1) What does this cartoon represent?
2) Do you think Obama is a shoo-in for president?
3) Do you think the Republican candidates' race is too cluttered?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
[1.8.12] Constituent Letter (SENT)
To Representative Meehan,
Hello! My name is Christine Tang, and I am a senior at Haverford High School, which is located in Pennsylvania. I am writing to you about H.R. 2256, the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011. This bill aims to amend the Animal Welface Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally. I feel that this is a bill you should support.
I am not officially part of PETA, nor am I a member of the ASPCA. However, I do believe that more attention should be given to animals and the treatment of animals. The way some animals are treated is disgusting; some people simply regard them as objects and not living beings. There are stories about dog-fighting rings an addition to stories about people abusing their pets. Such situations are clearly inhumane. But, one may ask, what about animal testing? Animal testing is a risky topic; even though the question of "is it ethical to do this" comes up, animal testing may aid mankind in medical research. Therefore, we should try and ensure that animal testing is done in the most "humane" way possible - by making sure that all the animals used in research are obtained legally.
I feel that this is the least we could do for them, considering the fact that we are manipulating them for our own needs. Animals have no one to speak for themselves, so who can stand up for them? The answer is us. Those who have a chance to ensure that the animals can keep their dignity should, indeed, act. The animals have suffered through enough. Why should people let the unethical treatment of animals go on? If there is even one small step that everyone can make toward the betterment of dogs, cats, and other pets, why shouldn't it be taken? This bill will do no harm on human beings nor animals.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Christine Tang
Hello! My name is Christine Tang, and I am a senior at Haverford High School, which is located in Pennsylvania. I am writing to you about H.R. 2256, the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011. This bill aims to amend the Animal Welface Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally. I feel that this is a bill you should support.
I am not officially part of PETA, nor am I a member of the ASPCA. However, I do believe that more attention should be given to animals and the treatment of animals. The way some animals are treated is disgusting; some people simply regard them as objects and not living beings. There are stories about dog-fighting rings an addition to stories about people abusing their pets. Such situations are clearly inhumane. But, one may ask, what about animal testing? Animal testing is a risky topic; even though the question of "is it ethical to do this" comes up, animal testing may aid mankind in medical research. Therefore, we should try and ensure that animal testing is done in the most "humane" way possible - by making sure that all the animals used in research are obtained legally.
I feel that this is the least we could do for them, considering the fact that we are manipulating them for our own needs. Animals have no one to speak for themselves, so who can stand up for them? The answer is us. Those who have a chance to ensure that the animals can keep their dignity should, indeed, act. The animals have suffered through enough. Why should people let the unethical treatment of animals go on? If there is even one small step that everyone can make toward the betterment of dogs, cats, and other pets, why shouldn't it be taken? This bill will do no harm on human beings nor animals.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Christine Tang
[1.8.12] Truths About the American Political System
1) The candidates don't come up with their own budget. 0
2) Everything is all about money. -
3) A single campaign can cost up to 6 billion dollars. -
4) "Experience" is a good word to use in commercials, but "track record" proves to be 25% better - word choice counts. 0
5) The relationship with constituents is very important. +
6) Ads usually manipulate and distort the truth. -
7) Speeches are very important in a campaign. +
8) Candidates tend to be much more moderate during general elections, more than primaries. -
9) Historically, American political parties have been more interested in winning public office than in maintaining ideological purity -
10) State and local parties have their own resources and power bases separate from those of the national party. +
11) The United States has a two party system. 0
12) Both the national and state governments have powers (federalism). +
16) The Supreme Court is "independent." 0
2) Everything is all about money. -
3) A single campaign can cost up to 6 billion dollars. -
4) "Experience" is a good word to use in commercials, but "track record" proves to be 25% better - word choice counts. 0
5) The relationship with constituents is very important. +
6) Ads usually manipulate and distort the truth. -
7) Speeches are very important in a campaign. +
8) Candidates tend to be much more moderate during general elections, more than primaries. -
9) Historically, American political parties have been more interested in winning public office than in maintaining ideological purity -
10) State and local parties have their own resources and power bases separate from those of the national party. +
12) Both the national and state governments have powers (federalism). +
13) 30% to 40% or voters claim to be independent. 0
14) Voter turnout has decreased in recent decades. 0
15) The federal government is made up of three branches. +
17) For a president to be impeached, the House needs to vote on impeachment and the Senate has to vote to convict the president. +
18) The Establishment Clause states that the government cannot set an official religion or favor one religion over another. +
19) The typical member of Congress is a mid-50 to early-60-year old male with advanced degrees in law. He is usually Roman Catholic. -
20) There are laws that try to limit campaign contributions. 0
Thursday, January 5, 2012
[1.5.12] Political Party Research - Libertarians
2) They say that the government (at all levels) is the single greatest polluter.
3) They say that the twin pillars of a sane foreign policy are: (1) building positive relationships, with an emphasis on free trade, and (2) avoiding negative relationships, with an emphasis on military non-intervention.
4) This party opposes "any abridgment of the freedom of speech through government censorship, regulation or control of communications media, including, but not limited to" obscenity (including pornography), electronic media, and information media.
5) Libertarians support equal rights for gun owners.
6) They want to reregulate the healthcare industry.
7) They also believe in removing barriers to safe, affordable medicines - e.g. replace harmful government agencies like the FDA with "more agile, free-market alternatives."
8) They want to fix the immigration laws so that more immigrants can legally enter the United States.
9) They want to stop internet censorship.
10) This party ends in ending welfare.
11) "The government should not use electronic or other means of covert surveillance of an individual's actions or private property without the consent of the owner or occupant."
12) Libertarians believe that one should be able "to opt out of Social Security and invest your money in your own personal retirement account."
13) They wish to cut taxes.
14) Neither do they support the bailing out of industries with "your tax dollars."
15) Libertarians have a "people-centered approach to politics."
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
[1.4.12] Left, Right, Center - Third Parties
1) 58% percent of Americans believe we need another major political party.
2) Parties, according to one man, have two tendencies. One is to be integrated or assimilated into a major party, and the other is for it to break down.
3) One man said that the role of third parties is to "sting like a bee and die."
4) Healthcare for an individual person in the United States costs double the amount than in other countries, but no better outcome.
5) Same goes for education, but more funding needs to go to that area - America's scores are not near the top.
6) America needs to recruit
"higher-quality" teachers (from the top one third of their class, not middle or bottom) for more schools, especially poor schools. < opinion
7) Serious about jobs? >> Big public work programs, phase out and eliminate payroll taxes and corporate income taxes
8) In Brazil, both the "people on the left" and the wealthy people both agree that they have to move people from poverty to the middle class, to preserve democracy.
9) In Brazil there is a strong Democratic movement; the coporations were told to "clean up their act," to force people to deal with poverty, etc
10) Must radically limit what we expect from politics since we are set up for disappointment - we expect too much from our government.
2) Parties, according to one man, have two tendencies. One is to be integrated or assimilated into a major party, and the other is for it to break down.
3) One man said that the role of third parties is to "sting like a bee and die."
4) Healthcare for an individual person in the United States costs double the amount than in other countries, but no better outcome.
5) Same goes for education, but more funding needs to go to that area - America's scores are not near the top.
6) America needs to recruit
"higher-quality" teachers (from the top one third of their class, not middle or bottom) for more schools, especially poor schools. < opinion
7) Serious about jobs? >> Big public work programs, phase out and eliminate payroll taxes and corporate income taxes
8) In Brazil, both the "people on the left" and the wealthy people both agree that they have to move people from poverty to the middle class, to preserve democracy.
9) In Brazil there is a strong Democratic movement; the coporations were told to "clean up their act," to force people to deal with poverty, etc
10) Must radically limit what we expect from politics since we are set up for disappointment - we expect too much from our government.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
[1.3.12] Gay Rights
Sources: Here, here, here, here, and here.
Should gay marriage be legal in the whole country?
I say yes.
First, let's point out the "cons" of gay marriage, as stated by gaymarriage.procon.org
And now for some supporting statements from balancedpolitics.org.
Should gay marriage be legal in the whole country?
I say yes.
First, let's point out the "cons" of gay marriage, as stated by gaymarriage.procon.org
The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman."Traditionally"? So things cannot change? Compare the US to the past to the US of today. Before, families had home-cooked meals. "Traditionally," women stayed at home to take care of the children while the men worked. Traditionally, women barely had any rights. Many things focused on the importance of family. Of a healthy lifestyle - kids would go outside and play after finishing their homework. And today? Both men and women work. A lot of people eat out now, and a lot of people are staying indoors - the obesity rate is going up. Teens are seen texting everywhere, if not doing something else related to technology. Instead of "quality family time," some families are more distant with each other. The so-called "traditions" of the United States have changed over time.
Marriage is already threatened with high divorce rates (between 40% and 50%)So homosexuals shouldn't get married because the divorce rate is already very high? So, following this logic... I once read something that went along the lines of, "since the divorce rate is already very high, heterosexuals should not be allowed to be married."
Gay marriage is incompatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups.The first amendment states that a US citizen has the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. So no matter what religion one practices, they should not force their beliefs on others (thus the phrase "freedom of religion and freedom from religion"). Don't support gay marriage? Then don't marry someone of your own sex. Why should you be allowed to choose who gets married and who doesn't? (The US is supposed to have a separation of church and state, anyway, isn't it? The issue of "religion" should not come into US law at all.)
Gay marriage will accelerate the "assimilation” of gays into mainstream heterosexual culture. The gay community has created its own vibrant culture.Isn't the US supposed to be a "melting pot" of cultures?
And now for some supporting statements from balancedpolitics.org.
Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays with most evidence strongly supporting biological causation.I stated this in my very first blog post:
Despite my lack of knowledge on politics, I have two political issues that I care somewhat strongly about. The first is the issue about gay rights. I believe that homosexuals should have a right to marry; I mean, why shouldn't they? Is it a crime? Is it not "natural"*? People should be allowed to love whomever they choose. Like Hope said, isn't everyone supposed to be equal? African Americans and women gained their rights. Why can't homosexuals have theirs? There is so much pressure put on teenagers (for example) about their sexuality. Some kids were eventually driven to suicide because of their looks and/or sexual orientation; people that were not as accepting (or people that just assume) bully these kids. It is disappointing and saddening to see that people do not accept differences.
*Some studies suggest that sexual orientation is determined by genetics. There have been signs of homosexuality in animals, too. And Tango Makes Three is a children's book based on a true story about two male penguins who tried to hatch a rock that seemed like an egg. That rock was eventually replaced by a real egg; the egg hatched and the baby penguin grew up healthily.
Denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination.Need I say more?
It doesn't hurt society or anyone in particular.Exactly. "Homosexuals are not allowed to be married because they will take over the United States with communism" is not a valid point. Neither is "married homosexuals are going to break into my house."
The only thing that should matter in marriage is love.A bit corny, but yes, I feel this is true as well.
The number of child adoptions should increase since gay couples cannot pro-create.A wonderful reason.
[1.3.12] Political Cartoon
1. What does this represent?
2. Do you think that too much weight is put on these two states?
3. Should there be a different system to elect the candidates for president?
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