Senate passes controversial tax cut deal

Senate passes controversial tax cut deal

President Obama has passed the Bush-era Tax cut extension to lower taxes on American famalies and extend the unemployment fund for 13 months. Obama has urged the House to quickly get the plan into action. He also has said he hopes that both parties can come together for the good of the people of the United Sates.

Government May Shut Down Amid Standoff on Pork-Filled Spending Bill

Congress is going over a 2000 page bill that wants to be passed that will give the government 1.72trillion to keep the government going throught the end of the fiscal year. Republicans are contesting the bill and wanting to have the 1924 page bill read aloud in the hearing, this would take 30-40 hours and push the debate into Saturday.

The Senate's war over Christmas

Once again, instead of working together  for the good of the people, the Republican party and the Democrat party are fighing about whose fault it is that the bill was so big and has the potential of going on into the christmas break. I think they should stop wasting time and get it resolved reguardless whose darn fault it is.

Take ten minutes to look over the links and then in your blog, describe what your views are on the materials that we covered. Provide a paragraph of reflection on what areas you had prior knowledge of and those that you did not.

South Dakota Legislature is very different then i first thought. Many of the Legislature people are part time and while they are not working in Peirre forming and debating laws, they are normal people with the same concerns as we are. To be a part of the Legislature you have to be atleast 21 years of age, be a US citizen and have lived atleast 2 years in the state of South Dakota. The term for the Senators and Representatives are both two years. No Senator or Representative can serve more then eight years.

Assignment

1. Explain the difference between hard and soft money:

Hard money is earned by campaining and is given to a certain individual in the chosen political party.
Soft money is given and or granted to a political party in whole and can be taked and used by anyone in the designated political party for any campaining duty.

2. What is the electoral process and is this something that you agree or disagree with and why?
The elecroral process is where the chosen nominees of the political party are chose to run for office. There are many way that the nominee is chosen. I don't mind about how they pick the person who is going to represent their party, as long as it is a fair pick and fair game.

3. What is the difference between a closed and open primary?
Open primary is where you can go to vote and pick anyone that is running no matter what their party affiliation is.
Closed primary is where you can only vote for the nominees that are in your politcal party. So if you are Republican, you could only vote for the Republican nominees.

4. Explain what absentee voting is and what the positives and negative may be with regards to it:
Absentee voting is where you can vote in advance. The only way you can do this is if you have a good excuse of why you are going to miss the voting day. Most states allow a certain amount of time before the actual election that absentee voters can cast their votes.

5. What changes to your see in the way we run elections ten years from now?
I belive that the elections are going to be very monitored. Not only that, but the elections will be extremely telivised and the voting process will be completely computerized.

6. Explain your views on money and elections with regards the amount of money that is spent:
I think that the spending of the campains is outragious. There should be no need to spend so much money on them. i do understand they are an important role in our society, but come on. We need to find a way to get more people involved so just the people who are donating the large amounts of money can help them win. we need to keep the money raised even between both political parties so one does not get more advertisement then the other.

7. Go to cnn.com or foxnews.com and find an article dealing with the election process.  Post the article in your blog and provide your viewpoints pertaining to the article.



(CNN) -- In less than two months, members of the Republican National Committee will convene at National Harbor, just outside Washington, and select a chairman to lead the organization over the next two years.
With the midterm elections over, the race is already generating a phenomenal amount of chatter. That includes a former staffer and potential rival's criticism of the incumbent, Michael Steele.
But often lost in all this discussion is a focus on what really matters -- the personal and professional qualifications a prospective chairman must have to do the job effectively. Speculation abounds as to whether Steele will run for re-election; to date, however, he has not announced his intention to do so.
Here are the factors the group casually referred to as "the 168" will be weighing as they make their decision.
1. Fundraising chops
Simply put, the RNC's financial requirements are so vast -- and weak fundraising has proved to have such negative effects on the RNC's ability to carry out its operations -- that committee members will treat solid fundraising chops as a litmus test applicable to all candidates for the job of chairman.

Michael Steele: 'I ain't going anywhere'

DNC chairman: Steele will survive

RELATED TOPICS

• Republican National Committee
• Michael Steele
• John Boehner
• U.S. Conservative Politics
• Political Parties

Someone capable of raising $200 million in a cycle will not pass muster; the RNC needs to be able to raise closer to twice that (or more) in a presidential cycle, with much of that sum flowing from day one as a direct result of person-to-person outreach by the chairman himself.
Online fundraising is great, and should be a priority, but without a solid fundraiser-in-chief, the RNC can be little more than a bit player on the sidelines -- and that won't cut it in 2012 when the presidency as well as control of Congress is on the table.
2. Fortune 500-quality management skills
At its best, the RNC is a powerhouse organization capable of influencing what happens at the highest levels in this country to an equal or greater degree to any Fortune 500 company.
It needs to be run by someone with the best possible management skills who is able to handle money and large budgets consistently well. It needs someone who can seek out and hire not merely competent individuals, but exceptional ones. The chairman needs to be able to lure them away from companies such as Microsoft or Yahoo to do jobs that are more stressful, more time consuming, less enjoyable and far less financially lucrative.
It is not enough to keep the trains running on time. A good chairman does it cost-effectively, after having hired high-level staff who have endurance, creativity and instincts roughly equivalent to those of Lance Armstrong, David Bowie and Predator combined. Management skills are key for this leadership role.
3. Neutrality
Heading into a presidential cycle, there is one thing no potential presidential contender wants: an RNC chairman who is actually, or perceived to be, hostile to his or her interests.
By definition, that means that committee members, each of whom has a personal preference or expects to at some stage, want a chairman who is and will honestly remain neutral until a nominee has been selected.
If a candidate is already in the tank for Candidate X, expect that to count against him when the 168 are weighing their options. If she is pledging neutrality but previously worked for one of the contenders, or pledged her support for him or her, this will also be true.
4. Duct tape
Proverbially speaking, the primary job of an RNC chairman is not to talk. More often than not, it is to shut up, let others do the talking (and listen when they do) and coordinate the message with other members of the Republican team.
This important for ensuring that committee members do not come to feel resentful of a chairman who has morphed from being a pretty big deal into a gigantic head threatening to eclipse everything in a constant quest for the next TV camera or microphone. It is also important for ensuring that the chairman complements the work being undertaken by Republican congressional leaders -- specifically incoming Speaker John Boehner -- and others, as opposed to stepping on toes and generating discord and confusion.
Furthermore, the chairman remaining less seen and heard will help both the future presidential nominee and up-and-coming bright stars get what they need to raise their profile and grow the party.
No offense to any of the current or prospective contenders, but right now and for the foreseeable future, Boehner needs to be the primary face of Republican leadership when it comes to legislation and policy. And when it comes to the broader political debate, it's a good bet that as it stands, most Republican donors, activists and voters would prefer to see Marco Rubio on their TV screens than the money-and-management guy (or girl).
5. Club membership
During his unsuccessful run for chairman in 2009, Ken Blackwell commented that were he put in charge, the RNC would no longer be "a social club," a remark much criticized for arguably insulting the 168, of which Blackwell was not a member.
But the reality is that the RNC, constituted for extremely serious purposes that extend well beyond meeting for some drinks and chit-chat with friends, is something of a club. And it's one that is hard to run if you are not yourself a member. This is one of the less frequently heard but important criticisms of Steele.
Certainly, there are many Republicans and actual committee members who would agree that demonstrated strength in fundraising and solid management skills are more important aspects of a prospective chairman's resume than club membership and that a club member ought not to be automatically preferred to an outsider with these qualities. However, the bottom line is that a chairman who comes from the ranks of the RNC or who has been embedded with the 168 for so long that that is effectively the case is likely to work better with club members than an outsider.
Other factors may, of course, matter to individual committee members casting a vote.
Some will prefer a candidate who avidly uses an iPad. Some will prefer a candidate who presents extremely well on TV for those occasions when on-camera work is desirable. Some will prefer a rock-ribbed conservative over a squishy moderate.
But all, or virtually all, will measure candidates against the above criteria before casting a vote. Mark off the second week of January on your calendar to see who will take home the big prize.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Liz Mair.

Ch 6 Test - Your Blog Due Nov 23.

Ch 6 Test - Your Blog Due Nov 23.

1.  Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 1:
In 1789 when the constitution went into effect, only white male property owners could vote. In this current state of time the potential voting population is roughly 216 million people. Also almost everyone at a minimal 18 years of age can vote. The states rights to govern votes has now been getting depleted and is owned by the federal government.


2.  Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 2:
Until the creation of the 26th Amendment, anyone under the age of 21 did not have the right to vote. From the time the 26th Amendment was born, up till 1970 only four states allowed voters under 21. Georgia set the limit to 18, along with Kentucky, then Alaska, and shortly after, Hawaii. The spark of age 18 voting limits began to spread nationwide in the 1940's during the heat of WWII. Although the voting limit was lowered, the number of younger voters has been declining every year.


3.  Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 3:

Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act outlawed dicrimination in many areas, especially in the work force. When it came to voting rights, the most important section forbids the use of any voter registration or literacy requirement in an unfair or discriminatory manner. To be effective the law rilied on judicial action to overcome racial barriers and emphasisd the use of federal court orders called injunctions. The violation of an injunction amounts to contempt of court, a crime punishable by fine and or inprisonment.



4.  Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 4:

There is a trend that has been figured out on who is democrat and republican. Studies show that many of the lower income brackets making less then $15000 and $15000-29999 are democrats, While people making 30000-49999 are split down the middle, and the upper people are republican. Education also plays a major factor, studies show that college grads are voting more the high school grads.



5. Explain voter apathy and what can be done to help it:

It is basicly saying that people dont care for voting. I feel that the younger that school students can start to learn about how the government effects our lives, the better. There is nothing that makes any more sense then being well educated in something that can change lives. if more people began to vote, getting the economy back in order could happen due to the right leader being elected. It doesnt matter if their Republican, Democrat or independent, just as long as the majority of the millions of potential voters who would vote thought so.



6. Explain the qualifications for registering to vote:

"Motor Voter Law"

1) Allow all eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply for a new divers license.

2) Provide for voter registration by mail

3)Make registration forms available at the local offices of state employment, welfare, and other social service agencies.

For the public

1) Name

2) Age

3) Place of Birth

4) Present Address

5) Lenght of Residence

Using the Internet, research for a minimum of 15mins- the history of the two major political parties in our government.

Republican party is one of two major contemporary political groups. It was firsrt founded by the anti slavery activists in 1854. The Republican party is also reffered as the GOP. (Grand Old Party) The Republican party greatly reflects American Conservatism unlike the liberal losers who want to run our economy down to nothing to try and move forward.

Deomocratic party is one of two major contemporary politcal groups in the United States. The Democratic party takes a more liberal out take on the economy. This means they try to go forward instead of holding back to get the resources to move forward. The Democratic party had the lenghtiest record of contiuous oporation in the united States.

I picked to be in the Republican party for a reason. As you have seen with the economy stalled out due to the liberals in office. I understand wanting to move forward and better the United States but you can not go off at the angle that the Democrats are. They want to push forward no matter what the current economy is. I am against that all the way. We have to stop foreign trades coming in and bring the American businesses back into America. I might sound selfish when I say this, but America needs to worry about America first. As soon as we get back ontop of the economy we can start aiding in foreign affairs.

Then give your view on the national results and the local results. Both the candidates and the initiative measures.

The battle for the only U.S. house seat was very close and very tight between Herseth Sandlin and Noem. After Noem's victory, the crowd was screaming and excited when Noem went up on stage to give her speech to her supporters. She right away began to talk about stopping carless spending by the government, which seems to be her main goal right away after getting into office.
Herseth Sandlin was a good sport after her very close defeat. She also went up on stage and gave a thank you speech to her supporters, along with congradulating Noem for her win for the house seat. Herseth Sandlin said "And again South Dakota, we only have one voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, and after the elections are over, we need to work together for whats best for our state."

It was good to see Noem win, and I am excited to see what she brings for us South Dakotans. I do believe that Noem, along with the other Republicans will bring great thing for everyone in our state and along with other states and our country. It is fun to see the elections and see what everyone tries to do to go under eachothers skin.

In your blog: Pick two areas from each of the three section in Chapter 4. Write a paragraph on those areas and what you have learned in regards to each area. You should have six total paragraphs.

Sec 1) The constitution is the basic design for the division of powers. The division of powers is split between the National government and the states. The division of powers was orginally in the constitution then it was later spelled out in the Bill of Rights.
       2) Like the government is denied rights to make some laws, the states are also denied powers too. Some powers would be no state can enter into a confederation, alliance, or form any treaty. Also, no states can tax any function of the National government.

Sec2 1) Any invasion to any state in the United States, would be taken as an attack on the whole country its self. Back when the 13 original colonies were coming to an agreement to stop making war materials, they made and "iron clad agreement" to stand up for one another in the case of any one or more states being attacked. Very rarely does the federal government get involved in domestic disputes, but when there are large uncontrollable riots and robberys, the national guard is sent in alog with other members of law enforcemnt to try and restore order.
       2) If you are a contractor and you need to build a large complex of any kind, you need to get the money for the supplies and machinery. A way to get this money is to talk to the federal government and get a money grant. A grant is an amount of money givent to someone or a company to start their building for the good of mankind. You cant go and get a grant to build a house for yourself, there has to be a reason for you borrowing the money.

Sec3 1) Full Faith and Credit Clause usually operates between the states, but there are two exceptions. First, the it only works for civil matters and cannot be used for criminal matters. Basicly, one state cant go out and enforce another states laws. Second, the credit clause does not need to be given to certain divorces granted by one state to members of another state.
         2)Privilages and immunities, states that no state can draw unreasonable disticntions between its own residents adn those persons who happen to live in other states.

What is the Supremacy Clause and what is its function?

"This constitution, and states which shall ve made in Pursuance therof; and all treaties made, or which shall ve made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the contrary not withstanding."

The Supremacy Clause has been called the "Linchpin of the Constituion" because it has joined teh Natinal Government and States into a single Governmental unit, a federal government.

Explain the division of powers and why it is important?

National Powers= Coin money, Tegulate interstate and foreign trades, Raise and maintain armed forces, declare war, Govern U.S. Territories and admit new states, conduct foreign relations.
Concurrent Powers= Levy and Collect taxes, borrow money, establish courts, define crimes and set punishments, claim private property for public use.
State powers= Regulate trade and business within the state, establish public schools, pass license requirements for professionals, regulate alcoholic beverages, conduct eleceions, establish local governments.

List and describe the three powers of the National Government.

Expressed Powers= are delegated to teh National Government in so many words-spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution.
Implied Powers= ar not expressly stated in teh Constitution but are reasonably suggested, impied, by the expressed powers.
Inherent Powers=bolong to the National Government becaus it is the government of a sovereign state whithin the world community.

What does federalism mean by definition and what does Federalism mean to you?

Federalism= is as system of government in which a written constitution devides the powers of government on a territorial basis between a centeral, or a national, government and several regional governments, usually called states or provinces.

I do believe that in order for any town, state, country or even a group of people need Federalistic government to keep every political matter in line. With out written constitutions and people to enforce them, any civilization would fail, or have severe problems in keeping peace. I do not know to much about Federalism or government but I do expect to further my knowlage and give better responses and hopefully have some otheres agree.

What role do you feel that you will play in politics and government in the future? What ways are you participating currently?

In the future I will most definately be into politics. Being in the military, the governtment and the politics involved cause major effects. Not only will my fellow soldiers and I be looking out for ourselves when we vote, but also we need to think about what will be best for the majority of our community and our Nation.

As any average student like myself, we participate very little in the Government. But like I said earlier, joining the United States Army has changed my life and views on the government. Now politics and government are not just words to me, they regulate how we live and what we get paid. The government controls everything we do and how we live.

What are your views on the latest political ads on TV? What canidate(s) do you like or dislike and why?

The political people seem to make their comercials about farming and courntry life styles to try and get people in South Dakota to vote for them. I don't understand why they think they need to come along and claim they are true South Dakotan and know what South Dakota needs when they havent grown up here and or lived in a larger city.
As for liking or disliking any canidates, i have not really followed any elections due to the fact i never really felt the need to. But now being in government class and becoming of age to vote, I definately have to look into this and not be another aimless voter or a non voter.