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