HOW DOES THE BUDGET DEAL AFFECT THE MID-TERM ELECTION OF 2014? 

A) Will the voting public see political compromise as a reflection of their values?

B) How will political actors more loyal to the party platform than political compromise do in the primaries for the upcoming mid term elections?

C) Do you believe Congress has acted in a way that reflects your interests as opposed to holding a hard line to party loyalty?

Use the chart below, the video clips and articles to frame your response.  Please comment below and offer a well thought reaction to those who post above you. You will be graded based on your use of 4 different sources in your response:

1. The Chart

2. The videos

3. The articles

4. Reactions to other students without copying other students

Note: the above data may be seen with skepticism because Huffington Post is an extremely liberal news source.  That having been said, the general ideas reflected in the chart are generally suppported by other new sources as well.

Videos:

Anouncement of Budget Deal between Republican Chairperson of the House Budget Committee Paul Ryan and  Senate Budget Committee chair Sen Patty Murray. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4av3AJcyEfM

Republican Senator Ted Cruz opposition to the Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwxFuIdZY0s

Republican Senator John McCain support for the Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESwHmj5sc88

Artcles:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2013/12/18/the_budget_just_turned_into_a_campaign_ad_against_democrats.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/12/13/senate-gop-budget-deal/4012311/

How did our discussion in class today reflect the our life during Super Storm Sandy?  What comparisons can you make to Hurricane Katrina?  Is it fair to say state and local governments handled the situation better?  Is it fair to say the federal government learned from its mistakes?

CNN Views on Hurricane Katrina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf1D0A4JZNU

Fox News views on Hurricane Katrina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPswpqB73SA

Offer commentary based on your fellow students statements and your own opinion of the videos.

DEBATE PREP:

HOW HAS INTERSTATE COMMERCE BECOME THE DECIDING FACTOR IN MANY SOCIAL ISSUES OF OUR MODERN POLITICAL DEBATE?

CBS NEWS 60 MINUTES REPORT ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50133577nhttp://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50133577n

Watch the above video and offer your opinion regarding the Federal government's role in Medical Marijuana.  Consider the following ideas?

a) Interstate Commerce and expanding Federal power

b) Use of Medical Marijuana as a "front" for illegal activities

c) The political reality of an elected official claiming to be against drugs but for medical marijuana

d) Corporate interests vs. individual interests

Can good politics make for good government action in Syria?

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH ON SYRIAN ACTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzDRRGUEzoI

RUSSIAN NEWS NETWORK REACTION TO CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES ON SYRIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOEf6JD0enE

FOX NEWS CONSERVATIVE POINT OF VIEW ON SYRIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqTn8hvesig

CNN LIBERAL POINT OF VIEW ON SYRIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mbBC0hQ1E

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Watch the four videos featured above and offer your comments as to whether or not the GOOD POLITICS IS MAKING FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT DECISIONS?  Please react to each other's statements in a polite manner observing all rules of discourse outlined in the school code of conduct.

DEBATE PREP 

THE ROBERTS COURT 

Is the Roberts court effective as an activist court?

or 

Has the court been more effective acting with self restraint?

Supreme Court and Obama-care

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=767_whmLXqE

Supreme Court and Equal Pay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8A_mye7pow

Supreme Court and Campaign Finance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk9xeaf80SA&list=PL0C7C6F9E2FF286F5

THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS 

In a letter sent Friday, Boehner says the country faces immense challenges and Americans expect the Congress and White House to work together on solutions. Boehner says cooperation will require, quote, a "willingness to seek common ground as well as presidential leadership."

The White House says it has accepted the invitation.

MR. BACHMAN WILL BE HOSTING A "LIVE" BLOG REACTING TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.  OFFER YOUR COMMENTARY BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL REACTION AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS.

The State of Our Union is Strong!

Presidents Obama, President Clinton and President Bush meeting in
January 2010 to discuss plans for American aid to Haiti

Excerpt from Bill Clinton's  Final State of the Union Address (2000)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9EKfnzFZJQ

Excerpt from George W. Bush's State of the Union Address (First State of the Union since 9/11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6zEJexJEU

 Excerpt from Barack Obama's First State of the Union (2009 shortly after the Credit Crisis)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2VuXLfX8Y

In both style of governance and historical circumstance in which they found themselves, these three Presidents have a vast array of differences.  However, each of these speeches indicate many commonalities. Using our class blog, evaluate how each of these Presidents use the state of the union to accomplish their goals.  Please react to each other as well.