McLaughlin Assignment 3 DUE 10/1/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to only one of the following set of questions in no less than 150 words:

1. Independent voters have become a major factor in considering the possible outcome of the Midterm elections in November. As described in the following article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42625.html independent voters have been changing their behavior. How has the behavior of independent voters changed? In what way can this impact the midterm elections? If you were a voter, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican or independent? Why? Check out the major parties' websites to see which you would be interested in joining:

http://www.democrats.org/issues ;

http://www.gop.com/index.php/issues/issues/ ;

2. A major portion of the federal budget is devoted to defense spending (check out the following stats: http://blog.heritage.org/2010/04/05/how-does-u-s-defense-spending-compare-with-other-countries/). Some government officials have suggested that we begin cutting back our defense spending. One such official is Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who has specific ideas on what should be cut from the US' Military: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081206232.html What changes is Gates suggesting? Are you for or against these changes? Why? Overall, what is your opinion of how much America spends on defense?

Chapter 1 Assignment (Due 9/30)

Chapter 1 Assignment (Due 9/30)

Click here to download the Chapter 1 Assignment:

Chapter 1 Assignment (due 9/30)

Research the answers carefully and type them directly into the document (make sure you save the document as "YOUR LAST NAME-Chapter 1") and upload the document into your e-portfolio:

Link to E-Portfolios

If you have forgotten your E-portfolio username and password, please e-mail me at kenneth.mengani@wjps.org

McLaughlin Assignment 2 DUE 9/22/10

Now that Christine O'Donnell has won the Republican Senate Primary in Delaware, there are serious doubts over whether she can actually defeat her democratic opponent (Chris Coons) in the general election. Based on our discussion in class and the two articles below, state your opinion as to whether or not you think she can win and why you think so. Perhaps more importantly, examine each of the candidates’ websites and decide for yourself: if you were a resident of Delaware, who would you vote for? Why?

Articles on Primary Election:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/15/pol.delaware.senate.primary/index.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-15/tea-party-success-in-delaware-senate-race-increases-chance-of-democrat-win.html

Candidate Websites

http://christine2010.com/meet-christine/

http://www.chriscoons.com/about/meet_chris_coons

BLOG ASSIGNMENT 1 (Due 9/20)

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution reads as follows: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Explain how you think the language of the Preamble reflects the idea of the social contract.

If you need help, please refer to pages 7-10 in your textbook as well as the following article: http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/armitage/TSC.pdf

Also, check out a scanned version of the ACTUAL Constitution Parchment (WAY COOL!): http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

McLaughlin Homework 1

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to one of the following set of questions in no less than 150 words:

1. President Obama's approval rating has slipped from a record high of 73% to a historic low of 43%. Many believe this drop in popularity is a result of his economic policies--in particular, his stance on ending the Bush tax cuts. Read the following article http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/13/obama.economy/index.html and respond to these questions:

Should Obama push Congress to end the Bush tax cuts? According to the article, what are some of the costs and benefits of doing so? Why would ending the tax cuts hurt Obama's approval rating? Overall, how would you rate Obama's performance so far as president? Explain your rating.

2. Right now the country of Mexico is facing serious security problem in what basically amounts to what some call a drug war. Thousands of people have died in the violence and Mexico's President Felipe Calderon cites the United States' demand for drugs and large gun industry for contributing to the problem. Some believe that the United States should do more to address problem by more actively discouraging drug use and by limiting the production and purchase of firearms. Some have even suggested even more radical solutions such as the use of US combat troops to help police the border and/or the legalization and regulation of certain illegal drugs. Read the following article http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/11/mexico.president.interview/index.html?iref=allsearch and respond to these questions:

Is the Unites States partially responsible for the drug violence in Mexico? Why or why not? What (if any) methods (see above) do you think the United States should undertake to help stop the violence? Why do you think these methods would be successful?