Friday, April 29, 2011

4. E-Commerce Taxation

E-commerce taxation is a sales tax that will collect taxes for out of states purchases. It is an issue that is difficult to resolve because, for example a buyer living in Arizona buys something from a retailer in California, Arizona cannot receive sales tax unless the seller has an office, warehouse or store in that state.I feel that if the e-commerce tax passes it will cause a huge change for the online websites that sell goods. Also popular websites such as amazon and ebay would most likely drop affiliates which will reduce the state revenue. I dont think this law should get passed because it would change so many things which would not necessarily be better for the individual states.

3. Health Care Restrictions Cost Thousands of Lives in US

Most Americans know about the new health care reform that got passed. But many including myself don't know that there are still millions of Americans lacking health care and because of it wont go into affect until 2013 people are still dying and suffering. Not only are Americans suffering but an estimated 1.46 million veterans who have served our country don't have health care which is increasing their death rate. This is a subject that the media doesn't really make public. I feel that people should be aware of such situations to know how people are being affected by this. Although I do agree that the media must sometimes censor certain things to keep the public from panicking, I don't think that its right that they keep stories of millions of Americans who struggle to receive health care.Especially when there is proof of children dying because of their lack of insurance to pay for the medical help.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

2. Is the next immigration fight over 'anchor babies'?

This article illustrates how the media keeps the public informed.It displays the possible threat of illegal immigrants someday becoming our leader of this country.The 14th amendment states that "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Since this technically states that any person born on US soil, even if the parents are illegal immigrants, they will be considered a US citizen. This article causes debate and informs the public on situations they might encounter in the future. It gives people a chance to fight for what they believe is right and gives them the opportunity to do something about it.

1. Obama's plan for renewable energy


Obama speaks in a way that makes one feel comfort. He gives a lot of information about the safety of the  American people and how the government is overlooking the oil companies for fraud or theft. This video informs the public about gas prices and the idea of renewable energy. With our new technology in energy we can buy vehicles that can save us up to $3000 a year on gas. And that our future is going to rely on renewable energy because we are going through a new era of change.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Gitlow v. New York

Benjamin Gitlow was charged with the teaching of the duty to overthrow the government. His teachings which were based on Marx and Engles Communist Manifesto violated the 1902 New York Criminal Anarchy Act. The Court ruled to keep Gitlow convicted with a 7 to 2 vote. Their decision to keep him convicted I believe was the right decision. I dont feel that its alright for an individual to try and teach people that its their duty to overthrow our government.
Although the 1st Amendment protects the freedom of speech and technically gives Gitlow the right to express how he feels over the government it may put people in danger. His teachings may cause riots to break out and therefore endangers others. Therefore "subversive speech" is not protected from government regulation.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas

This case arose when Brown appealed a collection of cases that were about black children being denied admission to segregated white public school. Even with the Plessy v. Ferguson case which ruled that the 14th Amendment doesn't protect equal facilities from being separate. But Brown brought the appeals up because there were black and white schools being equalized.
I believe that since there were schools being equalized throughout the nation it gave the perfect example and reason for change in the segregation of schools. By having separate black and white public schools it can cause individuals to feel that one race is superior to the other. Therefore the segregated school are violating the 14th Amendment because not everyone is getting "equal protection of the laws."

Gideon v. Wainwright

In 1963 Clarence Earl Gideon was found guilty for breaking into a Florida pool and having the intent to steal from it. In jail he appealed to the Supreme Court requesting a second hearing which he received. The court used it to study the Betts v. Brady (1942) case which stated that the 14th amendment didn't require the 6th amendments guarantee of counsel in criminal cases. Black's argument that every criminal who cannot afford a lawyer should receive one by the court in order to have a fair trial is very strong. Because every individual deserves a fair trial even if they cannot afford a lawyer. And from this case the courts now ruled that under the 6th amendment each individual in a criminal case who cannot afford a lawyer is now presented with one.