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)