Unit 1 Blog Post:
Link
The IRS recently acknowledged that legally married same-sex couples will now be recognized for tax purposes, even when they are living in a state that doesn't support their marriage. The 2013 tax year had same-sex couples filing tax returns as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately". Gay or lesbian couples can now gain refunds from past years, and the federal revenue will increase. This is a sign of the federal government recognizing gay marriages as legal. The article connects to our unit through the idea of the United States government protecting our constitutional rights. Our country was founded upon the principles of every citizen being equal, and although there have been missteps throughout history (see the Civil Rights movement, the xenophobia regarding immigrants), including this one, the government seems to be prepared to recognize the LGBT community as legal citizens that deserve the protection of the United States government that Constitution grants them.
Unit 2 Blog Post
Link 1
Link 2
The results of the quizzes seemed to be accurate, considering my concern for social justice issues and mostly left-leaning ideologies. I was labeled a Democrat, and although I don't agree with a number of their ideas, including Obamacare and gun control, the simple quiz seemed to be on point. I was matched with Hillary Clinton, who I think is a wonderful lady. She is a huge supporter of many issues regarding social issues, which I admire. Although my parents are Democrats, I don't agree with many of their views, but their upbringing from the lower to middle class and various other struggles with healthcare and education have left a lasting impact on me.
Unit 3 Blog Post
Link
The NYPD, who have constantly been under fire for questionable practices, including what many say is a "militarization" of the police force, tried to do good by encouraging their Twitter followers to tweet a picture of them with a NYPD office along with the hashtag "#myNYPD" in order to generate a positive image for themselves. However, the general public instead posted many pictures of them being arrested, beaten, frisked, and multiple other mistreatments, turning the move into a public condemnation of the NYPD and police brutality in general. Our unit has talked about the role of media in government, and this is a perfect example of a new form of media, social media, changing the way others look at the government. The public has used media to spread their own general viewpoint, which in turn is reported on by larger, more concentrated news networks, eventually spreading to the whole nation and providing American citizens with an idea about the government.
Unit 4 Blog Post
Link
With the recent controversy regarding the National Security Administration, Congress has been tasked with controlling the branch. They have to answer the question of if the NSA should be able to hold enough power to spy on the world, and must set limits that could change the dynamics of American privacy. This connects to our unit since they both deal with Congressional oversight. In this case, Congress is overseeing the NSA, making sure that they don't become too powerful as to upset the balance of branches in our government. It exemplifies the immense pressure that Congress is under, and shows how this oversight affects the nation as a whole.
Unit 5 Blog Post
Link
Marijuana enthusiasts recently held a "smoke-out" in from of the Trenton statehouse in order to gain support for the decriminalization of weed. The activists have argued for the medical purposes weed can be used for, and are hoping for Congressmen to pay attention. This relates to the Iron Triangle that is discussed in this unit. An interest group is fighting to gain support of government workers in order to have the issue discussed in D.C. By fighting for what the people believe in, Congressmen gain votes, and the people are happy. This way of communicating what the public wants is a big part of US Government, and the fight for legal kush is a good example of the Iron Triangle that is present in our government.
Unit 6 Blog Post
Link
The Supreme Court recently decided that Affirmative Action can be ignored by states, in this case, the state of Michigan. Affirmative Action is a way to try to make colleges more racially equal, which some have seen as good and fair, while others view it as paradoxically racist. There has been an uproar over the decision of the SCOTUS, and it is not unlikely that they will return to the issue again in the future. Our unit deals with the SCOTUS and how it can decide the constitutionality of laws, such as racial segregation and the legality of collecting evidence for court. This decision on Affirmative Action showed how the SCOTUS is free to interpret the Constitution, and how their decisions on the constitutionality of laws can change how the rest of the nation functions.
Unit 7 Blog Post
Link
A federal appeals court decided that same-sex marriages wouldn't be allowed in Idaho until an official appeal is decided. This came after a judge ruled that a law banning gay marriage was unconstitutional. This hot button issue shows how courts can decide if implementations of public policy is unconstitutional or not. After the law banning gay marriage was implemented, courtes found it to be going against the constitution, and it is now in review. Government officials must now make changes to adhere to the court's decisions, and the public, media, interest groups, and other factions will surely voice their opinions and try to sway political figures' perceptions of the issue of same-sex marriages in order to try to push their own agendas.
Link
The IRS recently acknowledged that legally married same-sex couples will now be recognized for tax purposes, even when they are living in a state that doesn't support their marriage. The 2013 tax year had same-sex couples filing tax returns as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately". Gay or lesbian couples can now gain refunds from past years, and the federal revenue will increase. This is a sign of the federal government recognizing gay marriages as legal. The article connects to our unit through the idea of the United States government protecting our constitutional rights. Our country was founded upon the principles of every citizen being equal, and although there have been missteps throughout history (see the Civil Rights movement, the xenophobia regarding immigrants), including this one, the government seems to be prepared to recognize the LGBT community as legal citizens that deserve the protection of the United States government that Constitution grants them.
Unit 2 Blog Post
Link 1
Link 2
The results of the quizzes seemed to be accurate, considering my concern for social justice issues and mostly left-leaning ideologies. I was labeled a Democrat, and although I don't agree with a number of their ideas, including Obamacare and gun control, the simple quiz seemed to be on point. I was matched with Hillary Clinton, who I think is a wonderful lady. She is a huge supporter of many issues regarding social issues, which I admire. Although my parents are Democrats, I don't agree with many of their views, but their upbringing from the lower to middle class and various other struggles with healthcare and education have left a lasting impact on me.
Unit 3 Blog Post
Link
The NYPD, who have constantly been under fire for questionable practices, including what many say is a "militarization" of the police force, tried to do good by encouraging their Twitter followers to tweet a picture of them with a NYPD office along with the hashtag "#myNYPD" in order to generate a positive image for themselves. However, the general public instead posted many pictures of them being arrested, beaten, frisked, and multiple other mistreatments, turning the move into a public condemnation of the NYPD and police brutality in general. Our unit has talked about the role of media in government, and this is a perfect example of a new form of media, social media, changing the way others look at the government. The public has used media to spread their own general viewpoint, which in turn is reported on by larger, more concentrated news networks, eventually spreading to the whole nation and providing American citizens with an idea about the government.
Unit 4 Blog Post
Link
With the recent controversy regarding the National Security Administration, Congress has been tasked with controlling the branch. They have to answer the question of if the NSA should be able to hold enough power to spy on the world, and must set limits that could change the dynamics of American privacy. This connects to our unit since they both deal with Congressional oversight. In this case, Congress is overseeing the NSA, making sure that they don't become too powerful as to upset the balance of branches in our government. It exemplifies the immense pressure that Congress is under, and shows how this oversight affects the nation as a whole.
Unit 5 Blog Post
Link
Marijuana enthusiasts recently held a "smoke-out" in from of the Trenton statehouse in order to gain support for the decriminalization of weed. The activists have argued for the medical purposes weed can be used for, and are hoping for Congressmen to pay attention. This relates to the Iron Triangle that is discussed in this unit. An interest group is fighting to gain support of government workers in order to have the issue discussed in D.C. By fighting for what the people believe in, Congressmen gain votes, and the people are happy. This way of communicating what the public wants is a big part of US Government, and the fight for legal kush is a good example of the Iron Triangle that is present in our government.
Unit 6 Blog Post
Link
The Supreme Court recently decided that Affirmative Action can be ignored by states, in this case, the state of Michigan. Affirmative Action is a way to try to make colleges more racially equal, which some have seen as good and fair, while others view it as paradoxically racist. There has been an uproar over the decision of the SCOTUS, and it is not unlikely that they will return to the issue again in the future. Our unit deals with the SCOTUS and how it can decide the constitutionality of laws, such as racial segregation and the legality of collecting evidence for court. This decision on Affirmative Action showed how the SCOTUS is free to interpret the Constitution, and how their decisions on the constitutionality of laws can change how the rest of the nation functions.
Unit 7 Blog Post
Link
A federal appeals court decided that same-sex marriages wouldn't be allowed in Idaho until an official appeal is decided. This came after a judge ruled that a law banning gay marriage was unconstitutional. This hot button issue shows how courts can decide if implementations of public policy is unconstitutional or not. After the law banning gay marriage was implemented, courtes found it to be going against the constitution, and it is now in review. Government officials must now make changes to adhere to the court's decisions, and the public, media, interest groups, and other factions will surely voice their opinions and try to sway political figures' perceptions of the issue of same-sex marriages in order to try to push their own agendas.