Assignment:
Part 1: Bibliographic annotation for.
American Masters, A fierce Green fire. Use the internet, and cite the source. Summarize. In a paragraph format. MLA format, but you don't have to reverse indent if you don't like.
Part 2: 2 more sources about some aspect of the Environmental movement that 'speaks to you.' This could be managing fisheries for recreation, saving the whales, etc., clean air, clean water, solar power, nuclear power, clean coal. I don't really care, but don't be contrarian for contrarians sake. Look for something good about the Planet, and dig in.
Cite the sources, summarize, in MLA format.
Write a statement of purpose about what you would like to see done about the issue you have researched, and WHY.
Part 1:
American Masters, A fierce Green fire.
Kitchell , Mark. "Watch film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, 22 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/a-fierce-green-fire/watch-the-film/2924/>.
This article by Mark Kitchell covers environmental factors such as The Conservation Movement, Pollution and Cleanup, Greenpeace, Global Resources, and Climate Change. This video covers each of these topics in Acts I-V, describing how they have contributed to where the world stands in environmental conservation today. This video covers the span of 50 years from the first environmental activism events beginning in the 1960's to present day occurrences. Throughout the video multiple narrators such as Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Ashley Judd, Van Jones, and Isabel Allende discuss topics such as the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Sea Shepard, and the Amazon Rainforest. This film was actually inspired by a book by the same title written by Phillip Shabecoff, an environmental journalist. Overall, this article is a great source of information on how people are reacting and have been reacting to pollution in our environment.
Part 2:
1.
Vidal, John. "This could be the year we start to save, not slaughter, the shark." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 12 Jan. 2014. Web. 3 May 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/11/shark-finning-in-decline-in-far-east>.
This article explains recent reactions to the gruesome act of shark finning. As shark finning has grown in awareness, many countries such as China, Europe and the US has taken actions as to banning the finning of sharks and the production of shark fin soup. What many people did not know a couple years ago is the large affect that sharks have on the environment. Being top down predators, sharks directly affect the food chain and all other organisms in the ocean. With the decline in the shark count, researchers have found that other ocean animals would most likely follow. In the past China had not been a fan of the idea of banning their delicate shark fin soup. Recently, world renowned basketball player, Yao Ming, showed his support for the cause and told the public that "when the buying stops, the killing can too." Along with efforts such as these are the developing of marine reserves and sanctuaries around the world. Some of these places specifically include locations in Great Britain, the Maldives, Mexico and Honduras. As China has recently stepped up to join the campaigning against shark finning, a realization has occurred that China may be the first big step towards reducing problems with climate change, overfishing, pollution, and conservation.
I believe that the banning of shark finning should be a main priority among all countries. This is a situation that will greatly impact the future of every country and we need to take advantage of it now. I am very happy to hear that China is beginning to realize that the rapid decline in the shark population is not healthy to our ecosystems but I wish that this would be taken into account in other countries as well.
2.
Innis , Michelle . "Australian Catch-and-Kill Shark Policy, Meant to Reassure, Horrifies Some ." The New York Times 3 Feb. 2014: A8. Print.
This article tells about a recent law put in place in Western Australia called "catch-and-kill." Over the past three years there have been 7 fatal shark attacks and the Australian government felt that something needed to be done about it. Although the government expected to have a positive reaction from beach goers and other water activity lovers, many conservationists have a negative response to the new law. As sharks have been in decline of the past years, many do not realize the serious affect that the rapid decline in population has on the ecosystem. The law specifically targets the larger sharks that can be found in Australian waters such as the bull shark, the tiger shark and the white shark. In the past long nets have been set up along popular beaches, protecting swimmers from the harm of sharks. These nets have had a controversial response though because they often catch other smaller marine organisms. This situation continues to be debated because the government feels the safety of the public is their greatest priority.
I feel that no shark should ever be killed for any reason. As human beings we take risks by putting ourselves in harmful situations and any activity that takes place in or around the ocean is risky. We have to accept that anything can happen while in the ocean whether its natural disaster related or a natural predator instinct.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Oil Spill - Annotated Bibliography
The Spill. Perf. Martin Smith and Abrahm Lustgarten. PBS, 2010. Frontline.
Granatstein, Solly, and Graham Messick. "Blowout: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 16 May 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blowout-the-deepwater-horizon-disaster-16-05-2010/>.
This article tells the story of the multiple BP oil mishaps that have occurred over the past few years. This article/video is titled "The Deepwater Horizon Disaster" because Mike Williams, a worker at BP, tells his story of the event. He tells how the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon had been building for multiple weeks. Williams reports that weeks before the explosion a very valuable piece of equipment was damaged but no one took any initiative to fix the problem. This problem was simply over looked and had a much larger effect than anyone thought it would. After the disaster, the company had decided to close the well and reopen it later when a new rig was put in place. More investigation was done by multiple sources finding many flaws and mistakes that BP had failed to record. This story was covered mainly to show the safety issues with many companies. Companies do not always take the safety of their workers into account and most companies that do this go unnoticed until a large disaster such as the Deepwater Horizon occurs.
"The World's 25 Biggest Oil Companies ." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mef45glfe/1-saudi-aramco-12-5-million-barrels-per-day-3/>.
This article in Forbes Magazine covers the 25 biggest oil companies existing today. These oil campaniles are distributed around the world in places including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, China, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska's Chuckchi Sea, Mexico, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, Italy, Norway, Venezuela, Nigeria, Malaysia and many other offshore locations. This article lists the 25 largest in order and gives information such as who is in charge of the Organization and where their largest oil drilling sights are. While reading through this article one will find that many of the oil companies drill in the same locations. The most poplar is found to be Saudi Arabia. More than 70% of oil companies are controlled and owned by kings and potentants. Some oil companies are also controlled by democratically elected governments such as Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Norway. This article also highlights the influence that Russian President Vladimir Putin has on the oil industry.
Granatstein, Solly, and Graham Messick. "Blowout: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 16 May 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blowout-the-deepwater-horizon-disaster-16-05-2010/>.
This article tells the story of the multiple BP oil mishaps that have occurred over the past few years. This article/video is titled "The Deepwater Horizon Disaster" because Mike Williams, a worker at BP, tells his story of the event. He tells how the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon had been building for multiple weeks. Williams reports that weeks before the explosion a very valuable piece of equipment was damaged but no one took any initiative to fix the problem. This problem was simply over looked and had a much larger effect than anyone thought it would. After the disaster, the company had decided to close the well and reopen it later when a new rig was put in place. More investigation was done by multiple sources finding many flaws and mistakes that BP had failed to record. This story was covered mainly to show the safety issues with many companies. Companies do not always take the safety of their workers into account and most companies that do this go unnoticed until a large disaster such as the Deepwater Horizon occurs.
"The World's 25 Biggest Oil Companies ." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mef45glfe/1-saudi-aramco-12-5-million-barrels-per-day-3/>.
This article in Forbes Magazine covers the 25 biggest oil companies existing today. These oil campaniles are distributed around the world in places including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, China, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska's Chuckchi Sea, Mexico, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, Italy, Norway, Venezuela, Nigeria, Malaysia and many other offshore locations. This article lists the 25 largest in order and gives information such as who is in charge of the Organization and where their largest oil drilling sights are. While reading through this article one will find that many of the oil companies drill in the same locations. The most poplar is found to be Saudi Arabia. More than 70% of oil companies are controlled and owned by kings and potentants. Some oil companies are also controlled by democratically elected governments such as Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Norway. This article also highlights the influence that Russian President Vladimir Putin has on the oil industry.
Essay 19
(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 covers 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.
Your answer should not include a discussion of presidential primary elections.
Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns.
1. The media has contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns by focusing on every aspect of the candidates life. Appearance has become a much larger issue in presidential elections recently. Candidates must be careful that they are always behaving well and looking nice because paparazzi is everywhere. If they are not living up to their standards, the media will make sure that everyone knows about it and will affect how voters view them.
2. Another way that the media has contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns is with publicity funds. The more the media covers presidential elections the more willing the public is to donate to the campaign.
Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
1. Presidential candidates use the media to have their opinions heard. Candidates can use media to create advertisements supporting their specific issues and polices. They also use media to cover press conferences and large debates. This is a great way that candidates gain more support from the public.
2. Another way that presidential candidates use the media is to criticize their opponents. In certain advertisements, candidates will attack their opponent's personality, record and opinion. This technique is also known as negative campaigning. There are two main ways that negative campaigning is used: attack and contrast. Attacking is simply criticizing their opponents every action. Contrasting is slightly different in the way that it make the featured opponent more desirable. While putting down the opponent the other candidate is showing their own more favorable aspects.
Your answer should not include a discussion of presidential primary elections.
Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns.
1. The media has contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns by focusing on every aspect of the candidates life. Appearance has become a much larger issue in presidential elections recently. Candidates must be careful that they are always behaving well and looking nice because paparazzi is everywhere. If they are not living up to their standards, the media will make sure that everyone knows about it and will affect how voters view them.
2. Another way that the media has contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns is with publicity funds. The more the media covers presidential elections the more willing the public is to donate to the campaign.
Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
1. Presidential candidates use the media to have their opinions heard. Candidates can use media to create advertisements supporting their specific issues and polices. They also use media to cover press conferences and large debates. This is a great way that candidates gain more support from the public.
2. Another way that presidential candidates use the media is to criticize their opponents. In certain advertisements, candidates will attack their opponent's personality, record and opinion. This technique is also known as negative campaigning. There are two main ways that negative campaigning is used: attack and contrast. Attacking is simply criticizing their opponents every action. Contrasting is slightly different in the way that it make the featured opponent more desirable. While putting down the opponent the other candidate is showing their own more favorable aspects.
Essay 20
(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (American 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.
The AARP targets the Senate and Congress. Retired people wants retirement benefits that they have been promised under the system. They feel that they haves paid enough throughout their life that they deserve such benefits when they retire such as medicare and medicaid. The AARP targets both the Senate and Congress because they are the ones who will pass the laws directly affecting retired people.
- 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)
One characteristic of the AARP is that it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over. Because they acquire membership from people 50 and over, most people are willing to donate money to the cause and influence elected officials to promote causes or issues that specifically benefit people 50 and over. AARP members know that they only way they will get laws passed is by directly targeting to Senate and Congress.
- 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).
AARp members are retired and have lots of spare time on their hands. Along with money they also have time. This free time allows them to coordinate events, lobby for their cause, and focus financially on the cause. By lobbying, retired people are ensuring that they are seen by the public. Their issues are then directly being dealt with by the Senate and Congress who will pass these laws for them.
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (American 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.
The AARP targets the Senate and Congress. Retired people wants retirement benefits that they have been promised under the system. They feel that they haves paid enough throughout their life that they deserve such benefits when they retire such as medicare and medicaid. The AARP targets both the Senate and Congress because they are the ones who will pass the laws directly affecting retired people.
- 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)
One characteristic of the AARP is that it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over. Because they acquire membership from people 50 and over, most people are willing to donate money to the cause and influence elected officials to promote causes or issues that specifically benefit people 50 and over. AARP members know that they only way they will get laws passed is by directly targeting to Senate and Congress.
- 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).
AARp members are retired and have lots of spare time on their hands. Along with money they also have time. This free time allows them to coordinate events, lobby for their cause, and focus financially on the cause. By lobbying, retired people are ensuring that they are seen by the public. Their issues are then directly being dealt with by the Senate and Congress who will pass these laws for them.
Essay 18
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.
One key characteristic of the merit system is that it hires government employees based on their abilities and not on their political connections. All applicants are required to take a standardized test determining their competency.
(b) For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.
The structure of the federal bureaucracy: In each organization their is bureaucratic independence. An example of an organization is the FBI. This organization has a hierarchy of power. At the top of the group is director who is in charge of everyone down to the field agents. Every organization has these levels of power which contribute to the bureaucracy. Each organization is independent but has different levels of superiority.
The complexity of the public policy problems: A few factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence relating to the complexity of the public are specialized units/expertise, delegated authority and discretionary authority. Delegated authority complicates public policy problems because congress and the president cannot handle all issues. Instead they delegate authority to the bureaucracy. Discretionary authority causes public policy problems because legislation lacks detail. This then causes the bureaucracy to fill in the gaps.
(c) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
Congress can use appropriations to check the bureaucracy. This method allows Congress to reward or punish certain agencies such as the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration. Congress can also pass legislation to check the bureaucracy. The largest way that Congress can affect bureaucracies though are by impeaching executive officials.
The courts use judicial review to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. They can also make injunctions against federal agencies.
Interest groups check the power of bureaucracy by creating a false sense of urgency on a specific topic. They closely monitor their publicity and make sure that they use their freedom of speech in their media to change their follows beliefs and petition the government.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Essay 17
(a) Identifying one specific tread of evident in the figure above.
There was always a larger percentage of southern state seats in United States House held by Democrats compared to the percentage of southern state electoral votes for a Democratic presidential candidate.
(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 is an advantage gained by someone already in a position, as compared to newcomers. Incumbency Advantage helped Democratic candidates get elected into Congress because they may have already had that position prior to being reelected. Unlike the presidency, Congressmen have to opportunity to be reelected for as long as they want to run for the position where the president can only serve two terms.
Gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create partisan advantaged districts. Gerrymandering was used in the southern states between 1948-2000 to have more Democratic candidates elected into Congress. However, this strategy can not work with the presidency because each state is either declared as Democratic or Republican.
(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 tend to be anti gay and anti abortion but as for party affiliation they tend to split directly down the middle. Catholics used to vote more Republican but has now grown to be more divided among other beliefs.
Labor Union Members have always been thought of as strongly Democratic. This stereotype is still partly true and some labor union members do still tend to vote more Democratic. However, there is a swing group that will change which way they vote depending on the election.
Women tend to lean Democratic when they vote but are still very split just as Catholics are. Republicans tend to be more traditional when it comes to the women's role in the family setting. Over the past generations as women have gained more freedoms they have gravitated towards voting more Democratic because they feel that they have more support from this party. Although it may seem that women vote very Democratic it is still close to being split directly, but leaning more towards Democratic.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Essay 16
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.
One reason why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws is because federal agencies have more expertise and resources. An example of this is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They have more freedom through the Department of Transportation because they have more experience. Another reason why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal law is because these agencies are generally in place to regulate and enforce over longer periods of time. Congress can change legislatures every two years.
(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:
The Environmental Protection Agency handles issues such as green living, environmental health and safety, land cleanup, environmental emergencies and natural disasters, climate change and other chemicals and toxins. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act prohibits transportation of material from the United States for the purpose of ocean dumping, transportation of material from anywhere for the purpose of ocean dumping by U.S. agencies or U.S.-flagged vessels, and dumping of material transported from outside the United States into the U.S. territorial sea. A permit is required to deviate from these prohibitions. Under MPRSA, the standard for permit issuance is whether the dumping will "unreasonably degrade or endanger" human health, welfare, or the marine environment. EPA is charged with developing ocean dumping criteria to be used in evaluating permit applications. The MPRSA provisions administered by EPA are published in Title 33 of the U.S. Code. The MPRSA provisions that address marine sanctuaries are administered by the National Oceanis and Atmospheric Administration and are published in Title 16 of the U.S. Code.
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
One way in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent is allocating and withdrawing funds which the agencies need to operate. Another way in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent is through Congressional oversight committees which have investigative authority over the agencies.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
One reason why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws is because federal agencies have more expertise and resources. An example of this is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They have more freedom through the Department of Transportation because they have more experience. Another reason why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal law is because these agencies are generally in place to regulate and enforce over longer periods of time. Congress can change legislatures every two years.
(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:
The Environmental Protection Agency handles issues such as green living, environmental health and safety, land cleanup, environmental emergencies and natural disasters, climate change and other chemicals and toxins. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act prohibits transportation of material from the United States for the purpose of ocean dumping, transportation of material from anywhere for the purpose of ocean dumping by U.S. agencies or U.S.-flagged vessels, and dumping of material transported from outside the United States into the U.S. territorial sea. A permit is required to deviate from these prohibitions. Under MPRSA, the standard for permit issuance is whether the dumping will "unreasonably degrade or endanger" human health, welfare, or the marine environment. EPA is charged with developing ocean dumping criteria to be used in evaluating permit applications. The MPRSA provisions administered by EPA are published in Title 33 of the U.S. Code. The MPRSA provisions that address marine sanctuaries are administered by the National Oceanis and Atmospheric Administration and are published in Title 16 of the U.S. Code.
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
One way in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent is allocating and withdrawing funds which the agencies need to operate. Another way in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent is through Congressional oversight committees which have investigative authority over the agencies.
Essay 14
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:
Two formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy is enforcing and maintaining the laws and vetoing bills that would otherwise become laws. Some of these powers include the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, and the power to nominate ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not otherwise provided for. and shall be established by law. They shall then have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.
Two formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy is enforcing and maintaining the laws and vetoing bills that would otherwise become laws. Some of these powers include the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, and the power to nominate ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not otherwise provided for. and shall be established by law. They shall then have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.
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 is spending on certain programs that are required by existing law. This limits the presidents ability to influence domestic policy making in congress because there are certain aspects of domestic policy that money must be spent on. An example of this is that social security is expected to be paid for by american citizens. There is a limit to how much money the government has to spend on domestic policy just as there is also a limit to how much can be spent overall. The president is limited on influencing Congress on domestic policymaking because there may not be enough money in the budget to spend on policy changes.
Essay 15
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
An entitlement program is a kind of government program that provides individuals with personal financial benefits (or sometimes special government-provided goods or services) to which an indefinite (but usually rather large) number of potential beneficiaries have a legal right (enforceable in court, if necessary) whenever they meet eligibility conditions that are specified by the standard law that authorizes the program.
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program:
The primary source of revenue for the Social Security Program is payroll deductions.
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue:
One threat to the future of the Social Security Program should the tends continue would be that the amount of retirees will soon overtax the workers. Because of the baby boomers, there was a higher worker to collector ratio. Right now there is 50 workers for every collector while soon there will be only 3 worker for every collector. Workers will either be over taxed or the retirees will have lower funds.
(d) Describe one 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 )
One demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program is a declining birth rate. The baby boomers raised the population. Todays social security program is based around this larger population. As the baby boomers grow old and die off the population will decrease and it will affect how the Social Security program works. We now have 50 workers for 1 collector but as our population decreases we will soon have 3 workers for 1 collector which means that retirees will not be able to collect as much as they once did. Americans are also living longer which means that people are going to be collecting social security for a lot longer.
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
If the age of eligibility for social security were raised it would mean that people would pay taxes for a longer period of time and as an individual would get more money for social security. You would pay more for taxes which would mean collecting more after retirement. This would also help the issues caused by the baby boomers and the fact that americans, on average, are beginning to live longer.
(a) define entitlement program
An entitlement program is a kind of government program that provides individuals with personal financial benefits (or sometimes special government-provided goods or services) to which an indefinite (but usually rather large) number of potential beneficiaries have a legal right (enforceable in court, if necessary) whenever they meet eligibility conditions that are specified by the standard law that authorizes the program.
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program:
The primary source of revenue for the Social Security Program is payroll deductions.
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue:
One threat to the future of the Social Security Program should the tends continue would be that the amount of retirees will soon overtax the workers. Because of the baby boomers, there was a higher worker to collector ratio. Right now there is 50 workers for every collector while soon there will be only 3 worker for every collector. Workers will either be over taxed or the retirees will have lower funds.
(d) Describe one 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 )
One demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program is a declining birth rate. The baby boomers raised the population. Todays social security program is based around this larger population. As the baby boomers grow old and die off the population will decrease and it will affect how the Social Security program works. We now have 50 workers for 1 collector but as our population decreases we will soon have 3 workers for 1 collector which means that retirees will not be able to collect as much as they once did. Americans are also living longer which means that people are going to be collecting social security for a lot longer.
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
If the age of eligibility for social security were raised it would mean that people would pay taxes for a longer period of time and as an individual would get more money for social security. You would pay more for taxes which would mean collecting more after retirement. This would also help the issues caused by the baby boomers and the fact that americans, on average, are beginning to live longer.
Essay 13
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.
Congressional reappointment is the process by which the House of Representatives in the USA are redistributed among the states following each mandated decennial census. Congressional reappointment is important because it increases or decreases the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives and Congress. It's also important because it allows more representatives which make the state have more of an influence.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
Congressional redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
One goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is making the territory safe for a candidate of the ruling party. Another goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is taking away a safe district from the oppositions party. Another goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is to get an area that consist of people who will most likely vote in his/her favor and to get as many votes from these people as possible.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.
One limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is districts must be equally populated. This requires that each federal district within a state have about the same number of people, each state district within a state must have about the same number of people, and each local district within its jurisdiction must have about the same number of people. Another limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is districts lines cannot be drawn in a way that violates civil rights. This requires that redistricting is not abused to dilute racial or ethnic minorities' voice at the polls.
(a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.
Congressional reappointment is the process by which the House of Representatives in the USA are redistributed among the states following each mandated decennial census. Congressional reappointment is important because it increases or decreases the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives and Congress. It's also important because it allows more representatives which make the state have more of an influence.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
Congressional redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
One goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is making the territory safe for a candidate of the ruling party. Another goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is taking away a safe district from the oppositions party. Another goal of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting is to get an area that consist of people who will most likely vote in his/her favor and to get as many votes from these people as possible.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.
One limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is districts must be equally populated. This requires that each federal district within a state have about the same number of people, each state district within a state must have about the same number of people, and each local district within its jurisdiction must have about the same number of people. Another limit that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting is districts lines cannot be drawn in a way that violates civil rights. This requires that redistricting is not abused to dilute racial or ethnic minorities' voice at the polls.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Essay 12
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
Divided government describes a situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of the United States Congress and then leading to Congressional gridlock. Divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because some one always feels as if they are being discriminated against. New regulations are put in place but then there are no government officials responsible for them. The people then feel as if nothing is getting done and the government officials aren't taking responsibility.
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
As more and more money is used in campaigns the more money that needs to be borrowed from other contributors. The increased cost of election campaigns has contribute to the decline in trust and confidence in government because it makes people feel as if the candidates are buying support. The campaign mainly focuses around money and not the actual subject at hand. The people then begin to question whether this candidate is responsible or if they are just "buying" the campaign.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
One specific consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is a depressed economy. When people feel that they can no longer trust what the government is doing with their money they will begin to spend less. This then affects the entire system and will cause a mass fail of the economy. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is voter turnout. If people feel that there are no qualified candidates they will forget to vote or not have an interest in voting. This will then lead to voting blocks.
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
Divided government describes a situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of the United States Congress and then leading to Congressional gridlock. Divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because some one always feels as if they are being discriminated against. New regulations are put in place but then there are no government officials responsible for them. The people then feel as if nothing is getting done and the government officials aren't taking responsibility.
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
As more and more money is used in campaigns the more money that needs to be borrowed from other contributors. The increased cost of election campaigns has contribute to the decline in trust and confidence in government because it makes people feel as if the candidates are buying support. The campaign mainly focuses around money and not the actual subject at hand. The people then begin to question whether this candidate is responsible or if they are just "buying" the campaign.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
One specific consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is a depressed economy. When people feel that they can no longer trust what the government is doing with their money they will begin to spend less. This then affects the entire system and will cause a mass fail of the economy. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is voter turnout. If people feel that there are no qualified candidates they will forget to vote or not have an interest in voting. This will then lead to voting blocks.
Essay 11
(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
The House of Representatives overall has higher reelection rates than the Senate.
The Senate has a large fall in 1980, dropping from 90% to 55%.
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
Two factors that contribute to incumbency advantage are finances and familiarity. People feel comfortable with recognition, knowing what they are getting and knowing about the system. Every campaign also needs money. Incumbents already have an advantage because they have the financial stability to pay for advertisement and other media.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process:
Consequences of incumbency advantage include the lack of diversity and change. Incumbent political officials have advantages over other outsiders during election because they are already well known and have the media aspect. This can be found in congressional politics because they are already so well known that when they run for reelection they have that familiarity with the public that other new candidates may be ignored. This is a consequence because it does not allow the system to have diversity and change. The same incumbents will continue to be reelected.
tasks. (Fig 12.1)
a) identify two patterns displayed in the graph
The House of Representatives overall has higher reelection rates than the Senate.
The Senate has a large fall in 1980, dropping from 90% to 55%.
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
Two factors that contribute to incumbency advantage are finances and familiarity. People feel comfortable with recognition, knowing what they are getting and knowing about the system. Every campaign also needs money. Incumbents already have an advantage because they have the financial stability to pay for advertisement and other media.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process:
Consequences of incumbency advantage include the lack of diversity and change. Incumbent political officials have advantages over other outsiders during election because they are already well known and have the media aspect. This can be found in congressional politics because they are already so well known that when they run for reelection they have that familiarity with the public that other new candidates may be ignored. This is a consequence because it does not allow the system to have diversity and change. The same incumbents will continue to be reelected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)