3.4 Obama & the Bureaucratic Agencies

    Obama Bid to Cut the Government Tests Congress was written by Mark Lander and Annie Lowery on January 13,2012. It is an article about President Obama's campaign to cut the federal bureaucracy. The proposal less notable for its goal than for the political challenge it poses to a hostile Congress. By putting the onus on Congress to provide the authority for streamlining the government, Obama is seizing a core Republican issue — the inexorable growth of the public sector in recent decades — and trying to turn it to his advantage.
    Republicans were immediately skeptical, suggesting that the White House was more interested in honing its re-election message than in reducing the size of government. The reason for this skepticism is that he suggested that if they did not approve, he would use that opposition against them with the American public. This would be a major issue for the GOP in the fast approaching 2012 election.

1. What is Obama asking of Congress?

To shrink the federal government

2. What type of bureaucratic agencies is Obama planning to merge?

the Small Business Administration and five other trade and business agencies into a single agency that would replace the Commerce Department.

3. How does Obama compare the federal bureaucracy to a private business?

He says “No business or nonprofit leader would allow this kind of duplication or unnecessary complexity in their operations, You wouldn’t do it when you’re thinking about your businesses, so why is it O.K. for our government? It’s not."

4. Which party would typically have the goal of cutting government?

Republicans

5. What do observers say about these types of cuts?

They have mixed feelings about such reorganizations, with some arguing that they rarely lead to lower head counts, more effective departments or savings. But experts on government efficiency applauded the initiative, saying it was overdue, and some analysts said it made sense to combine agencies.

6. Why is Obama pursuing Republican goals now?

Obama is suggesting that the White House was more interested in honing its re-election message

7. Why aren't they likely to pass?

Because of Obama's inconsitances in policy proposals

8. How will this probably impact public opinion?

Obama would use that opposition against them with the American public.

3.3 Redistricting District 9

Article I

Shelby County is facing issues with the redistricting proposed by the Republican led state legislature. To an outsider in may look as if nothing's changed but to the citizens of Shelby County it is an new make over.  The state legislature left the 9th district about 60 percent African American but removed the eastern area to the 8th district whos seat is held by a Republican. It is most definately considered gerrymandering.

1. How has Shelby County's congressional representation changed?

The 9th Congressional district, currently served by Democrat Steve Cohen, is still contained wholly within the county’s boundaries but now occupies the entire western two-thirds of the county, from north to south,, leaving the eastern third to the 8th congressional District, now held by Republican Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump in Crockett County.

2. How was the demographic makeup of the 9th district changed?

The upshot of all this is that the 9th District remains solidly Democratic, with the same 60 percent African-American majority as before.

3. How would the 7th and 8th districts be impacted?

8th District would now extend from the Tipton County line to the Mississippi state line, taking in Shelby County's eastern suburbs. The 7th District has seen its western border advanced all the way over to Hardeman County, with Fayette County also absorbed into the 8th District.

Article II

Tennesse is being redistricted for the first time by a Republican led state legislature.They have gerrymandered the maps of state House and Senate districts, as well as those for congressional districts. There are constitutional restrictions to be abided by when redistricting, to the GOP led legislature had to be exceedingly sneeky when drawing the district lines.

1. Why were Republicans able to control the redistricting process?

Republicans control both chambers of the state legislaturem and the governership

2. How does the article describe the practice of gerrymandering?

Described as the practice of flipping a two-headed coin and call it "heads" in determining whose interests, its own or those of the opposing party, district lines should be drawn.

3. How does the 1965 Voting Rights Act affect the process?

That the rights of minorities (African Americans, in Tennessee at large) be not abridged or reduced in the determination of district lines.

4. How will District 9 be changed?

Extending GOP congressman Stephen Fincher's 8th District down into most of eastern Shelby County, taking portions of District 9 in the process

5. Why is Cohen concerned about the changing demographics of District 9?

As the first Jewish congressman in Tennessee history, he sees himself now redistricted out of contact, as he puts it, "with all four Jewish congregations in Shelby County."

6. Why is John Ryder drawing attention to the fact that Cohen represents a black district? (It's not because Cohen isn't black)

He asked rhetorically if Cohen meant that Jews should be represented by Jews in the same way that blacks should be represented by blacks

3.2 Bureaucracy && Courts

    High court weighs high-profile case over wetlands, EPA fines was written by Joan Biskupic of USA TODAY on January 10, 2012. The litigants in the case are the Sacketts, the plaintiff, and the Environmental Protection Agency , the defendant. The Sacketts received an order from the EPA after began filling in land they had bought near Priest Lake in Idaho with dirt and rock so they could build a house.The order stated they were on protected wetlands and had violated the Clean Water Act by not first obtaining a permit. The Sacketts, who say they did not know their property was under such designation, tried to challenge EPA's finding that they were discharging material into a regulated wetlands. 

    The Sacketts have standing to sue because they were directly affected by the order issued to them by the EPA. The case is a justiciable dispute because the issue is capable of being settled by the court. The usual EPA practice is to inform property owners at an earlier stage that they might be on wetlands and vulnerable to a violation, which is unclear in this case. The underlying issue is not whether or not these people can build their house, but if they had their right to due process violated. 

1. Who is the plaintiff?
The Sacketts

2. Do they have standing to sue? Why?

Yes, because they bought this land and have invested in building a house on it

3. What is a compliance order?

It is an order in which you have to do a certain thing or pay a fine 

4. In this case, what does the plaintiff stand to lose if they lose the case?

The money they have put into building a house and $75000 daily

5. How does this issue provide an example of "red tape"?

Its an example of "red tape" because its really a simple issue of paperwork

6. How is the Court expected to rule?

In favor of the EPA 

7. Why is this case being heard at the Supreme Court?

It has passed through district courts and the court of appeals until it reached the Supreme Court

8. What would the  National Resources Defense Council be an example of, and how might they be involved in the case?

It could be an example of an interest group and might be involved to provide an amicus curiae brief 

9. How does the compliance order potentially violate the couple's due process?

EPA's use of non-reviewable compliance orders

10. What is the central issue of this case? (it's not about whether or not these people can build their house)

whether EPA's use of non-reviewable compliance orders violates the Sacketts' right to due process of law

11. What is the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution.

12. What does the lawyer for the EPA say the couple should have done?

He suggested the Sacketts should have consulted with the EPA beforehand.

13. Why do people hate the bureaucracy?
People hate the bureaucracy because they think it is too big and causes problems for individuals on issues of minor importance

3.1 Iowa Caucus Reusults

PARAGRAPHS COMING SOON

1. What is so special about the margin of victory?

Eight votes out of more than 100,000. That is democracy

2. Who were the big winners in Iowa?

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum

3. Who were the big losers in Iowa?

Ron Paul Newt Gingrich Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann

4. What will these candidates likely do now?

Drop out or back another candidate so they stop wasting money

5. How will Newt Gingrich change his campaign strategy after the results?

negative ads and smack talk 

6. What was his approach to negative ads?

he didn't partake in negative campaigning 

7. Based on the results, do you think negative ads are usually effective?

He still insisted on decrying negative ads, but no amount of spin could mask Gingrich’s acid tone when he said he reserved the right to “tell the truth.” 

8. What will happen in the next week?

Two debates, hours of TV ads and countless campaign events remain between the GOP field and the first proper primary of 2012

9. What major advantages does Romney have in the next competition?

Romney has name recognition, has already won the Iowa Caucus, his lead is commanding, he lived in the state, and John McCain is backing him.

10. The article says primaries are "less volatile" than a caucus. What does that mean?

That there is not as much debate going on and there’s no social-conservative bloc to sling-shot him to overnight success. 

11. How is South Carolina different from New Hampshire and Iowa for Republicans?

 South Carolina is different from New Hampshire and Iowa because it is a traditional conservative state and the other two are Swing States 

12. What groups did Ron Paul appeal to and how would that help him in a general election?

His appealed to Democrats, independents, young people and genuinely excited volunteers; any Republican who doesn't covet those groups is missing the big picture.

13. Based on the results, what do you think will happen as the Republican race continues?

Mitt Romney and Santorum will continue to get lots of votes because of name recognition