Thoughts for a second term President



This unique feature from the New York Times presents a blend of desires from citizens in regards to President Obama's second term.
What are your thoughts on the President's second term? What's your number one hope for the next four years in the United States? Which specific policy would you like to see our government address, and how would you like our government to legislate within that issue?
What type of leadership style do you wish President Obama to assume in his second term? What's the best way for him to lead and, as a result, get our divided government out of gridlock, and on a path to progress?

27 Words

 

 

There is, perhaps, no other sentence in American government or politics that stirs up as much debate as the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. NPR wrote a great article about this. Read the article and respond with your own interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. What do you think it means? How should gun ownership be regulated, if at all? Do you guns only belong in the hands of a militia, or is that concept outdated, and thus, moot?

Lastly, is senseless violence something the U.S. Government can combat with tighter gun regulations, or is the problem much bigger than that?

Intersection of psychology and politics

 

 

This Ted Talk video demonstrates the intersection of psychology and politics/government. So, naturally, I found it incredibly interesting, and I hope you do too. Essentially, the talk revolves around the notion that our political system is rather disfunctional and that a psychology lesson or two would really improve the way things are run in Washington D.C.

 

View the video (~20 min.) and comment on the practicailty of the suggestions offered. Is it likely that the solutions to our governmental problems rest in psychology?



113th Congress

The 113th U.S. Congress was sworn in very recently, and with it a number of firsts, milestones, and hopes. Does this article leave you with optimism about our Congress, are you of the belief that they will get things done, operate in meaningful ways, and get away from the partisan divide that has gridlocked our country for the past four years?
Further, what is your number one policy that you hope to see passed in the next year by this Congress, and why? Lastly, is your policy goal realistic and likely? Why/why not?

What would you do?

Ever since the presidential election in November, all we've heard about is the dreaded 'Fiscal Cliff.' Well, it appears our Congress has finally acted, albeit a day late. While this debate is driving most, if not all, Americans crazy, it appears as if the deal reached will be short lived. This article summarizes the deal our Congress made, and gives a preview of the battles soon to come (again).
So, what would you do in regards to the two major issues the article brings up, and why? What is the best economic direction for the United States in the future?