Politics Preview

After a politically-charged year, with upsets and changes in the balance of power and controversial bills, 2011 is set to be another year full of debates and compromises. With the upcoming Proposition 8 case, a new governor in California, a Republican-dominated House of Representatives and a currentlydefeated Dream Act, there will be plenty of political fodder for the new year.

Prop 8

In November of 2008, voters in California passed Proposition 8, which added the clause “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” to the state constitution.

Now, after Perry v. Schwarzenegger was ruled unconstitutional by Chief Judge Vaughn Walker in August 2010, the case is being returned to the California Supreme Court. Before the Ninth Circuit will agree to hear the case that could potentially make same-sex marriages illegal in the state, the California Supreme Court must decide if the supporters of Proposition 8 have legal standing to appeal.

The question of legal standing arises because of the lack of support for the case from government offi cials. Although former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is listed as the defendant in this lawsuit, neither he nor any other state offi cial, including Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris, has agreed to back the case. Instead, the defense has been put on by the proposition’s supporters.

If the supporters of Proposition 8 are found not to have legal standing, then Chief Judge Walker’s ruling, which declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional because it violated the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses in the Fourteenth Amendment, will stand.

Until a decision is reached, however, the hold on same-sex marriages will remain in place.

Jerry Brown/ Budget

Now that he has won the election, Governor Jerry Brown must face a state budget defi cit of $25.4 billion, according to the Associated Press.

On Jan. 10, 2011, Governor Brown released his proposed plan for the California budget, which included $12.5 billion in cuts. Some of the proposed cuts include a $1 billion reduction in money for the California State University and University of California systems and a $1.7 billion cut from Medi-Cal.

The budget plan also includes reducing the funding of California’s welfare-to-work program by $1.5 billion as well as cutting $217.4 million from Health and Human Services. The courts will also receive a $200 million reduction in funds. The proposed funding for public K-12 schools is about the same as the funding from the 2010-2011 fi scal year.

However, the cuts are only the first part of the governor’s proposed three-step plan. Following the budget cuts, voters would need to support extending certain tax rates. The third step, once cuts and taxes are dealt with, would be the passing of a fi nal state budget.

The proposed budget may also run into a legal hurdle that has nothing to do with the painful cuts themselves: some experts believe that because it seeks to change the state’s spending formulas, it will run afoul of Proposition 25 and thus require a 2/3 vote to pass instead of a simple majority. However, it remains to be seen whether Proposition 25 is relevant in this case.

Immigration Debate

The Fourteenth Amendment begins with the following statement: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

However, recent debate has called into question whether citizenship should truly be given by birth. Concerns about immigrants using so-called “anchor babies” to unfairly remain in the United States have become more prevalent, and many are even calling to change the Fourteenth Amendment itself.

The failure to pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in December 2010 refl ects the anti-immigration sentiments held by many politicians. The DREAM Act, which sought to provide a pathway for illegal immigrant minors to achieve citizenship through good behavior and either higher education or military service, was condemned because it was seen to encourage illegal immigration.

The DREAM Act was passed in the House of Representatives in early December, but it died on the Senate fl oor when it failed to overcome a fi libuster. However, this was not the first time that the DREAM Act was introduced to Congress. The DREAM Act was fi rst introduced in 2001, according to the United States Student Association, but incarnations of the DREAM Act also failed to pass in 2006 and 2007.

A number of politicians argue that measures such as the DREAM Act and citizenship by birth exacerbate the illegal immigration issue; people will have or bring their children to try and cheat the system instead of applying for citizenship legally.

Despite the setback of the recent failure, there is the possibility that the DREAM Act will be reintroduced onto the Senate floor. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada promised that the Senate would eventually vote on the DREAM Act, as he has the power to bring the bill up for another vote in the future. Although it remains to be seen whether supporters would be able to gather up enough votes to break another fi libuster, the DREAM Act may not be dead just yet.

Republican Congress

When the republicans regained control of the House of Representatives in November 2010, questions were raised about whether President Barack Obama, a democrat, would be able to continue pushing forward his legislation. After issues arising with the Affordable Care Act back when the democrats still held the majority in both houses of Congress, many wonder if a Republican-controlled House may be an insurmountable obstacle.

In actuality, it’s not uncommon for the president’s party to lose midterm elections. Discontent is at its highest in the middle years of a presidency, especially as the “honeymoon” effect wears off. The average number of seats lost by the president’s party in the House of Representatives between 1954 and 2002 was 21, and an average of 3 seats was lost in the Senate during that same time frame.

In fact, the increase in elected Republicans during President George W. Bush’s first term in office was something of a rarity. Boosts from his counter-terror policies after 9/11 counteracted the usual midterm decline in popularity.

When we look at how President Obama might fare with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, it is worth keeping in mind the Clinton presidency. President Bill Clinton faced a Republican-Controlled House and Senate after the mid-term elections of 1994, leading to clashes on economic issues. Clinton also found it diffi cult to accomplish his goals and get things done, as conflicts with Congress led to slow progress.

Recently, the divide between the Democratic presidency and the Republican House became apparent after the House voted to overturn the Affordable Care Act on Jan. 19, 2011. Although their vote will likely have no legal impact on the bill, as the Senate will most likely not pass the new bill and President Obama would veto it if it ever passed both houses, it stands as a political statement of the divides between the two sections of government.

Change We Can Believe In – Does Anyone Still Believe?

 The Taj Mahal. A glorious building set in India’s capital of New Delhi. One that includes over 570 rooms and is typically flooded with visitors from around the globe. One that Obama’s personal security staff booked for three entire days, clearing out the entire hotel. One that is so close to the Indian Ocean that U.S. naval ships and Indian Navy vessels circulated the surrounding area within 330 kilometers from shore to protect the president from a freak missile attack. This extravagance, paid for on the taxpayer’s dime, of course, all occurred in early November and was broadcast on every cable news network.

From excessive spending to luxurious trips to Asia, it seems dubious that president, elected in 2008, has actually gotten anything done in the past two years. Or so the media may have us think.

Despite the faltering economy, Obama has managed to conduct significant reform in the economy, public education and foreign relations. After struggling for his entire term, Obama finally passed the $940 billion health care bill and, at last, was able to establish universal health care for the nation. This landmark reform bill serves to provide baseline medical coverage and insurance to 32 million Americans who were previously not insured. Democrats across the nation rallied in support of the bill and even people from other party lines showed their support for Obama’s plan.

Education reform has also been a priority for the Oval Office, and the White House staff now provides a $2500 tax credit for lower income families to help pay off bills incurred from a college education. Treasury officials state that this tax credit will save about 5 million families a collective $9 billion.

Obama’s Department of Transportation has also approved 2,500 highway projects, providing $9.3 billion in stimulus money for cities throughout the country. These projects also ensure the production of new jobs, and at least 260,000 construction jobs are expected to complete the entire project.

While many citizens have vehemently been criticizing Obama’s efforts in foreign relations, his interactions with the Muslim world have so far been effective and appreciated by Middle Eastern governments. His proclamation during an international press conference that “America is not at war with Islam” served to alleviate the fears of many around the world.

But regardless of all this hard work, Obama has had to live up to the public’s lofty expectations. After experiencing a severe economic downturn on top of foreign conflicts and national crises, the public rightly rallied for change in the federal government. Cries of “yes we can!” were bellowed throughout the country, and a nation full of disillusioned Americans turned their eyes to Obama for guidance, comfort and reform.

And to be fair, Obama certainly promised Americans a lot. Most noticeably, Obama promised the immediate removal of Iraqi troops, stating that he would remove two combat brigades per month for 16 months by which time all of them would be taken out of Iraq.

It is this failed ability to fulfill the goals he promised that has detracted from the public’s original regard for Obama. While his extensive legislation should seem to hold weight in the public’s eyes, public opinion polls from RealClear Politics report differently. It seems that political bashing and media bad-mouthing of the executive branch has served to effectively eradicate all of the good that Obama has done from the public’s memory.

Beginning in January of 2009, approximately a year after Obama’s inauguration into office, Obama’s approval rating began to plummet—just as unemployment rates began to skyrocket. As the negative effects of the economic recession took further root into the households of most Americans across the nation, the president’s approval ratings continued to drop, sinking to nearly 53.2 percent in July 2009, only seven months after their initial tank.

Throughout 2010, Obama’s approval and disapproval ratings have been fighting for dominance, with disapproval ratings taking the lead for the majority of the year. The most recent polls find that a whopping 48.4 percent of Americans disapprove of Obama’s job performance thus far.

It seems that regardless of what Obama actually does, his situation just lends itself to further public disapproval. In fact, some challenges are simply inherent to the office of presidency.

While Obama does no doubt desire change and progress for the country, his ability to pitch controversial and radical legislation for Congressional approval is slowly dwindling as his first term comes to an end. With every intention of running for reelection, Obama now has the added worry of trying not to anger the public to garner more support for the 2012 presidential election, and to not lose the support he already has. This term limitation ensures that next year will become the year of wishy-washy legislation, and the year after, the last of his first term, will become an endless campaign.

And let’s face facts—a Republican Congress is simply not a good addition to the cabinet of a Democratic President—and the same could be said about a Democratic Congress with a Republican President. With this opposition from those who provide the most distinguishable check against the executive branch, will Obama truly get anything done?

Is The Iraq War Really Over?

Seven years ago, President George W. Bush infamously proclaimed combat in Iraq at an end while standing in front of a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner. To many, the announcement was premature, celebrating the end of a war that would not be finished for years to come. The backlash from the ‘Mission Accomplished’ incident was enough to make Bush disavow his banner.

Now, years later, President Obama’s declaration of the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom is much more subdued. He has seen the mistakes of his predecessor and has done his best to avoid them. His declaration is accompanied by no banners or bold declarations of victory. Instead, the president’s speech, delivered Aug. 31 from the Oval Office, calmly detailed the history of the Iraq conflict and explained what the role of the United States will be in building Iraq’s future. While he proclaimed the end of the combat mission in Iraq, he also acknowledged that we are far from being done with the Middle-Eastern country.

“Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq’s future is not,” Obama said.

The plan, a time-table that was approved during the summer, was for all combat forces to be withdrawn from Iraq by Aug. 31. The number of troops decreased from 144,000 when President Obama was sworn into office down to the current 50,000, according to the New York Times. The United States has also set a deadline of Dec. 1, 2011, for the withdrawal of all military forces.

In truth, our war with Iraq is far from over. With the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom comes Operation New Dawn, in which the 50,000 non-combat troops left in Iraq will be tasked with assisting the Iraqi security forces and supporting their troops.

Until all of our troops are home, we cannot say that the war is over. Although the remaining troops in Iraq are classified as “non-combat” troops, the reality is that they are still out in a war zone, risking their lives in order to aid the Iraqis. They will even continue to be in combat operations, although they are given a different name.

“What soldiers today would call combat operations – hunting insurgents, joint raids between Iraqi security forces and United States Special Forces to kill or arrest militants – will continue but be called ‘stability operations,’” said Steven Lee Meyers of the New York Times.

If our troops are still risking their lives in dangerous missions and areas, is it really fair to say that we have ended our combat mission in Iraq? Sure, we have significantly decreased the number of military personnel in the region, but that alone does not signify the end of a war.

Of course, with the upcoming elections, it is important politically for Obama to ostensibly fulfill one of his campaign promises—to end the war in Iraq—in order to win support for his party. Perhaps even more importantly, the president announced his intentions to focus primarily on the economy now that the war is completed, addressing the concerns of many American citizens.

Even if the military combat in Iraq were over, we would still be a nation at war because of Afghanistan. The conflict in Afghanistan is the longest war in United States history, lasting for almost nine years so far. President Obama has sent mixed messages about the United States’ future with Afghanistan—on one hand, he reaffirmed his vow to find and destroy Al Qaeda during his Oval Office speech, but he has also supported a withdrawal of troops from the region beginning in July 2011.

Although the United States has expressed its desire to pull out of the region, it is unclear whether this will be feasible. 9/11 is still a painful memory for many Americans, and the desire to smoke out Osama bin Laden and his conspirators remains strong. It would be impossible for the president to both continue the hunt of Al Qaeda members and pull out of the area. The withdrawal is also hugely controversial, and if he follows through with the plan, he may face a negative backlash from the public.

The United States is not at peace. Operation Iraqi Freedom may be over, but we still have numerous troops overseas as part of Operation New Dawn and fighting in Afghanistan. Our soldiers have given their lives to keep us safe and to promote freedom, and it is disingenuous to say that the conflict has ended when they are still in danger. Until all American troops are safe and sound in their homes, the war goes on.

Health Care Justice for All

Currently, 30 million Americans are without access to medical care. This creates a social injustice, violating the American principle of equality. Reliable coverage should be available for all, not simply for the healthiest individuals or the wealthiest sectors of society. Obama’s proposed plan is the best way to achieve this.

                As individuals lacking medical care visit emergency rooms to receive treatment, tax payers end up footing the bill, not the insurance companies. According to President Obama, these charges average at $1,000 per year. We, the people, pay the price for the inadequacies of the healthcare program. Healthcare costs are still on the rise as those uninsured often fall into bankruptcy in the midst of requiring urgent care. According to the National Coalition on Healthcare, 62 percent of all bankruptcies filed in 2007 were related to medical expenses. Even those families with health insurance are paying extraordinarily high prices, forced to pay out of pocket expenses for prescription drugs. Shouldn’t it be the responsibility of the insurance companies to cover the full extent of an individual’s medical needs?

                Echoing President Obama’s plea, we must act quickly, ignoring the countless scare tactics, fictitious rumors and demonization of the current administration. This plan will reinforce the basic principle of healthcare that has been so recently overlooked, the importance of protecting the social fabric of society.

The currently proposed plan will not get rid of existing programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. It will simply regulate the power of the insurance companies and their governing policies. They will no longer be able to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, drop an individual’s coverage in the event of an illness and cap the amount of coverage an individual can rightfully obtain. Out of pocket expenses will also be limited.

This is not a government takeover of the healthcare system; it is a needed reformation to the current system. Obama has included an insurance exchange component which will place control and opportunity in the hands of the people. Individuals and small business owners will be able to select a healthcare plan best suited to their needs. Although small business owners may change their health insurance, the basic healthcare plan will remain the same, providing individuals with the same benefits as senators and other government officials. This healthcare plan will not provide sub-par coverage, but will ameliorate current healthcare management.

This exchange program will create competition among insurance companies, resulting in the development of a just, thriving industry. Currently, a few select insurance companies monopolize the market. In 34 states, 75 percent of the insurance industry is controlled by less than five companies. Insurance companies are able to charge higher premiums, as there are few available coverage options for state residents. Companies are able to treat the American people poorly and with minimal repercussions.

The system is unjust, running at the expense of the American people. By reforming healthcare, much of the injustices can be adequately addressed. The money allocated to healthcare can be re-apportioned in order to pay for universal coverage, a basic plan for all. As Ted Kennedy wrote, “What we face is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.”

Obama’s First 100 Days

April 29, 2009, marked the end of President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office. From economic stimulus plans to signing a presidential mandate for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, Obama has made headlines in economic, domestic and foreign policy. To better understand what has happened during these past three months and what may come, let’s look back at some of the most important events of the Obama administration’s policy.

Economic Policy

On day 25, February 13, the House of Representatives passed Obama’s $787 billion Stimulus Plan without any Republican support. Shortly after, the measure won approval in the Senate by a vote of 60-38. With Democrat control of Congress, it was significantly easier to override any Republican opposition, making this a controversial issue.

“We want to work together with the other side,” said John McCain (R-Ariz.). “And this is not the example that I think the American people want us to exercise.” However, Democrats begged to differ. “By investing in new jobs, in science and innovation, in energy, in education … we are investing in the American people, which is the best guarantee of the success of our nation,” said Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

On day 38, February 26, the Obama administration released an overview on its 2010 budget plan. This plan required a total of $3.55 trillion, which would be distributed among defense, economy, education, energy, health, homeland security, justice, taxes and transportation.

On day 64, March 21, the administration’s Treasury Department asked Congress to grant the government the power to seize and take over failing financial institutions as a means of ameliorating the dire economic situation.

“We must ensure that our country never faces this situation again,” Treasury Secretary Thomas Geithner told lawmakers. “To achieve that goal, the administration and Congress have to work together to enact comprehensive regulatory reform and eliminate gaps in supervision. We need to strike the right balance between encouraging investment and prudent risk-taking to get our financial system moving again,” he said.

Some believe that Obama should deregulate the market and let capitalism run its course, while others argue that our economy needs governmental intervention to recover from its current state. Some believe the stimulus package is Obama’s presidential campaign promises put into action, while others maintain that he ought to focus on the economy and refrain from spending money on non-urgent causes.

Domestic Policy

On day 15, February 14, Obama signed a children’s health insurance plan bill, which extended health coverage to four million additional uninsured children, providing a large increase to his plan to reformat the nation’s health care system. President Bush vetoed similar bills twice during his term. This boost in coverage will be funded by a 62-cent increase in the federal excise tax on cigarettes, which makes the total federal excise tax $1.01 a pack.

On day 49, March 9, President Obama lifted the restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research, fulfilling a campaign promise. “Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident,” Obama said. “They result from painstaking and costly research; from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit; and from a government willing to support that work.” Although the moratorium on federally funded stem cell research will give many research institutions the tools they need to study embryonic cells, the moral objection many citizens have to harvesting cells from human embryos still remains.

On day 92, April 27, Obama called all Americans to volunteer and signed a $5.7 billion national service bill that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years and expands ways for students to earn money for college through volunteering.

“I’m asking you to help change history’s course, put your shoulder up against the wheel,” Obama said. “And if you do, I promise you your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.”

Foreign Policy

On day 39, February 27, Obama spoke at Camp Lejune in North Carolina to U.S. Marines about his plan to withdraw American combat forces from Iraq by August 2010, promising to drastically scale back one of the nation’s longest and costliest military efforts. The President also noted that approximately 50,000 troops would remain in Iraq to support the government and ensure security until the end of 2011.

From day 75 to 79 Obama visited with government leaders and the citizens of Prague and Turkey and U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq. Speaking before 20,000 people outside the Prague Castle gates, he emphasized the dangers of illegal weapons and the U.S.’s commitment to establishing an international nuclear test ban treaty.

In Turkey, Obama addressed the Parliament and highlighted the U.S.’s desire to build a strong partnership regardless of religious differences. “The United States is not at war with Islam,” said Obama. “In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.”

On April 7, Obama made an unannounced stop in Iraq to get a firsthand look at the conflict and express his gratitude to U.S. troops for their efforts. In his speech to the soldiers, the President focused on the critical role they are playing in ensuring the U.S. leaves Iraq with a safe and stable government.

Over the course of the Obama’s first 100 days in office he also met with an assortment of leaders from other countries, including Canada, Japan, Great Britain, China, Brazil, Ireland, Australia, Russia, South Korea, Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the past few months, Obama has traveled to distant nations, encouraged our troops in the Middle East and at home and passed legislation that will forever change our economy, health care system and scientific abilities. Yet, the first 100 days are merely a snapshot of what is to come.