Political Cartoon #5

1. How has the competition between Romney and Gingrich changed in recent caucuses?
2. Does Newt still have chance against Mitt?
3. What do the weapons represent?

Constituent Letter Draft

Dear representative Meehan,

          My name is Brian Lee, I am currently a junior in Haverford High School. This is concerning the recent controversial bill, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). As you already know, this bill, if passed, will endanger the privacy,liberty,and freedom of the dear Amercian citizens and especially your constituents. This bill proposes to grant the federal government the right to abolish millions of websites. Meaning, websites such as google, youtube, facebook and twitter will most likely be shut down. This is a crucial violation of the freedom of the speech. It does not portray and represent freedom and liberty, which is the core value of our government.
     If this bill passes, Americans will mourn for democracy and freedom. Also American citizens currently are an important advocate for internet freedom in China and many other countries. You can not let this happen. Thank you for this opportunity and consideration. 
       Sincerely,
       Jonghyun Lee


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(I sent the letter)

20 truths

 
1. Quality of education compared to most other countries+
2. Freedom ( at least more than most other countries in the world..) +
3. Right to bear arms -
4. Gay marriage -
5. Separation of powers +
6. Numerous Debts -
7. Military/ foreign policies -
8. Freedom of religion :  0
9. Bill to Law process : 0
10. Illegal immigration -
11. Illegal drugs -
12. Health care -
13. Indirect democracy : 0
14. Electoral college -
15. Law systems : 0
16. Military/defense taxes : -
17. Invasion of privacy for anti-terrorism -
18. TSA -
19. log-rolling and pork-barrel -
20. Limited terms +

Political Cartoon #4

1. What is the author trying to portray of the race between Romney and Santorum?
2.  What is the author's view on Santorum?
3. How might Romney have advantages over Santorum?

Political Cartoon Response

I responded to Mike Kane's political cartoon. ->
 
1. What is the relationship between Iran and U.S currently?
2. how are U.S's foreign policies viewed from other countries?

This cartoon seems like the the author is not in favor of U.S's decisions and plolicies with Iran.
In my opinion, America is most likely over reacting and taking rash procedures against potential "terrorism". America takes too much dramatic,drastic and hast decisions. Obama should improve foreign relationships with the middle eastern countries because it would greatly improve our benefits and powers.

Left Right Center- Third Parties

1. Citizens expect too much from the government. 
2. 58% of American agree with the formation of a third party.
3. The third party would act as the voice of the people taking up their interests instead of pure partisan interests.
4. The failure of major parties, to deal with problems, results in the creation of third parties
5. . 58% of Americans do want another political party.
6. A large majority of American disagreed with and opposed the bail out.
7. The issue we have now seems to not be taken seriously by the two parties which will lead to a third party, that will come up with a solution or show the unrest of the people and the disconnect of current main parties.
8. Poorer children are given the worst teachers from the bottom of the pile, who have the least education and experience. They are also given the worst facilities and resources.
9. America needs to recruit
   "higher-quality" teachers
10.  There is not an equal playing field between different interest groups.

Issue of the week

Gun Control 
1. How much crimes are caused by illegal use of gun use?

Currently, there are 80 million officially registered gun users in America. However, many of gun users in U.S are not registered or licensed. They often use it illegally for ill purposes and the users are mostly criminals or gangsters. 65% of the homicides in U.S are caused by firearms. 

2. If U.S bans use of firearms, would the crime rates decrease?

 42% of Americans will be the victim of a completed violent crime (assault, robbery, rape) in the course of their lives. 83% of Americans will be the victim of an attempted or completed violent crime 

 52% of Americans will be the victim of an attempted or completed violent crime more than once. 

Just by looking at this statistics, it is apparent that if firearms are prohibited, the crime rates, deaths, and injuries will decrease dramatically.  65% of U.S homicides are caused by firearms. Also 50.7% of all the suicides in U.S used firearms. 

3. The constitution gives the right to bear arms, however, this was only effective and useful in the context of the time the constitution was written. Now we do not have militias or hostile native american attacks, so should this be amended? 

Yes I think so. I believe that only reason that the use of firearms is still legal is because of the NRA. The NRA is such a powerful and influential force in government and politics that congress do not want to go against them. Especially the Republicans have huge support from the NRA. The reality is that our society do not need guns. In other developed wealthy countries, they do not grant firearm usage to civilians. This method proved to be effective because the homicide rates are lower in those countries with firearm prohibition. Guns are unnecessary. In 98% of civilian gun defenses, no shot is fired. If you are not going to fire a shot, you clearly don’t need a gun. This proves that the guns are unnecessary. Banning guns will prevent these unnecessary defenses. Most gun crimes are committed by inner city gangs and drug dealers. These relatively small and geographically restricted groups consistently commit the majority of gun crimes, which usually peak as turf wars erupt over Drug War changes. The best way to prevent this is by denying guns to all law abiding people everywhere.

Sources: 

http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Measures_of_Gun_Ownership_Levels_for_Macro-Level_Crime_and_Violence_Research.pdf

http://www.bradycenter.org/about/

http://www.timesonline.com/news/guns-a-right-or-a-societal-ill/article_47ff42e2-3d3a-5c6d-aae1-bfbe5776203e.html

Political Party Research

Political Party Research. :Democrats 
1. The Democratic National Committee plans the Party’s quadrennial presidential nominating convention.
2. Its views are mostly socially liberal and progressive. Thus, center-left in the U.S political spectrum.
3. One of the oldest political parties in the world.
4. 51 Seats in the Senate currently.
5. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the chairman.
6. 192  Seats in the House
7. Democratic Party currently holds a minority of seats in the House of Representatives
8. The most common mascot symbol for the party is the donkey, although the party never officially adopted this symbol.
9. The Democratic Party supports the death penalty far less than the Republican Party.
10. Democrats call for "affordable and quality health care,"
11. The death penalty is used far lass in Federal courts with the Democrats opposed to the Republicans.
12.) The "Kicking Donkey" party logo is still a well-known symbol for the Democratic Party, despite no longer being the official logo of the party.
13.) The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is responsible for promoting Democratic campaign activities.
14.) Historically, the party has favored farmers, laborers, labor unions, and religious and ethnic minorities; it has opposed unregulated business and finance, and favored progressive income taxes.
15.) In recent decades, the party has adopted a centrist economic and socially progressive agenda, with the voter base having shifted considerably. Today, Democrats advocate more social freedoms, affirmative action, balanced budget, and a free enterprise system tempered by government intervention (mixed economy).