Amendment Blog Post

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Amendment 2

This basically means any American citizen (obviously of certain age, skill, etc.) are able to carry a gun with them if they want.  I think this is important because no one should walk around fearing for their life or wishing they had a gun after an incident.  Obviously, there need to be requirements met in order to obtain a permit, but those who want to, should be able to carry a gun with them as a means of protection.

Health Care

United Kingdom:
Family premium- none
co-payments- little to none
Gov provides and pays for health care
Administrative costs low


Japan:
Family premium- $280/month
co-payments- 30% of total cost of procedure (related to income)
All citizens required to have health insurance
Set prices for procedures every 2 years

Germany:
Family premium- $750/month
co-payments- 10 euros ($15) every month
choose insurance from one of 200 funds
Can't deny coverage of anyone

Taiwan:
Family premium- $650/yr for family of 4
co-payments- 20% of cost of drugs
Must have insurance, only 1 gov-run insurer
lowest administrative costs in the world

Switzerland:
Family premium- $750
co-payments- 10% of cost of services, up to $420/yr
insurers negotiate prices with providers
Must have insurance


Percentage of Gross Domestic Production Spent on Health Care
Japan- 8%
United Kingdom- 8.3%
Germany- 10.7%
Switzerland- 11.6%
United States- 15.3%

The United Kingdom's health care system seems to work well for them, and it makes sense why.  The fact that co-pays and premiums are zero is very appealing to anyone, I would think, as money is not something that everyone has plenty of.  I think it's smart to have citizen taxes go towards health care, as it helps benefit everyone, unlike in the U.S., where everyone's taxes are going toward free health care for the poor, instead of helping themselves out.  People would be more willing to have health care if they didn't have to "directly" pay for it.

Earth Day

A Fierce Green Fire  was aired on April 22, 2014  on PBS in honor of Earth Day.  The topics discussed were "the conservative movement",  pollution and cleanup, green peace, global resources, and climate change. Narrated by famous individuals such as Ashley Judd, Robert Redford, and Meryl Streep, the video discussed global activism from the 1960s to 2009.  The fact that the video was based off of a book titled the same by Philip Shabecoff, focusing on stories about how the climate has affected individuals or many people in more than one negative way.  The video was extremely centrally focused on the opinions of the entire world, and did not sway to bash or completely support the fact that humans are basically "destroying" their home.  The film was very accurate and the facts were well supported, as it was created by talented and unique individuals with lots of knowledge about this topic. 


         Kitchell, Mark. "Watch Film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, 22 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.


Recently, Iceland has been shipping whale meat to Japan, where whaling is illegal, with the help of Norway.  A recent ship arrived on May 7th, carrying 2,000 tons of fin whale meat that would be used at restaurants in Japan.  Last March was when whaling in the Antarctic Ocean was deemed illegal,  yet this has not decreased the number of whales being slaughtered by much as Norway and Iceland's habits have not eased up.  This article allows the reader to become educated not only with current happenings but also a brief history- even just going back a year- of whaling in different countries and how the efforts to stop it completely keep being bypassed.  Once a country or town rules whaling illegal, another seems to start whaling or sending meat to the place where it is banned. 


          Graham, Karen. "Japan Finds Way around Ban on Whaling." Japan Finds Way around Ban on Whaling. Digitaljournal.com, 12 May 2014. Web. 12 May 2014.




A recent report discovered that part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is unstoppable as it collapses into the water, enough to raise the water level by 10 to 13 feet over the next few centuries.  No one is sure how fast this is going to melt/collapse because you can't really predict this easily, especially since it is going to take many years to complete.  The ice has "two feet of sea level rise", resulting in a significant increase in the depth of the oceans.  This article, especially from just reading the title, is really a surprise to everyone, but in all reality, it shouldn't really make anyone nervous as it will be many, many years (at least 50) before any change is really noticed [up here in the States] and before scientists need to be very concerned about human life on land.  It is a very interesting article, with many valid points, and a lot of educated facts. 


           Mooney, Chris. "This Is What a Holy Shit Moment for Global Warming Looks Like." Mother Jones. Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress, 12 May 2014. Web. 12 May 2014.


I would like to see experts/scientists continue looking into solving environmental issues, especially whaling throughout the world.  Individuals shouldn't get away with the innocent slaughtering of creatures.

 Assignment:
Part 1:  Bibliographic annotation for.

American Masters, A fierce Green fire.  Use the internet, and cite the source.  Summarize. In a paragraph format.  MLA format, but you don't have to reverse indent if you don't like.

Direct link to the video.

Part 2:  2 more sources about some aspect of the Environmental movement that 'speaks to you.'  This could be managing fisheries for recreation, saving the whales, etc., clean air, clean water, solar power, nuclear power, clean coal.  I don't really care, but don't be contrarian for contrarians sake.  Look for something good about the Planet,  and dig in.

Cite the sources, summarize, in MLA format.

Write a statement of purpose about what you would like to see done about the issue you have researched, and WHY.

Presidential Candidate Campaigns: Essay 20

In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Two ways in which the media has contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns are broadcasting talk shows/debates on TV, and covering the background of a candidate.  Two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns are the negative commercials/mud sliding pit on TV/radio to try to make that candidate lose votes, and another way is the media leaking information to the public before it was to be released (if ever). 

(1999_1). In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf

National Interest Groups: Essay 19

National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.  American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) 

(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.

Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)

For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).

 http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/govpol_us_99.pdf

Democratic and Republican Party Compositions: Essay 18

Over the last several decades, the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in the South, but other demographic changes have also been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected at different rates in presidential elections than in congressional elections.  One specific trend evident in the figure above is that the percentage of House seats for Democrats has gone down.   Southern voters from 1948 to 2000 were electing Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing Democratic candidates for the presidency because of the incumbency advantage because even though Southern voters were voting for Republican candidates, they continued to vote for incumbent Democratic congressional candidates because of the incumbency advantage.  And because of gerrymandering, district lines have created safe seats/majority-minority districts, which protected Democratic seats even though there were more Republican voters in statewide presidential elections.  Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades including Catholics, women, and Social conservatives.  Catholics have become less reliable Democratic voters, women have become even bigger supporters of Democratic candidates, and Social conservatives have now become more reliable Republican voters, and are growing. 

Over the last several decades, the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in the South, but other demographic changes have also been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected at different rates in presidential elections than in congressional elections. (2010)

(a) Identify one specific trend evident in the figure above.

(b) Choose two of the following and use each to explain why southern voters from 1948 to 2000 were electing Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing Democratic candidates for the presidency.

• Incumbency advantage
• Gerrymandering
• Differences between state and national parties

(c) Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades. Select three of the following groups and for each explain how parties have changed in composition with respect to that group.

• Catholics
• Labor union members
• Women
• Social conservatives

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_q3.pdf

Merit System: Essay 17

 The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.  One key characteristic of the merit system is hiring based on testing.  For the structure of the federal bureaucracy, factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence are that it is large, there are specialized units, and it is based on merit.  Within the complexity of public programs, factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence are the specialized units/expertise, and discretionary authority (because legislation lacks details, the bureaucracy can fill in the gaps).  One Constitutional provision that Congress can use to check the bureaucracy is impeachment of executive officials, The Courts have judicial review and can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional, and finally, Interest groups can use the first amendment to lobby, protest, media usage, and speech, and also litigation. 

A) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system

B) For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.
*The structure of the federal bureaucracy
*The complexity of public programs

C) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
* Congress
*The Courts
*Interest groups


http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_q2.pdf

Federal Bureaucrats: Essay 16

The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.  Two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws are because Congress lack expertise while agencies have expertise, and they are very time-consuming.  The Federal Communications Commission's policy area is within TV, radio, satellite, phone, etc. and they focus on these aspects of communication within the United States, as this is how much information is both gathered and dispersed to citizens.  Two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent are by legislative vetoing, and oversight.





2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.


http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf

Social Security: Essay 15

  In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. An entitlement program is a government program that guarantees certain benefits to a particular group or segment of the population. The primary source of revenue for the Social Security program are payroll taxes, taxes based on earned incomes, targeted taxes, and wages from existing wage earners.  Some threats to the future of the Social security program according to the chart are running out of money, and outputs exceeding inputs.  One demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program are the large amount of older people/baby boomers, resulting in the number of people there are now supporting/funding Social Security becoming less and less.  These trends could change the eligibility for social security because if people were to work longer, less money would be paid out/more money would be paid in/the reserve would not decline as rapidly or as much.

2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.

(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in (c )(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap06_usgopo_samples_q2.pdf

Power of Congress: Essay 14

  A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.  The constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers- two of these formal powers enabling the president to exert influence over domestic policy are legislative powers such as vetoing, signing legislation, and pocket vetoes, and by being able to call Congress into session whenever he wants.  Mandatory spending is where spending is not controlled by an annual budget decision, and limits the president's ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress because of the budgetary constraints making it harder to accomplish policy goals and makes it difficult to cut budgets to accomplish policy goals.  Party polarization is another roadblock for the President because it increases interparty differences causing opposing parties to block policy goals and result in a lack of moderates with whom to build coalitions. 

2008-2)A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.

-The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.

-Choose two of the following. Define each term and explain how each limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress.

*Mandatory spending

*Party polarization

*Lame-duck period

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_us_gopo_q2.pdf

Congressional Reapportionment: Essay 13

  Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years, and when redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering.  Congressional reapportionment is the relocation of the number of representatives each state has in the House of Representatives.  One reason it is important to states is because reapportionment can increase or decrease the number of seats a state has in the House or Congress.  Congressional redistricting is the drawing/redrawing of House/congressional district lines (not Senate).  Two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting are to punish their "enemies" and reward their "friends" and to protect incumbents and discourage challengers.  Two limits that the United States Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting are that districts must be equally populated (no advantage to one party when cracking and packing districts), and communities of interest must be protected.  



2008-1) Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years. When redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_us_gopo_q1.pdf

(a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.

Trust in Government: Essay 12

  Trust and confidence in the government has declined in recent decades.  Divided government is a situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of the United States Congress, thus leading to Congressional gridlock.  The divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because of gridlock, laws/legislation being passed extremely slow, and heightened partisanship (following the majority of their party).  The increase cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because candidates spend more time campaigning for money than they do campaigning for their positions, the fact that small contributions don't matter, and how PACs are so prominent and are overtaking the campaign process- basically determining the winner of the campaign by the amount of money they raised.  Two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in the government for individual political behavior are protesting and the decline in the number of people registering to vote and actually voting.  Citizens are tired of all the controversy going on between everyone in parliament and just want to be able to simply vote for someone who can be trusted to lead them faithfully.  


2004_43) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior. 
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap04_sg_gopo_us_37090.pdf

House & Senate Incumbents: Essay 11

  The graph above shows reelection rates for incumbents in the House and Senate.  Two patterns displayed in this graph are that the House reelects more and the Senate has larger reelection gaps throughout the years/less stable in the Senate. Two factors that contribute to the incumbency advantage are more campaign contributions/finance (money) and franking where the government pays for a government official's mail to be sent out at the governments cost (noted as personal mail) but it in fact is being sent to houses as a way of promoting their campaign.  One consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process is continuity over time.  This means the incumbents rarely take the time to step back and look at what they have done for their people, and to see f what they have done is actually good for everyone, and not just for their name's sake.  This is unfortunate for the citizens who voted for them, as they often have no idea that the person they elected to office is not focusing on their needs, but rather on his own. 

tasks. (Fig 12.1)
a) identify two patterns displayed in the graph
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process


(2001_2) the graph above shows reelection rates for incumbents in the House and Senate. From this information and your knowledge of of the US politics, perform the following 

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_govpol_us_01_7046.pdf

PBS Oil Spill

  "BP." Deepwater Horizon Accident and Response. BP P.l.c, 2010. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.

This article, written by BP, is extremely biased towards the Gulf spill incident. It seems to just be a consoling article towards the families of the lives lost, and only include what they spent right away to clean up the water and how they're trying to work closely with government officials, local authorities, and the media. Though true, this article only portrays one side of the incident- the thoughts of the people who caused it. It really only talks about the regret of lives lost, but it factual and honest in that way.

  Gaviria, Marcela, and Martin Smith. "The Spill." PBS. PBS, 26 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

The Spill Frontline video talked about BP's accidents within their oil rigs in the past few years that led them to court, costing them millions of dollars in clean up and lawsuits. PBS created this video, so it is valid, yet is four years old, making it a little out of date. BP has had quite a few incidents with their oil rigs throughout the U.S. including a plant blowing up in Texas, as spill in Alaska, and the huge Gulf spill. Throughout all of this, BP has been found to have bypassed routine checks, costing many lives and a whole lot of money.

  Pelley, Scott. "Blowout: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 16 May 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

This video by CBS on 60 Minutes is about a survivor escaping the Gulf of Mexico Oil Rig Explosion. The video is an interview of Mike Williams, one of the last crew members to escape the Rig when it exploded in the Gulf a few years ago. This source is extremely reliable considering it's an interview with someone who was actually on the Rig when the incident occurred, leaving some dead, and over a hundred injured. 60 Minutes is very factual and doesn't sway to one side.

Meth

Bovett, Rob. "How to Kill the Meth Monster." The New York Times. Http://www.nytco.com/, 15 Nov. 2010. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.This article, from The New York Times, discusses the reality of states putting pseudoephedrine, or at least trying to, put it behind the counter. Tracking devices have been attached, but in Kentucky, it has only reduced the number of meth labs by 10 percent. The only effective solution, it seems, is putting it behind the counter and requiring a prescription, as Oregon requires. The New York Times is a credible source, as it is well known and written by reliable journalists.

Davies, Dave. "Big Pharma And Meth Cooks Agree: Keep Cold Meds Over The Counter." NPR. NPR, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.This interview, Jonah Engle, who has spent time in the real meth world is interviewed about meth production and the movement to put pseudoephedrine behind the counter. They discuss the "shake and bake" method of making meth, the hazards of making it, and the fight to put pseudoephedrine behind the counter. 23 states have failed to take the drug off the shelf, most of those states having a higher number of meth labs. NPR is a reliable site, and the interview is between a professional journalist and a reliable interviewer.

"The Meth Epidemic." PBS. PBS, 17 May 2011. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.This Frontline video portrayed the major meth epidemic in the U.S. and Mexico, and how suppliers transport ephedrine and pseudoephedrine into the U.S. illegally. The mandates Congress have made towards putting cough medicine behind the counter was portrayed along with how supplies work their way around the system. This video is reliable because it was made by PBS, a credible source, and the research was done by a Reporter from the Oregonian. Yet this was made in 2011, so three years have passed, meaning some of this information may have changed.

North Korea

  In 1945, once WWII had come to an end, Soviet troops occupied the North, while U.S. troops controlled the South.  In 1948,  Red Army-trained Kim Il-sung was appointed the North's leader.  But in 1950, after declaring independence int he South, North Korea invades.   In 1953, the Armistice ends Korean War, costing two million lives.  In 1980,  Kim Il-sung's son, Kim Jong-il, becomes the new leader.  From 1996 on for a few years, famine is spread throughout Korea, greatly affecting the North, yet the leaders not doing anything about it.  
  In 2013, North Korea carries out its third nuclear test, and in May they test four short-range missiles in two days. In July of 2013, Panama charges the crew of a North Korean ship detained after it was found to be carrying weapons; Cuba claiming it sent the weapons to North Korea for repairs.  In September 2013, China bans all exports of materials that could be used in the making of bombs/missiles to North Korea.  At the end of the year, Kim Jong-un's uncle, Chang Song-thaek, was executed after being found to have attempted to overthrow the state.  
  I do not think there will be a regime change or state change in North Korea anytime soon.  Kim Jong-un is so ignorant towards any opinion from anyone but his own thought process that it would have to take the world to move his mountain.  The people of North Korea are trapped there- physically and emotionally, that they are too scared to say or do anything.  As shown in the Frontline video, only a few of the citizens there are brave enough to sneak footage or communicate with outsiders- even escape!  The streets are filled with feces, young children the age of 5 are out on the streets barefoot, begging, and families are being executed because a distant relative (whom they didn't even know was related to them) did something wrong, therefore causing the entire "family" to be executed.  There may be a chance for North Korea once Kim Jong-un dies, assuming his successor isn't one of his chosen people. 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret-state-of-north-korea/

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/02/a_nation_of_racist_dwarfs.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15278612

http://www.iiss.org/en/publications/survival/sections/2013-94b0/survival--global-politics-and-strategy-june-july-2013-532b/55-3-02-fitzpatrick-76b6

Politics & Media

  Agenda setting is one of the main ways in which news media influences politics.  Policy agenda includes the issues that attract serious attention in congress, often as a result of the bad economy (job scarce, bad business, economics, etc.).  National news media engages in agenda settings so much that the media has the opportunity to influence what's put on the agenda.  The media draws attention to both the public and government officials.
  The president tends to have an advantage over Congress in gaining media attention because first off, he is the leader of the United States of America, he is more powerful than any single voice of Congress, and while Congress is composed of many people, resulting in many voices trying to be heard through controversy, the president is one voice and it is easy to hear.
  According to the preceding table, it it obvious that older people have always watched more Nightly News than the younger generations.  Yet from 1974 to 2002, less people watch the news as a result of the constantly indecisive, crazy way Congress is portrayed on T.V. People were much more interested in politics in the 1900s than the 20th century, possibly as a result of the media "fight" for attention between Congress and the President.

United States Chambers of Congress

  The United States Congress is made up of majority party exerting substantial influence over lawmaking. But even though one chamber may pass a law with no trouble, it doesn't always mean the other will.  Two advantages the majority party in the United States House of Representatives has in lawmaking, is the Speaker of the House, and how the work of the House is usually done in committees, which are full of members from the House in each committee, hence giving more power and say to the House of Reps.  The House is so full of power, as they control Congress's agenda, most committee chairs, and when and where things happen with lawmakers and members of Congress.
  The House and Senate both hold different powers which makes it less likely for a law to be passed by the other.  In the Senate, they are able to filibuster laws, causing a bill from the House to be knocked down.  The House on the other hand has a "rule committee" in which they are able to debate and then kill a bill.  Many bills go through this back and forth process and are sometimes knocked down, and revised multiple times before they make it to the Executive Branch for the President's signature. 
  A filibuster allows the Senate to kill a law that the House passed on its way to the Executive Branch.  Also, a germaneness occurs after the House's "rule committee" denies a bill so the Senate adds to the bill and then sends it back, yet the House once again doesn't agree to pass it and there filibusters it. 

Congress Finance Reforms

  Over the last decade, the U.S. Congress has debated many campaign finance reforms including eliminating soft money, and raising limits on individual contributions.  Soft money is the money donated to a campaign as a whole rather than a particular candidate himself.  The limit stated is a $1,000 to $2,000 donation.  In regards to eliminating this soft money, many are in favor because of the strict regulation on how much can be donated, and the thought that such a "small" amount of money couldn't really make a difference in an campaign/election.  Yet people against eliminating soft money are angry because the money is unregulated, so no one person is pointed at when the candidate they donated to wins or not because of not enough of, or plenty of money to win.  It's also argued that it goes against out First Amendment right for freedom of speech- both for those for and against eliminating it. 
   Raising limits on individual contributions is a constant struggle as to weather or not that would be a good idea.  Individuals in favor of an increase agree that it decreases the influence of PACs, and right now it decreases the restrictions of the First Amendment.  Those against an increase argue that the rich will have much more of an influence because they will be able to contribute much more money, allowing that candidate to be more likely to sway the opinions of the public and win the campaign.  Also, some agree that there is already way too much money in the process already, and Americans need to slow down with there huge contributions.