Are Americans Overtaxed? May 22, 2016

Americans are not overtaxed.  The United States of America is around the 50th highest taxed country in the world.  France, Belgium, and Italy are among the top three highest taxed countries.   A global perspective shows that the American people are not, in fact, over taxed, and compared to other countries American taxation is actually very moderate.  In addition to global comparisons, the progression of the American income tax is also compelling evidence that Americans are not overtaxed.  During the mid-20th century, income tax rates were outlandish.  The average American was paying around five percent more than they are now, and tax rates were not capped at the brackets they are now.  Wealthy individuals could have even payed out more than 70 percent of their incomes.

Many financial conservatives believe that Americans are overtaxed, while many liberals believe a progressive tax rate is the key to an equal and successful nation.  The issue of taxation has become an issue surrounded by partisan politics.  I believe that all Americans must investigate the history of American tax rates and global tax rates before claiming that they are overtaxed.

[All information retrieved from bibliography on power point]

Crash Course on Taxation: 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=crash+course+taxation

Legalizing Corruption - 5/3/16

The SCOTUS (Scalia has since passed away)

The Citizen's United Case is a major precedent that is influencing court decision, and many believe it is influencing decisions in a negative way.  The initial case upturned campaign finance, and now it may be leading to political bribery.  It is acting as such in the case of the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell.  McDonnell has been given (a supposed bribe) over one-hundred-thousand dollars from a Virginia businessman.  He also received a Rolex and Ferrari.  It poses the question: will the Supreme Court allow politicians to be bought out?

http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-supreme-court-gets-ready-to-legalize-corruption

A Citizens United Cartoon

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), a CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, is using the Citizens United Case as a PRECEDENT to lead them in new cases, such as Governor McDonnell's BRIEF.  The original Citizens United Case was an example of JUDICIAL ACTIVISM because the court entered into upturning the campaign restriction previously in place.  The court also impeded on their DOCTRINE OF POLITICAL QUESTION, for they involved themselves in law concerning itself with the Executive Branch.

I agree with the majority of people who believe that the bribery of McDonnell.  A politician is a public servant, and they must act as one.  If the wealthy are buying politicians, then the rich are running the country and not the elected officials.  I also disagree with the Citizens United decision.  Campaigns should be fair and equal; wealth should not dictate power.

McDonnell

EPA

April 23, 2016

Both celebrating Earth Day and the resurgence of Spring, the Environmental Protection Agency launched its Safer Choice program in Pennsylvania.  The campaign is a movement to encourage spring cleaners to buy cleaning supplies that are safe for the family, family pet, and environment.  The EPA has partnered with over 500 companies to support the initiative, and over 2,000 supplies have been certified as "safe choices."  Supplies range from shampoos, to laundry detergents, to automobile care products.  The locally famous Weis Supermarket has become a key partner of the EPA and will promote the Safer Choice program.

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-wants-consumers-look-safer-choice-label-when-selecting-spring-cleaning-products

With the Safer Choice program, the EPA is acting as a BUREAUCRATIC, REGULATORY AGENCY.  They may not specifically setting out a group of REGULATIONS, but they are guiding the public in a manner to meet their goal: protecting the environment and the public.  The EPA became an extension of the FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY in 1970, when it was founded by Richard Nixon.

I agree with the actions of the EPA in this instance.  They are using their power as a regulatory agency, but they are guiding the public instead of putting out set regulations.  It promotes good stewardship of our resources in a positive way.  It also may diminish the amount of RED TAPE involved with the program because it is not a mandate.

The founder of the EPA

An Ambassador to Alaksa

March 31

President Obama

President Obama's administration has taken a large interest in climate change; the administration has made climate a priority in its POLICY AGENDA.  This interest has caused Obama to recently visit Alaska where he toured and saw the affects of extreme climate change.  The largest affect of climate change that Obama is concerned with is the rise of the oceans.  Water-level rise places several Alaskan villages in extreme danger, for they could be swallowed up and destroyed.  Obama wishes to alter the drilling situation in Alaska to lessen the risk of greater warming in the area.

Projections of future temperatures in a warmer Alaska

As POTUS (President of the United States), it is Obama's duty to act as the CHIEF CITIZEN (one of his many roles that we have discussed in class).  He is portraying this duty in Alaska by talking to his people and bringing their issues to the legislature in Washington because the role of the Chief Citizen is to be with the people and to represent them.  Obama's tour of Alaska is allowing him to show his support for climate action to the public as well; his tour is acting as a BULLY PULPIT.  As likely as not, Obama's PRESS SECRETARY has had a large amount of influence on Obama's decision to visit Alaska, for it is being displayed throughout the 4TH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT (Mass Media) and it has a significant amount of influence on Obama's public opinion.

I believe Obama's visit of Alaska is very beneficial for him and for the progression of climate aid.  The publicity granted from his trip furthers his public opinion, and the trip increases favor of his administration.  His visit aids climate action because it places his face with the issue and makes it appear much more important than many Americans may think it is.

Obama in Alaska

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/08/30/president_obamas_climate_change_message_this_is_all_real_this_is_happening.html

Congressman Rod Blum (March 20) Unit 4

Rodney “Rod” Blum - Republican

Rodney “Rod” Blum was the former CEO of Eagle Point Software.  His occupation led him to challenge Pat Murphy (D) for the House seat in 2014.  He is in his first term of office.

His biggest contributors are the VGM Group and the McCoy Group.

Blum is the representative for the 1st Congressional District of Iowa.  It is approximately 60% urban and 40% making it suburban, yet there is also an aggregate of farmers within the district creating an agriculturally based economy.

Representative Blum is a member of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  He has recently introduced a bill that bans lawmakers from ever becoming lobbyists.

Blum believes the key to “save” Congress is to strip the “trappings of elective office.”

1) Bill H.R. # 4528 - Does not support

2) Bill H.R. # Aviation - Supports

3) Bill H.R. # S.R.A. 2016 - Supports (He has introduced legislation to decrease outdated rules/legislation)

1 - Although Blum has not had much action in the House and has not spoken out about this specific bill, he would likely vote in support of this bill because he heavily supports bills that protect the country and its people.

2 - Although Blum has not spoken out about this bill, he would most likely support it by voting organizationally because many Republicans support the privatization of business.

3 - Rod Blum's support of this specific bill is definite.  He heavily supports, and has even introduced his own legislation, to reform criminal sentencing and outdated laws.

Campaign Spending: 2015-2016

March 1, 2016; Unit 3 Blog Post

The Circus of Candidates

The current presidential race has amassed the largest spending of any presidential race, and the spending continues to rise.  The choice MEDIUM that is costing so much money are television adds.  Television may not be as heavily watched nationwide, but the older generations (the highest voting percentage) are still watching large amounts of television.  NEW MEDIA may be more effective to reach millennials, but they are not as supportive when voting time comes to pass.  Many political analysts believe the presidential race could cap at an amazing 4.4 billion dollars.

Website: http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/19/432759311/2016-campaign-tv-ad-spending

Trump's Slogan: "Make America Great Again."

The high cost of the presidential race of 2016 relates directly to Unit 3 of AP Government.  The many candidates have gained the support of PAC's (Political Action Committee) to fund their campaigns.  It has come to pass that the more wealthy the candidate, the more likely they are to be successful (with a few exceptions).  Jeb Bush amassed an amazing amount of money through his SUPER PAC which raised him over 100 million dollars.  The majority of the funds have been used to disperse the candidate's political stances via MASS MEDIA.  The ruling of CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMITTEE has allowed candidates to receive unlimited amounts of money.

I believe that there should be a cap on the presidential election.  The current system has allowed the affluent of America to become the ruling power, and money does not mirror leadership quality.

Jeb Bush: One of the biggest political spenders (80 + million dollars)

Bernie Sanders: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

February 21, 2016

Feel the Bern

The "Doom and Gloom," Millennial Generation is quickly becoming the number one demographic that is supporting presidential hopeful: Bernie Sanders.  Being a Democratic Socialist, Bernie appeals to the portion of late-teen and early adult voters who feel economically unstable and overwhelmed by student loans.  Bernie may have overwhelming support from Millennials, but their support may be meaningless.  Younger generations, such as Millennials, do not account for a large portion of voters when election day arrives.  For example, the Millennials of Iowa only represented one-fourth of the electorate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-bernie-sanders-anxious-millennials-find-a-candidate-who-speaks-to-them/2015/10/27/923d0b74-66cc-11e5-9223-70cb36460919_story.html

The Iowa Caucus

The Millennial Population

Bernie Sanders's LIBERAL, economic policies largely favor the Millennial DEMOGRAPHIC.  The SALIENCY of the issues he is pushing is most dear to the Millennials, who must represent him more strongly in the POLLS if Bernie wishes to become the Democratic Presidential nominee.  Bernie Sanders is an IDEOLOGUE for universal, free education and a socialist economy.

Where Bernie Wishes to be