Lame Duck Session

The republican members of the senate are not letting up. And when you are a part of the minority you have to act accordingly. they wrote up a threat to the majority leader to send their intrest to the floor or else. who knows if holding votes hostage will work. One thing we do know is that the republicans in the senate will have to use all their wit to get their way at least for the next 6 years. Both sides are seemingly doing their best to make use of the lame duck session as best they can. The democrats were able to get legislation passed to fork over 4.5 billion to whiny farmers, and were also successful in extending the doc fix. The republicans were also successful in their own ways. They prevented awarding $250 checks to social security recipients. One could say that both sides are active during this lame duck session. What's gonna happen next!?

1. What must be the current Dem/Rep breakdown of the U.S. Senate?
- they just don't want to get along.
2. Why are the Republicans sending their letter to Harry Reid?
- Because he is the majority leader, and has effect on who and what holds the floor.
3. What are some things Democrats are trying to get done in the Lame Duck Session?
- award checks to social security recipiants, extend jobless benifits.
4. What "tax increase" are the Republicans talking about?
- expullsion of bush tax cuts
5. How will Republicans block legislation?
- vote naw! they already have to save money from the old people and the disabled
6. What are the Democratic plans for the lame duck session?
- squeeze some legislation through while they can.
7. Using what you know about budget bills, what kind of bill must a continuing resolution be?
- Appropriations bill.
8. The last paragraph makes it seem like Republicans will be able to do whatever they want when the lame duck session is over. Is this true? why?
- No this is not true, they will not get to do anything they want. It takes more than one leg to walk. It is true, however that there is a posibillity that nothing will get done because GOP defiance will not dominate politics but can dominate the house. And forstall efforts in the senate.

Mid Term elections Result

Obama has had a rough time and it seems as though the American people dont see the progress he has made. Unfortunately, Republicans now have the majority. Not that the Democrats were really using their majority advantage, but now it will be difficult for Obama and the democracts to play with democratic policy. With the republican house in his path, Obama will need to consider diffferent routes of which the GOP is willing to talk .The split house may be a bothersome, but there is one thing that Obama can count on, and that is the people.

1. Why are Republicans expected to get control of the Senate in 2012?
- in my opinion they wont get it
2. What are John Boehner's priorities?
- getting the GOP together on handling the federal debt ceiling and do a little bit more lieing
3. What is different about the remaining Democrats?
- they haven't learned from their issues
4. What are Nancy Pelosi's potential plans?
- use her power while she still can
5. What hard did some Tea Party candidates cause for Republicans?
- conflicting ideas
6. Why is control of the governorships & state legislatures important for the Republican party? - political influence of the population as well as gerrymandering.
7. What does it mean that the election was a referendum on Obama?
- the people's check on his progress.
8. How will Obama have to approach Congress differently now?
- alot of convincing, a lot of "i might as well not even bother with them" types of approch.

Blog #3 Importance of Mid Terms

1. What does Alter cite as his criticism of the media coverage of the midterm elections?
- media covers the problems with Obama without tell what would happen if the republicans took congress.
2. What has happened to the base of the Republican party?
- it has shifted closer to the standings of the tea party
3. What are some implications for Republican gains in state legislatures?
- democrat objectives have not been accomplished, and people are not happy about it.
4. What is Alter's attitude toward the GOP agenda?
- he dislikes the potential
5. What is Alter's criticism of minority leader John Boehner? Why is that a criticism?
- that John is not going to go for a change in proceedings (this is important with him leading the republicans in the house). this is a critisism because he didn't say anything nice about him, plus he worded it so as to say that what John is not going to do.
6. What has been the result of the economic stimulus that Obama passed when he first took office?
- well theres been no budget yet so... way to go
7. Why have Republicans who voted against the stimulus lobbied for stimulus money?
- mainly pork barrel
8. What does Alter predict will happen in government if the Republicans take over Congress?
- he feels that government will be ok and this midterm election wont matter

Blog Post 2: "Mid Term Campaigns"

Couldnt find article...

1. Why should Obama be worried about governors?
-it could hurt his campaign efforts in those certain states
2. What can new governors do to make Obama's job difficult?
fillabusters
3. What are the implications for districts?
-All districts could be drawn to possibly have that district red
4. Why is Obama campaigning if he is not up for reelection?
-With the republicans soon to be in power its better to start be fore 2012
5. What states are setting up to be "swing states" in the 2012 elections?
-Florida and New Jersey
6. How will the new governors be able to affect redistricting?
-work directly with legislature to do so
7. What happens to representatives when a state loses seats? How is that person chosen?
8. Why should Obama be worried about the new governors when it comes to his own reelection?
-campaign efforts and lack of resources

Blog Post #1 "Congress Adjourns"

1. Why did Congress adjourn?

-Time for midterm elections
2. What are some of the accomplishments of the 111th Congress?

-Healthcare,broadband in rural areas,digitalize medical records and reward innovating schools
3. What are the problems with those accomplishments?

-people arent thinking about those accomplishments they are thinking about Obama
4. What was the reason that some were opposed to adjourning?

-Bush Tax Cuts
5. Why were some Democrats siding with Republicans on the issue?

- to assure business and the public that they will not incur big tax increases next year.
6. How does Representative Connoly of Virginia explain the split among Democrats?

-Progressives understand that progressive moments dont happen often
7. What did Republicans want to accomplish before Congress was adjourned?

-Vote on Bush Tax Cuts
8. Why was is so important to get these things accomplished before adjourning?

-Because if the republicans become in power it will be too easy for them to pass it.

Nancy Pelosi BRUH!

The Pelosi-House drama, is a only a scene in the play of politics. Theworld will not end, actually quite the oppisite. American Politics would be better off with Pelosi out of the big chair, and down on floor with the rest of the house. A split government with a republican house could benifit us. Give her the boot.

1) What two jobs does Nancy Pelosi currently hold?
- Speaker of the house, and House of Reps.
2) What are two ways that Nancy Pelosi could lose her position as Speaker of the House? - If she is arrested, or if the GOP takes the house back.
3) What kinds of things are incumbent Democrats saying to reach out to voters in their constituencies?
- they are wavering on supporting Pelosi as their leader next year.
4) What would happen to Pelosi if Republicans win a majority of seats in the House?
- She would lose the speakers chair.
5) What is the major difference between Democrats in the House and Democrats in the Sentate?
- Democrats have a better chance of keeping the senate than the House
6) Who does the author blame Pelosi's problems on?
- the failings of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Obama and Public Opinion

This article talks about LIES. Many believes that Barack Hussein Obama is the "black devil".From him being a Muslim to being against all Ameerican businesses. In my opinion people are so ignorant that they think Obama trying to destroy America from the inside. Well in tghis article it shows the truth in all of those lies. Preettyy Much it says everything a Palin supporter would kill McCain for and that is the truth.

1. What are some of the things mentioned that have led to a negative public attitude toward Barack Obama?
-his race and his views
2. What evidence does Alter give to refute myths about Obama being a Socialist?
-he explicitly rejected advice to nationalize the banks and wants the government out of General Motors and Chrysler as quickly as possible
3. What is Obama's approval rating? What is an approval rating?
-47 percent and an approval rating is how the public view you
4. What are some of the reasons misconceptions about Obama 's religion are growing?
-being a member of that Chicago church
5. What does Alter mean by "Big Lie Politics"?
-people use nopthing but lies to win elections
6. What does Fox News do to further these misconceptions?
-loves to uses opinions against Obama instead of facts
8. What can the Obama administration do to change this?
-control the media
9. What issues will not factor in mid-term elections?
-the work he has done
10. What do you think Alter's advice to Barack Obama would be?
-get on them other peopple head and talk bad about them

Democrats view on Obama

This article is also written in my opinion a very smart person. This article talks about how Democrats view Obama but more importantly how the people view Obama. Obama has done oh so much that people doesn't know about. Joe Klien talks about how Reagan did everything but what he said he would do and Obama does what he says he will do. He said we would have Health care and guess what we have Healthcare. This is another article saying people aren't appreciating what they have.

1. Of the accomplishments Klein lists, what do you think is the most important achievement of the Obama presidency so far and why?
-He restored America's image in the world
2. Why does Klein think Obama is not getting the credit he deserves for his achievements?
-He's not populist or ideological enough and he is different than any other president we have had
3. Describe the culture war issues that Klein discusses.
4. How do Democrats want Obama to act more like President Reagan?
-wrap up achievements in an ideological bumper sticker
5. How does Klein describe the majority public opinion?
6. What is Klein's attitude toward the Obama presidency?
7. What, if any, things does he think should be improved?

Build the Ground Zero Mosque

This article is mainly about the issue of whether an Islamic center should be built a few blocks from the World Trade Center. To me this issue is pointless and not worth a debate. They talk about how some moderate Muslims feel about the situation. In my opinion, any and everyone in America has a right to freedom of religion. If they choose to worship near the WTC that's fine or if they choose to worship in the middle of no where in Montana it doesn't matter. It also says that many 9/11 families have mixed views. Christians,Atheists and Muslims died on 9/11. And yes Fareed Zakaria is definitely one of the smartest people in the world because he actually makes sense.

1. What constitutional issues is the argument over the mosque centered around?
-Freedom of Religion
2. Why do Muslims want to build a mosque?
-For the need for Muslims to live peacefully with all other religions and possibly to honor the Muslims who died there
3. Why are people opposed to the building of the mosque?
-They CLAIM it is disrespecting the 9/11 families
4. What did Zakaria say will signify the end of the war on terror?
-"moderate, mainstream version of Islam—one that is compatible with modernity—fully triumphs over the world view of Osama bin Laden."
5. What should the U.S. role in the war on terror be?
-less to offer its own views but help those Muslims with compatible views
6. Why does Feisal Abdul Rauf think the U.S. is the ideal Islamic society?
-The way our beliefs are
7. How does the Anti-Defamation League's stance conflict with its goals?
-The ADL’s mission statement says it seeks “to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens.” But Abraham Foxman, the head of the ADL, explained that we must all respect the feelings of the 9/11 families, even if they are prejudiced feelings.
8. Why did Zakaria return his award?
-Because he did not support the ADL's beliefs

Changing the 14th Amendment

This article is mainly talking about the idea of changing the 14th amendment. The 14th amendment basically states that anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen. It uses the statements made by John Boehner the House Minority Leader. He thinks changing the 14th Amendment is "worth considering". The amendment has also been stated as the foundation of U.S. civil rights law in cases from Brown v. Board of Education to the newest decision of removing the ban on same-sex marriage in California. so it doesn't give many opinons or statements on other politicians which give it just a republican kind of article in my view.

1. What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?

-Citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.

2. What is the role of the House Minority Leader?

-To be the leader of the opposing party in power

3. How could John Boehner become an even more important figure in November?

-If he becomes Speaker of the House

4. What loophole does the 14th amendment create for illegal immigrants?

-giving birth in america

5. Define incorporation (in Chapter 4 or 5)

-the legal concept which the Supreme Court nationalized the Bill of Rights t through the 14th amendment

6. What is an example of a court case that used the 14th amendment as its rationale?

-same sex marriage in California

7. What do you think is Boehner's motive in getting the 14th amendment changed?

-to say the republicans care about what goes on