House wants the government to study federalism

The House of Representatives has passed the bill HB120. This bill would require all state agencies and cities to appoint people to attend federalism seminars. Early this year Representative Ken Ivory wanted to require every lawyer and judge working for state and local governments to attend annual seminars on states’ rights to help battle the federal government. The bill was passed with a 51-16 vote and sent to the Senate. Ivory argues that states must be better at exercising its right to check the federal government. There have been different opinions on the bill. Rep. Keven Stratton, agreed, and said the bill "will help stem the tide and help bring balance back to our inspired government." Rep. Brian King opposed the bill, saying it instructs the Commission on Federalism — composed entirely of legislators — to write the curriculum for the seminar, and says it likely does not have the expertise needed.                                                It would not hurt for the states to go through a refresher course on federalism every so often.  Who knows state governments may find some new confidence when it comes to dealing with the federal government. I see these seminars as only helping the states.                                                                                     Chapter three in AP Government and Politics deals with Federalism. Within in this chapter we talked about how federalism got its start and which government is supreme (National or state).

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57614893-90/federalism-government-ivory-rep.html.csp


http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57614893-90/federalism-government-ivory-rep.html.csp

Venezuelan Government cuts Internet access...

In the midst of the violent protest happening in Venezuela, authorities cut off internet services and blocked certain websites in San Cristobal. The authorities have also blocked a walkie-talkie service that was widely used by the protesters. These protests are collectively called Venezuela's information war, which was escalated last week when the government blocked twitter pictures that showed the carnage in Caracas. This is like the tip of the iceberg for the Venezuelan citizens; among the list of grievances are inflation, food shortages, and one of the highest crime rates in the world. President Obama has urged Venezuela to release protesters detained in anti-government protest and condemned the violence that has gone on for the last two weeks in protest of Venezuela's socialist government. President Nicolas Maduro then accused the United States of promoting the opposition protest and that the US has ulterior motives. 

I find it crazy to think that something we take for granted everyday in the United States can be taken away so quickly.  It is weird and unfair for the government to control these aspects in society.

This week we are still learning about the Constitution and personal liberties and freedoms within it. These freedoms and personal liberties can be found in certain articles or certain amendments. Some of these freedoms and liberties include, freedom of speec, the right to a grand jury, and the right to bear arms.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/02/21/venezuelan-government-cuts-internet-access-blocks-websites-in-war-against/

US government issues new banking rules....

 Today the Obama administration issued new rules that should ease the concerns of banks that are wanting to conduct business with businesses that legally sell marijuana. These new rules, issued by the Treasury and Justice Departments, are intended to "move from the shadows the historically covert financial operations of marijuana businesses," said Jennifer Shasky Calvery, director of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing the sale of medical and recreational marijuana, but the production, sale, and possession is still illegal. Marijuana dealers have not been able to get banks to do business with them because the federal government regulates banking transactions. Because of this dealers have been operating with cash only, these new rules are meant to lessen the dangers of running an all-cash business. Banks wishing to do business with the dealers, under the new regulations, need to verify that they are properly licensed and get information on the types of products they sell and the nature of the customers that buy the products. They must also be alert for any signs that the dealers are participating in "improper" transactions. Banks still have to notify federal regulators of suspicious activity by their customers, but banks that believe that a marijuana dealer is reputable will file a "marijuana limited" report. If banks suspect that a dealer is not sticking to these new guidelines, they should file a "marijuana priority" report. Bankers have called on Congress before to change the federal law dealing with marijuana, they are still skeptical even with the new rule changes. "This guidance is a set in the right direction, but it's not enough," said Amanda Averch; director of communications at the Colorado Bankers Association. "We don't see that guidance as giving banks a full green light to bank these businesses. We feel the only real and lasting solution is an act of Congress."
 
I think that the federal government did the right thing by not changing the law right away; i believe that they are giving these new banking rules a trial period to see how everything goes. That way when and if they are ready to change the law the federal government will what to include and exclude from the law.

This week in AP Government and Politics we discussed chapter two, which dealt with our Constitution. We reviewed all the different parts of the Constitution i.e. the Preamble, the Articles, and the Amendments. We learned that the enumerated powers given to the federal government are stated under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101418265

Expanding the use of Technology

Last year President Obama stated that he wanted to connect 99 percent of American students to high-speed broadband. In the annual State of the Union Address he announced that with help from the Federal Communications Commission and independent companies like Apple and Microsoft. He now had the down payment to start providing over fifteen thousand schools and twenty million students with high-speed broadband over the next two years. The three million dollar investment will help to close the technology gap in American schools. Microsoft announced its intentions of discounting digital devices for all public K-12 schools as well as offering free copies of Microsoft Office to students at low income schools. Some of the money will also go towards educating teachers on how to properly use the technology in the classroom. Rose Stuckey Kirk says “One key result we found from training teachers on mobile technology in the classroom is that their students learn better problem-solving skills, which are essential for 21^st-century education and an ability to compete internationally.”

I feel that more American students can become internationally competitive if we give everyone the gift of technology. I believe that with access to technology students can obtain not just a “sound and basic” education, but a “world-class” education. Students need an education that will give us the ability to compete in a fast-paced, globally competitive world.

This article relates back to a discussion that we had in AP Government and Politics. We were discussing the drop-out rate in America and some reasons as to why students drop-out. This led us to talk about some of the fundamentals of an American education as defined in the Constitution, “sound and basic”. The class came to the unanimous decision that a “sound and basic” education will not suffice in this 21^st century society.










http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/02/04/obama-to-announce-nearly-3-billion-in-education-technology-commitments
http://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2014/01/28/full-text-president-obamas-2014-state-of-the-union-address/3/