We Can See the Finish Line

"The road ahead is a long stretch but we can see the finish line. When this debate begins on the floor, the differences will be clear to the American people. Our plan saves lives, saves money and saves Medicare,"

- Harry Reid

The Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, needs 60 votes to end the debate on the healthcare reform bill. A majority of 51 senators already support the bill, but according to the rules you need 60 votes to end the debate as well. The Democrats have to overcome the fillibustering that will come from the Replublicans and those modorate Democrats. Reid has four ways to go around the needed 60 votes inorder for the bill to pass.

1. Reconciliation
The 1974 Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act allows bills that relate to the budget to pass without fillibustering. Reconciliation is a procedure that only requires a majority of 51 to pass a bill. The healthcare reform bill has to do a lot with federal spending and is entitled for reconciliation but might have to be broken up into two separate parts.
2. The Nuclear Option
Reid can call a "constituional option" and prevent the Republicans from fillibustering and pass the bill with a majority of 51.
3. Locking the Doors
Fillibustering is thought of as a long speech going on for hours and hours, but a modern fillibuster can be as simple as a roll call forcing every senator to get up and speak. Reid can lock the doors and force every senator to be present so no roll call is needed.
4. Throwing out the Rule Book
At the start of a new session in congress a majority can enact a new set of rules for the senate. The rules can get rid of fillibusters and closed votes.

There is still hope for the Democrats and all Americans. This country has waited far to long for a universal healthcare that will benefit all. Like Reid stated "we can see the finish line". The end is almost here. Good Luck Mr. Reid!

http://www.congress.org/news/2009/11/24/four_ways_around_the_60vote_rule

http://reid.senate.gov/

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoon:An opinion of a person's views on a certain political issue. Helps us learn and become more aware of controversial issues. Its a visual version of an editorial.  

The Obama administration is caught in a struggle. The Republican party is strongly against the HEALTH CARE

 REFORM. They don't want to help illegal immigrants nor citizens. The bill passed in the House of Representative, now we are just hoping that the Republican party does not filibuster during the debates. 

The recession has put a hold on immigration. Many people are even moving back to their native countries. The unemployment rate has reached 10.2%  this month. This country doesn't even have enough jobs to em

ploy people with Masters or PHD'S. It looks like the American Dr

eam is in jeopardy.  

California is in debt. There has been major budget cuts in the last few months. There is not enough jobs for anyone. But the cuts have affected the public school system the most. Many teachers were laid off causing classroom sizes to increase. The LAUSD for example has struggled so much to increase graduation rates and test scores. They have now taken steps back by increasing the classroom sizes.  

Democrats in Trouble

The unemployment rate has reached the double digits. Employers cut 190,000 jobs in October alone. The rate is at 10.2%, it has not been this high since the 80's. The unexpected increases surprised many because they anticipated about 175,000 job cuts last month. The rise in unemployment can bring major psychological effects as well as potentially significant consequences in Washington. The Democratic party is in trouble. Many people are wondering where the jobs are that were promised by the $787-billion economic stimulus. In January the Obama administration stated that unemployment would reach 8% this year if the stimulus packet passed. The Democrats continue to fall short. Many people are worried if Obama will bring economic growth to this nation. I feel like it's to soon to tell, but measures must be taken. If unemployment rates continue to rise we might end up in a Second Great Depression. Many families are depending on the Obama administration to bring about change. These families still have HOPE in him.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-unemployment7-2009nov07,0,5935198.story

The New Political Force in LA

Asian Americans have arrieved with a new political force in the Los Angeles County. A new survey realeased on Tuesday proves that a mobilization campaign targeting the fast-growing but underrepresented Asian American community worked to increase voter turnout in the 2008 general election. Voter turnout increased 39%; the highest it has ever been in the history of Los Angeles County. In the 2000 presidential election 211,000 Asian Americans voted and in 2008 293,000 voted. The survey also shows that 63% of them supported OBAMA for president and 90% of them showed support for universal healthcare. Low voter turnout is not common in the Asian community; but minorities make up more than half of the population in Los Angeles County, were three out of 10 voters are people of color. A mobilization campaign worked to increase voter turnout amongst the Asian American community. Why can't it work for minorities? Latinos are the fastest growing minority in the nation. We should have a say in how this country runs. Not only that, but we should be running for offices as well.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-asian-voters28-2009oct28,0,2351355.story

Don't mess with TEXAS!

In the past three years the Dallas, Texas police department has given 37 no-English citations. It's such a shame that a state with the diversity that Texas has is responsible for such prejudice and intolerance acts. Latinos make up 44% of the 1 million residents and nearly 45 percent speak a language other than English in Dallas. On Oct. 2, Ernestina Mondragon was pulled over by Officer Gary Bromley. She was pulled over for making an illegal U-trun and cited for not carrying her licence and for not speaking English. Mondragon was in a hurry that morning. Her 11 year old daughter missed the school bus, causing her to be to distracted and accidently forgetting her purse. The officer asked her is she spoke English she stated "I speak a little and understand it" She also stated in an interview that,"I felt humiliated. Sad, I wanted to cry but I couldn't. The anger wouldn't let me." The court staffers were really confused and puzzled with the charges and dismissed the "non-English" ticket and driver's license citation after Mondragon presented her license. She spoke out about her unjust treatment and was surprised to hear about the other 37 citations. She is glad that she spoke out because now Dallas police will not give commercial drivers tickets for being unable to speak English. Although this might have all been misunderstadings of a law, Mondragon and her family are considering a law suit. The federal law requiring drivers of commercial vehicles to speak English was misapplied to local drivers of private vehicles. And the officers and their commanders are under investigation now.

http://news.aol.com/article/dallas-police-cite-drivers-who-dont/735298#

'Yes, we can'

Obama's campaign slogan was 'Yes, we can'. Activist of gay rights meat at Washighton D.C to urge President Obama to keep his promises. Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBTQ Community) marched all through the nation's capital last sunday. With a forcefull call to equality. The marchers stoped in front of the white house waived rainbow flags, chanted, "Hey, Obama, can't you see? We demand equality,", and echoed Obama's slogan,"Yes, we can. Si, se puede". It all lead to a rally. They had speakers such as: NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, Daniel Choi, an Iraq veteran facing discharge for stating his sexual orientation, Babs Siperstein, a transsexual member of the Democratic National Committee, and Lady Gaga. They are all part of the LGBT Community that can no longer wait for the president to keep his promises. He has promise to over turn the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" and the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Civil rights and Gay rights are strongly linked because people must participate in political forms to open the eyes of elected officials. We are all from the same nation, womb, and human race. I don't understand how poeple can deprive others from the pursuit of HAPPINESS. All Americans should understand and support the LGBT community in their efforts because we were all deprived rights once. Remember we live in a democracy! Government for the people by the people.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gays-rally12-2009oct12,0,6043274.story

Where I Fit on the Political Spectrum

Liberal

n. One who is generous; 

one who favors greater freedom in

political or religious matters.

LIBERAL

Suggests one free from 

prejudice or narrow thinking.

Ant.-Stingy, mean, bigoted, 

or conservative. 

I most closely resemble the Liberal group.  They make up 17% of Americans.  They hold the largest share in the Democratic Party.  This group is the most secular, against war, and have the most liberal views on social issues. They are also strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration. Liberals defining values are: good diplomacy, pro-choice, equal protection for the LGBTQ community, environment protection, immigrants, and labor unions.  My results resemble this group because of the world I'm coming from. My parents both immigrated to United States at very young ages with the hope to provide a better tomorrow for their family.  I'm president of the Environmental Club.  Therefore I strongly treasure the planet we live in and try to help it breath every chance I can.  I'm a big peace promoter. I strongly disagree with WAR.  Military force can't prevent terrorist attacks.  We are all human beings.  We are being  hypocrites by not giving the LGBTQ community equal protection under the 14th Amendment.