My Favorite Amendment

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Essay 18

Over the last several decades,the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in the South, but other demographic changes have also been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected at different rates in presidential elections than in congressional elections.
One specific trend identified in the graph above is that the percentage of electoral votes for democrats trends downward. From 1948 to 2000, Southern voters elected Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than they elected Democratic candidates to the presidency. This was due to the incumbency advantage as well as Gerrymandering. District lines created safe seats/majority minority districts, which protected Democratic seats even though there were more Republican voters in statewide presidential elections.
Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades. For example, Catholics and Labor Union Members have become less reliable Democratic voters. Labor Union Members, specifically, have decreased in number and thus there are fewer Democratic supporters.
Women, in contrast, have become more reliable Democratic voters. They have increased in number and thus there are more Democratic supporters.Social conservatives were previously nonexistent and have now crystallized to become more reliable Republican voters as well.

Over the last several decades,
the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in
important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in
the South, but other demographic changes have also
been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected
at different rates in presidential elections than
in congressional elections.
(a) Identify one specific trend evident in the figure above.
(b) Choose two of the following and use each to explain why southern voters from 1948
to 2000 were electing
Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing
Democratic candidates for the
presidency.
•
Incumbency advantage
•
Gerrymandering
•
Differences between state and national parties
(c) Several other changes in party
composition have emerged in the past few decades. Select three of the
following groups and for each explain how parties have changed in composition with respect to that group.
•
Catholics
•
Labor union members
•
Women
•
Social conservatives

Essay 17

The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing government policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.
One characteristic of the merit system is that hiring or promotion is based upon a persons experience and qualifications, or even testing. This allows for the most suited individual to gain the position rather than other systems where people simply move up the ranks.
A few factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence include the structure of the bureaucracy and the complexity of public policy issues. The structure is very large (There is power in numbers) and contains specialized units, therefore they can exercise discretion in areas that congress is less able to and be more independent in making decisions. The fact that positions held in the bureaucracy are merit based also increases independence. As for policy issues, the same holds true that the president and congress often dump responsibility on the specialized areas of the bureaucracy because they cannot handle everything, and that they may exercise discretion.
There are constitutional provisions that are able to check the bureaucracy, however. For example, Congress can implement appropriations on an agency and therefore increase the pressure to comply by the threat of a punishment or the promise of a reward. Congress can also pass legislation that can affect the bureaucracy and the decisions it makes. Similarly, courts have the power to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. In addition, interest groups can lobby, protest, or use litigation against the bureaucracy in order to prevent their actions.


2. The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive br
anch exercises substantial independence in implementing
governmental policies and programs. Most workers in th
e 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 bur
eaucratic 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 16

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.
One reason that the federal agencies have this discretion is that Congress lacks the specialized expertise that agencies have from experience. Another reason is that Congress simply does not want to be blamed for making a bad policy and thus losing the support of its constituents.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, specializes in protecting clean air and water, public goods to the population. When the EPA sets emissions limits or recommends emissions limits, they are exercising policy-making discretion because they have more knowledge on what's beneficial to the environment than Congress would.
Congress, however, makes sure that federal agencies follow legislative intent by appropriating budgets and overseeing the agency in its projects and decisions. The agencies are not given full reign when limited to a budget specifically given to them by the government-- their decisions must be approved or they will no longer have the money given to them. In overseeing the actions of the agency, Congress can impose investigations or hold hearings to make sure the agency has good intent.


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

Entitlement programs are government-sponsored programs providing
mandated/guaranteed/required benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements/qualifications. One such program is called Social Security, a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government. The primary source of revenue for Social Security come from payroll taxes, which are "taxes an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee."
One threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue is the possibility of running out of money. The population of elderly people has increased as medical technology is able to prolong lives and the baby boom produced an abundance of elderly all at once, putting a high demand on social security in one big wave. They are having to pay out at a higher rate than the pay-in as the number of working people cannot support the large population who will soon reach the age of
eligibility to receive Social Security.
If the eligibility for Social Security was raised, the trends in the chart would be the same but further out, as the baby boom generation will still reach the same age at the same time. It may be slightly less dramatic of a drop if the age was raised enough to the point of people dying before receiving their benefits.

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

Essay 14

The president has a number of executive powers that allow him some influence over domestic policymaking in Congress. For example, the president has legislative powers, including the power to veto a law, pocket veto a law, or sign legislation to pass a law. This means that even if congress passes a law, the president can veto it and send it back, thus influencing Congress to change, alter, or throw out the proposed change to policy. The president is also the Commander in Chief, which means he or she has the power to call into service the National Guard, and in times of emergency may be given the power by Congress to manage national security or the economy (LLI).
The President also has limits on his/her ability to influence policymaking, however. For example, mandatory spending in which spending is not controlled by annual
budget decisions, limits the president because budgetary constraints make it
difficult to accomplish policy goals.
Party Polarization, or increased interparty differences, also limits the president in that
the opposing party may block policy
goals there is a lack of moderates with whom to build coalitions.


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.

-The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.

-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

Congressional Deportation is the reallocation of the number of representatives
each state has in the House of Representatives. Reapportionment increases or decreases the number of seats a state has in the House/Congress. More representatives mean that a state has more influence, as the number of representatives in each state increases or decreases a state's number of electoral votes.
Congressional redistricting is the drawing or redrawing of congressional district lines.
During this process, politicians often "gerrymander"or manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class.
Politicians may choose to "pack" or "crack" representatives in district territories, depending on the circumstances. Packing clumps representatives of a party in a single district, allowing the other party to win the remainder of the districts. Cracking splits distributes representatives among multiple districts, to prevent them from constituting a majority. Two of politician's main goals of using this tactic are to enhance the political party strength and minimize the opposite party's strength and to protect incumbents.
Two limits that the United States Supreme Court has has placed on congressional redistricting include that districts must be equally populated, and district lines must be connected.


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

Oil Spill

"Blowout: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.In this episode of "60 Minutes," crewmember Mike Williams describes his horrific experience just barely escaping the "Deep Water Horizon" explosion.He says the destruction of the "Deep Water Horizon" had been building for weeks in a series of mishaps. The article sheds light on the consequences to human life by BP's decision to bypass safety precautions in order to save money.

"Video: The Spill | Watch FRONTLINE Online | PBS Video." PBS Video. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014.This PBS Frontline video on the 2010 Oil Spill in the gulf of Mexico investigates the cause and effect behind the disaster as well as the response from BP and the company's executives.

"The Oil Spill’s Effects on Wildlife." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 05 Mar. 2014.This article from the New York Times gives facts and statistics about the environmental effect of the BP oil spill in 2010. A noted increase in the deaths of turtles, dolphins, and birds have been reported since the spill, and concerns for a multitude of other marine species are explained. Cleanup materials and separation chemicals may be the lesser of two evils as both are potentially harmful to wildlife. The article reveals how the spill cost more then just human lives.

Essay 12

A divided government is one in which the presidency and the Congress are controlled by different parties. This occurrence has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because it has heightened partisanship and caused much policy gridlock due to two extreme sides and a decline of the middle position. There are strong voices on both sides, and therefore the system of checks and balances causes a back an forth cycle preventing anything from getting done quickly.
The increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because it leads to the belief that candidates are spending more time raising money for their campaign expenses and less time on actual policy and matters of the people.
Two specific consequences of the decline of trust in government include less voter participation and more protesting. If citizens don't have faith in the people of their government, they are less likely to vote, and voting is the most important aspect of a democracy--it is how voices get heard. Similarly, if citizens believe they cannot rely on their government, it will lead to protests and chaos, demanding changes to be made.

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://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/govpol/ap04_sg_gopo_us.pdf

Essay 11

Two patterns that the graph shows are a high reelection rate of incumbents in both the House and Senate, and a higher rate of incumbent reelection in the House than the Senate. Incumbents in the House are generally shown to be reelected over 80% of the time, whereas incumbents in the Senate are shown to be reelected over 50% of the time.
Two factors that contribute to the incumbency advantage include name recognition and campaign financing. When a member of congress has already served a term, constituents know their face and their values and are more likely to be safe and vote for someone they are familiar with, rather than a new face. In addition, returning candidates also likely have more funding available for their campaigns, and spending more money on campaigns is proven to be very affective in winning votes, as more people are exposed to the cause.
One consequence of the incumbency advantage to the political process is that it makes it hard for new change to occur in the policy agenda. New members of congress likely have new and fresh ideas and perspectives that may not be heard. It essentially diminishes democracy.






(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

Meth-a-demic

What started as a West Coast motorcycle gang craze has spread across the United States and become a troublesome epidemic--the abuse of methamphetamine. Highs and lows of meth abuse have been recorded over the past forty years as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration enforces new rules and addicts find new ways around them, a cyclical pattern.
Meth has become increasingly easy for users to make, as pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, the essential ingredients, can be found in simple, over-the-counter cold remedies. The DEA has tried to restrict the availability of these ingredients and limit easy access off store shelves, however large and powerful pharmaceutical companies have stood as a repelling force, arguing that the proposed methods were unfair to a perfectly legitimate business. The DEA has also tried to regulate the source of the ingredients in order to lessen the problem. An accidental find of a massive drug distributor in Mexico greatly lessened the purity of meth on the streets of America, but like always, meth users found a way to get back into business.
Though meth has become relatively easy to make, it is by no means without risk. Mixing heavy chemicals that are not meant to be together in a tightened bottle causes many users to be harmed by chemical explosions and devastating burn injuries. This is one fallout of meth users being able to cook it up themselves. However, the process allows chemicals to seep into its surroundings, which could be anywhere-- and people will breath it in.
Oregon is one of the only states to successfully make medicine containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine a prescription drug, and meth labs have accordingly decreased by ninety percent. In states such as Kentucky, pharmaceutical companies have hired lobbyists that make it sound as if legislation wants to take away people's cold medicine. It is one big struggle between an organization that wants to stop the abuse of meth and decrease crime rate, and a company that makes it's money by selling cold medicine.
Meth contamination is such a large issue, it shows up in many places one might not expect--schools, for example. There have been instances where students have been reported to come to school smelling of meth chemicals, due to secret math labs of the parents at home. Similarly, teachers who have been found hiding meth in drawers and purses, secret meth labs found on playgrounds, and so on. Meth doesn't only affect the users, but the people around the users as well. It is a problem that must be solved, if catastrophe and crime are to be prevented.

Sources:


http://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226476602/big-pharma-and-meth-cooks-agree-keep-cold-meds-over-the-counter

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/etc/synopsis.html

http://methlabhomes.com/meth-contamination-in-schools/

NOKOBLOPO

Japan lost control of Korea after defeat in WWII, leaving Soviet troops in the north end of Korea and United States troops in the Southern end of Korea, the 38th parallel of latitude as the divider. Neither of the two powers could decide on a form of government to carry out, leading to the selection of two different leaders. The Republic of Korea in the South elected Syngman Rhee and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north elected Kim Il Sung.
In 1950, the Korean War began when North Korea attacked South Korea. The United States entered the war defending the South while the Communist Chinese joined forces with North Korea, leading to the armistice in 1953 where the previous boundaries were essentially reinforced between the two sides.

In 1994 Kim II Sung, North Korea's ruler since 1948, died. His son, Kim Jong II, who is was very young, took over and was named “Great Leader,” the same title his father held. North Korea suffered a serious famine in the mid- and late 1990's. In 2000, South Korea's President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong II pledged to work toward the eventual reunification of their countries. 100 people from each country were temporarily reunited with family they hadn't seen since the start of the Korean War.

In 2002 North Korea began to conduct a nuclear weapons program, which violated the 1994 agreement with the United States, South Korea, and Japan not to engage in such a program. Mistrustful of North Korea's intentions, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States began to hold a series of multiparty negotiations with North Korea in an effort to persuade it to discontinue using nuclear technology.

Currently North Korea is headed by Kim Jung Il's successor, Kim Jong-un. North Korea is still under a strict regime and is virtually closed off from the rest of the world. No phone calls can be made out of the country and the leaders are viewed as royalty-- any slightly suspicious remark or act of treason can result in execution. One prison camp in North Korea is three times the size of Washington D.C. They have one of the world's largest standing armies and continue to be an underground nuclear threat, though the situation is less sever for now.

I think the regime will change with time. As the Frontline video showed, defectors are risking their lives to get information of the outside world in, while North Koreans are illegally smuggling information out at the same time. There is a growing awareness that I believe will potentially lead to a revolution of the people, as they realize the conditions of their living compared to the rest of the world.



Works Cited

"History of South Korea." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

"North Korea Profile." BBC News. BBC, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.

"Secret State of North Korea." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Essay 10

While interest groups and political parties each play a significant role in the United States political system, they differ in their fundamental goals.
The fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process is to influence policy. An interest group shares a set of beliefs that they wish to be heard and acted upon by the government and its people. They seek to do so by a variety of methods that target either the public or the policymakers (i.e. the government). One popular method used by interest groups is grassroots lobbying, which 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. Another process includes campaign contributions, where interest groups seek favor with a particular party candidate by donating money.
The fundamental goal of political parties in the political process is to elect people to office, with no particular set of beliefs being promoted. By electing the corresponding candidate they hope the candidate will later make decisions that correspond to their values.
Though interest groups and political parties differ in their fundamental goals, they can actually benefit one and other if their goals and interests coincide. Interest groups support the goal of political parties in the political process by monetary contributions, for example. By giving a direct contribution to a political campaign in order to gain their support or seek favor, interest groups not only help themselves by promoting their interests, but help the political party financially to get their leader elected. Another way the two can benefit each other is if an interest group makes an indirect contribution, such as creating a television ad that promotes their interest and associates it with a particular political party or their candidate. In both scenarios, interest groups gain access to government and political parties benefit from their actions.

Essay 9

DATA for 2009_4 (below)
Viewer’s Ages and Frequency of Viewing of Network Nightly News: 1974 and 2002 Combined
1974 frequently (%) rarely (%)
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18-29 45 13
30-44 50 12
45-64 68 8
65+ 71 5

2002 frequently (%) rarely (%)
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18-29 19 22
30-44 22 17
45-64 40 11
65+ 53 8

The policy agenda is composed of all issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at any given point in time. It is organized in such a way that the most important issues are first and so on.
The national news engages in setting this agenda by raising awareness of important issues. By broadcasting and providing information, it draws the attention of not only the public, but the government and policy makers as well, which can then lead to organization and agenda setting- prioritizing the issues to be dealt with.
Though Congress can gain media attention, the President is the most useful person for this job. He is one person, while Congress is composed of multiple people. The president speaks with a single voice, while Congress has many voices, and he represents the nation entire nation rather than a district or state. The president is more powerful than any single member of Congress and, therefore, is most closely listened to by the public.
As the table provided shows, young people view less TV news than older people and vice versa. People in all age categories viewed less TV news in 2002 than they did in 1974. This being said, the President will need to rely on alternate forms of media to gain the attention of the public rather than the nightly news, as he is only reaching a select portion of the population.

Holiday Song

Jingle Votes (With Emma Su and Tanna Reid)

Campaigning through the snow
In a presidential primary
The candidate gets the mo'
In a race to beat John Kerry

He wants to be on top
The president has the power
But don't forget three branches
The check each other each hour

Oh, jingle votes, jingle votes
Jingle all the way
Oh what stress it is to be
In a presidential campaign

Oh, jingle votes, jingle votes
Jingle all the way
Oh the money that goes into
A presidential campaign

He's got a plan in mind
Reform the tax policy
He hopes the people find
His ideas are quite worthy

Come election time
The votes we count away
The people call the shots
He has won the day!

Majority Parties

The majority party in the United States House of Representatives has the advantage of holding committee chairs and committee powers, setting the agenda, and controlling debates. (insert factual info)

The House and Senate differ in their formalities. For example, the House does not have a formal filibuster procedure, whereas the Senate does. The House has a formal rule of unanimous consent, whereas the Senate does not.

Even if the House of Representatives and the Senate are both controlled by the Republican party, for example, the Senate can still stop the passing of a bill by a filibuster. (Insert more info)

Campaign Finance Reforms

Eliminating soft money is the act if prohibiting or regulating campaign contributions to political parties and/or contributions for party building. Many proponents of this proposition argue that eliminating soft money would level the playing field if an election. Soft money is often used to get around federal limits on hard money....
Opponents of the proposition argue that the first amendment protects the right to soft money tactics and elimination also contradicts the ruling in the Buckley v. Valeo case....
Raising limits on individual contributions is a proposal to increase the dollar amounts individuals may give to a campaign, party, or PAC. Proponents of this proposal argue that this will allow candidates to spend less time fundraising, decrease the influence of PACs, decrease restrictions on the first amendment and eliminate the problem in which limits are not indexed to inflation. Opponents argue that this proposal would allow the rich to buy more influence and drive up the money of campaigns as a whole