nytimes.com
March 6, 2012
James Kanter and Nicholas Kulish
Summary-
Global powers have decided to resume talks with Iran about its nuclear weapons development. The discussion ceased about a year ago, and started up again in the hopes of dissuading Iran from continuing to create weapons. Israel is extremely concerned about negotiations going south.
Connection-
During class, there was an activity involving roleplaying as different important people who were dealing with the exact situation in the article. It is important to negotiate well, and to consider what certain people who are negotiating might hold as particular interests for themselves. American leaders would care more about the effect on America of a situation, and Israeli leaders would care more about the effect on Israel.
Personal Reaction-
It seems as though Iran is becoming the next North Korea. This could turn out very badly if it is not possible to find something that the Iranians would be happy trading their nuclear weapons for. If they are given some sort of special trading privledges, for example, it might be able to be agreed upon that they will give up their nuclear program.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Health Care
nytimes.com
February 21, 2012
Gardiner Harris
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/health/policy/fda-approves-imports-amid-shortage-of-2-cancer-drugs.html?hp
Summary-
Some severe drug shortages in the United States have been alleviated for now. Many drug shortages have happened in the past, and mostly have been due to a lack of the drugs having been inspected. A factory creating cancer drugs in Ohio temporarily closed in the last few weeks, which has caused the FDA to allow foreign imports that may be less safe than drugs from inside the country. These kinds of shortages are not a new problem, and have been cited as a major issue by doctors.
Connection-
As discussed in class during an analysis of important issues and candidates' stances on them in the upcoming election, health care reform is a hot topic. Different people have suggested different solutions for the many problems in America's medical system, and the more issues that are brought to light, like drug shortages, the more pressing it becomes to find a leader that can satisfy the needs of the people.
Personal Reaction-
It is quite possible that health standards on drugs from outside the country are too high, and reforms to the health system that include a repeal of some restrictions would benefit many. If one of the candidates for the presidency could come up with a reasonable plan to fix America's current system, that person would stand an excellent chance to be elected.
February 21, 2012
Gardiner Harris
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/health/policy/fda-approves-imports-amid-shortage-of-2-cancer-drugs.html?hp
Summary-
Some severe drug shortages in the United States have been alleviated for now. Many drug shortages have happened in the past, and mostly have been due to a lack of the drugs having been inspected. A factory creating cancer drugs in Ohio temporarily closed in the last few weeks, which has caused the FDA to allow foreign imports that may be less safe than drugs from inside the country. These kinds of shortages are not a new problem, and have been cited as a major issue by doctors.
Connection-
As discussed in class during an analysis of important issues and candidates' stances on them in the upcoming election, health care reform is a hot topic. Different people have suggested different solutions for the many problems in America's medical system, and the more issues that are brought to light, like drug shortages, the more pressing it becomes to find a leader that can satisfy the needs of the people.
Personal Reaction-
It is quite possible that health standards on drugs from outside the country are too high, and reforms to the health system that include a repeal of some restrictions would benefit many. If one of the candidates for the presidency could come up with a reasonable plan to fix America's current system, that person would stand an excellent chance to be elected.
Elections
nytimes.com
February 20, 2012
Tanzina Vega
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/us/politics/campaigns-use-microtargeting-to-attract-supporters.html?_r=1&hp
Summary-
Campaign advertisements have always been a huge part of elections. With the internet becoming a more widely used tool, however, ads can now be targeted very specifically to certain demographics. Certain people who visit websites that likely indicate a loyal party member can be shown ads that speak to that loyalty. Those without strong party affiliations in either direction might visit less biased websites, and therefore could be shown ads that introduce candidates as good people rather than someone for a party to rally around.
Connection-
This connects to the class unit on elections. The unit dealt heavily with the effectiveness of advertising. Most of the money raised by super PACs and campaigns goes to advertising, since it is the biggest way to draw in supporters, and therefore must be used as judiciously as possible. If ads can be targeted at those who will react to them the most, then this is likely the most effective way to use campaign money.
Personal Reaction-
The internet will likely be the rallying point for future third party candidates. It is cheaper and easier for those from minor parties to gather a following on the internet, and unlike mainstream media, the internet is interactive and can be used to spread the word about a poor candidate that seems worthy.
February 20, 2012
Tanzina Vega
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/us/politics/campaigns-use-microtargeting-to-attract-supporters.html?_r=1&hp
Summary-
Campaign advertisements have always been a huge part of elections. With the internet becoming a more widely used tool, however, ads can now be targeted very specifically to certain demographics. Certain people who visit websites that likely indicate a loyal party member can be shown ads that speak to that loyalty. Those without strong party affiliations in either direction might visit less biased websites, and therefore could be shown ads that introduce candidates as good people rather than someone for a party to rally around.
Connection-
This connects to the class unit on elections. The unit dealt heavily with the effectiveness of advertising. Most of the money raised by super PACs and campaigns goes to advertising, since it is the biggest way to draw in supporters, and therefore must be used as judiciously as possible. If ads can be targeted at those who will react to them the most, then this is likely the most effective way to use campaign money.
Personal Reaction-
The internet will likely be the rallying point for future third party candidates. It is cheaper and easier for those from minor parties to gather a following on the internet, and unlike mainstream media, the internet is interactive and can be used to spread the word about a poor candidate that seems worthy.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Taxes
online.wsj.com
January 1, 2012
Tom Herman
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203479104577124393292245080.html?KEYWORDS=taxes
Summary-
In spite of the crushing debt faced by the United States recently, most taxes will remain the same and will not rise. This includes income taxes, salary taxes, and capital gains taxes. In fact, payroll taxes have been lifted temporarily.
Connection-
People will often vote for people who will lower taxes regardless of the circumstances. This connects to class through voting likelihood activites, during which it was mentioned by Mr. Haynes that most people care quite a bit about how much they are taxed after recieving their first paycheck. It was discussed that some people can be shocked by how much money the government takes.
Personal Reaction-
The fact that the nation is in serious debt seems to not have occurred to some people. The last thing that should be happening is lifting taxes; they should be raised quite a bit higher. The idea that allowing people to pay less to the government will bring back the economy is illogical. If the debt cannot be satisfied, there might not be an economy to revive.
January 1, 2012
Tom Herman
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203479104577124393292245080.html?KEYWORDS=taxes
Summary-
In spite of the crushing debt faced by the United States recently, most taxes will remain the same and will not rise. This includes income taxes, salary taxes, and capital gains taxes. In fact, payroll taxes have been lifted temporarily.
Connection-
People will often vote for people who will lower taxes regardless of the circumstances. This connects to class through voting likelihood activites, during which it was mentioned by Mr. Haynes that most people care quite a bit about how much they are taxed after recieving their first paycheck. It was discussed that some people can be shocked by how much money the government takes.
Personal Reaction-
The fact that the nation is in serious debt seems to not have occurred to some people. The last thing that should be happening is lifting taxes; they should be raised quite a bit higher. The idea that allowing people to pay less to the government will bring back the economy is illogical. If the debt cannot be satisfied, there might not be an economy to revive.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Federal Budget
washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2011
Lori Montgomery
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/washingtons-year-of-drama-leaves-little-done-regarding-debt/2011/12/23/gIQAB6kRLP_story.html
Summary-
Congress has spent quite a bit of time attempting to cut spending and get rid of the massive debt problem. Unfortunately, only a small sliver of that debt has been eliminated, and citizens' expectations of both major parties is extremely low. Eliminating the national debt is proving very difficult, but some politicians think that if any real progress at all can be made, opinions of both parties will improve.
Connection-
The national debt crisis is not being well dealt with. The process is very slow, and part of this is caused by the system of checks and balances that was put in place for the purpose of having a balanced government, which was learned about in class during a governmental structure unit. The system purposely causes a slow pace to the develpoment of laws in order to ensure that bills can be as acceptable as possible to the groups involved before becoming law.
Personal Reaction-
The national debt is being dealt with too slowly. Most of the problem seems to be the two parties clashing over minor details in order to look accomplished in the eyes of voters. If everyone could put away pride in order to deal with legitimate issues, America would be much better off.
December 27, 2011
Lori Montgomery
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/washingtons-year-of-drama-leaves-little-done-regarding-debt/2011/12/23/gIQAB6kRLP_story.html
Summary-
Congress has spent quite a bit of time attempting to cut spending and get rid of the massive debt problem. Unfortunately, only a small sliver of that debt has been eliminated, and citizens' expectations of both major parties is extremely low. Eliminating the national debt is proving very difficult, but some politicians think that if any real progress at all can be made, opinions of both parties will improve.
Connection-
The national debt crisis is not being well dealt with. The process is very slow, and part of this is caused by the system of checks and balances that was put in place for the purpose of having a balanced government, which was learned about in class during a governmental structure unit. The system purposely causes a slow pace to the develpoment of laws in order to ensure that bills can be as acceptable as possible to the groups involved before becoming law.
Personal Reaction-
The national debt is being dealt with too slowly. Most of the problem seems to be the two parties clashing over minor details in order to look accomplished in the eyes of voters. If everyone could put away pride in order to deal with legitimate issues, America would be much better off.
Political Parties
nytimes.com
December 31, 2011
A. G. Sulzberger and Michael Barbaro
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/us/politics/republicans-wage-hidden-ground-war-in-iowa.html?_r=1&ref=politics
Summary-
The preparation of the candidates' campaign teams for the Iowa caucus is in full swing. Frenzied attempts to gain support include personal calls from candidates' children, appeals to donors, and rapid analyses of polls. The Newt Gingrich team is filled with chaos, Michele Bachmann's team is losing hope, and Rick Perry flaunts his money, as every advantage is pushed in order to get closer to winning the caucus.
Connection-
The struggle to win the Iowa caucus is an important start to the path of winning the presidential election, and the party as an organization is aware of this, and tries to get their candidate as good a start as possible. The fact that winning caucuses and primaries is an important goal to the party as an organization has been covered in class through multiple worksheets.
Personal Reaction-
For those who want a victory for a minor candidate such as Ron Paul, the idea of his winning the Iowa caucus is appealing. A win in this area would mark a significant victory, since it would prove to voters that Ron Paul is capable of winning something, and would make people less likely to think of a vote for him as being wasted.
December 31, 2011
A. G. Sulzberger and Michael Barbaro
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/us/politics/republicans-wage-hidden-ground-war-in-iowa.html?_r=1&ref=politics
Summary-
The preparation of the candidates' campaign teams for the Iowa caucus is in full swing. Frenzied attempts to gain support include personal calls from candidates' children, appeals to donors, and rapid analyses of polls. The Newt Gingrich team is filled with chaos, Michele Bachmann's team is losing hope, and Rick Perry flaunts his money, as every advantage is pushed in order to get closer to winning the caucus.
Connection-
The struggle to win the Iowa caucus is an important start to the path of winning the presidential election, and the party as an organization is aware of this, and tries to get their candidate as good a start as possible. The fact that winning caucuses and primaries is an important goal to the party as an organization has been covered in class through multiple worksheets.
Personal Reaction-
For those who want a victory for a minor candidate such as Ron Paul, the idea of his winning the Iowa caucus is appealing. A win in this area would mark a significant victory, since it would prove to voters that Ron Paul is capable of winning something, and would make people less likely to think of a vote for him as being wasted.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Social Security
washingtonpost.com
December 29, 2011
Jia Lynn Yang
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/payroll-tax-cut-raises-worries-about-social-securitys-future-funding/2011/12/28/gIQAVKZOPP_story.html
Summary-
Social Security has undergone some funding changes. Certain taxes that used to pay for social security are now being given breaks, which means that the funding for it is coming from somewhere else. That other place is the Treasury, and though the new funding method is supposed to be temporary, it is becoming difficult to pin down a new funding plan. Some people are becoming increasingly worried that social security will disappear, or have less support and funding than it used to.
Connection-
It has been discussed in class group discussions- tying in with other subjects and only briefly talked of- that most of the students in class think Social Security is an unrealistic thing to expect upon retirement, since the population growth of America does not resemble a pyramid as it did when social security was first introduced, and therefore can not support an aging population with ease. This seems to be the conclusion that some people in power are edging towards, especially with the pressure of the budget deficit.
Personal Reaction-
It seems that Social Security is simply too much of a burden to be supported. Unfortunately, the elderly who benefit from the program will likely want to keep it, and will vote for those politicians who will do so. Social Security may be hurting the budget, but it will probably stay.
December 29, 2011
Jia Lynn Yang
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/payroll-tax-cut-raises-worries-about-social-securitys-future-funding/2011/12/28/gIQAVKZOPP_story.html
Summary-
Social Security has undergone some funding changes. Certain taxes that used to pay for social security are now being given breaks, which means that the funding for it is coming from somewhere else. That other place is the Treasury, and though the new funding method is supposed to be temporary, it is becoming difficult to pin down a new funding plan. Some people are becoming increasingly worried that social security will disappear, or have less support and funding than it used to.
Connection-
It has been discussed in class group discussions- tying in with other subjects and only briefly talked of- that most of the students in class think Social Security is an unrealistic thing to expect upon retirement, since the population growth of America does not resemble a pyramid as it did when social security was first introduced, and therefore can not support an aging population with ease. This seems to be the conclusion that some people in power are edging towards, especially with the pressure of the budget deficit.
Personal Reaction-
It seems that Social Security is simply too much of a burden to be supported. Unfortunately, the elderly who benefit from the program will likely want to keep it, and will vote for those politicians who will do so. Social Security may be hurting the budget, but it will probably stay.
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