03.20.2017
Current News
- FBI Cheif James Comey for the first time Monday said his agency is investigating alleged links between Russia and the Trump campain
- President Trump and Merkl (President of Germany) met on Friday
What is Nato?
North Atlantic
HQ in Brussels
“Nato is obsolete” - Trump
Established in 1949
Alliance between western euporean countries
NATO Members 2017
Canada, US, UK, Belgium, etc.
Healthcare
Better Access to Care
After five years of the affordavle care act, more than 16 million Americans have gained health coverage, and the nation’s…’
Stronger Medicare
More than 9.4 million….
Trumpcare doesn’t seem to be as good as Obamacare
Why do Republicans Hate Obamacare?
Joni Ernst - Iowa Senator
Believes people are becoming too reliant on the government.
Democrats are buying the people’s votes
Hillary didn’t win because she didn’t come out as Genuine
She seemed too rehearsed
Republicans Health Care Plan
Donald Trump has vowed to repeal and replace Obamacare with something that is better and cheaper
March 7,2017 - Current Republican Plan
GOP Health Care Plan
Coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions
Can stay on parents pkan until age 26
Allows individuals to buy tax credits
Not in the bill
Selling across state lines
Note lowering drug cost
Americans insured under GOP plan vs. Obamacare
The number of people insures goes up
Taxes
16th Amendment to the US Constitution - 1913
“The Congress shall have power to lay and collect tax on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
What is a graduated income tax?
The more money you make the higher percentage of taxes you pay.
Each student is worth approximately 6,000
03.21.2017
Current News
1 in 4 Americans have less than 1,000 dollars saved for retirement
Taxes
Democrats:
Increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for public programs
Republicans:
Cutting taxes for everyone helps the economy
Trickle Down Theory
Middle class people are generally impacted the most
While the rich can hire the best lawyers to find loops in taxes, so they won’t have to pay all of their taxes.
Who pays income taxes?
The rich, mostly
Individual income tax statistics, by income group
Death Penalty
Democrats:
Oppose/It is not a deterrent and innocent people are in jeopardy
Republicans:
Favor/The death penalty is necessary and effective in deterring people from committing crimes.
Issues raising doubts about the death penalty
Percent with some or serious doubts
Danger of executing innocent people: 58%
Racism in the application of the death penalty: 48%
Doubts by high costs: 46%
Doubts related to failure of deterrence: 42%
The average annual cost per regular inmate is only $47,421
Average time on Death Row
16.5 years, now
03.22.2017
Donald Trump’s approval rate has dropped to 37%
While 58% of Americans disapprove of his performance so far as president
Obama is spending his days in the Virgin Islands.
Executions on the Decline
There were 35 executions in 2014, the lowest number since 1994.
Method of Execution since 1976
Lethal Injection (87%)
Electrocution (11%)
Gas Chambers (1%
Hanging (0.5%)
Firing Squad (0.5%)
The unites states declared the death penalty unconstitutional in ….
Lethal Injection
Concerns
3 drugs given in stages
Paralytic
Cardiac arrest
History
Furman v. Georgia (1972)
In this case, the court found the death penalty to be unconstitutional on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 8th
Gay Marriage
Democrats:
Favor-Gay rights and marriage are civil rights
14th Amendment- Equal protection of the laws
Republicans:
Oppose-Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and woman
Many consider it a sin.
As of June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 US stats
Obergefell v. Hodges is the case in which the Supreme Court held in a 5-4 decision, that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples.
Decision is based on Due Process clause and the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment to the US constitution.
03.23.2017
Gay Marriage:
Defense of Marriage Act (Doma)
Passed while congress was controlled by the Republicans (1996)
Granted states right to not recognize same-sex marriages that were granted under the laws of other states
Ruled unconstitutional in 2013-Windsor v. United States
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