Question of the Week #4

My favorite holiday memory is probably a tradition my family has of going and picking out our Christmas tree. We go all the way out to Lovetsville and cut it down ourselves. We've been doing this for over 10 years now and I hope I can do a similar thing with my family.

Current Event #4

http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3384499.1323724939!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon, drawn by Walt Handelsman, highlights Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, the two GOP frontrunners. Handelsman labels each candidate and describes them by offering their general view on the election. Romney is saying that he supports whatever the voter supports, playing at the "flip-flop" mentality that he seems to have. Gingrich is saying that if you don't vote for him, you're an idiot. I think this is probably a pretty accurate accusation since Gingrich seems like he doesn't have anything nice to say to anyone, or about anyone. I think Handelsman is trying to display both candidates as being too extreme in one way or another: Romney too flexible, Gingrich too strict. He's also pointing out that between these two candidates, the GOP doesn't have a middle ground frontrunner nominee and voters will be missing that safe, moderate candidate.

Question of the Week #3

While there are still 11 months to go until reelection, Obama is starting to think about next January. His numbers in Job Approval, Economic Conditions, Job Market, and Standard of Living are a bit low. This poses a serious challenges to the Obama campaign in the coming months to raise those numbers and instill confidence in the American people that he can fix the remaining challenges. Depending on the Republican candidate and how well the campaigning goes, I'd say Obama's chance of being reelected is about 50%. I think it heavily depends on the Republican campaign and how well Obama can keep doing his job.

Current Event #3

This cartoon was drawn by Rick McKee, for the Augusta Chronicle. This cartoon has Santa getting ready to climb down a chimney on Christmas Eve and a postman is on top of the roof, giving him another bag of mail that was late because of budget cuts. This cartoon deals with the U.S. Postal Service and its loss of revenue the past year and the impending slashes to the budget that would eliminate Saturday delivery and rush delivery. Here, the cartoonist is giving an unrealistic, but humorous view as to what could happen if the Postal Service has to down-size. I think, in general, the cartoonist is against the postal service cuts.

Question of the Week #2

I think Mitt Romney can't catch a break. He really would be a good candidate for the GOP, but he's Mormon, and that's a deal breaker for many Republicans. He's had plenty of experience as former Governor of Massachusetts and knows his in's and out's of legislation. Unfortunately, Romney has kept steady numbers in the polls at 23%, and hasn't gained a significant number of new supporters- even after the crash-and-burn of Herman Cain and Rick Perry.
What he has going for him: Mitt's a smart guy, and he'd be a competent president.
What's against him: He's not very electable because of his religion and stalemate progress in the polls.
Bottom line: Poor Mitt. I don't think he'll be the next GOP nominee because of his inability to have broad appeal to the mainstream Republican Party, even though he's reasonably competent (shocker!).

Current Event #2

http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3362461.1322855183!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon was drawn by Walt Handelsman. Here, Mitt Romney is holding a sign that says, 'I AM THE 23%' and two on-lookers commenting on the fact that his poll numbers have not changed dramatically for a long time. Handelsman is making fun at Mitt Romney by pointing out the fact that he has neither gained, nor lost, a significant number of supporters. This is a snapshot of the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination race; Newt Gingrich is rising in the polls, while Mitt Romney stays at a steady 23%.

Question of the Week #1

I don't think Rick Perry would make a very good president in 2012. While he has a strong conservative voice, which makes him very elecatble, he is not always polite or politically correct. Perry makes continual blunders concerning his own plan for Washington in 2012 and is not very knowledgable with current policy. He could win because he is very conservative, and many voters are feeling like that is what's necessary for the country to survive: conservative economic policies. But he's not very eloquent and has continually made mistakes, displaying his lack of focus and spotty knowledge of the politics at hand.

Political Cartoon #1

http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3326916.1321482353!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon was drawn by Walt Handelsman, for newsday.com. Here, Herman Cain is stating that's he's never met this woman. The woman nods to his sexual harassment allegations but also Cain's repetitive blunders concerning current foreign policy. Handelsman uses ridicule here to make fun of Herman Cain for being uneducated about current foreign policy and his inability to escape the sexual harassment accusations. The message Handelsman is trying to get across is that Herman Cain is not aware of current foreign policy. Handelsman's point of view here is that Cain would not make a good president because he is not up to date with current foreign policy and is having ongoing problems with sexual harassment allegations.

Current Event #4

An update on the GOP nominees:
An updated poll from the state of Iowa, whose caucus is January 3rd, puts Herman Cain and Mitt Romney as front runners ahead of their fellow opponents. They have 23% and 22% of voters support respectively. Rick Perry, former front runner, is down to low double digits at 7%, losing to all but Newt Gingrich. This differs from an earlier Iowa poll (June 2011) which put Romney and Bachmann in front. Is this an accurate prediction? In 2007, Romney was winning the polls, but lost the state to Mike Huckabee. Despite Cain's shifty 9-9-9 plan, he seems to have pulled ahead.

What is the biggest current political issue facing the state of Virginia?

I don't think there really is a big political issue currently facing Virginia. I guess the thing that is the most annoying to me is Ken Cuccinelli, the Attorney General, and Rob McDonnell, Governor, picking fights with the federal government. They really find anything to complain about. First, Cuccinelli is suing the federal government for requiring residents to buy health care. First, it's already been ruled constitutional, so nice try. Secondly, it's helping you for God's sake, not killing you. Basically, Cuccinelli is saying the government is asking too much of the American people. On the other hand, McDonnell is asking for $22.4 million in damages following the earthquake in Mineral, Virginia. Seeing as McDonnell is a Republican, isn't that asking a little bit too much from your government? I think we should get rid of these two as soon as possible, and elect others that will bring some un-hypocritical good to this state.

Current Event #3

Herman Cain has introduced a new plan for taxes if he's nominated then elected as President in 2012; the 9-9-9 plan. This means simply "a 9 percent tax on all consumer purchases, a 9 percent “business” tax and a 9 percent income tax".

Mr. Cain insists that since the proposed legislation is so simple, it is easier for the public to understand and thus be in support of it. But for most Americans, this plan would raise taxes, taxes they can't afford. It cuts the rich's taxes, but doubles the income tax of the poor now. It adds a national income tax which would be tacked on to current state sales taxes. For instance in Virginia, the total of a $25 dollar purchase would be two dollars more with the 9-9-9 plan than with current taxes. While that doesn't sound like much, it adds up. Another odd point would be what some have dubbed as "the phantom tax". The "phantom tax" wouldn't tax used cars or old construction, but if you buy new, you're paying a 9 percent tax on that car- which adds up!

While this is only a temporary, "stepping-stone" plan, it would give no tax breaks to the bulk of the American people or give the Federal government more money.

Question of the Week #3

President Obama has had many challenges over his course in office. His efforts have awarded him the score of B+. Obama has not kept many promises, but which president has? It should be noted that not all failures in his promises were at his expense. Circumstances change as do priorities.

Health Care: Obamacare, as it's been dubbed, is an attempt to provide health care to the American people. He succeeded in his creation of legislation, which requires for an individual or a family to buy health care, but did not succeed in creating a public option. A-

Dealing with the Economic Downturn: Obama has implemented one stimulus package to date, and is currently trying to pass another. The administration has implemented many programs; Cash for Clunkers among others. How much have these helped? Truth is, not much. While unemployment rates have dropped and the stock market has somewhat stabilized, job creation has not improved. C+

War on Terror: Obama has succeeded in pulling troops from Iraq, like he promised, and restricting the numbers in Afghanistan. Also under his administration, Osama bin Laden was killed. This eliminates the head of Al-Qaeda which puts a big dent in the War on Terror. A+

Reelection Bid: Although no strong opponent for the re-election bid has emerged, the DNC has not officially named Obama as their candidate. Of course, the incumbent president almost never does "officially" and is just assumed he will run again. A

Current Event #2

New poll results for the GOP Presidential candidate suggest that formerly favored front-runner, Texas Governor Rick Perry, is losing ground. Michele Bachmann has lost her oomph, falling to a mere 3% of voter support. Ron Paul and John Huntsman are also falling behind in the race. The two front runners now, Mitt Romney and Herman Cain, have pulled strong numbers in the New Hampshire poll.

Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts, has a strong holding in the North East. But critics say he'll never be able to get around his religion; the United States has almost consistently elected Protestant presidents, with the sole exception being John Kennedy.

Herman Cain, a business man, may have an edge in the upcoming debate- the economic debate- because of his back ground.

Stay tuned.

Question of the Week #2

One issue that particularly interests me is abortion. Being a left-minded woman, I cannot possibly fathom how some people can be pro-life, especially in cases involving rape and incest. I understand for some it's a religious thing, but depriving a woman of her control over what could be the rest of her life is like restricting the right to the availability of birth control.

So many unfortunate young ladies get caught in a bad situation and have to give up their futures to take care of their child. They often have to drop out of school, live at home, and are restricted to a very confined and boring life. How can you force a woman to take care of another life when she is not so settled in her own? So many women that do not have access or the availability of an abortion are bringing children into broken homes and unsuitable environments. They also may not have had proper pre-natal care and may have a higher risk of pregnancy complications. These environments foster unbalanced, prone children who are more likely to get pulled into breaking the law and obesity. Restricting the woman of her right to choose puts more than the woman at risk- it's put her unborn child at risk. Making abortions illegal would also lead to numerous problems. The number of illegal abortions would rise, which amounts to 1/8 of deaths related to pregnancies.

It has been upheld by the law that abortions are a constitutional right, but it's so much more than that. It's an insurance, a safety net for unfortunate situations. Overturning Roe v. Wade would be a major step backward for women's rights. We should keep the choice open for women everywhere to determine their futures and uphold their liberties.

Current Event #1

Florida breaks GOP rule and moves primary date:
The GOP rule that states no state, other than designated four early states, may hold their primaries before March 6th. The Florida legislature says the breaking of this rule, which will move the primary to January 31st from March 6th, will give the state more influence nationally. The state will attract more attention, which it rightfully deserves, they say, because it is the biggest swing state. The four "early" states, Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nevada will in turn move their primaries up which will put pressure on the Republican candidates. I think that this a bold move from Florida, and is really unnecessary. They already attract plenty of attention. The more attention and pressure that's put on them, the more vulnerable they are to screwing up. I think Florida should just abide by the rules, and play well with others.

What Political Party are you most closely aligned with?

I am in step with Democratic ideals 98% of the time. I believe government should help its citizens as much as it's able. I think we can and should solve most foreign issues peacefully. Also, I think that every person should be granted all rights: zero discrimination. I also think that this country needs to put more into affordable and renewable energy sources.