The Case Against Affirmative Action

The Case Against Affirmative Action

Summary

Focusing on Stanford, Affirmative Action has both helped and hindered the notion of racism. Stanford does acknowledge the fact that a truly color-blind world would be based on merit but that's not how it works in today's world, "Perhaps the most tragic side effect of affirmative action is that very significant achievements of minority students can become compromised." This is saying that even though a student may have outstanding success, that may be overlooked due to their race. Stanford admissions mentions a "diversity matrix" and how every action can be twisted to constitute racism.

Stanford University

Analysis

I agree with the claim that no matter which student gets accepted, there will always be someone to find something wrong with it. I believe that students should be accepted solely based on merit and if they happen to be a minority, it's an added plus. With this in affect, a school may not get the "diverse" label it wants but it will have the most qualified students attending. Affirmative Action was created to bring past injustices towards different races forward and to try to "repay" them back. Even with this in mind, many naysayers feel that Affirmative Action creates "favoritism" and promotes racism. Although not all responses were positive, Affirmative Action was a step in the right direction towards racial equality. 

Comic depicting who gets the blame for other students not being accepted into their choice school

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Chicago’s Racist Cops and Racist Courts

Unit 4: The Judicial System
May 3, 2016

Chicago's Racist Cops and Racist Courts

 

Summary

Not only is Chicago's police system corrupt but so are their federal district courts. Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve writes about her personal experiences within Cook County's police system and judicial courts inner workings. She says that the police "spoke in overtly racist ways in court, mocked defendant’s black-sounding names or used bastardized Ebonics to imitate the voices of defendants, families and victims." When the police file their reports after an arrest including drugs, the phrases "fell out of their pocket" as the defendant "fled on foot" were common sayings that appeared. It became obvious that the police violated the 4th Amendment and judges felt no concern what so ever on this matter.

A Chicago police car

Analysis 

All of these criminal cases have reason to be brought up to appellate courts as judges are not upholding the Constitution. The judges are aware of police perjury in Chicago as well, "In my interviews with judges and prosecutors, they willingly admitted that police perjury was part of the culture of the court system in Cook County. Twenty of the 27 judges I interviewed said that police perjury occurred, six did not directly respond, and only one said that it did not occur." If judges are aware of the injustices occurring in the city, why do they stand by and let it happen?

A map of Cook County

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A New Team Helps Steer Restaurateurs Through a Thicket of Red Tape

Unit 4: Bureaucracy
April 18, 2016

A New Team Helps Steer Restaurateurs Through a Thicket of Red Tape

Summary

New York is known for their many restaurants and eateries but what does it take to start a restaurant? The answer to that question includes "11 city agencies, often with conflicting requirements; secure 30 permits, registrations, licenses and certificates; and pass 23 inspections." Sohair Botros, a city employee changed that by helping restaurateurs fill out applications and pass inspections. Sohair Botros was sent as part of the New Business Acceleration Team in New York. This team is focused on helpings "restaurateurs through a bureaucratic maze that is generally more complex than what is required for any other kind of entrepreneur."

 Eataly- A restaurant who benefited from New York's new team

Analysis

Bureaucracies are described as being full of complicated procedures and rules and New York is no exception. Restaurants have to follow regulations by filing and filling out countless applications and passing several inspections let alone apply for a liquor license. Now, restaurateurs have help to sort through this red tape. Restaurants are part of what completes the New York atmosphere but federal bureaucracy rules make it difficult to start one. Due to this new program, new restaurants have been opening 10 weeks ahead of schedule.



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Obama attending a meet-and-greet with former inmates

March 31, 2016
Unit 4: The Executive Branch

Obama Commutes Sentences for 61 Convicted of Drug Crimes

Summary 

President Obama is granting clemency to prisoners convicted of drug crimes from the 1990's war on drugs era. Sentencing during the war on drugs was harsher and since then the minimum punishment has become less excessive. Obama has described past sentencing as "unduly harsh, unfair to minorities and badly outdated," and that he believes "America is a nation of second chances, and with hard wok, responsibility, and better choices, people can change their lives and contribute to our society." So far, President Obama has pardoned a total of 248 inmates and wants to help them become a part of the community. The President also met with former prisoners at the restaurant Busboys and Poets (I've eaten there!), “You’ve got folks around this table who are now attorneys,” Mr. Obama said. “They’re raising children, getting married.”

A mother with a photo of her son who has been granted an early release

Analysis

Part of President Obama's policy agenda was to release those who were punished too severely and give them a chance to re-enter society. By exercising his right to grant pardons, he is giving many citizens a second opportunity which they are extremely grateful for. Other inmates have requested clemency but they will not be accepted due to the violence of their crime or they haven't served enough years in prison yet. 

 

Representative Steve Scalise (Republican)

Rep. Steve Scalise was recruited to run for Congress to replace Quentin D. Dastugue’s seat which he won in 1995. He supports the reduction of state sales tax on food and utilities in return for a higher state income. He also serves on subcommittees such as Communications and Technology, Energy and Power, and Oversight and Investigations which are all part of the Committee of Energy and Commerce. In 2011, he was a co-sponsor of the Stop Online Piracy bill but voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013. His biggest political contributors are the American Medical Association and Protect America Today.

Encrypt Act of 2016
Rep. Scalise would not support this act due to his contributions to the Communications and Technology subcommittee which stands for cyber security, privacy, and date security. As this bill refers to the case of Apple refusing to surpass their own security system on iPhones to give police access, security is a vital part to everyday life with technology everywhere. 

Aviation Innovation 
If this bill was enacted, it would take away the careers of 30,000 air traffic controllers which is against Rep. Scalise's ideal of employing the American people. This bill would be "subjecting the system to economic downturns and financial hardships," totally refuting Scalise's goal of supporting American families and businesses.

Sentencing Reform Act of 2015
Rep. Steve Scalise would also not support this bill because he believes ensuring the safety of families with a strong and powerful security. By reducing prisoners' sentences, it interferes with Scalise's belief of increasing security and "ensuring that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies have the tools and support needed to protect families in Louisiana and throughout the United States."

March 1, 2016
Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

American Independents Movement: Fewer Identify with Political Parties

 

Summary

Party de-alignment is becoming more popular these days as more and more voters (39%) identify as independents. This shift is led by young voters but they still lean Democratic and can be considered "the strongest generation for Democrats" based on how they're voting. The main cause in this deviation from the main two political parties is due to the level of distrust people have in their government. Recent Gallup polls show record low levels of people's confidence in state government. 

Bernie Sanders

Analysis

As the number Hispanics, Asian-Americans, the non-religious, and those with college degrees increases within the population, so does the Democratic vote. On the other hand, whites, the silent generation and white evangelical Protestants numbers decrease within the population bringing down the Republican vote. In today's current election, Bernie Sanders is an independent candidate running for the Democrat vote. In the future, a candidate from an independent party could have the chance of becoming the president.


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February 21, 2016
Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Illinois Residents Least Confident in Their State Government

Summary

Only 25% of Illinois residents have confidence in their government. Although Illinois has the lowest confidence percentage, less than 40% of the residents of Rhode Island and Connecticut have belief in their state government either. Through the use of other Gallup polls, a link has been found between state population and low political efficacy. The more populous a state is, the greater the chance of a negative public opinion about their state government. Illinois has had a long record of distrust in their government due to the amount of political corruption found in government officials.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (since 2015)

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple (since 2010)

Analysis  

One of the main reasons Illinois has such a low confidence percentage is because the state governor and legislature are of different political parties and are thus stuck in a political gridlock. Illinois has had stability in the sense of not trusting their government in the past up until now. Depending on how someone was politically socialized, it affects their political values and beliefs. This relates to the connection between state population and government trust. Residents of less populous states are going to have different factors shaping their ideas rather than more populous states. North Dakota has the highest confidence in their state government at 81% and there are many differences between the two states let alone politics.



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February 9, 2016
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings & Federalism

Missouri bill would revoke scholarships if student-athletes strike 

Summary  

Tim Wolfe

In the case of the Missouri Tigers athletics team (University of Missouri), state legislator is proposing a bill that would violate their rights. The bill would retract athletes' scholarships if anyone "calls, incites, supports or participates in any strike." There have been hunger strikes and protests for the resignation of president Tim Wolfe due to the dislike of his office's reaction to the handling of racial discrimination complaints. Football players refused to play or eat until Wolfe resigned which he did on Nov. 9. Several bills have been proposed in response to the unrest at the University of Missouri. 

Analysis 

The Bill of Rights and Constitution are documents defending everyone's personal unalienable rights. As the University of Missouri tries to get support for this bill, they come close to violating the students' right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. The school does acknowledge this by stating, "The issue really is, they can have the freedom of speech (when they) like or don't like something on campus, but if they're going to receive state money, there are going to be ramifications." The term "state money" refers to the scholarships students are receiving. Scholarships work similar to categorical grants, as the school gives students money, the students should obey school guidelines to continue receiving money. The school board believes that if students accept this money they should not back-lash against the school. Even if the bill did pass, a majority of students and student-athletes say they will continue to protest as it is their born right. Regarding these bills, legislative session was held on Jan. 6.


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