Sanders, Socialism, and Speeches

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/politics/bernie-sanders-democratic-socialist-speech/index.html

1. This thursday democratic socialist Bernie Sanders delivered a speech where he tied himslef to Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. and described democratic socialism as no different than what this nation is. He spent more than an hour at Georgetown explaining that his definition of democratic socialism is no different than the fiery populist ideas he's been spouting. Sanders said that the wealth gap today mirrors the one during FDR's time and he was called socialist during his reign as well. The speech was a more precise explanation of what he's said in the begining of his campaign. The speech had been delayed a couple times and people were wondering if it might be cancelled. The crowd of mostly Georgetown students cheered loudly during his speech.

2. I think the speech was all right and I'm glad that people are starting to realize that the US is already pretty socialist. This'll make it easier to debate for capitalism against people who will hopefully not think of the US as a perfect example of a free market now. I guess having Bernie Sanders finally explain exactly what he stands for is a relief. He's really not too much worse than any of the popular republicans but I'm still scared to death that anyone of the 4 main contenders for the presidential victory will get elected.

3.this relates to our current unit because it's about political parties and defining them.

Belts are not immovable objects and Iowa is stupid

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/12/politics/donald-trump-ben-carson-iowa-belt-stupid/index.html

1. On thursday Donald Trump told Iowa voters who support Ben Carson that they're stupid for believing in his life story. His pugnacious attitude was different from the more restrained behavior on display tuesday during the debate. During the end of his wide ranging complaints Trump mocked Carson's narrative of his violent youth calmed by god. At one point Trump walked awy from his podium and flipped up his belt buckle to show that it moves and is unlikely to stop much less break a knife. "'So I have a belt: Somebody hits me with a belt, it's going in because the belt moves this way. It moves this way, it moves that way,' Trump told the crowd, which laughed in response. 'He hit the belt buckle. Anybody have a knife? Want to try it on me? Believe me, it ain't gonna work. You're going to be successful, but he took the knife and went like this and he plunged it into the belt and, amazing, the belt stayed totally flat and the knife broke.'" He told the crowd he can't understand why anyone would support Carson.

2. I think Trump has shown his true colors yet again. He has attacked Carson in his signature mocking fashion as well as other presidential candidates of both party. He hasn't had a change of heart or a realization that controling his temper is a good idea. I'm not sure why he acted so mellow during the debates but it probably was something advised to him that he obviously thought only applied to the debate. I'm not sure if Carson's story is true or not but calling Iowa stupid for believing it is definitely not a good choice.

3. This applies to our current unit because it's about presidential candidates in the republican political party.

11/2 - 11/8 fantsay congress points

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h582?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h583?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h584?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h585?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s295?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s296?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h586?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h587?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h588?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h589?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h590?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h591?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h592?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h593?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s297?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h594?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h595?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h596?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h597?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h598?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h599?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h600?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h600?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h601?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h602?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h603?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h604?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h605?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h606?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

10/26 - 11/1 fantasy congress points

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s284?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h569?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s285?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s286?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s287?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s288?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h570?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h571?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h572?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h573?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s289?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s290?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s291?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h574?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h575?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h576?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s293?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s294?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h577?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h578?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h579?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

10/19 - 10/25 fantasy congress points

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s279?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s280?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h550?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h551?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h552?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h553?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h554?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h555?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h556?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h557?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h558?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h559?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s281?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s282?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/s283?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h560?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h561?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h562?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h563?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h564?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h565?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h566?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h567?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr3810?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h568?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr3810/text?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

Why Ohio didn't pass issue 3

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/04/6-reasons-ohio-marijuana-legalization-failed/75143764/

1. The sheer crushing defeat of legalized marijuana has left many political experts palpably perplexed. Despite a $20 million campaign the amendment known as issue 3 failed drastically. Amid the wreckage of a shot down political campaign stands 6 reasons why this would happen. Monopoly is dirty word. Ever since issue 3's creaton it's been labeled as allowing a monopoly, even though the proper term is oligarchy, and people don't like monoploies. The establishment went all out and then some to stop it. Issue 2 was created to prevent the creation of monoplies, oligarchies, and cartels. A lot of voters didn't like issue 3 so they whole heartedly supported issue 2. Full legalization vs only medical was another problem. It's a big leap to go from no legal marijuana to complete legal marijuana and people aren't ready or willing to make that leap. It's an off year. While they felt that having it on the ballot on an off year would stop it from being drowned out it also cause a low voter turnout so only those who felt strongest about it came to vote. The movement itself wasn't to keen on having a bunch of rich people come in and get exclusive priveledges that they can't get access to so a lot of marijuana farmers didn't like it. Buddie the mascot stirred some distaste among people when the supposed college student appealing character was thought to attract children who people don't want around drugs.

2. I'm glad that Ohio didn't pass issue 2. This may come as a suprise but I'll explain. As anyone who has read any of this blog can probably tell I'm pretty devoted to freedom and I find myself agreeing with a couple of these points. The whole oligoploy thing is terrible and I agree whole heartedly. Also having the marijuana bud mascot "Buddie" was just sort of creepy and didn't seem well thought out. I sympethise with the marijuana farmers who didn't wan't their hard work and devotion to be shot down by a bunch of people who have money they're able to spend on something like this. I understand that people of Ohio see it as a big leap and might not be ready for it and I wouldn't want to force anyone ever to smoke or grow weed but if someone does want to I don't want guns pointed at them. Issue 2 seemed pretty reasonable for banning monoploies and the sort but as always I just wish the threat of a gun wasn't behind it. Also it being an off year election causing low voter turnout was pretty stinking obvious. It's already seen as a problem that not enough people vote so what was going through their mind when they decided to have the vote on the least likely time for people beats me.

3. This relates to our current unit about public opinion because it helps explain the public's opinion and reasoning behind not legalizing marijuana.

The latest GOP debate and the winners of it

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/29/politics/republican-debate-2015-winners-losers/?iid=ob_article_roadto2016_pool&iref=obnetwork

1. The third GOP presidential debate has happened between the top ten runners for the presidency. With less than 100 days before the first ballots are cast this debate was more or less a test for the campaigns. A few candidates did better than others though. Rubio defended himself quite well in the begining of the debate from a question aimed at his voting attendence. He then managed to shift the topic from fighting between each other to fighting against the democrats. Cruz attacked the moderators and the liberal media viscously and constantly while earning applause from the audience consistenlty. While a lot of the debate was aimed torwards the liberal media Cruz was definitely a leader in the assault and had some of the best attacks and defenses. Kasich was a strong debater as well frequently scrutinizing the plans of some of his fellow republicans. Trump made a change and tried being quiet during the debate. He showed a softer more level headed side which assured voters wondering if he has the temperment to be a president. Christie held his ground during the debate and had a great moment where he went off about questions relating to fantasy football and gambling. Bush was a mess during the debate and left his supporters wondering what he was doing. CNBC and the media as a whole took a beating as well from the constant attacking of pointless questions and insults aimed at starting a fight. Carson didn't make much of anything during the debate. He didn't make or lose any ground, although that might not be a problme for one of the current leaders in the polls.
2. I didn't watch the whole debate but from what I saw I agree. A lot of the candidates did well or atleast decent except for bush who completely flunked it. The attacks torward useless and "gotcha" questions was consistent and savage. The moderators even earned themselves a booing after attacking Carson.I liked how most of the debaters didn't attack each other and even complimented each other's strengths. They really tried to make the debate a way to figure out who the best candidate is and not who the best mudflinger is.
3. This relates to our current unit because it's about public opinion and political parties.