Loretta Lynch sworn in as new U.S. attorney general

Full Article

On Monday, Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the first African-American woman to serve as the nation's attorney general. Lynch is currently 55 years old and was confirmed by the Senate last week. She replaces Eric Holder, who left the position last Friday after serving as attorney general for six years. Lynch hopes to have a productive relationship with Congress.

This relates to AP Gov because it has to do with separation of powers- appointment of department heads.

I think it is good that Loretta Lynch was finally sworn in. Her approval was delayed for many weeks because of a human-trafficking law with anti-abortion measures in it that the Democrats refused to sign, and therefore the Republicans refused to approval Lynch.

Blue Bell Creameries issues recall of all products

Live Link

Blue Bell Creameries recalled all its products on Monday night after two samples of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeriosis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked Blue Bell ice cream contaminated with listeriosis to three deaths at a Kansas hospital. Five others in Kansas and Texas were sickened with the disease.

This is related to AP Government because we are currently discussing the bureaucracy, which includes the CDC and other regulatory agencies responsible for making sure products on the shelf are safe for consumption.

I agree with the CDC's and Blue Bell's decision to recall. It is important that no more risks are taken concerning the health of the consumer.

US Government Bans Intel, Nvidia and AMD From Selling High End Chips To The Chinese Government

Read more: http://wccftech.com/us-government-bans-intel-nvidia-amd-chips-china/#ixzz3XJr61FbR

In a move to curb China's ability in supercomputing, the US government has banned the sale of high-end Intel, AMD, and Nvidia CPUs to the Chinese government. Intel was preparing to ship high-end processors to China to refresh their Tianhe-2 Supercomputer as this ban developed. The US Department of Commerce barred Intel from shipping these processors, citing worries over nuclear weapons research.

We are currently learning about the powers of the US Government, and specifically the executive branch, in AP US Government and Politics.

I agree with the US government. It was most likely a good idea to ban these shipments because these computers can be used to nuclear weapons research. However, it is much more likely that they have been used or are going to be used against the US government in cyberwarfare, which is probably the reason for the ban of the sale of these computer chips.

California Democrats unveil immigration bills, jab Congress on inaction

Full Live Link

California legislative leaders unveiled new proposals to aid those in the country illegally, including offering healthcare and increasing legal protections against deportation. "Today we remind the rest of the nation that California is different." Californian legislators blasted Congress for their inaction on this matter and said this package is a reflection of the shirking of duty represented by Congress. Democrats, who have the majority, do admit, however, that many parts of the bill will not face easy passage.

This connects to AP Gov because we have discussed federalism and how states are allowed to make their own policy decisions on some things such as health care.

I do think that many parts of this bill are a good idea- including the increased legal protections against deportation, in order for these illegal immigrants to have the opportunity to become legal residents of the US and be contributing members of society.

Should the US government force citizens to vote?

Full Link

During a town hall meeting in Cleveland on Wednesday, President Obama had an idea of making voting in the United States compulsory.Obama suggested compulsory voting while suggesting ways to counteract money in politics. "It would be transformative if everybody voted," Obama said. However, according to New Hampshire's Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan, “Voting is a right to be exercised, but not forced." Mr. Scanlan says. “In a perfect world everyone would vote because it’s so important. I believe every state should strive to generate maximum voter turnout but stop short of forcing people to vote.”

This relates to AP Gov because we have talked about the abilities of the national government- as well as how they can pass laws 'necessary and proper' which could be argued to include compulsory voting.

I can see both sides. One way, having maximum voter turnout can help improve the situation in government- Congress has a very low approval rating yet nearly every incumbent is always re-elected. It can also be effective as a buffer against money in politics- advertisement doesn't influence everyone, and the more people that vote, the more likely it is that people who are voting aren't influenced by this advertisement. However, there's also the fact that sometimes, people just can't vote. They don't have the time or the ability to get to the polls. Honestly, I do not believe voting should be compulsory, I think it should be strongly emphasized as very important- but not mandatory.

'Obamacare' shrinks US uninsured by 16 mn

Live Link

The number of Americans without health insurance has dropped by 16.4 million since the Affordable Care Act took effect, the largest reduction in uninsured in four decades. The law was signed nearly five years ago, but it didn't go into effect until a little under a year and a half ago. "When it comes to the key metrics of affordability, access, and quality, the evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses and taxpayers are better off as a result," Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said in a statement. The uninsured rate among adults has dropped from a little over 20% to 13.2%.

This relates to AP Gov because we will/are talking about the jurisdictions and responsibility of both state and federal governments.

I think that Obamacare is doing a great job at what it was meant for- reducing the number of uninsured Americans to reduce the cost of insurance and healthcare for everyone, because many people would just exploit the fact that the Emergency Room at hospitals has to treat you whether you pay or not- which causes healthcare costs to rise for those who can and do pay.

Obamacare Goes to the Supreme Court

Full Article

Nearly 3 years after the Supreme Court refrained from killing Obamacare, the court is now considering a second legal challenge. This case is King v. Burwell. The case is whether the Affordable Care Act provides subsidies to everyone in the country who qualifies based on income level whether they get their insurance through a state-run exchange or an exchange run by the federal government.

This applies to AP Gov because we will discuss the power of judicial review later on in class.

If the prosecution wins this case, then those who signed up via federal exchanges (rather than state exchanges) will lose their subsidies. Most likely, these people will no longer be able to afford their insurance. I think, in this case, the inability for those who signed up via federal exchanges to recieve subsidies would be extremely detrimental to the success of the bill in helping to allow everyone easy access to affordable and quality insurance.