President Obama currently holds an approval rating of 43% percent, which I admittedly find rather inflated, mirrored by disapproval from half of the nation's population. A staggering 77% percent of declared democrats remain supportive of the president's efforts, which I personally perceive to be rather blindly partisan. Obama is quite simply not embracing moderate compromise to the degree in which a partisan gridlock in Congress may be alleviated, and given trending election polls his continuation in the seat may very well be in jeopardy. With an unsuccessful stimulus package prompting a stronger laissez-faire ideology among the public, the president's approval may very well experience a perpetual decline for the remainder of his current office. Following the recent Iowa debate, I find current Gallup statistics comparing support between Obama and Perry to be quite incomprehensible, but his gridlock statistics with Romney indicate a shifting public opinion, charting 47% approval between Obama and the potential, though increasingly questionable, GOP candidate. Regarding the president's reelection bid, I the eventual nomination of a GOP candidate to be incredibly influential. Being a relatively moderate liberal, my ideologies would be tested if Obama were to face either Romney or Ron Paul for reelection, especially following Paul's stellar performance in recent debates. Therefore, I find it only justified to state Obama's chances facing each legitimate, potential candidate:
Cain: 99.999%
Bachmann: 100.01%
Perry: 70%
Paul: 60% (I'm eagerly awaiting Ron's ascent into the public eye, given his being unanimously lauded across the internet community)
Gingrich: 56%
Romney: 52%
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Political Cartoon #2
2. Three primary objects are referenced: The elephant undeniably serves as representation of the Republican party, the tax plans menu functions to outline the general effort by GOP candidates to exert a flat tax that benefits America's most wealthy, contradictory to the tax plans proposed by liberals, and an obese man serving to represent the aggregation of wealthy Americans, further benefiting from conservative taxing ideology.
3. Toles again utilizes humorous caricatures with excessive features to clearly illustrate his message, asserting that America's most wealthy have benefited excessively from conservative tax plans. Numerous puns are used in his outlining of the GOP menu, incorporating candidates Herman Cain (now passed), Rick Perry (now passed), Michele Bachmann (passed approximately a year ago), Newt Gingrich (alive, despite previous popular opinion), Ron Paul (very much alive), and Mitt Romney (remains in purgatory).
4. As previously stated, the cartoon deals with the proposed conservative flat tax that would significantly benefit wealthy Americans.
5. Toles displays disdain towards Republican tax plans through his characterization of the wealthy, asserting that conservatives will do little to benefit common Americans regarding wealth distribution (I'm still debating whether they should, Paul is growing on me).
6. Toles' humorous depiction of the rich suggests a liberal standpoint, functioning to ridicule Republican taxing plans.
Mitt Romney: Was it meant to be?
Practically since the beginning of GOP candidacy declarations, Mitt Romney was foreseen to function as the party's forerunner, displaying the most promising appeal to a more moderate American base that would prove most effective in ultimately unseating president Obama. Romney holds a vast variety of attributes that benefit his chances in the public eye, such as his proven success and guaranteed understanding of the business sector, which will undeniably serve as the most prevalent issue in our coming election, and the public's general perception of Mitt as the rational and straightforward candidate. As the press has consistently referenced, recent poll results suggest that Newt Gingrich shall likely serve as Romney's final substantial opposition, and many have been quite surprised that Newt's questionable track record, including the siphoning of hundreds of thousands of dollars towards personal interest that had previously been allotted to underprivileged children.
While Romney has maintained a positive public reception in his relative rationality and general inability to undermine himself, the candidate faces strong opposition due to his supposed evolution of policy since his serving as the governor of Massachusetts. Facing agenda swaps on such significant issues as abortion and gay rights, Republicans have justifiably questioned Romney's ability to emulate their beliefs in the president's chair, looking toward Tea Party sweethearts such and Gingrich as a potential, though less assured, alternative. Additionally, Romney has recently developed an offsetting haughtiness with the press in response to his bafflement towards the rise of Newt, further cementing previous perceptions of Mitt as cold and uneasy despite his general appeal. Editors in a recent news conference voted Romney three to one, though expressed humorous interest in his inability to cement the nomination against seemingly inferior candidates. While I hold by my belief that Romney will very likely acquire the GOP nomination, and quite possibly the presidency, his behavior in upcoming debates shall be instrumental in rekindling his appeal with the general American public.
While Romney has maintained a positive public reception in his relative rationality and general inability to undermine himself, the candidate faces strong opposition due to his supposed evolution of policy since his serving as the governor of Massachusetts. Facing agenda swaps on such significant issues as abortion and gay rights, Republicans have justifiably questioned Romney's ability to emulate their beliefs in the president's chair, looking toward Tea Party sweethearts such and Gingrich as a potential, though less assured, alternative. Additionally, Romney has recently developed an offsetting haughtiness with the press in response to his bafflement towards the rise of Newt, further cementing previous perceptions of Mitt as cold and uneasy despite his general appeal. Editors in a recent news conference voted Romney three to one, though expressed humorous interest in his inability to cement the nomination against seemingly inferior candidates. While I hold by my belief that Romney will very likely acquire the GOP nomination, and quite possibly the presidency, his behavior in upcoming debates shall be instrumental in rekindling his appeal with the general American public.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Political Cartoon #1
1. This cartoon was drawn by Tom Toles for the Washinton Post.
2. I immediately gravitated towards this particular strip for both its taking advantage of presidential candidate Rick Perry's recent debate blunder and wealth of humorous, caricature depictions of the primary GOP candidates. From my own visceral knowledge, I would say the candidates read, from left to right, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney (I found his particularly funny for whatever reason), Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry himself, and I suppose Herman Cain, though it's difficult to ascertain. The cartoon essentially represents the Republican party's inability to decide upon a particular candidate in response to various candidate scandals and fluctuations in public polling. Toles adds "kind of like their governing philosophy" to reflect the GOP's growing ambiguity in specific party policy in response to growing candidate falters.
3. Toles utilizes humorous caricatures to emphasize specific visual aspects of each candidate, serving to make each clearly recognizable while reflecting a particular aspect of the individual's personality as well. The elephant clearly serves as a representation of the Republican party as a whole in response to a horse race journalist.
4. As stated, the cartoon deals with Rick Perry's recent inability to name the three institutions he would like to cut in addition to the party's constantly changing poll results and developing ambiguity in universal policies.
5. The GOP remains incredibly uncertain regarding its potential presidential candidates, and through them has faced a seeming identity crisis regarding their own policy.
6. Toles appears to be quite clearly liberal in his critical depiction of the party runners and insightful side note.
Question 1: Rick Perry
While my current perception of Perry is somewhat influenced due to my witnessing his now historical debate blunder live on national television, I'll do my best to assess his standings, policies, and efforts to appeal with the common American public. Admittedly, I feel Mitt Romney is practically guaranteed the GOP nomination, as although he has proven to occasionally lose terms with a specific ideology, his integrity remains relatively unmatched, proving successful in maintaining a strong foothold among the other candidates without proving truly noteworthy or unique in his campaign objectives.
Despite a dwindling public reception, Perry remains a priority in the media for numerous reasons that could very well result in his unexpected acquisition of the GOP candidate seat. Initially inheriting George W. Bush's seat as the "accidental" governor of Texas, Perry has proven incredibly influential in his unexpected involvement with the state's development. Perry has been able to draw from successful Texan legislation as a blueprint for widespread American development, consistently referencing the state's impressive unemployment developments. In addition, Perry's strong appeal among strong conservatives and Tea Party members cements his support from the far right in addition to widespread recognition in his governed state.
As referenced, Perry has fallen victim to numerous backlashes to his campaign, most recently his inability to properly name off three agencies he proposed cutting (Commerce, education, and that third one.) Perry's substantial conservative basis has gradually deteriorated, including his supporting a Texas law that allows the children of illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state university tuition rates. Rather unfortunately, such minuscule blunders may prove incredibly influential in the common public perception of Perry, who with Cain has witnessed the gradual rise of Newt Gingrich and prevalent steadfastness of Romney as the Republican forerunner.
Despite a dwindling public reception, Perry remains a priority in the media for numerous reasons that could very well result in his unexpected acquisition of the GOP candidate seat. Initially inheriting George W. Bush's seat as the "accidental" governor of Texas, Perry has proven incredibly influential in his unexpected involvement with the state's development. Perry has been able to draw from successful Texan legislation as a blueprint for widespread American development, consistently referencing the state's impressive unemployment developments. In addition, Perry's strong appeal among strong conservatives and Tea Party members cements his support from the far right in addition to widespread recognition in his governed state.
As referenced, Perry has fallen victim to numerous backlashes to his campaign, most recently his inability to properly name off three agencies he proposed cutting (Commerce, education, and that third one.) Perry's substantial conservative basis has gradually deteriorated, including his supporting a Texas law that allows the children of illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state university tuition rates. Rather unfortunately, such minuscule blunders may prove incredibly influential in the common public perception of Perry, who with Cain has witnessed the gradual rise of Newt Gingrich and prevalent steadfastness of Romney as the Republican forerunner.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Current Event #4: Occupy Wall Street Continues to Attract a Following
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15498098
Despite a seeming lack of direction, the occupy movement has recently escalated nationwide, prompting greater police action on controversy towards personal infringements. Protestors generally assert that the movement works primarily against unequal distribution of wealth and corporate greed, understandable given the protest's origins. The movement has escalated to such proportions that a Nashville law was enacted specifically in response, outlawing overnight camping near the state capitol, and over fifty arrests were recently reported in San Diego, sparking heightened controversy on the treatment of law-abiding protestors. Scott Olson, a protestor who suffered a skull fracture following state trooper intervention in an Oakland protest, has received widespread coverage and dedication from occupiers nationwide. While I strongly support public efforts to extend their influence in government and the economy, I do find several aspects of the protest rather irritating. The internet has been flooded with anecdotal attacks on economic inequality from the "I am the 99%" movement, and while it's certainly true that our nation faces a crisis in government reallocation of wealth and tax distribution, you can't expect a six figure salary out of a bachelors in animal studies. The promise of a respectable job following college graduation is quite simply no longer a reality, and people need to take greater consideration as to their potential career paths.
Despite a seeming lack of direction, the occupy movement has recently escalated nationwide, prompting greater police action on controversy towards personal infringements. Protestors generally assert that the movement works primarily against unequal distribution of wealth and corporate greed, understandable given the protest's origins. The movement has escalated to such proportions that a Nashville law was enacted specifically in response, outlawing overnight camping near the state capitol, and over fifty arrests were recently reported in San Diego, sparking heightened controversy on the treatment of law-abiding protestors. Scott Olson, a protestor who suffered a skull fracture following state trooper intervention in an Oakland protest, has received widespread coverage and dedication from occupiers nationwide. While I strongly support public efforts to extend their influence in government and the economy, I do find several aspects of the protest rather irritating. The internet has been flooded with anecdotal attacks on economic inequality from the "I am the 99%" movement, and while it's certainly true that our nation faces a crisis in government reallocation of wealth and tax distribution, you can't expect a six figure salary out of a bachelors in animal studies. The promise of a respectable job following college graduation is quite simply no longer a reality, and people need to take greater consideration as to their potential career paths.
Political Issue Facing Virginia
Virginia certainly faces its fair portion of political issues, but none surpass the transportation congestion plaguing much of Northern Virginia, coupled with numerous disputes regarding construction and statewide division and disagreement. Following unprecedented industrial growth in the past decade, the Washington DC area is now designated the second most congested urban area in the nation, most likely following the infamous Los Angeles. In response, man running state delegates have touted transportation restructuring as a primary issue, which is quite understandable given the state's unequal population distribution.
State delegation in Virginia has always faced a fervently ant-tax Republican majority, and thus many Northern Virginians who would gladly provide financial compensation for transportation construction have been deprived the opportunity.IN 2009, Creigh Deeds agreed to signing a bipartisan compromise that would ad transportation funding through a 5% gasoline tax and other individual expenditures that a vast majority of Northern Virginians appear to support. Facing deterioration of highways and much-needed bridge construction, metro projects simply won't provide enough compensation for Northern Virginia's dire transportation issue.
"Democratic and Republican leaders agree there is a need for about $1 billion a year in new money for transportation, Pethtel writes. But they can’t agree on whether to raise taxes, create new taxes, take money from the general fund to use for transportation purposes, sell some state facilities and put the profits into transportation, or any other alternatives."
Current proposals include setting gasoline taxes proportionally to quantity, extending sales taxes, the creation of a statewide transportation district, and creating numerous local transportation districts extending throughout Virginia.
State delegation in Virginia has always faced a fervently ant-tax Republican majority, and thus many Northern Virginians who would gladly provide financial compensation for transportation construction have been deprived the opportunity.IN 2009, Creigh Deeds agreed to signing a bipartisan compromise that would ad transportation funding through a 5% gasoline tax and other individual expenditures that a vast majority of Northern Virginians appear to support. Facing deterioration of highways and much-needed bridge construction, metro projects simply won't provide enough compensation for Northern Virginia's dire transportation issue.
"Democratic and Republican leaders agree there is a need for about $1 billion a year in new money for transportation, Pethtel writes. But they can’t agree on whether to raise taxes, create new taxes, take money from the general fund to use for transportation purposes, sell some state facilities and put the profits into transportation, or any other alternatives."
Current proposals include setting gasoline taxes proportionally to quantity, extending sales taxes, the creation of a statewide transportation district, and creating numerous local transportation districts extending throughout Virginia.
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