2.8 "More Great News!"

The article was written by James Mcwilliams for the Atlantic. he is addressing the recently lifted ban on horse slaughter and how as a country our logic on the matter is disturbing. He states that as a culture that's becoming increasingly serious about the ethics of eating, why are we more concerned with discussing where an animal should be slaughtered than whether it should be slaughtered at all?  Mcwilliams states that we can empathize with having a tube shoved into our throats (speaking of ducks having their livers swollen for foie gras), but we cannot even remotely empathize with being shunted off to a slaughterhouse (the poor ponies). HE believes anyone who thinks that it's possible to eschew liver but eat horse -- or any animal product, for that matter -- is simply choking on self-deception.

1. What was happening to horses in America destined for slaughter anyway?

Horses in America destined for slaughter were being sent to Mexico.
2. What do you personally think about people who boycott foods because they think they are unethical?
I think that it is silly to boycott foods because they think they are unethical in the end its gonna die why not let it die to help someone survive.
3. What do you think Rakestraw thinks about people who protest foods because they think they are unethical? 
I think that Rakestraw thinks that those people are hippie trash! 
4. Why do people get so upset about foie gras?
People get so upset about foie gras because the ducks have to have tubes shoved down their throats to swell their livers.
5. What is different about people's relationship with ducks and horses?
The difference in peoples relationships with ducks and horses is that we've never worked or lived closely with ducks, nor do we care for them as companion animals, and with horses they  an animal with whom we've plowed fields, colonized continents, waged war, rode to victory, and (with thankful rarity) buggered
6. Explain why this is silly.
This is silly because people don't care about horse meat not because of lack of empathy its because they simple don't care and the animal is getting treated better on its way to slaughter now.

2.7 Great News For America!!!!

Obama legalized horse slaughter for human consumption. The House version of the bill retained the de-funding of inspections of horses in transit and at slaughter houses and the Senate version did not, and when passed to the conference committee charged with reconciling the two opted to not include it. This means that Americans can soon expect to see horse meat next to hamburger and bacon on grocery store shelves.

1. Is this awesome?

This is so ridiculous its incredible!! Can't wait to eat a horse burger! (o.O)

2.6 Balanced Budget Amendment FAIL

1. What is required for Congress to propose amendments?
 two-thirds majority

2. Why are Democrats against a balanced budget amendment?
Because it would require cuts to social programs

3. If this bill passed the House, would it be sent to the states for ratification?
No it would be sent to the Senate and would require two-thirds majority vote

4. What is the national debt? (NOT how much is it)
The national debt is the money the American government barrows from other countries currently it is 36 cents for every dollar spent

5. Why would programs be at risk during economic downturns if there was an amendment that forced the budget to be balanced?
Programs would be at risk during economic downturns because spending would need to be cut

6. David Drier is the Chairman of the House Rules committee. Why is he so important?
David Sriere is so important as Chariman of the House Rules committee because he schedules all bills for review, sets a limit on debate and decides wheather the bill is open or closed rule on the house floor

7. What important costs mentioned at the end of the article need to be considered when thinking about an amendment forcing a balanced budget?
National security and defence costs need to be considered when thinking about an amendment forcing a balanced budget

8. What type of spending is characteristic of the government in the last 50 years?
federal spending has exceed revenues in any one year putting the country in a spending deficit

2.5

1. What is a financial - disclosure record?
a history of what type of investments Legislators make.

2. Why do we need those?

3. Which one of John Kerry's jobs in the Senate is mentioned? What does that mean he is responsible for?
Chairman of the heath subcommitee this means he is in charge of drug legislation

4. What was John Boehner doing during health care reform debates?
John Boehner was the house majority leader was investing “tens of thousands of dollars” in health-insurance-company stocks

5. What is insider trading?
insider trading of a corporations stocks by individuals with potenrial access to non-public information about the company

6. What do the House and Senate ethics rules say about congressmen's stock ownership?
member’s recusal from a vote affecting his or her stock portfolio “might be denying a voice” in the process

7. What suspicious activity did former Speaker Nancy Pelosi take part in?
Her husband invested between $1 million and $5 million on Visa when she was Speaker of the House

8. How will the Tea Party and Occupy movements likely respond to this book?
Tea Party and Occupy movements will respond to a kind of generalized outrage toward a system that seems geared to protect the interests of the few

9. What does the author (of the book) say is his main problem with politicians?

The fact that the political elite gets to play by a different set of rules than the rest of us

PARAGRAPHS COMING SOON!!!

2.4 Pork Barrel Legislation!

This article was written by Daniel Stone. It is talking about the Tea Party and why they are upset about the budget. It also talks about the pork projects being requested by House leaders and other Representatives. It also shows how some of the GOP candidates are using pork barrel and trying to cut the bdget at the same time. Basically, the whole thing is abut how on the outside, most of the Tea Party congressmen want to cut the spending but privately want more spending in their constituency

1. If Eric Cantor is the House Majority Leader, what is he supposed to do?
 He is supposed to help the Speaker of the House and lead his party in the House of representatives.

2. Why would Cantor recommend cutting a high speed rail program in Nevada, but not similar programs in Virginia?
Because his constituency is in Virginia
3. Why would voters be disappointed in these Tea Party members?
Because the members of the House have to simultaneously help thier constituents and do work in Washington, and the Tea Party members are upset that the budget isnt being cut.

4. What evidence do you have that even House leadership asks for pork projects?
Both John Boehner (The Speaker of the House) and Darrell Issa (The Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman) both asked for pork projects.

5. Why would Congressmen call out members of their own party for asking for pork projects?
Because pork projects have nothing to do with the party as a whole. Pork projects are for a Congressman's constituency.

6. Ron Paul is a Libertarian. Why is it surprising to find him asking for pork?
because he is a very far right person, he believes that all spending should be cut and asking for pork projects is a direct contradiction of that belief.

7. What did Republicans say publicly about Obama's stimulus package? What are they doing privately?
Republicans are outwardly opposed to the stimulus package but are orivately happy about it because they can can put it in their constituency.

8. How do you think these Congressmen's constituency would feel about them for their actions?
 It's kind of a "does this out weigh that?" thing. They are not acting on their beliefs but they are benefiting from it.