http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21632503-anyone-hoping-outbreak-good-government-likely-be-disappointed-face
The Democratic party had a terrible midterm election this year. Some people say that our government system works best when Congress is entirely one party while the President is another party. However, if you are in that state of mind, then when the House and the Senate are two different parties it makes it easier to blame each other for stubbornness.
At the end of the year, questionable choices are looked over. There is a possibility that Congress will give fast track authority for foreign trade to the President. Both the Democrats and the Republicans want to lower America’s high taxes on companies. Even though most Republican members of the House have signed a pledge to voters never to raise taxes, Congress is trying to cut rates and close loopholes for corporate tax. There is a good chance that a few adjustments will be made to Obamacare.
This article has a couple of things related to our class. First, it talks about the roles of Congress and the executive branch. Also, many controversial decisions such as Obamacare, immigration, taxes, and trade are discussed in this passage. Lastly, the impact of previous presidents and Congress members is talked about.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
Midterm Elections
http://time.com/3547829/5-things-to-watch-for-in-the-midterm-elections/
In the midterm elections, there are a couple of things you should keep an eye on. One is the Democrats and women. The root of the idea that the Democrats are the "mommy" party comes from Alison Grimes in Kentucky, Michelle Nunn in Georgia and the incumbents Kay Hagan in North Carolina and Mary Landrieu in Louisiana. All of these women running for Senator have emphasized women’s issues such as equal pay, parental leave, and abortion rights. Another thing to look out for is Republicans and swing states. Iowa, New Hampshire, and Colorado are all swing states that usually lean toward Democrats, though that may change this year. Iowa has a lively Republican candidate against an appalling Democrat. New Hampshire and Colorado are both in tight races against honorable Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Mark Udall.
This relates to our class in a couple of different ways. It discusses the elections into Congress and how we will be affected if the Republicans win the Senate. If they do win the Senate, it would just make things even more difficult to agree on than it already is.This article also talks about political issues like Obamacare, abortion rights, equal pay, and tax cuts.
In the midterm elections, there are a couple of things you should keep an eye on. One is the Democrats and women. The root of the idea that the Democrats are the "mommy" party comes from Alison Grimes in Kentucky, Michelle Nunn in Georgia and the incumbents Kay Hagan in North Carolina and Mary Landrieu in Louisiana. All of these women running for Senator have emphasized women’s issues such as equal pay, parental leave, and abortion rights. Another thing to look out for is Republicans and swing states. Iowa, New Hampshire, and Colorado are all swing states that usually lean toward Democrats, though that may change this year. Iowa has a lively Republican candidate against an appalling Democrat. New Hampshire and Colorado are both in tight races against honorable Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Mark Udall.
This relates to our class in a couple of different ways. It discusses the elections into Congress and how we will be affected if the Republicans win the Senate. If they do win the Senate, it would just make things even more difficult to agree on than it already is.This article also talks about political issues like Obamacare, abortion rights, equal pay, and tax cuts.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Tax Cuts
http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21629457-voters-kansas-will-pass-judgment-bold-experiment-tax-cutting-brownbackonomics
Sam Brownback, governor of Kansas, has been applauding low taxes and high growth since 2011, the year he took office. In 2012, he did a very ambitious thing with tax cuts. People with strong tax views will be watching the election for the governor of Kansas. Now Kansas is a highly Republican state. In fact, they haven't voted for a Democratic president since LBJ. Being the Republican candidate, Brownback should be winning by a landslide. However, he is tied with the Democratic candidate Paul Davis because of Brownback's tax plan. At first, his plan seemed reasonable. He wanted to cut the marginal taxes and drop the top rate from 6.45% to 4.9%. It was supposed to go down to as low as 3.9%, but the legislative cut rates and eliminated taxes on "pass through" businesses entities. This made revenue take a big hit of 6% below plan.
Many other states have been changing their income taxes in the last couple of years because of Brownback's bold tax plan. For example, Ohio cut taxes for individuals in the years 2012 and 2014 and small businesses in 2014. Maine, Illinois, and Idaho cut income tax and California and Maryland increased income tax for the rich.
Sam Brownback, governor of Kansas, has been applauding low taxes and high growth since 2011, the year he took office. In 2012, he did a very ambitious thing with tax cuts. People with strong tax views will be watching the election for the governor of Kansas. Now Kansas is a highly Republican state. In fact, they haven't voted for a Democratic president since LBJ. Being the Republican candidate, Brownback should be winning by a landslide. However, he is tied with the Democratic candidate Paul Davis because of Brownback's tax plan. At first, his plan seemed reasonable. He wanted to cut the marginal taxes and drop the top rate from 6.45% to 4.9%. It was supposed to go down to as low as 3.9%, but the legislative cut rates and eliminated taxes on "pass through" businesses entities. This made revenue take a big hit of 6% below plan.
Many other states have been changing their income taxes in the last couple of years because of Brownback's bold tax plan. For example, Ohio cut taxes for individuals in the years 2012 and 2014 and small businesses in 2014. Maine, Illinois, and Idaho cut income tax and California and Maryland increased income tax for the rich.
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