Gun Politics

My post a few weeks back on gun control lead to a lot of comments (because it was interesting, or because so many students wanted extra credit at the end of the semester?). I'll hope the case is that so many of you found the topics of gun control and interest groups both intriguing and relevant. So, to follow up, here's a New York Times interactive documenting how states have tackled the issue of gun legislation in the year after the Newtown Massacre. Seeing as our federal government hasn't passed any meaningful legislation in the hopes of curbing gun violence, it's been left to states to take up the issue. And, because of federalism, states have the power to pass meaningful laws that will directly affect their citizens.
So, take some time to explore the interactive and discover how states have attempted to pass legislation, and further, examine the legislation that has actually passed. There are several different categories of legislation to explore, and the results just may surprise you. What's your reaction?

War on Poverty

Recently, NPR has had a host of coverage and articles regarding the 50th anniversary of Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. This article looks at poverty in the contemporary sense, analyzing questions on what it actually means to live in poverty and dissecting how our government actually measures this concept. A recurring theme of the analysis of this anniversary tackles the question of if we've won the war on poverty? What do you think? What statistics can you find to answer this question? Do we need another war on poverty in the United States, and what would this include? How much of a federal government priority should it be to help those in financial distress?

Gun Control, or Not

The New York Times ran this article a few weeks back, and I initially didn't want to post it for fear of it appearing to be biased. After re-reading it recently, I realized the fact that despite the controversial nature of the topic, it perfectly captures the relationship between Congress and interest groups (which we just studied!).
I don't want to ask about your opinions on gun control, or on the amount of power the N.R.A. seems to hold over law-makers (though feel free...). Rather, I simply want you to read it, digest it, and ask yourselves if you there is anything our government can do in regards to the power of lobbies? Are interest groups doing anything illegal?
Last, it seems as if our government is missing the bigger picture here. Think about the process of how a national tragedy turned into lawmakers worrying about re-election in the end. Are Congress' priorities in the right place?

$15 Minimum Wage

This article is perfectly representative of the federalist system in the United States. While much bickering and finger-pointing goes on at the federal level of government, most of the actual policy is being created at the state, and local level. This article certainly raises the question of just how effective our federal government is, and further, just how high should our expectations for it be? Perhaps most matters are best left to state and local governance, and the federal government should keep their responsibilities simple, streamlined, and specifically defined. Of course, if the power is given to state and local municipalities, we could end up with a divided country where a $15 minimum wage is the precedent in one area, and severe voting restrictions (for example) exist in another. Which system would be better: One in which the federal government is involved with everything as a way to make all policy equal and far-reaching, or one in which states and municipalities can decide for themselves what is best?

Drones.

This article, although quite long, is completely worth reading. While it focuses on one individual who controlled drones for the United States Air Force, it also addresses the larger of issue of the United States using drones in fighting the War on Terror. I have to admit that after reading this article I strongly questioned the merits and constitutionality of our use of drones; what's your take?

Is the use of drones the best way to fight terrorists, seeing as it allows us to directly confront the enemy without actually having to mobilize soldiers. Or, is the use of drones a glaring example of the U.S. stretching the limits of our power and serious infringing upon other governments around the world.

Read this article, it's surprising, revealing, and just incredibly interesting. 

Spy or Patriot?

We haven't talked a whole lot about Edward Snowden in class. The linked article provides an update on his status and the relative hard-line many U.S. politicians are taking against this individual. This story has received a lot of attention, and the so-called 'analysts' in the media have been quick to turn this story into a debate over how to label Mr. Snowden.
Some say he is an absolute traitor for telling secrets about the United States, whereas others think he's a patriot because he has revealed the level to which the National Security Administration goes to gather intelligence.
Where do you stand on this issue, and why? What should happen to Edward Snowden?

Income in the United States

Watch this. I'm curious what your reactions will be...surprised? Impressed? Based upon the commentary, it's clear that the source is angry about it, but we have to ask the question of whether or not this is all o.k.? Is anything illegal being done to create this disparity? If not, then shouldn't those who make this enormous amount of wealth be complimented? Or, should the entire system be changed to create some sort of equality economically in the United States? How could that be accomplished? Would that be legal?