http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/politics/immigration-reform/index.html?hpt=po_c2
President Obama feels that the immigration issue has been put on the back burner for too long, and he is optimistic that an immigration reform will be resolved within the year. Other sources in Congress say that it doesn't look too promising to have something resolved that quickly because of the differing veiws and bad will between the House and the Senate.
The Senate tried passing a bill in June, but the House wanted a number of smaller bills instead of one big package. Since then the House has been frusterated with the unwilingness of the president and the Senate to work with them on revisions.
Another question is whether they deal with securing the borders or illegal immigrants already in the country first.
Though polls show that the public is eager for reform, as is Congress, it seems unlikely that anything will be resolved as quickly as this year.
I think this is a relativley important issue that should be dealt with sooner than later. I also think that they should first focus on securing the borders before they deal with illegal immigrants. But once they do secure the border I really just vote that every immigrant gets citizenship and a nice place to live and a good job and that everyone is just happy and well!! Although it isn't quite that easy, I think it should be relativley un-difficult to become a citizen of the United States. I feel really strongly that immigrants are what built this country and can continue to build it. It shouldn't be nearly impossible for them to be here legally, or else they're just gonna be here illegaly. So... they should work on that reform. But they should be nice to immigrants.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Grocers' Lobby Faces Lawsuit Over Donors
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/business/grocers-lobby-faces-lawsuit-over-donors.html?_r=0
A lobbying group for major American food manufacturers has violated campaign finance laws in its attempt to block a ballot iniative that would require the labeling of genetically modified foods in the state of Washington (I-522). A lawsuit was filed by the attorney general on Wednesday.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents some of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, is accused of illegaly collecting and spending $7 million on efforts to protest I-522, while hiding the identity of the donors. The measure requires labels of goods containing ingredients made from genetically engineered crops as well as labeling of genetically engineered seeds and seed products sold in the state.
I say go attorney general! Why in the world would food companies not have to honestly document what they're putting in their product, anyways? I don't know about you but I want to know what crazy things they're doing to the food that I'm putting inside of my mouth. And the fact that they are illegaly trying to stop this from happening is just the last straw. TAKE 'EM DOWN.
A lobbying group for major American food manufacturers has violated campaign finance laws in its attempt to block a ballot iniative that would require the labeling of genetically modified foods in the state of Washington (I-522). A lawsuit was filed by the attorney general on Wednesday.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents some of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, is accused of illegaly collecting and spending $7 million on efforts to protest I-522, while hiding the identity of the donors. The measure requires labels of goods containing ingredients made from genetically engineered crops as well as labeling of genetically engineered seeds and seed products sold in the state.
I say go attorney general! Why in the world would food companies not have to honestly document what they're putting in their product, anyways? I don't know about you but I want to know what crazy things they're doing to the food that I'm putting inside of my mouth. And the fact that they are illegaly trying to stop this from happening is just the last straw. TAKE 'EM DOWN.
Marijuana Policy Project Plans for Legalization in 10 States
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/marijuana-legalization-states_n_3896573.html
After the Department of Justice's allowance of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington last November without intervention from the federal government Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) are making plans to have Marijuana legalized in 10 more states by 2017.
MPP plans to work with national and local allies to end marijuana prhibition and have it be taxed and regulated more like alchohol. They say this is appealing because too many tax dollars are wasted on arresting people for illegal use of marijuna, a substance essentially less harmful and dangerous than alchohol.
I can see where the MPP is coming from. Marijuana is something so many people can get a hold of without much trouble already and they use it regularly even tho it is illegal. I don't necessarily think that legalzing it will make it much more of an issue. Obviously it's bad for your health, but it's widely used already, and I feel like it is kind of a waste of tax dollars to keep arresting people for it especially when it isn't much worse than alchohol. I don't, by any means, condone the use of marijuana, legal or not, but I can see where the MPP is coming from. I don't think legalizing it will really change the extent or popularity of it's use. Overall I really think it will remain as it is, so why not legalize it and save some tax dollars from the large number of marijuana arrests each year?
After the Department of Justice's allowance of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington last November without intervention from the federal government Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) are making plans to have Marijuana legalized in 10 more states by 2017.
MPP plans to work with national and local allies to end marijuana prhibition and have it be taxed and regulated more like alchohol. They say this is appealing because too many tax dollars are wasted on arresting people for illegal use of marijuna, a substance essentially less harmful and dangerous than alchohol.
I can see where the MPP is coming from. Marijuana is something so many people can get a hold of without much trouble already and they use it regularly even tho it is illegal. I don't necessarily think that legalzing it will make it much more of an issue. Obviously it's bad for your health, but it's widely used already, and I feel like it is kind of a waste of tax dollars to keep arresting people for it especially when it isn't much worse than alchohol. I don't, by any means, condone the use of marijuana, legal or not, but I can see where the MPP is coming from. I don't think legalizing it will really change the extent or popularity of it's use. Overall I really think it will remain as it is, so why not legalize it and save some tax dollars from the large number of marijuana arrests each year?
How Much Did the Shutdown Cost the Ecomony?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/10/18/how-much-did-the-shutdown-cost-the-economy/
The government shutdown has likely cost the the government and the United States economy billions of dollars. Estimates are based on complicated formulas and also consider past economic behaviors.Some of the estimates are;
The government shutdown has likely cost the the government and the United States economy billions of dollars. Estimates are based on complicated formulas and also consider past economic behaviors.Some of the estimates are;
- $24 billion in lost economic output
- $2.1 billion in government costs
- $450,000 a day in revenue at National Parks
- $2.4 billion in lost travel spending
The next couple months are crucial for Congress. The deal that was signed on Thursday only extends funding through January 15th (that's my cousin's birthday) and the debt limit until February 7th. If Congress can't agree come to a more permanent conclusion before then we will be facing another governemnt shutdown.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Government Shutdown Day 15
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/15/shutdown-showdown-day-15-what-you-need-to-know/?hpt=hp_t1
Going on week 3 of the big bad government shutdown. The senate seems to be close to coming up with a solution and are hoping to come to an agreement today. The Republicans in the House however still have their own ideas although they've already been rejected by Senate Democrats and the White House. The question is will they accept the compromise put forth by the senators that has been hailed as "substantial" and "tremendous" progress.
The Senate deal includes funding for the government until January 15 enabling the government to reopen ASAP, extend the debt limit until February 7 so Congress has some leeway in furthering their negotiations, setting up a committee to address budget and entitlement issues by December 15 and creating income verifications for health care subsidies which is against the presidents will, but they believe compromise enough for the "stubborn" republicans.
If this issue isn't quickly resolved it could have devastating affects on military vets and their families. It's already affecting our national parks. The Arizona Memorial in Hawaii has become unkempt and finally military personel took it upon themselves to clean up the mess. While memorials such as this one may not seem like that big of a deal it's our nations heritage and is extremely important to me and I'm sure to families of those who died there.
I personally think that it's time for both parties to stop the power struggle and compromise. I think the Republicans should accept the deal and the government should reopen. It's a little ridiculous to me that families across the nation have had to go without work and pay these past couple weeks while their "leaders" sit on capitol hill and argue and continue to receive their precious paycheck. Honestly I think they should have had to work this out without their paycheck until they could provide paychecks to all the "non-essential" government employees out there.
Moral of the story is... Just freakin compromise.
Going on week 3 of the big bad government shutdown. The senate seems to be close to coming up with a solution and are hoping to come to an agreement today. The Republicans in the House however still have their own ideas although they've already been rejected by Senate Democrats and the White House. The question is will they accept the compromise put forth by the senators that has been hailed as "substantial" and "tremendous" progress.
The Senate deal includes funding for the government until January 15 enabling the government to reopen ASAP, extend the debt limit until February 7 so Congress has some leeway in furthering their negotiations, setting up a committee to address budget and entitlement issues by December 15 and creating income verifications for health care subsidies which is against the presidents will, but they believe compromise enough for the "stubborn" republicans.
If this issue isn't quickly resolved it could have devastating affects on military vets and their families. It's already affecting our national parks. The Arizona Memorial in Hawaii has become unkempt and finally military personel took it upon themselves to clean up the mess. While memorials such as this one may not seem like that big of a deal it's our nations heritage and is extremely important to me and I'm sure to families of those who died there.
I personally think that it's time for both parties to stop the power struggle and compromise. I think the Republicans should accept the deal and the government should reopen. It's a little ridiculous to me that families across the nation have had to go without work and pay these past couple weeks while their "leaders" sit on capitol hill and argue and continue to receive their precious paycheck. Honestly I think they should have had to work this out without their paycheck until they could provide paychecks to all the "non-essential" government employees out there.
Moral of the story is... Just freakin compromise.
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