3 classmates pending bills

3 pending bills:
1.) Jason P: H.R. 1299: Secure Border Act of 2011

• This was put on the Union calendar on Nov. 10th 2011. 
• There would be an increase in border police.
• Some infrastructure would also be built to stop illegals from entering the country. 
• Actions will be taken within 180 days of this passing.
• UAV's and other sensors would be added to protect the border.
• There would be more communication throughtout police departments in the country to help solve this 
• problem. 

2.) Mike K: S:1108: 10 Million Dollar Solar Roofs Act of 2011

• The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program that provides competitive grants to local communities.
• It uses the funds to also pay for training for use of the solar energy systems.
• The bill allows the grants to be used for the development of solar energy projects and programs for the use of new strategies.
• The goal is to establish solar energy systems in no less than 10 million properties by December 31, 2020.
• Its purpose is to use funds for more standardized, efficient, and less expensive ways of providing solar powered energy systems.

3.) Tom: S. 1067: Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2011

• It amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to the Secretary of Energy.
• It conducts research to lower the cost of nuclear reactor systems.
• It researches modular and small-scale reactors.
• It is now placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
• CBO estimates that it would cost approx. 213 million dollars over the 2010-2016 period if implemented.

Can we still right about our own bills? otherwise i will write about Mike's  S:1108: 10 Million Dollar Solar Roofs Act of 2011 Bill.

Terry Gross Interview

Facts:
1.You dont need a physical tresspass to create a unreasonable search
2.Open planet is a system that would allow google and facebook to put on a live feed of people and what they did everyday.
3. Can a policeman put a tracking device on someones car and track them is a controversal question and many court judges have had mixed answers. 
4. The problem I said above has the potential to the most important privacy case in the decade.
5. Brandice took a leap when deciding if wire tapping was a invasion of privacy.
6. Rosens new book is a collection of essays that imagine new technological developments that stress constitutional laws.
7. While Europe is more strict, Germany has a greater concern for data collecting than the U.S does.
8. The fourth amendment prohibits the government from unreasonable searches and seizures.
9. Facebook is not regulated by the Constitution so they could theoretically put on the Open planet system. 
10.None of the Amendments give us clear answers to basic problems we have today.

Questions:
1. How can we protect our privacy from social networks such as facebook?
2. What do other countries, beside European ones, think about the open planet system?
3. Why is Europe so strict on privacy laws? Should we follow their footsteps
4. What does the constitution say on privacy?
5. There must be an amendment which defines how much privacy we have and when it is invaded? 

Electoral College Reform

10 facts:
1.) Critics say that the electoral college at it's "worst" can shift the outcome of an election.
2.) The 2000 election is a solid example of the electoral college.. messing up.
3.) Rich Posner argues that the electoral college shouldn't be abolished and that the Supreme court isn't capable of making these electoral decisions.
4.) Dan Lazare argues the opposition that it SHOULD indeed be abolished and that it is an undemocratic system which should by-pass in future elections.
5.) Lazare argues that less power is given to the people with the power in the electoral college's presence.
6.) The 2000 election was the landmark precedent case which helped the public realize the need for reform in the voting system.
7.) The electoral college can be abolished in a simple agreement, deciding elections by popular vote, and popular vote only.
8.) In the same constitutional amendment as that on alcohol in the 18th century, pre-existing constitutional principles were ordered to submitted by Americans.
9.)^^this was responsible for the overwhelmingly conservative political air in the 1920's atmosphere.
10.) Those who argue in favor of the electoral college, claim that the devices for the 2000 election were the reasons for the unrealistic/unrealiable factor for the election.

Q's:
1.) Who can decide if the electoral college would be abolished?
2.) Would there be any ad-ons to the amendment?
3.) For what reason was Alcohol abolished in the 18th century? What is it called if a constitutional abolishment is taken back?
4.) Will the 2000 election ever be let alone, mistakes happen.
5.) Is there any other circumstances of the electoral college's failing to do a constitutional job?

OPINION:
I feel as if the electoral college should be abolished because it is undemocratic to give the voting power of the people to a biased group of individuals who have already cost on election to be unsure.  There needs to be a level of respect for the popular vote, the only fair way to determine the outcome of an election.

National Debt Questions

Q and A:
1.) Hope:  How does our debt compare with other countries' debts? What does this mean for America? 
Japan's debt is 228% of their GDP  the start of 2011, but this was mostly due to their tsunami crisis which America is also owed money from due to our help.
Here are some numbers from the US Treasury:
" MAJOR FOREIGN HOLDERS OF TREASURY SECURITIES

(in billions of dollars)
                                               HOLDINGS 1/ AT END OF PERIOD


                       Sep     Aug     Jul     Jun     May     Apr     Mar     Feb     Jan     Dec     Nov     Oct     Sep
Country               2011    2011    2011    2011    2011    2011    2011    2011    2011    2010    2010    2010    2010
                     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------

China, Mainland      1148.3  1137.0  1173.5  1165.5  1159.8  1152.5  1144.9  1154.1  1154.7  1160.1  1164.1  1175.3  1151.9
Japan                 956.8   936.6   914.8   911.0   912.4   906.9   907.9   890.3   885.9   882.3   875.9   873.6   860.8
United Kingdom 2/     421.6   397.2   353.4   347.8   345.1   332.5   324.6   295.7   278.1   270.4   242.5   209.0   190.5
Oil Exporters 3/      229.9   236.3   234.4   229.7   230.0   221.5   222.3   218.8   215.5   211.9   204.3   207.8   215.4
Brazil                206.2   210.0   210.0   207.1   211.4   206.9   193.5   194.3   197.6   186.1   189.8   183.0   181.0
Carib Bnkng Ctrs 4/   173.0   161.2   128.7   145.5   152.6   139.8   155.2   169.8   166.9   168.4   158.8   146.3   157.8
Taiwan                149.3   150.3   154.3   153.4   153.4   154.5   156.1   155.9   157.2   155.1   154.4   154.5   153.3
Switzerland           146.1   147.5   108.4   108.0   108.0   106.1   109.7   109.6   107.4   106.8   106.8   107.6   110.0
Hong Kong             109.0   107.9   111.9   118.4   122.0   122.4   122.1   124.6   128.1   134.2   134.9   135.2   131.9
Russia                 94.6    97.1   100.7   110.7   115.2   125.4   127.8 (treasury)

2.) Kaitlin: Does this debt include state debt?
As of March 31, 2006 New York State had approximately $48.5 billion of total State-Funded debt. This includes $3.5 billion in General Obligation bonds and notes outstanding and an additional $45.0 billion issued and outstanding by State public authorities.The State can only issue voter-approved General Obligation Bonds and notes.  However, the State also has financing arrangements with certain public authorities whereby the State agrees to fund debt service on specifically authorized bonds  issued by these authorities.

3.) Jeremy: What is the difference between debt and deficit?
The deficit is the fiscal year difference between what the United States Government (Government) takes in from taxes and other revenues, called receipts, and the amount of money the Government spends, called outlays. The items included in the deficit are considered either on-budget or off-budget.


http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1178/economics/japanese-national-debt/
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/tic/Documents/mfh.txt
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/resources/faq/faq_publicdebt.htm
http://www.osc.state.ny.us/press/debtfaq.htm#howmuch

Budget Puzzle

How much did I save?
     - In 2015 about $532 Billion
     - In 2030 about $1,316 Billion

What % came from tax increases?
     - 52%

What % came from spending cuts?
     - 48%

Reflection:
  When doing such cuts over an imaginary based servey, it makes it easier to just make decisions which are going to save money for our country; making this activity easy for me.  Getting the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq as soon as possible was by far the easiest choice to make, along with cutting government/federal based pay.  But it was hard to cut down on things such as agricultural subjects and those involved in healthcare/social security age.

Drunk Driver Repeat.. Bill

H.R. 2129: Drunk Driving Repeat Offender Act of 2011.

Co-sponsered by Bob Filner (D- CA51)

Progess: has so far been referred to a committee

Questions:

1.) How hard would it be to get all states to enforce this law.. (especially S. Carolina considering their difficulty with the other law from before on drunk driving)?

2.) Is there any way that Drunk Driving offences will result in jail time?  I'm not sure i feel as if its only hefty fines.

3.) Are there any other "repeat offence" laws that are more serious than this one.. are there similar consequences?

4.) What could the govt. take away besides highway funding, to demonstrate an unfunded mandate privelage taken away?

Facts/Details:

1.) This is basically a law which is going to be proposed to prevent future offenses of previously cited drunk drivers.

2.) The idea of giving repeat offenders a more severe punishment is a good idea but may prove hard to offend.  Basically the bill is saying (as an amend to the previous version) that any repeat offender of driving under the influence will have a breathalize like machine on their vehicle to measure BAC level and determine whether the car will start to let the person drive. 

3.) Honestly, i thought this already existed because i heard of someone else having to use one of these and i thought it was rather funny.  Some negative parts to this bill could be the issue of privacy, but that would be quickly negated by the arguement that no one should be allowed to drive under the influence.

4.)  Next is the fact that the device could be too noticable and show others that the person was a past DUI offender, which could also be a violation of privacy. 

5.) The repeat offense Bill is a  solid way to keep these people who continue to make this mistake off the road. So far the bill has been refferred to the Committee Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Highway and Transit; this was back in June 2011.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h2129/show

John Adams

John Adams: The second President of the USA.
Lessons:
1.) His committment to public help, such as his opposition to the "Stamp Act" showed he was for the people's best interest.. he did what they wanted.
2.) He was involved in as many as 90 committes, showing his vast field work and experiance with the "frontlines" of politics.
3.) "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity," was a famous quote of Adam's, explaining that basically all people should work together to create a strong diverse nation, as we do today.  This should teach modern presidents that they need to accept all types of new "adversity" developed in modern society/politics.
4.) Another quote, "Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof." shows me that he had really honest and pure intentions.  The devotion to making sure rule was fair in favor of the constitution has become less and less important compared to the corrupt and manipulative politics of today.  Like chivalry, the dedication to the "old fashioned" way of fair rule is also, dead.
5.) The X, Y and Z affairs led Adam's efforts to keeping peace with France.. this should teach a modern president that it is important to devote time and effort to foriegn relationships that are positive.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnadams
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/adams_j.htm
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/presidents-lips-concerns-led-sedition-and-alien-act
http://www.constitution.org/jadams/thoughts.htm

Campaign ad analysis

1.) He tells information about himself while using many other beliefs and virtues he possesses by enforcing the more touching words used in Obama's campaign against McCain in 2008;
This method was very effective because it drew the viewers attentions on who Obama is and what he wanted to seem like appose to just a politician. The ad makes him sound sincere and virtuous that he is the proper person to lead the country.

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/2008


2.) The 1980 election of Ronald Reagan showed his accomplishments as the mayor of CA in a time of debt:
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1980
I found that this would be an effective ad because there was a very strong and confident man behind this campaign who had extremely important experiance.


3.)The very eye catching and horrific images of chaos, riots, and fighting were used in Nixon's campaign against Humphrey and Wallace in 1968 election.
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1968
Although it wasn't as effective as it could have been, it definately was attention grabbing, but it didn't look too specifically good for just him... which can be taken a few ways.

4.) Bush's 2004 campaign ad against John Kerry, which focused on overcome problems (or so it seemed).

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/2004

The ad was very intriguingly effective to me because not only was it from a time where i was paying attention to the election but it mentioned the 9/11/01 accident which was handled by Bush and showed how he could use a touchy subject to his advantage.

5.) There was more of  a threatening vibe to Johnson's campaign against Goldwater in 1964;

With the American fear of a nuclear attack at this time, making a commercial with an atomic bomb detenation, will 'persuade' people to vote for Johnson's side; showing the ads effectiveness.

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1964

6.) Clinton and Gore's campaign ad which adressed the importance of a change for this newly thinking Democratic party.

This ad wasn't very good at all, i was at first confused with who exactly the ad supported and I feel as if the ad was also not supporting very logical or strong points.. i'm not sure how they got so many votes..http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1992

3 assertions:

1.) Many presidents have set trends with good ads in the past, but these trends never last because somehow they either get old or have  become ineffective.

2.) A good ad is obviously something which will appeal to the majority and get the most amount of support for one side's campaign.

3.) With satisfying a majority, a smaller amount of people will be disapointed by an ad or ideology of the candidate, which is why some presidents candidates would turn to "trash talking" other compitition. 

Electoral college

facts:
1.) Gore had 51 million popular votes and Bush had 50.5 million.
2.) In some states, there is an oath required to make sure these electors honor their selected candidate.
3.) Presidential electors are now required to be selected by popular vote.
4.) Federal judges are not elected, rather selected by higher parties.
5.) One electoral college criticism is: undemocratic.
6.) The recount of the 2000 election would have been literally unavoidable if there was popular vote elections.
7.) The electoral college, like many other political institutions, is also known as corrupt.
8.) The invention of the Electoral College also reflected concerns about the adminstability of a nationwide popular election that have no current validity.
9.) It can be said that the distribution of only 2 electoral votes to each state is unfair due to the population differences.
10.) The electoral college is the most involved committee in votes for electing officers for the federal govt.


Questions:
1.) Does everyone's vote really count?
2.) How corrupt can the Electoral college become before having consequences by law?
3.) How many people are in the EC and how long do they serve?
4.) Why is it that so many government institutions become viewed as corrupt and manipulative in the publics eyes?
5.) How does one join the electoral college?