Compromise for Lame-Duck Congress? Prognosis=Unlikely

This article discusses the recent shelving of the DREAM act, which was a start to comprehensive immigration reform. Democrats in Congress attempted to push through the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act as a means to grant citizenship status to illegal immigrants under the age of 18, who have been residing in the United States for over 5 years. However, the bill was stalled and not brought to the floor for debate because Republicans refused to vote or compromise on any bill that did not address extending the Bush tax cuts. This "all-or-nothing" mentality that the Republicans seem to champion is completely detrimental to successfully legislating in the 21st century. Governing is all about moderation and compromise. One cannot expect to receive everything one asks for in government and so compromises must be made with the opposing political party. Even though Americans want comprehensive illegal immigration reform and a plethora of other reforms, America's policymakers on both sides of the political aisle, cannot seem to understand this desire. If either political party wants to make any headway in governing this nation, both sides need to swallow their pride and follow the example of many average Americans by sacrificing some pet issues for the sake of compromise.

What WikiLeaks Does—And Doesn't—Tell Us About Germany

Bloomberg for President?

Lameduck Congress Passes Huge Spending Bill

$1.1 trillion was passed on a spending bill yesterday by a vote of 212-206 in the House. The spending will be for the remainder of the fiscal year which ends in September next year. The lameduck congress remains in office until January.

Slide Show: In Denial: The GOP's Climate Science Skeptics

House Backs Legal Status for Many Young Immigrants

The House of Representatives has passed the Dream Act, which will grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of young immigrants. The bill grants conditional legal status to those who immigrated before the age of 16 and have lived in the United States for at least five other years, with a few other conditions. The important effect of this bill is that it shows a new acceptance of immigration and the potential to move towards looser immigration policies.

Is Social Media a Significant Political Force?

Most people assume that the online craze in American politics online and in social networks has lead to increased political involvement. Supporters of the technology revolution credit Obama's success in 2008 and the Republican's success in 2010 to the effectiveness of their online campaigning and use of social media. However, there is much evidence to suggest it takes more than a million facebook fans or thousands of twitter followers to win an election. Peter Daou, Hillary Clinton’s online campaign manager, explains: “Devoid of a compelling message to spur their use, the most advanced web tools will lie fallow” (Basen 2). Daou argues that although the internet is an effective tool, the real reason for Obama’s victory was his message of change and the real game winner for the Republicans in 2010 was their “mad as hell” message (Basen 3). In his New Yorker article: Small Change: Why the revolution will not be tweeted. Malcolm Gladwell explains: "The platforms of social media are built around weak ties… But weak ties seldom lead to high-risk activism” (Gladwell 3). He is saying that it takes almost no effort to follow someone on twitter or friend them on facebook, it doesn’t cost anything and it doesn’t require any sacrifices. This idea suggests that the social media doesn’t cultivate monumental political activism undermines predictions that the Internet will revolutionize politics.

John Boehner sees governors as GOP partners

Expected Speaker of the House, John Boehner, has already begun to make allies in 15 new Republican governors. Boehner plans to use his new friends in making a more "aggressive state-level strategy to pick apart the Obama agenda." This strategy is also reflective of the conservative love of the 10th Amendment — devolving power back to the states, where Boehner learned to legislate.

"Don't ask" repeal gains steam

Despite Senator McCain's best efforts to make the argument that gay people should not be allowed to serve in the military openly without being unjustly terminated it appears that the repeal may be coming to a vote very soon. With the support of several courageous and pro-repeal Republicans like Scott Brown, Susan Collins and several others this discriminatory policy may finally be coming to an end. Thank goodness... and of course, Joe Lieberman.

Does the constitution protect wikileaks?

Funny Piece on Tax Cuts (Link)

It appears as if the President and Congressional Republicans have reached a compromise on extending tax cuts for the wealthy, with a vote expected in the next few days. The President's idea of "compromise", however, has taken on a whole new dangerous meaning in the aftermath of November's political tsunami. Congress plans to extend tax cuts for the rich and lower estate taxes to levels even lower than Bush imagined, as well as surround the existing tax cuts with bunches of temporary "adjustive" tax cuts supposed to spawn economic growth. So now instead of one temporary tax cut that was supposed to expire this year, in two more the exact same debate will arise but this time with greater political and economic consequences. Not to mention the debt ceiling hasn't been raised as Republicans view the election as their chance to completely eliminate any deficit spending to foster economic growth. In a political climate where extending unemployment benefits for 2 million Americans struggle to pay their bills and heat their homes every day can only be achieved if billionaires are given massive tax breaks, it's hard to see any end to the suffering our country faces.

Is Health Care Constitutional?

Olbermann goes ballistic

Liberal Pundit uses the C Word

In Deal With G.O.P., Portent for Next 2 Years

I thought that this was interesting, especially for the people who are doing their papers on liberalism and conservatism. It states that Obama is "willing to alienate his liberal base in the interest of compromise". What will this mean for liberalism?

The role of ideologies and the economy in the 2010 congressional election

This article examines some of the forces that shaped the outcome of the 2010 midterm election. While the main purpose of the article was to show that the Democrats are failing to take responsibility for their recent losses, the points that stood out most to me were 1. The pattern of liberal activism followed by conservative backlash (as Will mentioned in his research paper presentation today) and 2. The idea that the economy had everything to do with the results of this election (what my research paper talked about).

Cook uses exit polls to show that the public's view of the role of the federal government has changed from 2008 to 2010. He shows that while a majority supported more government intervention in 2008, this number dropped significantly in 2010. This supports Will's idea that periods of liberal politics are followed by a conservative backlash. Politics of the last century suggests that our country may be trapped in a chronic ideological seesaw.

Cook also argues that Democrats failed to address the most important issue--the economy--and instead focused on more "trivial" issues such as climate change policy and health care. While I wouldn't agree that these issues are unimportant, it does seem that the economy is the most pressing issue in the minds of the citizens. My paper analyzed this issue in depth and showed how voters' perceptions about the economy did not match the actual condition of the economy. Perhaps if the Democrats had focused on altering voters' economic perceptions they would have suffered much milder losses in 2010.

Elizabeth Edwards Dies at 61

Today, Elizabeth Edwards lost her battle with cancer. After John Edwards was caught cheating on his sickly wife, a lot of support went out to Elizabeth Edwards. She leaves behind two children.

Clean-Energy Incentives at Risk in Tax Deal

Billions of dollars in federal subsidies for the manufacturers of wind and solar power facilities will end January 1, 2011 unless the extended tax cuts are ended. These subsidies were part of the 2009 economic stimulus package. Republicans are taking a stand that it is the Democrats deal to worry about because they were responsible for the deal reached with the White House. Democrats, led by Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.), attempted to extend programs through legislation but were shot down last week in the Senate. A one year extension of the program would provide $3 billion in federal grants in 2011.

Obama announces proposed deal on taxes, jobless benefits

Today, President Obama announced that Bush era tax cuts will be extended for two years, that unemployment benefits will be available for 13 months, and that payroll tax will be lowered by 2% for one year (CNN). Congressional Republicans embraced this deal by showing confidence in how the two parties could work together on Capitol Hill (New York Times), while retiring Ohio Republican Senator George Voinovich assertively opposed this deal (Washington Post). This package will cost $900 billion for the next two years, adding to the budget deficit. President Obama thought this deal is an important step to stop this political fight, which he thought would be an obstacle for the recovery of the current recession.

Christmas Flash Mob

Tis the season!

Case to watch

SCOTUS has agreed to hear a case involving Walmart. Case could have important implications for class action suits.

New Jersey Closer to Sales of Medical Marijuana

This article discusses the ongoing process of the legalization of medical marijuana throughout the country: New Jersey was the 14th state to legalize the treatment, with former governor Jon Corzine signing the law as he left office in January of this year. Current governor Chris Christie has been compromising with advocates of medical marijuana, resulting in new regulations that would allow 6 growing and distribution sites throughout the state. However, among all the states that legalized medical marijuana, New Jersey would be the first to limit the amount of psychotropic chemcial in the drug. Furthermore, this restriction would only apply to the 3 nonfatal conditions of seizures, glaucoma, and intractable muscle spasms. Despite the willingness of Governor Christie to make compromises on a law he does not want to exist, advocates of medical marijuana in the state say that he is discouraging the access of the drug "by forbidding home cultivation or delivery, and by requiring doctors to be registered and to take a training course before they can certify patients for treatment." This issue is one of many that continue to polarize officials in state governments across the United States.

Pushing a Right to Bear Arms, the Sharp Kind

Something to Think About

What would you do with $60 billion?

Tax Reform Vision

It seems that our tax code is disliked by both the republicans and the democrats, and that “almost everybody disagrees with the basic outline.” With this knowledge, David Brooks suggests Obama use tax reforms as a way of “reintroducing” the parties to each other, and as a way to bring about consensus on other polarized issues such as the environment and healthcare. Brooks goes on to say that tax reform could “change the tone in Washington,” and act as a platform from which attention could be shifted for “the same-old big government-versus-small government debate toward more concrete challenges: shifting resources from unproductive consumption to more productive investment.” One of the unfortunate qualities of party politics is that the stark polarization creates a somewhat unproductive environment (in my opinion), and it is one of the reasons that the senate functions at such a glacial pace. For lack of a better phrase, I think that Americans need to “bite the bullet” and for parties need to shed some of the extreme political allegiance that has now come to plague Washington. Maybe transformations would be made that some Americans aren’t happy with, but I think Brooks follows the logic that any kind of change is more likely to lower our federal deficit, lower carbon emissions, and make healthcare more widespread, then simply remaining at political ceasefires would.

Liberal v. conservative internet

Interesting piece for those of you writing papers about internet and politics.

Data about election

Michael Barone provides rich, district by district detail about the election.

Video on lobbying

A positive portrayal of functions of lobbing.

Are there any limts to federal power?

Panel discussion from recent meeting of Federalist Society relevant to our discussion on Tuesday.

Don't Mess with Texas

Texas to gain 3-4 seats in the next Congress. NJ, NY, MA, PA will each lose at least one seat. Ohio may lose two. Article suggests that big GOP gains in state elections will affect reapportionment.

Repeal Amendment

A proposed constitutional amendment relevant to our debate about tentherism on Tuesday.

Is America Exceptional?

Citizens of APP are cordially invited to the AHI to discuss American exceptionalism from 7-8PM on Monday December 6. See campus announcement for readings. Rides available at 6:50PM at KJ Circle. Publius is a diverse group of students and faculty who meet once a month to discuss issues of American federalism. On the docket for next semester are : tentherism, the 17th amendment, and the proposed "Repeal Amendment." We are looking for students to become part of the leadership cadre of Publius. Let me know if you might be interested.

Holiday Party

Citizens of APP are cordially invited to holiday party at Alexander Hamilton Institute from 4-6PM on Sunday, December 5, featuring performance by Special K. Rides leave from KJ Circle at 3:50PM.

House censures Rangel

The House of Representatives censured Charles Rangel today. This is the first case censured by House since Gerry Studds and Daniel Crane were censured in 1983 (CNN). Speaker Nancy Pelosi read the censure resolution. This is the most serious punishment conducted by House of Representatives except for expulsion. Rangel was charged guilty on 11 counts, including failing to pay all his tax bills, filling misleading financial statements, and improperly seeking money from corporate interests for a college center bearing his name (NPR). Rangel is not involved in corruption, while his misconducted ethically.

Even though Peter King, New York GOP Rep., backed Rangel, I do not think King's reasons hold. King pointed out that no one questioned Rangel's integrity or he has never seen Rangel treat anyone with disrespect. I think King's defending reasons are irrelevant to Rangel's charges and Rangel's misconduction deserved a censure. Considering that Rangel was re-elected last month by winning 80% of the vote, I think he deceived voters by his positive image, he crossed the moral bottom line of being a leader. His brilliant records, such as he won a purple heart after being wounded in combat in Korea and he is tied for fourth in House seniority, could pay for his deliberate neglect of rules. I see an inconsistency in his characters, between his honors and his unscrupulousness.

"Chickencrap" or Smart Politics?

A plan on extending Bush era tax cut was voted this afternoon. The House Democrats proposed that the tax cut be extended for the next two years for families making $250,000 annually or less. The Republicans opposed this plan, and they suggested that the wealthy would use this money to create jobs, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed that the wealthy would spend this money on stock market and further investments instead of in creating jobs (CNN). The House minority leader John Boehner referred to this plan proposed by House Democrats as "chickencrap" ( the National Interest). Boehner asserted that the House Democrats are playing political games to set up the Election 2012 (CBSNews).

New Jersey representative Bill Prescrell supports this plan because he believes this plan saves the middle class Americans. According to Prescrell, the beneficiary of this plan, households earning $250,000 per year or less, occupies 98% of individuals and business. Such a large percentage of beneficiaries helps achieve Americans economy by reviving middle class.

That a large number of middle-class Americans being beneficiaries could be a lurk of the Democrats in order to win Election 2012. President Obama started paying more attention to the middle class, one of the major reasons he lost this year's mid-term election by one chamber. President Obama saved capitalism - by resuscitating the bank system, initiating an auto bailout, and etc. - but lost the midterms, the big political price he paid to his so-called "socialist" plans (rsn).

In addition to Democrats' special care for the middle class, one thing noteworthy about Prescrell's perspectives is that the point of a bipartisan compromise should be "to facilitate, not end, discussion among all Congress members by focusing on where we all agree and acknowledging what our nation cannot afford" (NorthJersey.com).

McCain Questions Pentagon on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Pentagon has recently issued a statement saying that a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" would have a minimal impact on the military's effectiveness. However, Senator John McCain, a public supporter of DADT is urging the Pentagon to rethink their status.

Gridlock

Senate Republicans are continuing to attempt to "block" all legislation that comes through until bush tax-cuts and funding bill are voted upon. Such measures that may be potentially filibustered are the repeal of the don't ask don't tell policy and a nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Democrats are upset with the obstruction and continue to stand ground against the GOP threats. Republicans, particularly Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argue that Democrats should stand down because voters on November 2nd sent a clear message for a change.

Tentherism

Just some background information on the "Tentherism" movement for anyone who might be thinking about the lottery debate next Tuesday

Reid moves forward on DREAM Act

Although this will most likely end up being a purely symbolic vote taken by Reid to thank the Hispanic voters who he can thank for saving his political career, I sincerely hope that this bill is able to pass. Republicans say that this opens the door to amnesty and well, so what if it does? These are people that have been in this country since they were little kids and who have brought themselves up by their bootstraps to get where they are now. These people who would be granted citizenship are productive members of society who are college bound and are going to move on to bigger and better things. It is asserted that these are lay abouts who are mooching off of the system and will give nothing back but what Republicans fail to see is that these people are the face of future American too! These people are achieving the American dream and we should reward them for that, with the citizenship they have so long coveted.

The Tequila Party

TARP expected to cost U.S. only $25 billion, CBO says