Blog Stage 3

In Bryce Covert blog on the HuffPost, he informs his readers how republicans has emplaced another obstacle for those in need of government assistance. Covert intended audience is the lower and middle class. Covert states that republicans have placed new rules that allow states to impose a drug test on people who lose their jobs and need unemployment insurance to get through the dry spell. Covert argues that the policy change is supposedly about helping become wok ready but in reality it is about stigmatizing the assistance they need. Covert goes on to describe how the intent of the drug test are shady and if the agenda was to help, they would implement a road to recovery. He continues to argues that the drug test are a blockade have erected between poor people and the help they need. Covert uses statistics to back his claims of the new policies of being intrusive by stating " Over the past four years states have drug tested a share of the population that gets TANF benefits and come back with minuscule numbers of positive results". Covert sates the real purpose of the tests are to deter people from applying for public benefits. I agree with Coverts arguments in the article. Applying for benefits can be very difficult and instead of being helped with open arms the policies put in place have created judgement and intrusiveness to the people who need the benefits most.

Blog Stage Five - Hidden War ?

In the Washington Post Liz Sly writes about the hidden war in Syria. In the newest commitment to a Middle East war U.S troops will now stay in Syria. The Trump administration once stated how troops will be withdrawing from Syria once mission completes. However, recently the Trump Administration has stated U.S troops will stay in Syria pending an overall settlement to the Syrian war. The Trump Administration has added the mission of acting as a defensive wall against Iran’s expanding influences on the U.S troops agenda. The article continues by stating the new mission now requires U.S troops to occupy nearly a third of Syria. The estimated increase of troops is an estimated 4,000 soldiers. The increase of U.S troops is stated to be a light foot print; however, the question arises of will the increase of U.S troops aggravate insurgency and conflict? Senior officials have stated the loss of U.S troops will end in devastation for the area. Official hope American presence will bring settlement and end the Syrian war. However recent events in Syria have shown of no sign of a resolution. The article continues by explaining the tension and confusion that has increased within the leadership and military presence within Syria. The article also continues by stating the frustration in rebuilding and reconstruction. The Trump administration has cut $200 million dollars that has been earmarked for essential repairs to the worst damaged areas of Syria. Sly describes how the lack of financial support may increase to insurgency and more devastation for the people of Syria.  

Federal Judge in Texas strickes down Affordable Care Act - Blog Stage Seven

Ariane De Vogue and Tami Luhby describe in their CNN article how federal judge in Texas strikes down Affordable Care Act. District Judge Reed O' Connor declares the individual coverage mandate is "unconstitutional" and "invalid". The mandate requires Americans without health care to get coverage or pay a penalty. Vouge and Luhby continues by stating how The Trump administration will maintain parts of the Affordable Act, however The administration will not defend several important provisions of Obamacare. California and 16 other states have argued in defense of  Obamacare and state that the remove of this act will hurt millions of Americans. They continue by stating how more than 20 million Americans were able to gain healthcare coverage with the act and this will be a devastating loss. Lastly, the article continues by stating how three-quarters of Americans say that it is very important for the law to continue prohibiting health insures from denying health coverage because medical histories, so the next big question is what is next for Americans and healthcare coverage?

Blog Stage Eight

I completely agree with your views and statement on gun control, with everything going on it is easy to forget about the effects of mass shooting till it happens again. The amount of mass shooting that has occurred in this year is astounding. This a problem and we need leadership in government to help. Although we may have many different views on how we should fix the problem, we need to start somewhere. It is good to hear the Trump Administration is starting somewhere. However, We need to make more steps and action to sent a message that tis violence wont be tolerated.

Gerrymandering (Comment to Classmate)

I agree with your blog post. I don’t believe gerrymandering should be allowed. It is unfair the way cities and towns are divided to fit a political party’s agenda. It should be split in a way that everyone’s voice is able to be heard. Voters should be able to feel they have a voice and gerrymandering hinders those voters. Like you had stated in your post voters vote can be water down due to gerrymandering and can also discourage voters. I also feel that because incumbency advantage as well as gerrymandering it is even more difficult to see change in our country. I completely agree it should not be allowed and we should generate change.

Criticism/ Commentary of a Blog

In Benjamin Waddell blog on the HuffPost, he describes how Donald Trump will most likely win a second presidential term. Waddell intended audience for this blog is minorities. Waddell argues that the electoral college is designed to favor white voters in rural and silence minorities votes in urban cities. Waddell uses Bush as an example to explain the problem with electoral college and the similarities between Bush and Trump. Waddell continues to argue his point by using demographics as his evidence.  Waddell explains how at the turn of the 20^th century led to the shift to minorities moving to urban areas which led an unfair system. Waddell continues to back his argument by describing how the population in rural account for more votes than voters in urban areas. Waddell uses a graph from 2016 American Community Survey to give the reader visual evidence for his claim that rural populations carry the bulk of electoral votes. Waddell says rural areas lack diversity and representation. Waddell continues to state the best solution for this rift in the system is to rid of the electoral college. Because of the electoral college design, Waddell predicts Trump will win a second term in the 2020 presidential election race. Waddell’s argument is very strong and I agree with his logic.  

New York Times Article

On September 20, 2018 Maggie Haberman, Sharon LaFraniere and Matthew Rosenberg published an article for The New York Time’s regarding Michael Cohen. President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen and other close advisors has been repeatedly interviewed by prosecutors, regarding President Trump’s election. The information that Michael Cohen told prosecutors is ambiguous however the article states he has vital information on President Trump’s business affairs and possible business dealings with Russia.  

I believe this article is worth reading because it is very informative on the ongoing investigation and the individuals surround it. The article is easy to follow even if you don’t know much information regarding the special counsel investigation and President Trump’s campaign.