Sunday, November 20, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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.
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
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
Monday, October 10, 2011
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.
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.
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