article
I think that the decision of the Democratic candidates not to have a debate if the picket lines are still there on the date of the debate is very wise. It benefits the individual candidates, especially Clinton, because she was the first to announce her decision. It also benefits the party as a whole, and I think it will make those union members who hear about it more likely to vote for the democratic candidate.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Complex
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Obama has announced his plan for health care, and he has been comparing it to plans proposed by Clinton and Edwards. I wonder how many people will actually take the time to understand the differences between the plans and let them affect their decisions in an educated manner? Will the small policy differences between them just turn off some people and cause them to ignore that factor? These big three are going to need to be very specific in telling the public about their plans.
Obama has announced his plan for health care, and he has been comparing it to plans proposed by Clinton and Edwards. I wonder how many people will actually take the time to understand the differences between the plans and let them affect their decisions in an educated manner? Will the small policy differences between them just turn off some people and cause them to ignore that factor? These big three are going to need to be very specific in telling the public about their plans.
Clinton and Autism
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Clinton is appealing to small sections of the population, like families with autistic children, and tying their problems in to the problems of America in general. She used these families as an example of the failures of our government in dealing with the health care issues and the provision of good, affordable care to individuals with special needs. I think that this is a good strategy. She is simultaneously pulling in a specific group without ignoring others. I know that if I had an autistic child, I would be attracted to Clinton's promises of better government programs for my child.
Clinton is appealing to small sections of the population, like families with autistic children, and tying their problems in to the problems of America in general. She used these families as an example of the failures of our government in dealing with the health care issues and the provision of good, affordable care to individuals with special needs. I think that this is a good strategy. She is simultaneously pulling in a specific group without ignoring others. I know that if I had an autistic child, I would be attracted to Clinton's promises of better government programs for my child.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Flip-flopping
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It seems that every candidate is being accused of and accusing someone else of flip-flopping, and everyone just doesn't want to be the latest one one the accusing side. Edwards accused Clinton of it, Clinton accused Romney, Obama isn't giving clear answers. Last election Kerry was accused of flip-flopping. It seems that it would be better to change one's opinion that keep one that was opposed to new information. I understand that it shows a lack of commitment to one's position that might foreshadow a future change in policies, but aren't there more important things to be worrying about than whether a candidate's positions now and years ago are the same?
It seems that every candidate is being accused of and accusing someone else of flip-flopping, and everyone just doesn't want to be the latest one one the accusing side. Edwards accused Clinton of it, Clinton accused Romney, Obama isn't giving clear answers. Last election Kerry was accused of flip-flopping. It seems that it would be better to change one's opinion that keep one that was opposed to new information. I understand that it shows a lack of commitment to one's position that might foreshadow a future change in policies, but aren't there more important things to be worrying about than whether a candidate's positions now and years ago are the same?
Hispanics in the Military
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It is truly a shame that immigrants are not valued more in this country. This country was made by immigrants, and they are still a vital part of our economy. By tricking them into military service, it dishonors the history of our country and lowers the respect that other nations have for us. We need to start valuing of immigrants again, and finding ways for them to be included in the country in ways that do not disrespect them as humans and shame our country.
It is truly a shame that immigrants are not valued more in this country. This country was made by immigrants, and they are still a vital part of our economy. By tricking them into military service, it dishonors the history of our country and lowers the respect that other nations have for us. We need to start valuing of immigrants again, and finding ways for them to be included in the country in ways that do not disrespect them as humans and shame our country.
Immigration Head
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To me, Myers represents the constant stream of bad appointments and patronage that has been prevalent in the past few decades. We think that the days of the party and patronage ended with the Pendelton Civil Service Reform Act, and then a story like this surfaces. When will leaders be able to stop putting their friends in offices that they do not deserve? You would think that they would want to put the most qualified person in the position, because then they would not have to watch them as carefully.
To me, Myers represents the constant stream of bad appointments and patronage that has been prevalent in the past few decades. We think that the days of the party and patronage ended with the Pendelton Civil Service Reform Act, and then a story like this surfaces. When will leaders be able to stop putting their friends in offices that they do not deserve? You would think that they would want to put the most qualified person in the position, because then they would not have to watch them as carefully.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
article
I do not think that we should question presidential candidates about their beliefs, but the actions of Bush have shown me that it is necessary. He is too influenced by his beliefs, and I am not comfortable with my president telling the country that God told him to do something that affects the entire world. Whether or not to pass legislation, attack a country, etc., is not a subject to decide on based on faith. It takes intellectual thought and discussion. I do not have a problem with the morals of a president affecting his legislation, but we need to make sure that we do not elect someone who will base all of his decisions on a faith that the whole country does not share.
I do not think that we should question presidential candidates about their beliefs, but the actions of Bush have shown me that it is necessary. He is too influenced by his beliefs, and I am not comfortable with my president telling the country that God told him to do something that affects the entire world. Whether or not to pass legislation, attack a country, etc., is not a subject to decide on based on faith. It takes intellectual thought and discussion. I do not have a problem with the morals of a president affecting his legislation, but we need to make sure that we do not elect someone who will base all of his decisions on a faith that the whole country does not share.
article
I think that Edwards knows that his weakness is his money. He is in danger of being cast as a rich man who does not understand the problems of common people, so he makes sure that he focuses on the poor and the farmers. This is a good strategy, but I think that he runs the risk of sounding like a hypocrite.
However, one of his strengths is his wife. She is strong and is able to advocate for him. In her ads she seems trustworthy, and connects with women who may be thinking of voting for him.
I think that Edwards knows that his weakness is his money. He is in danger of being cast as a rich man who does not understand the problems of common people, so he makes sure that he focuses on the poor and the farmers. This is a good strategy, but I think that he runs the risk of sounding like a hypocrite.
However, one of his strengths is his wife. She is strong and is able to advocate for him. In her ads she seems trustworthy, and connects with women who may be thinking of voting for him.
Article
The border wall that might cut through people's homes is to me a representation of the ridiculous boundaries that separate people in different countries and the rigid and unfeeling laws that govern our country. Why does it matter if you were born in America or Mexico, Canada or Germany? We need to stop focusing on the qualities that separate us and focus on those that unite us as human beings.
Also, laws like that only make people angry at the government. The government is for the people, by the people, so when it takes peoples homes or cuts through their land, it negates the beliefs that the country was founded on and creates an "us" and "them" mentality.
The border wall that might cut through people's homes is to me a representation of the ridiculous boundaries that separate people in different countries and the rigid and unfeeling laws that govern our country. Why does it matter if you were born in America or Mexico, Canada or Germany? We need to stop focusing on the qualities that separate us and focus on those that unite us as human beings.
Also, laws like that only make people angry at the government. The government is for the people, by the people, so when it takes peoples homes or cuts through their land, it negates the beliefs that the country was founded on and creates an "us" and "them" mentality.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Clinton
Article
Clinton is getting a reputation for being the iron rod in the Democratic nominees. I think this is ironic, because it is the opposite that she is simultaneously rejecting and embracing. She wants the public to see her as a woman on the issues that women are strong, such as health care, daycare, and women's rights. However, on issues such as terrorism and security, she wants to be seen as a strong leader, and is projecting more of a male aura.
Clinton is getting a reputation for being the iron rod in the Democratic nominees. I think this is ironic, because it is the opposite that she is simultaneously rejecting and embracing. She wants the public to see her as a woman on the issues that women are strong, such as health care, daycare, and women's rights. However, on issues such as terrorism and security, she wants to be seen as a strong leader, and is projecting more of a male aura.
Yahoo
I have noticed that Yahoo news seems to have a liberal bias. They post more articles about the democratic candidates then the republican ones. I wonder, however, if this is an effect of bias or a plethora of information about the democratic candidates. It seems to be certain that a democrat will win and thus there is more importance attached to who wins the democratic nomination.
Edwards
Article
Edwards seems to be taking Al Gore's torch of environmentalism. It is a subject that the American people feel strongly about, so it is smart of him to use it to his advantage. I wonder if any of the other candidates will also try to use the topic.
In using the issue of global warming, Edwards is trying to maintain the image of an outsider. He wants to be different in the voter's eyes and wants them to think that he will change the way that Washington works.
Edwards seems to be taking Al Gore's torch of environmentalism. It is a subject that the American people feel strongly about, so it is smart of him to use it to his advantage. I wonder if any of the other candidates will also try to use the topic.
In using the issue of global warming, Edwards is trying to maintain the image of an outsider. He wants to be different in the voter's eyes and wants them to think that he will change the way that Washington works.
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