Health Care

Health Care:

LINK: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/12/06/romney-gingrich-and-huntsman-and-health-care-hypocrisy/

SUMMARY: Before running for president an before President Obama was in office, both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney supported the idea of making it a requirement to buy health insurance. John Huntsman also supported a similar plan. They all now claim to vehemently oppose this as it is a strong ideal of the Democratic Party and President Obama. It seems they changed their minds in order to gain the extremely conservative votes of New Hampshire and to appear to agree with the Tea Party. Now, the Tea Party movement seems to have died down and the presidential nomination is anyone’s game so by changing their views on health insurance, one of these candidates may have a chance to separate themselves from the competition and gain moderate votes.

APPLICATION: This is an example of party affiliation and voting demographics. These candidates run for president with the Republican Party, which has mainly conservative views. Most conservatives will vote against health care requirements because it takes away freedom from the insurance companies and the freedom to choose which insurance they want. In order to gain these conservative votes, the candidates alter their stances so their policies coincide with the beliefs of the conservative voters.

OPINION: I don’t like the idea of forcing people to buy health insurance. I am not against making health care more affordable but I still think people should be able to have the freedom to buy and sell health insurance rather than have it mandated by the government.

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy:

Link: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/9/santorum-paul-detail-israel-iran-policies/

Summary: Recently, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum gave their stances on policy with Israel and Iran with its nuclear program. Santorum said that the U.S. needs to continue support to Israel because they are our biggest ally in the region. He also said that we need to work harder in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He said, if necessary, we would use tactical air strikes to take out nuclear facilities. Paul said that the U.S. needs to stay a “good friend” to Israel but that funneling aid there would hurt the country in the long run. He also said that premature action in Iran before they have actually obtained a nuclear weapon would be very bad, mentioning the recent war in Iraq.

Application: This is a stark example of the platforms of the Republican Party. While at different degrees, both Republican candidates seem to very much support military action. Generally, Republicans believe in a strong military and in using force, if necessary, to assert authority. For Democrats, they know America needs a strong military, but tend to keep it for defense and peace-keeping only. Both of these candidates want to use the military if Iran is found with nuclear weapons to keep America and the world safe and also to flex the power America has in its military.

Opinion: I agree with points of both candidates. For Santorum, I think that it is good to stay close allies with Israel and keep them as an important ally in the Middle East. I also agree with Paul; I think that, especially when we are in such bad debt ourselves, America doesn’t need to be funneling billions of dollars and aid into another country that can get along by itself. As for Iran, I agree with Santorum. I don’t like the idea of another, possibly belligerent, country getting a hold of a nuclear weapon and I think it is our duty to stop them before they do obtain a nuclear weapon.

Economy

Economy:

Link: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/newt-gingrich-rips-mitt-romney-economic-plan-timid-ad-article-1.1001807

Summary: Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich accused fellow candidate Mitt Romney of having a “timid” economic plan. Experts expect Gingrich’s plan to add $1.3 trillion to the national deficit in 3 years. Gingrich’s accusation, in a TV ad, says Romney’s plan was nearly identical to President Obama’s plan. Romney plans to “urge Congress to lower the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%”  as well as lower the tax rate and do away with estate taxes.
Application: This is an example of different campaign strategies of candidates. Gingrich releases negative information about his opponent, Romney, and speculations are made on Romney’s economic policy. This causes citizens to question the validity of Romney’s claims on his policy and question his honesty entirely. This also takes attention away from Gingrich’s supposedly more expensive plan to take away votes from Romney rather than gain votes for Gingrich.

Opinion: I think Mitt Romney does seem a little more liberal than the other Republican candidates. While I am not educated enough on the exact policies of each candidate (Romney and Obama), I do think Romney tries a little too hard to please everyone and very much want to get the votes of the moderates. However, I think Romney’s proposed plan of lowering the corporate tax rate and eliminating other taxes is a good idea to help the economy grow with more spending.

Elections/Campaigns

Elections/Campaigns:
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/how-michele-bachmann-went-bust/2012/01/05/gIQAjI09cP_blog.html

Summary: In August, Michelle Bachmann was the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for presidential candidate. Now, she has dropped out of the presidential race. This is because she didn’t focus enough on winning the Iowa polls and she went national. Bachmann went out to other states and even went on vacation when she should have raised money. Her main problem was that she didn’t keep bringing money in. She won the Ames Straw Poll and thought she would coast on to the nomination. She stopped raising money and that made it impossible to catch up in Iowa.

Application: This is an example of how money chooses the winners. Without money and with money, support, one cannot win an election. This is a big reason why third parties have never succeeded and probably will not succeed any time soon. In today’s society, those with the money have the power and without money, you will run out of fuel for your campaign.

Opinion: I think Bachmann deserved to lose the nomination. She gave up and got too confident when she was projected to be at the top of other polls. A candidate that deserves to win will campaign until the election is over and then they will do the job they have been voted to do. Bachmann slowed down in the race and was passed by candidates that wanted to win more than she did.

Federal Budget

Federal Budget:

LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/white-house-proposes-05-percent-pay-increase-for-federal-workers/2012/01/06/gIQA18fyeP_blog.html

SUMMARY: The White House wants to give civilian government workers a 0.5% pay increase in the year 2013. The pay of federal workers has not changed since it was frozen in 2010. This pay increase would involve changing the federal budget because of the many different facets of government workers. This would involve anyone from office workers to uniformed military personnel. This change would save $2 billion in 2013 after budget control measures were passed last summer.

APPLICATION: This is an example of voting demographics. Government workers are more likely to vote on this issue because they are more likely to be affected. Overall, federal workers are more likely to vote because they are more educated on the issues and the issues affect them directly. This would also affect the federal budget as we try to climb out of debt and save money.

OPINION: I think it is ok to allow a pay increase to federal employees. Their pay has been frozen for 2 years so an increase would help them out individually and the article said that this plan would also save $2 billion in the long run so that is good. I think the budget needs to be lower and we need to save as much money as we can to get out of debt so if this will help, I support it.

Gun Control

Gun Control:

LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/us/teenagers-death-a-reminder-of-gun-replicas-dangers.html

SUMMARY: In Texas, an 8^th grade student brought a toy gun to school. He told his teacher that he had a real gun but it was really a bb gun. The police were called and they tried to reason with the student to put the gun down. The police ended up shooting the boy when he pointed the gun at them. Federal law says that airsoft guns are required to have orange tips on the end of them but there is no such rule for bb guns. This will likely change with this most recent death.

APPLICATION: Some people in Texas are calling for a law that bans public display of a toy gun but that position is argued because some supporters of gun rights believe that this rule is an infringement on citizen’s right to bear arms in the 2^nd Amendment. The 2^nd Amendment states that citizens are allowed to own guns and that includes bb guns. By controlling if people can bring a bb gun into public places, it may infronge on a citizen’s right to have a gun.

OPINION: I think there should be obvious characteristics distinguishing toy guns from real ones. There is a big difference between toy guns and real guns and their looks should be different as well. While I think it is good to allow people to own guns for their safety (and toy guns for fun), I think rules should be made to distinguish toys guns from real ones and to keep people from bringing them into public.

Social Security

Social Security:

LINK: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7O34Bpp42k-IlMMNiOLBkYF2zNw?docId=b1cff9ecefe24ca6ae1764a09761e361

SUMMARY: Presidential candidate Rick Santorum believes that cuts need to be made to Social Security now, rather than 10 years from now. By making these cuts, Santorum believes the current debt crisis will be eased and we will be able to breathe easier knowing that we are saving a large amount of money.

APPLICATION: This is an example of a candidate’s platform and policy agenda. One item on Santorum’s agenda is to make cuts to Social Security. He says will make the eligibility age for benefits higher and he will make the benefits much tighter and that is one aspect of his campaign that separates Santorum from the other candidates.

OPINION: I agree with Santorum. I think that, eventually, cuts need to be made, and in the long term we will live easier and be better off if the cuts are made now. By saving money now, we will get out of the debt crisis we are in and we will get into the habit of spending less and out of the habit of spending more.

Environment

Environment:

LINK: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/story/2012-01-03/drill-for-oil-in-Arctic-Ocean/52369600/1

SUMMARY: Oil drilling in Alaska has been kept on hold for reasons of environmental conservation as well as a recent scare in the Gulf of Mexico. People do not want to drill in the oil rich sea beds off the coast of Alaska because of the risk of another devastating spill. The article explains that the waters off of Alaska are must more shallow and, even if in the case of a spill, damage would be far less than that of BP in the Gulf. In the end, it is ok to drill in Alaska’s waters, as long as the companies are kept on a short leash.

APPLICATION: Interest groups have a large say in whether or not to drill in Alaska. Pro-drilling lobbyists may convince legislators to allow the drilling to begin while other lobbyists may combat those moves and petition for restrictions. This is an example of pluralism and this strife between opposing groups makes democracy stronger when finding an agreement.

OPINION: I agree with the article. America would save a lot of money and the economy would be greatly helped if we had our own local oil to buy. If drilling is kept under control and safe, with accident potential very low, I think that we need to tap into our valuable resources.

Political Parties

Political Parties:

LINK: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-frank-why-the-tea-party-should-embrace-romne-20120108,0,1318996.story

SUMMARY: The Tea Party has been frantically searching for a presidential candidate that is not Mitt Romney. They have all proven to be unpopular and bad candidates while Romney still sits there. Romney seems a bad fit for the Tea Party because of his wavering stances on gay rights and abortion and his views on health care seem to resemble those of the Democrats. On the other hand, Romney is strong for businesses and capitalism and that is what the Tea Party wants. Also, Romney has the best chance at winning the election against President Obama. If the Tea Party gets on the same page as Mitt Romney, they might finally get the pull they have been looking for.

APPLICATION: This article has many examples of the platform of the Republican Party. The Republican Party is mainly against major health care reform and Romney’s plan seems Democratic in that is wants to make health care more universal. Also, Romney’s stances on gay rights keep changing, while Republicans are generally against gays and their marriage. Romney’s views on abortion are also shaky while Republicans are strongly opposed to abortion.

OPINION: I don’t entirely agree with the views of either Romney or the tea Party but I agree with the article that they would be a good pair. If they made compromises on their policies and worked together, the Tea Party would gain the power they want in Congress and Romney would have ever more support in the election against Obama.

Taxes

Taxes:

LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/romney-tax-plan-adds-600-billion-to-deficit-analysis-says/2012/01/06/gIQAO0y5eP_story.html

SUMMARY: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s tax plan for when in office involves many tax cuts and is expected to add $600 billion to the debt. While this seems steep, presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry have plans involving adding over $1 trillion and $995 billion, respectively. These tax cuts by Romney are supposed to help out the middle class, with most of the cuts aimed toward middle-income citizens. While the taxes involve making the debt deeper, the current plan to a reduction in overall spending is looking to save $1 trillion.

APPLICATION: Romney’s middle class tax cuts are an example of the political beliefs and behaviors of Americans. Most middle class people are in families: married, often with kids and they live in the suburbs. This demographic is most likely to vote Republican, Romney’s party, because of their family, middle-of-the-road beliefs. If Romney pleases the middle class, he will get their votes and be more likely to win the election.

OPINION: I think cuts need to be made. They will be tough to live with but until the debt crisis is under control, the government needs to cut down on spending and at least keeps taxes where they are so we can make fast progress. If cuts are made and tax cuts aren’t made, it will do nothing but ensure a quicker road to financial stability.