political cartoon #5

1.  Do you think this is an accurate representation on how America is percieved?
2.  Would this cartoon make other countries believe we are too weak to fight any longer?
3.  Is it wise to make America look weak after a long conflict and if yes than why? 

President Research

1.  Appeal to what the public wants.
2.  Don't let the press influence any of your opinions.
3.  When a war ends and it is victorious annex the land gained to establish international power.
4.  Have authority over cabinet members and generals. 
5.  Run for president when the economy is bad and the other political party was in office before you. 

Sources:
http://millercenter.org/president/mckinley/essays/biography/1
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/williammckinley
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/wmckinley.html
http://www.mckinleymuseum.org/william_mckinley

Campaign Ad Analysis

1.  This ad uses catchy tune and fun animation to draw in the public and it is effective because the tune gets stuck in your head.
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1952

2.  This ad uses scary images to make the voter feel that the candidate will protect them from all of the scary images that include the Atomic Bomb.  This is successful because it scares the voter into voting for the candidate.
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1964

3.  This ad makes Johnson's opponent out to be someone who would use the power of the Atomic bomb poorly and does not realize its significance.  This is successful because it paints a picture that the opponent is unfit to lead the nation. 
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1964

4.  This ad relates a national threat to something a person might encounter in nature and it asks them if they would want to be prepared for it or not.  This is successful because it relates an overseas threat to something that more Americans have seen and relate to, a bear.
 http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1984

5.  This ad makes the candidate out like a nice man who is just like the average American.  This is successful because it makes the voter believe they can relate to the candidate. 
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1988

6.  This ad reassures the voters that America is stronger than what it has been in the past.  This is successful because it reminds the voters the prosperity that was made in the past and it paints a bright future for Americans. 
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1996

Research Study Conclusions:
1.  That advertising is persuasive.
2.  "Advertising does a little to inform, next to nothing to mobilize, and a great deal to persuade potential voters."
3.  Presidential advertising is "paid propaganda that distorts the democratic process."

Electoral College Article

Facts:
1.  In 2000 about 2% of ballots were not counted as votes
2.  They feel it is undemocratic
3.  Federal judges are not elected
4.  The framers did not foresee modern political parties
5.  The winner take all system is the candidate with the most votes in a state wins that state's electoral votes
6.  Even a system with no political parties would not be good
7. The choice of the president doesn't include the right person, but what party they are associated with
8.  Popular vote by the state determines the electors
9.  An elector is required to choose the candidate that selected them
10.  The electoral system was put in place so educated people would choose the best president for the people

Questions:
1.  What are some reforms that could take place to help the electoral system?
2.  Would the popular vote be a better way to choose the president?
3.  Do political parties damage the system?
4.  Should more strong political parties be made to help the system?
5.  Is the electoral system out of date? 

Political cartoon #4

1.  How should the national government respond to California Corporations and should they tax them more?
2.  What other states have corporations that pay little state income taxes?
3.  Should the Treasury Department do a complete investigation of California corporations and what kind of penalties should they create?

2 taxpayer articles

http://www.taxpayer.net/resources.php?action=issues&proj_id=5016&category=&type=Project

1.  Taxpayers for Common Sense and a coalition of groups sent a letter to the President, Speaker Boehner, and Majority Leader Reid
2.  Dealings can not be seen by the public
3.  They believe the release of the information will spur on the public to support it
4.  They don't want to wait to release it after the 2012 elections
5.  Want the information to be released online

http://www.taxpayer.net/resources.php?action=issues&proj_id=5017&category=&type=Project

1.  Coalition wants president do release all information on any secret deficit negotiations
2.  The super committee disbanded on November 21
3.  Super committee failed for finding any solutions
4.  Biden's talks materialized into nothing
5.  Obama and Boehner tried separately and failed to get $4 trillion deficit reduction deal

Pending Bills

1.  S. 242: Guardians of Freedom Act of 2011
Status: Referred to a committee. 
2.  S. 1025: National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2011
Status: Referred to a committee. 
3.  S.  1228: Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011
Status:  Reported by committee.

Political cartoon #3

1.  Do you think the holiday economy is taken a hard hit from the level of unemployment?
2.  How long do you think it will take for unemployment to go down?
3.  What do you think should be done to lower unemployment?