Department of Education



The Department of Education was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. ED's 4,200 employees and $63.7 billion budget are dedicated to:• Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds.
• Collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research.
• Focusing national attention on key educational issues.
• Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.

The ED is lead by Arne Duncan.  On May 26, 2011 Duncan gave five states funding to turn around their persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. 

Another event the ED has been in this past month is the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge.  This challenge is a 500 million state-level grant competition.  This will reward states that create comprehensive plans to transform early learning systems with better coordination, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development.  I really like some of the things that the ED are doing for students and education in general.  From helping low achieving schools to just trying to make education better for all the kids in the US.  This generation should really appreciate the controbutions that they put towards the students.

The Ceiling Debt(2011)

Today on May 31, 2011 The House rejects the debt ceiling increase.  It was a majority vote of 318 declining the increase and 97 accepting the increase.  Both parties of the house had different opinions.  The GOP said the ceiling can't be raised without cuts.  Democrats warn that the Republicans risk rattling financial markets.  With this increase it would have raised the federal government's debt limit by approximately $2.4 trillion.
 In this photo you have

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio speaking to the Economic Club of New York earlier this month, demanding spending cuts.  One thing Boehner declared was that the overall size of any spending cuts has to exceed the magnitude of any debt-ceiling increase.

Now in this video you have Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary, who speaks about how the debt ceiling needs to be raised.  I'm just not goin to just support the Republicans because I support them but because the have a good reason on why this should not be raised.  If your going to try and raise this then you need to make budget cuts.

AP Gov. Vocab #2

Interest group- a group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy. 
Two- party system- several political parties exist, but only two major political parties compete for power and dominate elections.
 
Gerrymandering- drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another. 
Jurisdiction- the authority of the courts to hear and decide issues in certain cases. 
Brief orders- the returning of a case to a lower court because a similar case was recently decided. 
Opinion leader- those individuals held in grant respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may informally and unintentionally influence others. 
Congressional districting- state legislatures draw congressional districts for states with more than one representative. 
Liberal- a person who views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending. 

National debt- amount of money owed by the government. 
Suffrage- the right to vote. 

Pork barrel legislation- legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a members chance of reelection. 
Precedents- standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes. 
Appellate jurisdiction- gives the court authority to hear cases on appeal from the lower courts. 
Pardon- a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime. 
President pro tempore- serves as president of the senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority party. 
Cooperative federalism- cooperation among federal, state, and local governments; "marble cake" federalism. 
Articles of confederation- the first national constitution of the US that created a government lasting from 1781 to 1789; replaced by the current constitution. 
Legislative courts- courts created by congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority. 
Prior restraint- censorship of information before it is published or broadcast. 
Get-out-the-vote- a campaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls. 
Anti-federalists- opposed the adoption of the US constitution because it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state government and it lacked a bill of rights. 

AP Gov. Vocab #1

Apportionment- distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state. 
Politics- method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government. 

Elastic Clause- the necessary and proper clause, article 1, section 8, clause 18 that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out it's powers. 
General election- voters choose officeholder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents. 
Direct primary- party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election. 
Extradition- states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the states governor. 
Amicus curiae brief- friend of the court; interested groups may be invited to file legal beside supporting or rejecting arguments of the case. 
Watergate- break-in at the democratic national committee headquarters at the watergate building in 1972 that resulted in a cover-up and the subsequent resignation of president Nixon. 
Majority leader- the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the house of reps or senate. 
Off-year election- an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election. 
Gridlock- when opposing parties and interests often block each others proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government. 
Legislative veto- to reject the actions of the president or executive agency by a vote of one or both houses of congress without the consent of the president; ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court on immigration and naturalized services v. Chadha. 
Impoundment- refusal of the president to spend money congress has appropriated. 
Front- loading- choosing an early date to hold the primary election. 
Marbury v. Madison- established the principle of judicial review. 
Initiative- allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit I for a vote by qualified voters. 
Initiative- allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters. 
Political ideology- a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy. 

Federalist papers- written by Hamilton, jay, and Madison to support ratification of the US constitution. 
 
Limited government- basic principle of US government cannot take away. 
Media event- a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politicians view on an issue. 
Discretionary spending- spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees. 
Popular sovereignty- basic principle of US government which holds that he people are the source of al governmental power. 
Democracy- a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation.
 
Discrimination- unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership. 

Department of Defense

The Department of Defense is ran by the Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.  The mission of the D.o.D is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country.  So this department pretty much runs our military and its main goal is to protect the United States.  The department was founded in 1947 but under a different name, then in 1949 the name was changed to The Department of Defense. One of the big issues that they are dealing with is the crisis in Libya.



Im really happy we have the Department of Defense.  The reason being is that if we didn't who would protect us from the dangers before us?  What would the US be right now if we didn't have this department?  But glady we do have a Department of Defense and we don't have to worry about who will protect us because we know when something happens we can turn to them and they will be there to protect us from the danger at hand.

Links:
http://www.defense.gov/

2011 Spending Budget

Today the VP Joe Biden announced that the House and Senate agreed to a spending-cut target of $73 billion.  Since October 1, Congress has passed many short term spending resolutions.  Reaching an agreement on this bedget is a major step forward in negotiations.  Since the negotiations have begun House Republicans had wanted $100 billion in cuts, while Senate Democrats wanted $51 billion in cuts.  The one reason this agreement is major is because since Republican hold majority in House they could set these cuts.  Even though they could do this without a compromise from Senate a filibuster could stop the proposal.  My only question is what is the money in the budget cut going to go to.  In the video below Rep. Pence talks about this question of mine.


Now that my question is answered but not fully, im kinda happy that Congress finally agreed on a budget.  My reason for this is that maybe this will be an impact so the government doesn't shut down.  But at least Congress finally agreed on one important subject today.

Links:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/30/bipartisan-house-and-senate-negotiators-agree-on-73-billion-figure-for-cuts-in-current-year-budget/

Health Care (Continuation of Past Blog)



Today Febuary 28, 2011 President Obama spoke about the health care reform once again.  In his speech today he talked about how he was willing to give the states earlier flexibility in how they implement the overhaul signed into law last year.  He also gave a bipartisan proposal.  This proposal stated that he would allow states to apply for  innovation waivers in 2014.  If this were to happen it would be three years earlier then they planned for the states to start applying for them in the health care reform.  Aftering hearing this the Republican Govenor of Kansas, Sam Brownback, went on to say that "This offers a little bit of flexibility, which I think is a positive thing, but it doesn't change the overall objection to the bill."  I think that the govenor is right.  This would be positive but the bill will still be the same no matter what he does and it will have the same objectives it had in the beginning. 

Hopefully soon the President and the Government will figure out the Health Care Reform.  I really think that the proposal Obama put on the table will be a positive thing for the Reform, and maybe it will help the GOP to accept the Health Care Reform as it is.

Links:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/28/obama.health.care/index.html

Department Of Justice



The Department Of Justice  is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.  This department is led the Attorney General, who is Eric Holder.  The Department Of Justice was founded June 22, 1870-July 1, 1870 and is located in Washington DC in the Robert F. Kennedy Department Of Justice Building.  In 2010, there were 111,993 employees and the annual budget of the department was $27.7 billion.  Since the founding of the department the Attorney General position has been avalible in 1789 there has been many of outstanding people who served at this position.  Some of the people who had the honor to have been named Attorney General are:  Edmund Randolph, Charles Devens, Frank Murphy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Michael Mukasey who served before the current General Eric Holder.  In total there has been 82 Attorney Generals.  Each Department has a mission statement which says what their goal is.  The Department Of Justice Mission Statement is "To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans".  This statement is highly important to the US no only because it's what they are going to do to protect us and to serve justice but because it's what people need to do themselves.  The people need to help prevent crime by doing what is right instead of wrong.  The Department Of Justice is very important to the US because it helps us to to enforce the law correctly instead of incorrectly.  One of the things this department does is enforce and review laws. 


On April 28, 2010 Eric Holder came and gave a little review of the Arizona Immagration Law.  In this video he states that they were considering a court challenge of the law which means they would sue the state for the law.  Like I stated the Department of Justice is very important to the US and always will be.  This department will most likely in my mind will be one of the most important ones in the US because it deals with the law that the people must follow.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Attorney_General
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Justice#History
http://www.justice.gov/

What is Happening With The Health Care Reform Law?





Today Robert Vinson, a federal judge in Florida, tossed out the sweeping health care reform law.  He did this because he found that the key provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional.  This part of the Health Care Reform Law pretty much states that Americans must buy health insurance by 2014 or face penalties.  He was not the only federal judge who found it unconstitutional.  A judge in Virginia also found it unconstitutional.  I agree with these federal judges that is unconstitutional.  People shouldn't have to face penalties if they don't buy health insurance by 2014.  They will have to face their own penalty when they have to pay for medical bills and it costs a fortune or when they can't see a doctor of some sort because they don't have the insurance.  But the one question is what is going to happen to this reform.  What is most likely to happen is a contentious Supreme Court challenge over the legislation in coming months.  This reform should be passed in my opinion but if it wants to be passed President Obama will need to change a few of the things that some people don't like or it won't pass at all.  Lets just hope all is good and we will figure out what will happen to the Health Care Reform Law.

2011 State of The Union

             

On January 25, 2011, President Obama gave The State of The Union Address.  Before he entered the building the was something different.  The difference between the State of the Union and other ones was that both Repbulicans and Democrats were sitting together instead of sitting of oppisite sides of the audience.  When the Obama finally entered everyone rose out of their seats and clapped and greeted him.  President Obama talked about a few of the major things that we need to focus on.  He talked about innovation, education, rebuilding America, health care, and our troops that are over seas.

One thing that Obama said was that the future is ours to win.  That's the one line that really said it all to me.  He is completly right it is ours to win and that what will have to do.  Even though we will have to sacrifice things, struggle, and meet the demands of a new age.  He gave us the steps on how to win the future now we just have to go out and follow each step starting with encouraging American innovation.  One of the last things Obama said on this night was "The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it's because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong".  Now all the people of the country have to do is go out into the world and work hard no matter what happens and we will win the future!


 

Shooting is Tucson, Arizona and How the Shooter pleaded in court.

On  January 8, 2011, Representative Gabrielle Giffords was holding a open meeting in a supermarket parking lot.  During the meeting a man by the name of Jared Lee Lougher started shooting at the people attending including Giffords and Chief Judge John Roll.  Fourteen people were injured(13 by gun fire), and there were six death including John Roll.  Lougher was arrested at the scene of the shooting.  His motives for the shooting are still unclear.  Giffords was in critical condition and had to have surgery after being shot in the head. 



Only eight days into the new year and something like this happens.  When I first heard of this i just sat there in shock.  I didn't know why someone would do such a thing, it was really one of those things u wouldn't think of having at a public meeting like this one.  But it is good they caught the man that did this.  Today Lougher appered in court.  On his behalf the court pleaded him not guilty on attempted murder charges.

What is a Third Party and Why are they Important

                                                                            

What is a Third Party? A Third Party is party other than one of the two dominant ones in a two-party political system.  There are many types of third parties such as Green Party, Labor Party, Liberty Union Party, Boston Tea Party, etc.  In my eyes a third party is important in everything now.  They can really put a twist on elections and other things in politics.  Third Party candidates rarely win elections.  There are only two U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders, who are neither Democrat nor Republican.  Even though these parties rarely win elections the can have a big effect on them.  This effect is called a spoiler effect.

                                                

Just like in the 2004 Ralph Nader helped George W. Bush win the election(spoiler effect).  Nader helped Bush win by having 463,655 votes, for 0.38 percent of the popular vote, meaning that he took some votes away from some votes away from John Kerry because  he charged that the Democrats were attempting to smear him.  

                                              

The spoiler effect is one of the big reason why third parties are important.  Another way is they are able to support some of the issues that the major parties don't cover.  This is what a third party is and how it can be important in politics.