Obama Questions

1. Did the republicans feel the need to fight Obama because they truly didn't believe in the stimulus package or did they just want to prove a point?
2. Was Obama's leadership style more chaotic and indecisive like Clinton's or more decisive and likely to delegate like Bush's? (Seems to be more like Clinton)
3. Has any other bill been passed in which the whole of one party had no votes towards it?
4. Where was the federal money that was paying the bankers coming from if we are trillions of dollars in debt?
5. What did Obama see once inside the White House that made him change his views on war?

2nd Semester Reflection

This semester has been much more difficult for me because I have learned to not only memorize facts but I have learned how to put these facts together into one combined thought. I have had barely any prior knowledge of how our government works before this class and now  I have learned how Congress works as well as the presidency. I honestly didn't know the difference between the House and the Senate before this semester and now I can tell you everything that differentiates the two. I will say that after this class I know that I will never go into a political field however I think that is important as an american citizen to understand how our government functions.

Paul Ryan on Obama's State of the Union

Paul Ryan

On Wednesday Paul Ryan the Speaker of the House said that he thought during Obama's state of the union his political tone towards Donald Trump along with the Republican field "degrades the presidency".Obama never voiced the name of Donald Trump however he alluded to his ideas about Muslims. Ryan goes on to say he agrees with what Obama said but that it was not the right time or place to do so.
Paul Ryan: Obama's State of Union

Marihuana Concealed within Carrot Shipment

Carrots FIlled with Marijuana

On Wednesday border control in Texas caught a tractor-trailor that was carrying what looked like a shipment of carrots. First the cargo was scanned and then the canine unit was brought in. The trailer carried 2,817 carrots full of marijuana with an estimated value of $499, 000. This happened earlier in December as well when drugs were attempted to be smuggled in carrots as well as cucumbers.
Border Patrol Agents Uncover Marijuana Concealed within Carrot Shipment

El Chapo

El Chapo

On Saturday Rolling Stones released there interview with El Chapo and Sean Penn. El Chapo was captured on Friday after escaping prison 6 months ago. The interview actually took place in October over video and messaging. Throughout the interview he bragged about his drug empire that he had created and wanted to make a movie about his "successful life". El Chapo is back in prison but will face seven different charges very soon.
El Chapo and the Secret Sean Penn Interview: What Happens Next

Jackpot Estimated $1.3 Billion

The Power ball Jackpot has reached an all time high of $13.2 billion dollars after no one won the $900 million dollar jackpot Saturday. A handful of people did win a couple million but nothing to the affect of the full power ball. The $1.3 billion dollars can be estimated at around $806 million dollars and theres only a 1 in 292.2 million chance in winning.
With No Powerball Winners, Jackpot Grows to Estimated $1.3 Billion

Youtubers Interviewing Obama

Previous Interview with Obama and Youtubers

Obama plans to sit down and be interviewed by three famous Youtubers this Friday. This will not be the first time he has been interviewed by a Youtuber but he feels that this is just another way to get his policies out to the public. The three Youtubers are Ingrid Nilsen, Adande Thorne, Destin Sandlin all making different videos ranging from lifestyle to gaming videos. This is trying into his State of Union speech on Tuesday that will also be available to watch live on Youtube.
Obama to Discuss Policy Proposal with Youtube

Exploring Congress: How it Works

Through my research I found an act called the Humane Cosmetics Act. The bill was assigned to a congressional committee called the House Energy and Commerce with a subcommittee of Health and does not have a very high chance of getting enacted. I learned that acts have to be very straight forward and explain anything and everything that they put into it. I guess this makes sense because they do not want any confusions or loop holes but it seems almost dumbed down because of all the explanations. I also looked at the Senator of Hawaii, Mazie Hirono, she has not succeed in getting a bill passed but most do not. She only missed 0.2% of her votes which is really good, that is about 1 out of every 670 votes. She was not very good at getting cosponsors on bills putting herself in the low 20% but she was the 4th highest Senate Freshman in cosponsoring bills. I think she is well liked by the people but is still new in the process and needs work with getting her voice heard.
Humane Cosmetics Act
Mazie Hirono Senator of Hawaii

Reform Ranking

1. Right to Vote in the Constitution
2. Universal Voter Registration
3. National Popular Vote for the President
4. Fair Voting/ Proportional Representation
5. Ranked Choice Voting

Trump on Barring Muslims From Entering U.S.

Trump Giving Speech

This afternoon Donald Trump made a speech about how Muslims "should be barred from entering into the United States until the nations leaders can figure out whats going on." Trump has always voiced his opinion on this issue but this is new after the San Bernardino shooting. Death was his reasoning for turning his view of the Muslims. No other presidential candidate is behind him on this and many have spoke out against it.
Donald Trump Calls for Barring Muslims From Entering U.S.

Carson Acknowledges Dip in Polls

Ben Carson

Ben Carson recently talked about his 8 percent drop in the Republican presidential campaign. Five weeks ago 64 percent thought he would be a great president and this has dropped to 42 percent. His reasoning for this is his lack in working with foreign affairs. In his words he has dealt more with life and death situations than those of recent foreign attacks that have been happening. The polls as of now are not looking good for Carson.
Ben Carson Acknowledges Dip in Polls

Ralph Peters Suspended from Fox News

Ralph Peters

A Fox News analyst, Ralph Peters was recently suspended for two weeks because of the way that he described Obama on air. His vulgar description of our president was said on Fox Business Network he also went on to speak for the military and say that the military was ready to fight if he would give them the order to. Ralph was punished for his words, which he apologized for,  and has been the topic of a lot of twitter uproar.
Ralph Peters Suspended from Fox News

Plans to Add New Level to Terror Advisory System

Homeland Security Seal

The Department of Homeland Security is adding anew level to its terrorism advisory system to help the threat of terrorism on the homeland. The level will be the "intermediate" level and it will be used to alert Americans of a high risk when they do not know who is behind it. The previous system for terrorism only had 2 levels a low risk and a high risk section. This change is just being talked about but is hoped to be announced very soon to start putting it to action.
Washington Post New Level to Terror Advisory System

Obama Addresses Terrorism

Obama Giving Address in Oval Office

On Sunday night Obama made an address towards the recent shooting in San Bernardino and the threat of terrorism that is thought to follow it. He said that his top priority is protecting the American people from all types of terrorism that comes forward. Obama did not state any changes in policies however he did ask Congress to get behind him on starting the fight against terrorism and strengthening the gun laws.
NY Daily News Obama Addresses Terrorism

US Man Freed After 23 Years in Jail

Mug Shot of Robert along with Victim

A man was just freed after serving 23 years in jail when found to be unguilty of the crimes we was said to have committed. Rober Jones was wrongfully put into jail on the accusations of rape, robbery, and manslaughter. He was released on bail and had to attend a retrial of his case where he then became free.
US Man Freed After 23 Years in Jail

Bernie Sanders for Legalizing Marijuana

Bernie Sanders

On Wednesday Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would reduce all federal penalties for growing or possessing marijuana. This would allow states to determine its own laws on marijuana use and the government would ultimately  have nothing to do with it. However there would be penalties for trafficking the substance into other states.
Bernie Sanders Introduces Senate Bill to End Federal Marijuana Prohibition

Obama Defends Syrian Refugee Screenings

Syrian Refugees On Way to US

Obama is fighting his Syrian Refugee program with saying that each refugee goes through a vigorous screening process before even allowed into the US. First applications are reviewed, then each applicant is interviewed, and then another intense review is done including multiple background checks and biological mapping. What Obama is trying to say is that what he is doing is safe and that it needs to continue happening.
Obama Administration Defends its Syrian Refugee Screening

Newest Republican Presidential Poll

Donald Trump

In the most resent poll it seems that Donald Trump has gaining back his voters and Ben Carson has lost his. Donald Trump is in the lead again but the spot for second place is currently being fought after by Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. This might have to do with the Syrian Refugee situation that Donald Trump has voiced his opinions on very loudly as well as other things. Now the race is getting quite close and interesting.
FOX News Poll

Obama and the Islamic State

Obama Speaking about Islamic State

President Obama recently came out to say that the U.S. is going to do nothing in the "fight against the Islamic State". He believes that the group will be taken out without us as long as the world stops thinking about it as the "new normal". The recent attack on Paris has started a debate on if the U.S. should continue with the invitation of Syrian Refugees into our country. It will be interesting to see how the President continues to handle this time.
Obama Says US Will Not Relent in Fight Against Islamic State

French Government

France is a republic specifically known as the French Republic that operates under their constitution.

The republic consists of a Prime Minister (minister to parliament) which is the head of the government and is picked by the President, a Minister, and a Secretary of State. France has a "multi-party political system"and is also has a sample of political factionalism. Throughout most of France's time their government has been between the on the left led by the Socialist party and the centre- right led by the Republicans. It is hard to have anything other than these two parties rule because they are so powerful. As of now France is governed by the Socialist Party. There are four main categories of French political parties: On the Right, Centre Right, Centre, On the Left and there are about 35 parties all together that make up these categories.
Political Parties in France
Government of France
List of Political Parties
The French Political System