Amendment 13
Abolition of slavery
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce these article by appropriate legislation.
December 6, 1865.
This is my favorite amendment, because it's the most obvious. No human is above another human, and the day that slavery was abolished was probably one of the greatest moments in American history.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Health Care Blog Post
Different countries have adopted different health care programs and have all had varied successes and concerns about each system.
The United Kingdom
-8.3% GDP
-No Co-payments
-"Socialized medicine" system in which the government both pays for and provides healthcare.
-Britons pay taxes and the NHS distributes those funds to health care providers. The -Administrative costs are low.
-Concerns include long waits and limited choice, however reforms are attempting to respond to these issues.
Japan
-8% GDP
-Avg Family Premium @280 per/mo, employees paying more than half
-Co-payment 30 percent of the cost of a procedure, but the total amount paid in a month is capped according to income.
-"Social insurance" system in which all citizens are required to have health insurance, either through their work or purchased from a nonprofit, community-based plan.
-Best health statistics in the world
-Concerns include spending too little on health care
Germany
-10.7 % GDP
-Avg Family Premium: $750 per month; premiums are pegged to patients' income.
-Co-payments 10 euros ($15) every three months; some patients, like pregnant women, are exempt.
-social insurance model/sickness funds
-single-payment system, but instead of the government negotiating the prices, the sickness funds bargain with doctors as a group
-Patients can go straight to specialist
-Concerns include underpaid doctors
Taiwan
-6.3% GDP
-Avg family premium $650 per year for a family for four.
-Co-payments 20 percent of the cost of drugs, up to $6.50; up to $7 for outpatient care; $1.80 for dental and traditional Chinese medicine. There are exemptions for major diseases, childbirth, preventive services, and for the poor, veterans, and children.
-"National Health Insurance" Like Japan/Germany, all citizens must have insurance, but there is only one, government-run insurer.
-Lowest administrative costs in thee world
-Smart cards
-Concerns include not taking in enough money to provide for care
Switzerland
-11.6% GDP
-Avg monthly family premium $750, paid entirely by consumers; there are government subsidies for low-income citizens.
-Co-payments 10 percent of the cost of services, up to $420 per year.
-"social insurance"
-universal coverage
-second most expensive in the world next to US
In my opinion, I think the United Kingdom has he best health care system. The administrative costs are low and the requirement to see your GP before seeing a specialist keeps GP's in business. GP's are also critical in providing preventative care.
The United Kingdom
-8.3% GDP
-No Co-payments
-"Socialized medicine" system in which the government both pays for and provides healthcare.
-Britons pay taxes and the NHS distributes those funds to health care providers. The -Administrative costs are low.
-Concerns include long waits and limited choice, however reforms are attempting to respond to these issues.
Japan
-8% GDP
-Avg Family Premium @280 per/mo, employees paying more than half
-Co-payment 30 percent of the cost of a procedure, but the total amount paid in a month is capped according to income.
-"Social insurance" system in which all citizens are required to have health insurance, either through their work or purchased from a nonprofit, community-based plan.
-Best health statistics in the world
-Concerns include spending too little on health care
Germany
-10.7 % GDP
-Avg Family Premium: $750 per month; premiums are pegged to patients' income.
-Co-payments 10 euros ($15) every three months; some patients, like pregnant women, are exempt.
-social insurance model/sickness funds
-single-payment system, but instead of the government negotiating the prices, the sickness funds bargain with doctors as a group
-Patients can go straight to specialist
-Concerns include underpaid doctors
Taiwan
-6.3% GDP
-Avg family premium $650 per year for a family for four.
-Co-payments 20 percent of the cost of drugs, up to $6.50; up to $7 for outpatient care; $1.80 for dental and traditional Chinese medicine. There are exemptions for major diseases, childbirth, preventive services, and for the poor, veterans, and children.
-"National Health Insurance" Like Japan/Germany, all citizens must have insurance, but there is only one, government-run insurer.
-Lowest administrative costs in thee world
-Smart cards
-Concerns include not taking in enough money to provide for care
Switzerland
-11.6% GDP
-Avg monthly family premium $750, paid entirely by consumers; there are government subsidies for low-income citizens.
-Co-payments 10 percent of the cost of services, up to $420 per year.
-"social insurance"
-universal coverage
-second most expensive in the world next to US
In my opinion, I think the United Kingdom has he best health care system. The administrative costs are low and the requirement to see your GP before seeing a specialist keeps GP's in business. GP's are also critical in providing preventative care.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Essay 22
The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system. The merit system requires an organization to hire an promote someone based on their qualifications and experience (merit). It can also involve hiring based on testing.
There are a few factors that contribute to the independence of the bureaucracy, such as the structure. The bureaucracy is very large, and that in itself gives it a lot of power over the policymaking system. The complexity of public policy programs also contributes to bureaucracy independence. The bureaucracy is composed of many specialized units, and the president/congress often gives it responsibility to create or oversee policy that deals with those specialized areas, because they are experts. The bureaucracy can fill in the detailed of legislation containing gaps.
The Constitution contains provisions that can check the bureaucracy. Congress can impose appropriations by rewarding or punishing an agency for certain actions. It can also pass legislation that affects the bureaucracy or rejects presidential appointments to the bureaucracy. The courts can give rulings that limit bureaucratic practices, and through judicial review can declare acts unconstitutional. Interest groups can also limit the bureaucracy by lobbying and protesting.
2. The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.
(a) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system.
(b) For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.
• The structure of the federal bureaucracy
• The complexity of public policy problems
(c) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
• Congress
• The courts
• Interest groups
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Essay 21
The formation of interest groups is a common way in which individuals attempt to influence policy. The Constitution contains several provisions that protect the rights of individuals in their efforts to promote their interests in a representative democracy. The Bill of Rights, in particular, contains many provisions that protect the rights of citizens. Two of these include the right to free speech, allowing citizens to say anything they want without being punished, and the right to assembly, which allows citizens to come together. Both of these are helpful to interest groups because it allows them to say what they feel about an issue without being censored, as well as come together as a group and plan/petition etc.
Interest groups use a variety of methods to influence policy. One strategy an interest group often uses is litigation, the process of resolving legal disputes through the court system. Interest groups can use it to put pressure on officials in order to achieve their goals by promoting their cause through the media and affecting public opinion. Another strategy is lobbying. Lobbyists try to influence policymakers in a number of different ways but using tactics such as endorsements, media coverage, working on campaigns, and financial contributions. They offer arguments, evidence, and research on their cause to officials who often don't have time to find the information themselves. Grassroots lobbying, in particular, is the process of influencing the public in order to influence legislation in the decision-making process. This process often involves mass mobilization, in which committed members of the group will often make phone calls, write letters, contact policymakers, and demonstrate.
Campaign contributions are also effective for interest groups. By making contributions to campaigns, interest groups can candidates to support their causes if they win the election.
Though the Constitution protects many rights of citizens that allow for the success of interest groups, the federal government can also regulate interest groups in some ways. For example, the government requires disclosure of any contributions o funding for interest group activities, and they can also require the registration of lobbyists and PACs.
1. Individuals often form groups in order to promote their interests. The Constitution contains several provisions that protect the rights of individuals who try to promote their interests in a representative democracy.
(a) Explain two provisions in the Bill of Rights that protect individuals who try to influence politics.
(b) Interest groups engage in a variety of activities to affect public policy. Explain how each of the following is used by interest groups to exert influence over policy.
• Grassroots mobilization
• Lobbying of government institutions
• Litigation
(c) Describe one specific federal governmental regulation of interest groups.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Interest groups use a variety of methods to influence policy. One strategy an interest group often uses is litigation, the process of resolving legal disputes through the court system. Interest groups can use it to put pressure on officials in order to achieve their goals by promoting their cause through the media and affecting public opinion. Another strategy is lobbying. Lobbyists try to influence policymakers in a number of different ways but using tactics such as endorsements, media coverage, working on campaigns, and financial contributions. They offer arguments, evidence, and research on their cause to officials who often don't have time to find the information themselves. Grassroots lobbying, in particular, is the process of influencing the public in order to influence legislation in the decision-making process. This process often involves mass mobilization, in which committed members of the group will often make phone calls, write letters, contact policymakers, and demonstrate.
Campaign contributions are also effective for interest groups. By making contributions to campaigns, interest groups can candidates to support their causes if they win the election.
Though the Constitution protects many rights of citizens that allow for the success of interest groups, the federal government can also regulate interest groups in some ways. For example, the government requires disclosure of any contributions o funding for interest group activities, and they can also require the registration of lobbyists and PACs.
1. Individuals often form groups in order to promote their interests. The Constitution contains several provisions that protect the rights of individuals who try to promote their interests in a representative democracy.
(a) Explain two provisions in the Bill of Rights that protect individuals who try to influence politics.
(b) Interest groups engage in a variety of activities to affect public policy. Explain how each of the following is used by interest groups to exert influence over policy.
• Grassroots mobilization
• Lobbying of government institutions
• Litigation
(c) Describe one specific federal governmental regulation of interest groups.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Friday, April 25, 2014
A Fierce Green Fire
"Watch Film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.In this documentary, "A Fierce Green Fire," different environmental movements are featured in order to project the severity of our acts and their consequences on the environment/health of the human race. Separated into five separate acts, the movement of the 1960s and the Sierra club's fight against dams in the Grand Canyon are featured in Act 1, pollution in the 1970s and victims of the Love Canal are featured in Act 2, Greenpeace and its campaigns to halt whale hunting is featured in Act 3, the effort to save the Amazon Rainforest and the rise in global resource crises are charted in act 4, and finally climate change is discussed in Act 5.
"Green Student U." Green Student U RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines different types of pollution, their effects on the environment, and how we can take steps to reduce pollution. This article is helpful because it gives specific statistics to accompany reasons to fix pollution, and is very informative.
"What Is Recycling?" Benefits of Recycling. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines recycling and its important role in the effort to conserve and reuse resources. The article also describes scenarios and places in which recycling can take effect, such as schools, work offices, and more. Many recycling programs have already been created and adopted by such organizations and are encouraged to be taken seriously.
I would like to see people recycle their waste (if recyclable)because it takes little to no effort, but makes a very lasting impact. I would also like to see the world lessen greenhouse gasses by cutting back on automobile transportation and placing limits on factory CO2 emissions.
"Green Student U." Green Student U RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines different types of pollution, their effects on the environment, and how we can take steps to reduce pollution. This article is helpful because it gives specific statistics to accompany reasons to fix pollution, and is very informative.
"What Is Recycling?" Benefits of Recycling. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines recycling and its important role in the effort to conserve and reuse resources. The article also describes scenarios and places in which recycling can take effect, such as schools, work offices, and more. Many recycling programs have already been created and adopted by such organizations and are encouraged to be taken seriously.
I would like to see people recycle their waste (if recyclable)because it takes little to no effort, but makes a very lasting impact. I would also like to see the world lessen greenhouse gasses by cutting back on automobile transportation and placing limits on factory CO2 emissions.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Essay 20
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. Two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns include coverage on the backgrounds of candidates as well as candidate sound bites.
The media tends to focus less on issues and more on the personalities and backgrounds of the candidates because it interests the public more and receives higher viewer ratings. Sound bytes have also become more popular. These are brief recorded statements by the candidate that seek to summarize the most important part of the whole message, or capture the most interesting quote to grab the audience's attention. You cannot talk about an entire policy issue within the space of a few seconds.
Two ways in which the candidate's use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns include negative ad campaigns against the character of the opposing candidate and the president's use of the media to promote good deeds he/she performs for the community.
(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
The media tends to focus less on issues and more on the personalities and backgrounds of the candidates because it interests the public more and receives higher viewer ratings. Sound bytes have also become more popular. These are brief recorded statements by the candidate that seek to summarize the most important part of the whole message, or capture the most interesting quote to grab the audience's attention. You cannot talk about an entire policy issue within the space of a few seconds.
Two ways in which the candidate's use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns include negative ad campaigns against the character of the opposing candidate and the president's use of the media to promote good deeds he/she performs for the community.
(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 19
National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives. The NAACP for example, often targets the judicial courts by means of litigation to achieve their goals. The legal defense fund for the NAACP selected the case of Linda Brown in 1945. Brown was an African American student required by law to attend a segregated school. Thee law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because it violated the 14th amendment's guarantee of equal protection.
The NAACP is likely to target the judiciary branch because they can make a strong case with the help of the freedom rights in the constitution against any sort of segregation or unfairness based on color. In addition, "the NAACP is frequently asked to submit Amicus Briefs in civil rights cases, regarding a number of varied legal issues. Many of these issues go directly to the heart of the NAACP's mission and work. Below is a partial list of significant Amicus Briefs the NAACP has filed over the last two years" (www.NAACP.org)
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/public/repository/us-gov-released-exam-1999.pdf
The NAACP is likely to target the judiciary branch because they can make a strong case with the help of the freedom rights in the constitution against any sort of segregation or unfairness based on color. In addition, "the NAACP is frequently asked to submit Amicus Briefs in civil rights cases, regarding a number of varied legal issues. Many of these issues go directly to the heart of the NAACP's mission and work. Below is a partial list of significant Amicus Briefs the NAACP has filed over the last two years" (www.NAACP.org)
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/public/repository/us-gov-released-exam-1999.pdf
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