Monday, May 26, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Health Care
UK: 8% of GDP spent
-No family premium
-socialized medicine
-slightly less freedom/choice
-lots of preventative care
Japan: 8% of GDP spent
-$280 per month in cost
-social insurance
-most hospitals/care centers are privatized
-low cost but many hospitals are not profitable because of such low costs
Germany: 10.7% of GDP spent
-$750 per month added to income tax
-Buy into "sickness funds"
-Most pay in but poor receive assistance
-Many doctors feel underpaid
Taiwan: 6.3% of GDP spent
-$650 per year for a family of 4
-system like Medicare but everyone has some type of it
-lowest admin costs in the world
-also doesn't make money for gov.
Switzerland: 11.7% of GDP spent
-$750 per month with subsidies for poor
-everyone must have insurance
-universal coverage for all
-extremely expensive but still behind US
I would personally like to have socialized medicine like that of Britain. I think that this makes the most sense for many reasons. Firstly, preventative care is the first layer. A focus on preventative care simply makes sense. I think this is much more preferable to the more expensive reactionary system that we have. On top of this, there are no premiums because people simply pay taxes to pay for health care. The only setback that I see us the necessitated use of a gatekeeper. Fortunately, this is simply an annoyance, not a problem. Overall, I believe that this is the most productive and most sensible system for health care.
-No family premium
-socialized medicine
-slightly less freedom/choice
-lots of preventative care
Japan: 8% of GDP spent
-$280 per month in cost
-social insurance
-most hospitals/care centers are privatized
-low cost but many hospitals are not profitable because of such low costs
Germany: 10.7% of GDP spent
-$750 per month added to income tax
-Buy into "sickness funds"
-Most pay in but poor receive assistance
-Many doctors feel underpaid
Taiwan: 6.3% of GDP spent
-$650 per year for a family of 4
-system like Medicare but everyone has some type of it
-lowest admin costs in the world
-also doesn't make money for gov.
Switzerland: 11.7% of GDP spent
-$750 per month with subsidies for poor
-everyone must have insurance
-universal coverage for all
-extremely expensive but still behind US
I would personally like to have socialized medicine like that of Britain. I think that this makes the most sense for many reasons. Firstly, preventative care is the first layer. A focus on preventative care simply makes sense. I think this is much more preferable to the more expensive reactionary system that we have. On top of this, there are no premiums because people simply pay taxes to pay for health care. The only setback that I see us the necessitated use of a gatekeeper. Fortunately, this is simply an annoyance, not a problem. Overall, I believe that this is the most productive and most sensible system for health care.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Global Warming and Stuff Like That Annotated Bibliography
A Fierce Green Fire. Dir. Mark Kitchell. American Masters, 22 Apr. 2014. PBS.org. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
This documentary film chronicles and recaps the main stages of the fight over earth. In the beginning it speaks about older and more niche issues. Some examples of these include herbicide damaging ecosystems where bird eggs were eventually damaged. This was later proven to include some faulty science but nonetheless it created a movement in the US. It began activism. This small example later grew and many groups emerged. These groups did things like protect whales and seals. Some became large global groups and others specialized in smaller areas. Greenpeace, for example, moved on to bigger things than whales while the Sea Shepards continue to fight whaling ships with more aggressive tactics. The film concludes with the global picture of pollution and climate change. It talks about various global summits to stop this change and how in each one the US has come up short in terms of compromise. Overall, it is a look at the history and present times for activism in the field of conservation.
Fountain, Henry. "Study Finds Less Green in the Congo Rain Forest." The New York Times [New York, NY]. The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
This article describes a new study coming out on the lack of water in the Congo. Apparently trees are thinning and their ability to photosynthesize is actually decreasing. This has led to much less green in the area. Satellite imaging has been used to see the extent of the drought and the lack of water in the Basin. Scientists also have found that this drought has gotten worse in the past decade. They say that less green has been a common trend and it is expected to go on.
Main, Douglas. "Global warming threatens baby seals." Fox News. Fox, 25 July 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Global warming has led to increased temperatures in arctic waters just above the east coast of the US. This area is home to many seals. Unfortunately, these seals are in danger. With waters warming, scientists predict that schools of fish may be going further south than they normally do. As younger, more inexperienced, seals go after these schools for food, they often venture further from home than usual. This extra distance, combined with the varying ice, has led to baby seals (usually young males out to hunt) becoming disoriented. In the past years we have found thousands of these seals washing up on the east coast of the US either in poor condition or dead. Scientists warn that these changing temperatures in the north may be a very significant problem for seals everywhere.
This documentary film chronicles and recaps the main stages of the fight over earth. In the beginning it speaks about older and more niche issues. Some examples of these include herbicide damaging ecosystems where bird eggs were eventually damaged. This was later proven to include some faulty science but nonetheless it created a movement in the US. It began activism. This small example later grew and many groups emerged. These groups did things like protect whales and seals. Some became large global groups and others specialized in smaller areas. Greenpeace, for example, moved on to bigger things than whales while the Sea Shepards continue to fight whaling ships with more aggressive tactics. The film concludes with the global picture of pollution and climate change. It talks about various global summits to stop this change and how in each one the US has come up short in terms of compromise. Overall, it is a look at the history and present times for activism in the field of conservation.
Fountain, Henry. "Study Finds Less Green in the Congo Rain Forest." The New York Times [New York, NY]. The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
This article describes a new study coming out on the lack of water in the Congo. Apparently trees are thinning and their ability to photosynthesize is actually decreasing. This has led to much less green in the area. Satellite imaging has been used to see the extent of the drought and the lack of water in the Basin. Scientists also have found that this drought has gotten worse in the past decade. They say that less green has been a common trend and it is expected to go on.
Main, Douglas. "Global warming threatens baby seals." Fox News. Fox, 25 July 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Global warming has led to increased temperatures in arctic waters just above the east coast of the US. This area is home to many seals. Unfortunately, these seals are in danger. With waters warming, scientists predict that schools of fish may be going further south than they normally do. As younger, more inexperienced, seals go after these schools for food, they often venture further from home than usual. This extra distance, combined with the varying ice, has led to baby seals (usually young males out to hunt) becoming disoriented. In the past years we have found thousands of these seals washing up on the east coast of the US either in poor condition or dead. Scientists warn that these changing temperatures in the north may be a very significant problem for seals everywhere.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Essay 20
a) The NAACP often targets the judiciary, specifically the supreme court, to act in favor of their beliefs. Brown v. Board is an example of this.
b) A characteristic of the NAACP is that they sometimes do not have majority support. For this reason it makes more sense for them to go to the supreme court than, say, congress.
c) Another of the NAACP is that it is a relatively poor interest group. For this reason, it makes more sense to hire a few lawyers that it does to launch a spendy national campaign for their ideas.
(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)
For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
b) A characteristic of the NAACP is that they sometimes do not have majority support. For this reason it makes more sense for them to go to the supreme court than, say, congress.
c) Another of the NAACP is that it is a relatively poor interest group. For this reason, it makes more sense to hire a few lawyers that it does to launch a spendy national campaign for their ideas.
(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)
For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
Essay 19
One way that media contributes to candidate centered campaigns is by focusing on the race between candidates and less on the issues. This leads to more of a person v. person election and less of an issues v. issues election. Another way the media contributes to candidate centered campaigns is by covering the personality of the candidates more than the issues that they favor. One way a presidential candidate uses the media which has contributed to candidate centered campaigns is by making public appearances that have nothing to do with issues and all to do with candidate personality. Another way that a presidential candidate uses the media which has contributed to candidate centered campaigns is by creating ads that paint themselves as saints and opponents as idiots. These ads often leave out significant facts about issues and focus on personal attack.
(1999_1)In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
(1999_1)In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
Essay 18
a) One key characteristic of the merit system is that hiring is based on practical experience or ability.
b) Bureaucratic independence occurs for many reasons. One is the fact that in the federal bureaucracy agencies are independent. For example, regulatory agencies are completely independent from the things that they investigate. Another way that bureaucracy gains independence is by having more technical expertise than, for example, policymakers.
c) Congress can order investigations into bureaucracy to check them by doing something like an Internal Affairs investigation. The courts can check bureaucracy by determining the constitutionality of bureaucratic activities/interpretations. Interest groups can check bureaucracy by bringing public attention to things that bureaucracy does wrong and therefore convey change.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Essay 17
a) One trend in the graph is that the percent of southern state seats in the house held by democrats has gone down as shown below.
b) Incumbency advantage led to the election of more democratic house members and less presidents because there were democrats in the house before 1948 and with the incumbency advantage they could more easily win seats as opposed to presidents who usually lacked incumbency advantage. Differences between state and national parties also contributed because they were largely separate entities and therefore voters who liked democrats in their state did not necessarily like them for the presidency.
c) In the modern day, social conservatives are now more associated with republicans whereas they used to be associated with democrats. More women have moved to become democrats in recent decades. Also, labor union workers have moved and are now mostly democrats.
b) Incumbency advantage led to the election of more democratic house members and less presidents because there were democrats in the house before 1948 and with the incumbency advantage they could more easily win seats as opposed to presidents who usually lacked incumbency advantage. Differences between state and national parties also contributed because they were largely separate entities and therefore voters who liked democrats in their state did not necessarily like them for the presidency.
c) In the modern day, social conservatives are now more associated with republicans whereas they used to be associated with democrats. More women have moved to become democrats in recent decades. Also, labor union workers have moved and are now mostly democrats.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Essay 16
1) Congress gives federal agencies discretion in executing federal laws because it is too time consuming and congress lacks the practical expertise to carry them out effectively. For example, congress would be inept when trying to create extremely technical prohibitions while regulating high tech.
2) a. The environmental protection agency exercises policy-making discretion over areas having to do with clean water and clean air. It actually exercises this power by doing things like launching investigations into violators of laws under their realm of expertise.
3) Congress can make sure that agencies follow legislative intent by punishing them by cutting their budget if the intent is not met or by launching formal investigations into them. An example of this is if there are missing funds and an investigation is launched.
2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
2) a. The environmental protection agency exercises policy-making discretion over areas having to do with clean water and clean air. It actually exercises this power by doing things like launching investigations into violators of laws under their realm of expertise.
3) Congress can make sure that agencies follow legislative intent by punishing them by cutting their budget if the intent is not met or by launching formal investigations into them. An example of this is if there are missing funds and an investigation is launched.
2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
Essay 15
a) An entitlement program is any government program that people are entitled to benefit from, like social security.
b) The primary source of revenue for social security is taxes, specifically the social security tax which all workers pay into.
c) One threat to the future of social security should trends continue is that there will not be enough people paying into social security which could lead to an inability to pay people out when their time comes.
d) One demographic trend that threatens social security is a larger proportion of old people who get social security. This means that the ratio of people paying in to the ration of people getting paid is becoming worse and leading to exactly what I discussed in part c.
e) If eligibility age were raised there would be more people paying in and less people getting paid by social security. This would tip the scales in favor of a more sustainable program.
2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.
(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in c
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
b) The primary source of revenue for social security is taxes, specifically the social security tax which all workers pay into.
c) One threat to the future of social security should trends continue is that there will not be enough people paying into social security which could lead to an inability to pay people out when their time comes.
d) One demographic trend that threatens social security is a larger proportion of old people who get social security. This means that the ratio of people paying in to the ration of people getting paid is becoming worse and leading to exactly what I discussed in part c.
e) If eligibility age were raised there would be more people paying in and less people getting paid by social security. This would tip the scales in favor of a more sustainable program.
2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.
(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in c
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Essay 14
a) The president has the enumerated power to enforce policy within the US. This allows him to employ federal agents to make sure that laws are followed. The president also has the enumerated power to veto legislation coming out of congress. This allows the president to control US policy. For example, the president may veto a bill on gun control to maintain the status quo.
b) Party polarization limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress by stopping bills from even getting to the president. As party lines stiffen, there are less moderates to pass legislation and actually get it to the desk of the president. The lame-duck session limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress by diminishing the presidents power. During the lame duck session, the president has already been voted out of office and so he is often seen as less powerful. Therefore, his lobbying and pull in congress is diminished and the presidents power to pouch his own agenda is limited.
b) Party polarization limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress by stopping bills from even getting to the president. As party lines stiffen, there are less moderates to pass legislation and actually get it to the desk of the president. The lame-duck session limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress by diminishing the presidents power. During the lame duck session, the president has already been voted out of office and so he is often seen as less powerful. Therefore, his lobbying and pull in congress is diminished and the presidents power to pouch his own agenda is limited.
2008-2)A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.
a) The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.
b) Choose two of the following. Define each term and explain how each limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress.
*Mandatory spending
*Party polarization
*Lame-duck period
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_gopo_us_sgs.pdf
Essay 13
a) Congressional reapportionment is when a states number of representatives changes because the states population changes. This is important because it may decrease or increase a states' pull in congress. For example, if Texas lost a representative, there would be less people in congress advocating for beef farmers.
b) Congressional redistricting is when the district lines within a state are redrawn.
c) One goal of politicians when gerrymandering during redistricting is to pack certain districts to help incumbents. This is when a district is purposely changed to include more of the already predominant party and therefore add more of the opposite party voters to nearby districts. Another goal of politicians when gerrymandering during redistricting is increase or decrease minority representation within each district. This can occur by packing one minority into one district.
d) One limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is that population must be consistent within districts. Another limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is that it may not pack certain races purposefully into the same district.
2008-1) Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years. When redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering.
(a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_gopo_us_sgs.pdf
b) Congressional redistricting is when the district lines within a state are redrawn.
c) One goal of politicians when gerrymandering during redistricting is to pack certain districts to help incumbents. This is when a district is purposely changed to include more of the already predominant party and therefore add more of the opposite party voters to nearby districts. Another goal of politicians when gerrymandering during redistricting is increase or decrease minority representation within each district. This can occur by packing one minority into one district.
d) One limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is that population must be consistent within districts. Another limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is that it may not pack certain races purposefully into the same district.
2008-1) Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years. When redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering.
(a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_gopo_us_sgs.pdf
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Essay 12
a) Divided government is when the presidency and congress are from different political parties, creating a split. This leads to a decline of trust in government because policies are often not agreed upon. For example, more vetoes may occur. This may lead to policy gridlock or at least less policy change so people may not think that government has the ability to pass necessary legislation which leads to a decline in trust in government.
b) Increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust in government because more money is required to successfully win a campaign. People trust government less because this plays right into elite and class theory. People don't trust only the wealthy to manage the lives and policies of everybody.
c) One consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government is decreased voting. This may occur because people think that the only choice they have in voting is between two rich candidates that they can't relate to. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government is increased protest. This may occur because people know that their votes are only going to rich candidates. When people chose not to accept this they resort to other forms of political participation like protest.
2004_4
3) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.
(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap04_sg_gopo_us_37090.pdf
b) Increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust in government because more money is required to successfully win a campaign. People trust government less because this plays right into elite and class theory. People don't trust only the wealthy to manage the lives and policies of everybody.
c) One consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government is decreased voting. This may occur because people think that the only choice they have in voting is between two rich candidates that they can't relate to. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government is increased protest. This may occur because people know that their votes are only going to rich candidates. When people chose not to accept this they resort to other forms of political participation like protest.
2004_4
3) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.
(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap04_sg_gopo_us_37090.pdf
Essay 11
a) One pattern displayed in the graph is that house incumbency rates are generally higher than in the senate as shown in the graph. Another pattern displayed in the graph is that the entire congress has increased their incumbency rates over the years as shown by the graph.
b) One factor that contributes to incumbency advantage is weak opponents. Opponents of incumbents often are not nearly as politically experienced as incumbents which leads to challenger defeat. Another factor that contributes to incumbency advantage is the finance advantage that incumbents have. They already know how to fundraise and have established donors for their campaigns. This makes it much easier to get the necessary funds to run a campaign.
c) One consequence of incumbency advantage on the US political process is that it leads to many more experienced lawmakers. This helps because more people making decisions have the know-how to get laws passed.
(2001_2) the graph above shows reelection rates for incumbents in the House and Senate. From this information and your knowledge of of the US politics, perform the following
tasks. (Fig 12.1)
a) identify two patterns displayed in the graph
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_govpol_us_01_7046.pdf
b) One factor that contributes to incumbency advantage is weak opponents. Opponents of incumbents often are not nearly as politically experienced as incumbents which leads to challenger defeat. Another factor that contributes to incumbency advantage is the finance advantage that incumbents have. They already know how to fundraise and have established donors for their campaigns. This makes it much easier to get the necessary funds to run a campaign.
c) One consequence of incumbency advantage on the US political process is that it leads to many more experienced lawmakers. This helps because more people making decisions have the know-how to get laws passed.
(2001_2) the graph above shows reelection rates for incumbents in the House and Senate. From this information and your knowledge of of the US politics, perform the following
tasks. (Fig 12.1)
a) identify two patterns displayed in the graph
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_govpol_us_01_7046.pdf
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Oil.
Blowout: The Deep Water Horizon Disaster. Dir. Scott Pelley. CBS News, 1 Oct. 2010. cbsnews.com. Web. 25 Jan. 2010.
This is a personal account of a survivor from the BP oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. This man details how after being saved by a boat, they went back toward the rig to save a life boat. Unknowingly, the life boat was still attached to the rig so when the boat driver tried to pull away they were stuck. Under BP's no knives policy, nobody on the raft had anything to cut the rope with. Finally, the captain of the rescue boat found a multitool and they were able to throw it to the life boat. The people on the life boat then cut the rope and were able to get to safety. BP's policies along with their oversight of safety almost cost he people on the raft their lives.
The Spill. ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2010. PBS.org. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Frontline does an in depth look at the British Petroleum company and their questionable decisions regarding safety and the environment. BP has been a company that rose to great power and worth extremely quickly and easily outgrew their facilities and management. This is evidenced by lack of management and concern for safety in multiple instances. The first of these is in Alaska. BP cut corners by using under qualified inspectors and fewer inspectors to inspect their pipelines. This caused a vastly corroded pipeline to burst and spill thousands of gallons of oil into a nearby ditch. BP was lucky here because the burst occurred in the winter when cleanup was much easier. At the refinery in Texas City, numerous explosions and deaths occurred. These are blamed on overlooking extremely old equipment and not updating procedures. In the end, nobody truly accepted blame for the accidents and all family members were payed off to not speak of the event. Finally, the deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded killing people and injuring more. The culprit here was again a huge lack of updates and security checkpoints that were surpassed or ignored to save BP millions.
Wingfield, Brian. "Mississippi Oil Spill Highlights Risk of U.S. Oil Boom." Bloomberg News. 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-25/mississippi-oil-spill-highlights-risk-of-u-s-oil-boom.html>.
An oil spill on the Mississippi in the past week caused an entire section of the river to be shut down for cleanup. This has delayed the shipment of many other goods that usually use the nations largest waterway to transport products. The coast guard has reported that they have cleaned up about 1000 of the 31000 gallons spilled in the river thus far. The spill may be a result of vastly heightened oil production and shipment within the United states in the past decade. Some say that the way to end spills like this is to finally put in the Keystone XL pipeline. Advocates say that this will create a faster and safer way to transport crude oil in the US, reducing the number of spills like this one.
This is a personal account of a survivor from the BP oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. This man details how after being saved by a boat, they went back toward the rig to save a life boat. Unknowingly, the life boat was still attached to the rig so when the boat driver tried to pull away they were stuck. Under BP's no knives policy, nobody on the raft had anything to cut the rope with. Finally, the captain of the rescue boat found a multitool and they were able to throw it to the life boat. The people on the life boat then cut the rope and were able to get to safety. BP's policies along with their oversight of safety almost cost he people on the raft their lives.
The Spill. ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2010. PBS.org. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Frontline does an in depth look at the British Petroleum company and their questionable decisions regarding safety and the environment. BP has been a company that rose to great power and worth extremely quickly and easily outgrew their facilities and management. This is evidenced by lack of management and concern for safety in multiple instances. The first of these is in Alaska. BP cut corners by using under qualified inspectors and fewer inspectors to inspect their pipelines. This caused a vastly corroded pipeline to burst and spill thousands of gallons of oil into a nearby ditch. BP was lucky here because the burst occurred in the winter when cleanup was much easier. At the refinery in Texas City, numerous explosions and deaths occurred. These are blamed on overlooking extremely old equipment and not updating procedures. In the end, nobody truly accepted blame for the accidents and all family members were payed off to not speak of the event. Finally, the deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded killing people and injuring more. The culprit here was again a huge lack of updates and security checkpoints that were surpassed or ignored to save BP millions.
Wingfield, Brian. "Mississippi Oil Spill Highlights Risk of U.S. Oil Boom." Bloomberg News. 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-25/mississippi-oil-spill-highlights-risk-of-u-s-oil-boom.html>.
An oil spill on the Mississippi in the past week caused an entire section of the river to be shut down for cleanup. This has delayed the shipment of many other goods that usually use the nations largest waterway to transport products. The coast guard has reported that they have cleaned up about 1000 of the 31000 gallons spilled in the river thus far. The spill may be a result of vastly heightened oil production and shipment within the United states in the past decade. Some say that the way to end spills like this is to finally put in the Keystone XL pipeline. Advocates say that this will create a faster and safer way to transport crude oil in the US, reducing the number of spills like this one.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Meth
Engle, Jonah. "Big Pharma And Meth Cooks Agree: Keep Cold Meds Over The Counter." NPR.org. NPR, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226476602/big-pharma-and-meth-cooks-agree-keep-cold-meds-over-the-counter>.
In this interview meth, and meth production, is discussed on various levels. Methamphetamine has become so easily accessible to addicts because of the "shake and bake" method of production. All "cooks" need is some cold medicine and other household items to be shaken in a plastic bottle. Of course, when mixing hazardous chemicals accidents are quite likely. Explosions and fires resulting in burns have increased significantly as meth use has risen. To combat this drug Oregon made cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine a prescription drug. As a result, meth labs decreased by 90 percent. Unfortunately, as other states tried to adopt similar policies, large pharmaceutical companies began lobbying to keep these drugs over-the-counter. So far the drug companies have succeeded and most pseudo has stayed on the streets.
The Meth Epidemic. Dir. Carl Byker. PBS, 17 May 2011. PBS.org. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/>.
America is currently experiencing an epidemic that is affecting drug users everywhere: methamphetamine. This Frontline looks at the history and current affairs of meth in the U.S.. Meth is cited to be one of, if not the most, addictive substance that there is. Users experience a rush of dopamine to the brain much greater than from sex, food, and other usually stimulating things. Because this release is so large, meth actually rewires the way that the brain works. Nothing can compare to the high that users experience and this is what makes it so addictive. The main component in methamphetamine is pseudoephedrine. It is an ingredient commonly found in cold medicine, and can be bought over-the-counter. Amount of addicts have been traced back to the purity of meth. At times when the super labs of Mexico or California are getting lots of good pseudo, as it's called, quality is up and therefore so is addiction. Overall, This addiction has become an epidemic in America and is ruining many lives.
Perry, Tony. "Meth makes comeback in San Diego, once the 'capital,' officials say ." LA Times [Los Angeles, CA]. LA Times, 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. <http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-meth-comeback-20140208,0,1360197.story#axzz2sxA4TP1o>.
Beginning in the 1980s, San Diego was the methamphetamine capital of the world. From then on, officials made many attempts to decrease use in the area. Through a concentrated police effort and other forms of enforcement many believed that meth use was declining in San Diego. Unfortunately, the most recent report shows that there has been a recent increase in both use and production since around 2005. Meth related death rates have also risen in past years and San Diego officials are not happy. The most recent numbers indicate that the former meth capital of the world may not need the modifier of former for much longer.
In this interview meth, and meth production, is discussed on various levels. Methamphetamine has become so easily accessible to addicts because of the "shake and bake" method of production. All "cooks" need is some cold medicine and other household items to be shaken in a plastic bottle. Of course, when mixing hazardous chemicals accidents are quite likely. Explosions and fires resulting in burns have increased significantly as meth use has risen. To combat this drug Oregon made cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine a prescription drug. As a result, meth labs decreased by 90 percent. Unfortunately, as other states tried to adopt similar policies, large pharmaceutical companies began lobbying to keep these drugs over-the-counter. So far the drug companies have succeeded and most pseudo has stayed on the streets.
The Meth Epidemic. Dir. Carl Byker. PBS, 17 May 2011. PBS.org. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/>.
America is currently experiencing an epidemic that is affecting drug users everywhere: methamphetamine. This Frontline looks at the history and current affairs of meth in the U.S.. Meth is cited to be one of, if not the most, addictive substance that there is. Users experience a rush of dopamine to the brain much greater than from sex, food, and other usually stimulating things. Because this release is so large, meth actually rewires the way that the brain works. Nothing can compare to the high that users experience and this is what makes it so addictive. The main component in methamphetamine is pseudoephedrine. It is an ingredient commonly found in cold medicine, and can be bought over-the-counter. Amount of addicts have been traced back to the purity of meth. At times when the super labs of Mexico or California are getting lots of good pseudo, as it's called, quality is up and therefore so is addiction. Overall, This addiction has become an epidemic in America and is ruining many lives.
Perry, Tony. "Meth makes comeback in San Diego, once the 'capital,' officials say ." LA Times [Los Angeles, CA]. LA Times, 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. <http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-meth-comeback-20140208,0,1360197.story#axzz2sxA4TP1o>.
Beginning in the 1980s, San Diego was the methamphetamine capital of the world. From then on, officials made many attempts to decrease use in the area. Through a concentrated police effort and other forms of enforcement many believed that meth use was declining in San Diego. Unfortunately, the most recent report shows that there has been a recent increase in both use and production since around 2005. Meth related death rates have also risen in past years and San Diego officials are not happy. The most recent numbers indicate that the former meth capital of the world may not need the modifier of former for much longer.
Monday, January 20, 2014
North Korea
North Korea rose from the ashes of WW2 and was officially established in 1948. The first president was Kim Il Sung. Sung was succeeded by Kim Jung Il and he by Kim Jung Un. Although they were all called presidents, complete dictator would be a much more fit term. The recent history of North Korea consists mainly of threats of attack, internal propaganda, and extremely limited flow of information. The government has complete control over the entire country and everything is harshly monitored. A large military keeps order throughout the country and enforces the will of the leader. Many people are sent to work internment camps for crimes (especially political ones).
Currently in North Korea, Kim Jung Un is ruling as a young man with no military experience (usually a prerequisite) and he has already committed himself to the same types of propaganda, military threats and harsh leadership that his father used. There have been nuclear threats as well as inner-state threats. The only recent change has been the increase in communication. North Koreans can now use cell phones for communication inside North Korea. Also, illegal smuggling of foreign materials and media is on the rise. Kim Jung Un has executed or removed almost half of his generals since his ascent to power. He has continued the tradition of political imprisonment and doesn't seem to be looking for another way. The western world has deemed Kim Jung Un as "maybe even crazier than his predecessor."
Because of this increase in communication, I believe the state and regime will change--it just depends on when. Now that more and more communication is taking place in North Korea, the leadership can't take it back. More and more people are being exposed to outside media and less and less people are buying into propagandist materials. As this trend continues, it is only a matter of time before the people overthrow the government, or insist on outside intervention. With an increase in communication out of North Korea, more outside entities (human interest groups, foreign nations, etc.) will not only be interested in North Korea, but also be inclined to help the people. Either way, increased communication will end the state of North Korea as we know it today.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/02/a_nation_of_racist_dwarfs.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/13/north-korea-factoids/2078831/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret-state-of-north-korea/
Currently in North Korea, Kim Jung Un is ruling as a young man with no military experience (usually a prerequisite) and he has already committed himself to the same types of propaganda, military threats and harsh leadership that his father used. There have been nuclear threats as well as inner-state threats. The only recent change has been the increase in communication. North Koreans can now use cell phones for communication inside North Korea. Also, illegal smuggling of foreign materials and media is on the rise. Kim Jung Un has executed or removed almost half of his generals since his ascent to power. He has continued the tradition of political imprisonment and doesn't seem to be looking for another way. The western world has deemed Kim Jung Un as "maybe even crazier than his predecessor."
Because of this increase in communication, I believe the state and regime will change--it just depends on when. Now that more and more communication is taking place in North Korea, the leadership can't take it back. More and more people are being exposed to outside media and less and less people are buying into propagandist materials. As this trend continues, it is only a matter of time before the people overthrow the government, or insist on outside intervention. With an increase in communication out of North Korea, more outside entities (human interest groups, foreign nations, etc.) will not only be interested in North Korea, but also be inclined to help the people. Either way, increased communication will end the state of North Korea as we know it today.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/02/a_nation_of_racist_dwarfs.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/13/north-korea-factoids/2078831/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret-state-of-north-korea/
Monday, January 13, 2014
Number Ten
a) The fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process is to advocate for their interest. This can come in the form of political support, bills being passed, or even a supporter being elected.
b) The fundamental goal of major political parties is to get their candidates into office so that they can advocate for all of their goals and beliefs.
c) Interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process by rallying support for and candidate/policy and by donating money to candidates who support their interests.
d) Interest groups achieve their fundamental goals by giving money to candidates. By giving this money to candidates, interest groups can get leaders into office who support their ideals as well as get the ear of policymakers.
b) The fundamental goal of major political parties is to get their candidates into office so that they can advocate for all of their goals and beliefs.
c) Interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process by rallying support for and candidate/policy and by donating money to candidates who support their interests.
d) Interest groups achieve their fundamental goals by giving money to candidates. By giving this money to candidates, interest groups can get leaders into office who support their ideals as well as get the ear of policymakers.
Prompt 9
a) The policy agenda is made up of issues that attract political attention. It is basically the "hot" or debated topics of a time.
b) National media sources often engage in setting the policy agenda. They do this by showing what people care about and covering the "topics of today" which are often what is or becomes the policy agenda.
c) The president tends to have an easier time getting media attention over congress because he is the only one. There are many congressman and only one president making it much more rare and, usually, important when he does something.
d) The difference between the viewing patterns of younger and older aged adults is very simple. The older the person, the more likely they watch nightly news and the younger the person, the less likely. Between 1974 and 2002 there has been a clear general trend towards less viewing. Significantly fewer people watch yet the age trend has remained.
e) Clearly the president's power to influence policy and reach his political objectives by way of mass media has decreased. This decrease has taken place due to a decline of viewership between 1974 and 2002.
b) National media sources often engage in setting the policy agenda. They do this by showing what people care about and covering the "topics of today" which are often what is or becomes the policy agenda.
c) The president tends to have an easier time getting media attention over congress because he is the only one. There are many congressman and only one president making it much more rare and, usually, important when he does something.
d) The difference between the viewing patterns of younger and older aged adults is very simple. The older the person, the more likely they watch nightly news and the younger the person, the less likely. Between 1974 and 2002 there has been a clear general trend towards less viewing. Significantly fewer people watch yet the age trend has remained.
e) Clearly the president's power to influence policy and reach his political objectives by way of mass media has decreased. This decrease has taken place due to a decline of viewership between 1974 and 2002.
Prompt 8
a) Two advantages the majority party in the United States House of Representatives has in lawmaking, above and beyond the numerical advantage that that majority party enjoys in floor voting are the ability to choose the speaker of the house and the ability to control committees. These can help the majority party because they can more easily get bills onto the floor and more easily control the debate once they are there.
b) Two differences between the House and Senate that make it likely that legislation may pass in one chamber but not in the other are the limits on debate in the house but not the senate and the fact that a bill needs a rule in the house but not the senate.
c) Because the Senate has no debate time limit, a bill can be filibustered to death in the senate but not in the house. In the house, the rules committee can kill a bill by not allowing it to even get to the floor.
b) Two differences between the House and Senate that make it likely that legislation may pass in one chamber but not in the other are the limits on debate in the house but not the senate and the fact that a bill needs a rule in the house but not the senate.
c) Because the Senate has no debate time limit, a bill can be filibustered to death in the senate but not in the house. In the house, the rules committee can kill a bill by not allowing it to even get to the floor.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Limiting Independent Expenditures
Independent expenditures are contributions made by people to campaigns. Proponents of limiting independent expenditures assert that having no limit gives wealthier politicians and politicians with wealthier supporters, who are not necessarily the best candidates, an advantage over less affluent candidates. Opponents of limiting independent expenditures argue that because candidates are giving money to something they believe in, they are simply exercising their right to free speech and right to spread their own opinions.
Raising Limits on Individual Contributions
Individual contributions are the contributions made by people or corps to political campaigns. Over the years the limit has been raised. Proponents of raising the limits on individual contributions argue that spending money is a freedom of speech issue and therefore the restrictions should be loosened or even eliminated. Opponents of the raise say that by letting individuals spend more money on campaign contributions, politicians votes can essentially be bought and those with more money would have more governmental pull that those with less money.
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