply will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Enactment Clause:
This bill will become effective upon the signature of the President.
1st session
H.R. 89
To define marriage nationally as a union between two people of the appropriate age, regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
In The Senate Of The United States
January 10, 2013
Ari Hibbard introduced the following bill; Which was referred to the Ethics Committee.
A Bill
To define marriage nationally as a union between two people of the appropriate age, regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled
Section 1: Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the Gay Marriage Act.
Section 2: Findings and Purpose.
Findings: Congress finds that-
Marriage should be defined as a civil union. Sex is not an involved aspect of the marriage process. Marriage depends on preferences, and since people have different preferences, and attractions to certain sexes is a preference, the criteria for marriage can not ban same sex unions.
The Declaration of Independence declares all men to be created equal in the United States of America.
The separation of church and state is practiced in the United States government.
Purpose: The purposes of this act are to-
Establish marriage as a union between two people regardless of sex or sexual orientation.
Protect equal rights and uphold the nations status as treating all men as equals.
Fully establish a separation between church and state.
Treat marriage as a national concern for the federal government to deal with.
Section 3: Definitions.
In this act-
Union- The term union means the action of joining together or being joined together, especially in a political context.
Full Faith and Credit Clause- This clause declares that states within the United States have to respect the public acts records and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Legitimize- This term means to make official
Sexual Orientation- This is defined as the pattern of attraction to persons of the opposite sex, same sex or both sexes.
Comply- This term means to meet specified standards.
Section 4: Provisions
The Gay Marriage Act will establish marriage as a concern of the federal government, and furthermore relieve state governments of all duties pertaining to marriage.
The Gay Marriage Act will add to the Full Faith and Credit Clause by making gay marriage legitimized in each state, forcing each individual state to recognize and respect a couple's status as "married," regardless of sex or sexual orientation.
The Gay Marriage Act will specifically refer to gay marriage in the constitution as a legal union between two people.
The Gay Marriage Act will protect same sex couples from any discrimination within public institutions refusing to participate in the union of the couple.
The Gay Marriage Act prohibits discrimination in public facilities of any sort against gay couples, and any who refuse to comply will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Enactment Clause:
This bill will become effective upon the signature of the President.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
1. The problem i want to solve is discrimination against homosexuals. I believe homosexual people should be allowed the same chance at happiness as anyone else. They should be allowed to marry whomever they please, and it should not be left up to the states . The states can't decide which individuals earn the right to participate in marriage and which don't, and the federal government can't either for that matter. Gay marriage needs to be legalized nationally so that the country can more fully live up to the words written in the constitution that state all men are created equal. It is not a state matter, it is an individual matter, and the choice of one individual to marry another has no effect on other people, so the qualifications of marriage should not be decided by anyone besides the people involved.
2. An existing law that relates to the legalization of gay marriage is that if a gay couple gets married in a state where gay marriage is legal and then travel to a state where gay marriage is not legal, that state does not have to recognize their marriage. This is called the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
3. My law will fully recognize gay marriages nationally. This means that states will not have the choice whether gay marriage will be legal within their boundaries or not, as well as states will have to fully recognize the validity of gay marriages. They will be treated just like any other marriage, and no public institutions will have the ability to deny the official union of a couple.
4. I would propose my bill in the ethics committee.
5. http://www.house.gov/committees/
http://www.shmoop.com/equal-protection/gay-marriage-debate-due-process-clause.html
2. An existing law that relates to the legalization of gay marriage is that if a gay couple gets married in a state where gay marriage is legal and then travel to a state where gay marriage is not legal, that state does not have to recognize their marriage. This is called the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
3. My law will fully recognize gay marriages nationally. This means that states will not have the choice whether gay marriage will be legal within their boundaries or not, as well as states will have to fully recognize the validity of gay marriages. They will be treated just like any other marriage, and no public institutions will have the ability to deny the official union of a couple.
4. I would propose my bill in the ethics committee.
5. http://www.house.gov/committees/
http://www.shmoop.com/equal-protection/gay-marriage-debate-due-process-clause.html
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