Article 15

Marijuana Poll: Federal Government Shouldn't Interfere With State Laws, Americans Say

December 10, 2012. This article comes from The Huffington Post and it is written by Ariel Edwards-Levy.

Summary

:The New Marijuana law of Colorado became official on December 10 and most Americans mention that the states should have rights to decide their own marijuana policy based on polling. The governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper had opposite opinion about legalizing marijuana in his state. However, he determined to sign it into law officially and he said that Colorado agencies would begin working immediately to implement the changes. According to a Gallup poll, 64 percent agreed that the federal government should not step to marijuana policy. Furthermore, a HuffPost and YouGov Poll showed same results that more than half of Americans advocated the statement that federal government should exempt adults who follow state marijuana laws from enforcement. Also 58 percent say that patients should be exempted in states where medical use is permitted for medical marijuana use.

My Opinion 

:From my point of view, I think that the state need to have their own power to establish laws or policies. The federal government should not enforce not only the state government but also the local government. In this case, even though marijuana is illegal drug, the governor of Colorado had already signed its marijuana policy into a law. It means that the state government can have their own right to decide to establish their own laws or policies. Best of all, more than half of Americans claim that the federal government should not interfere with state laws.

Article 14

Harper and visiting South Korean PM talk free trade

December 4, 2012. This article comes from CBC news and it is written by The Canadian Press.

Summary

:Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper visited South Korea in March in order to attend an international summit on nuclear security. Canada have tried to negotiate a free trade deal with South Korea. And Harper government has good relationship about negotiation with most of big economies in the world such as Europe, Japan, China, and several Asia countries under the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

However, South Korea banned imports of Canadian beef after 2003 because of mad cow disease. This dispute was the important thing that both countries should have to fix. As the prime minister of South Korea, Kim Hwang-sik, visited Ottawa to mark bilateral relationships and to discuss investment and energy issues. After having discussion, Harper's office mentioned that the two leaders underlined the importance of the Canada-Korea relationship. Also bilateral trade between two countries amounted to almost $12 billion in 2011. 

My opinion

:From my point of view, the relationship between South Korea and Canada is greatly increasing. Both of countries can gain all of benefits through the free trade policy. As South Korea has capitalist economy, they tend to free trade with other foreign nations as well as Canada also has same economic system. That's why their bilateral trade has been becoming effective and useful as time goes by. I can see that South Korea and Canada can earn or get many positive consequences by their free trade. 

Article 13

Middle East and China forge ties over oil

November 15, 2012. The article comes from CNN and written by John Defterios.

Summary

: China has established foreign policy middle East, especially with Saudi Arabia, in order to advocate China fuel its resource-hungry economy. And those two countries show their successful oil trade with the world's largest proven oil reserves. When King Abdullah took the throne in Saudi Arabia, his first foreign policy visited Beijing to meet President Hu Jintao. After six years, China's Sinopec and Saudi Aramco (countries' two state-run energy giants) made a huge oil agreement. And Khalid mentioned that we need China as much as China needs us. China began to support the Saudi economy by expanding their influences. Not only China trades with Middle East but also they expands their political alignment from BRICS partners. China continues to blaze new trails beyond the Middle East in search of strategic supplies.

My opinion

:Actually, China is one of the strongest country that is developing nowadays. China makes foreign trade agreements with many different countries. It means that their power expanded to the whole world, not only particular some countries. Af first, China and the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, traded with oil, however, now they are helping economic problems each other and other things, too. I think China will be stronger in the future as time goes by.

Article 12

Our view: Campaign finance regulations need to be addressed

November 5, 2012. The article comes from the Post-Tribune by Terre Haute

Summary
:2012 presidential election which was long and expensive process ended. Democratic party won the election so that president, Obama could run for more 4 years. For election, about more than 1 million television ads supported each candidate to citizens. Labor unions and other special-interest groups poured unlimited contributions to create and fund for their candidate by spending more than half a billion dollars. Seriously, the total campaign spending exceeds 1 billion dollars as well as $900 millions out of $1 billions were spent for attacking the rival candidate. Therefore, only a dew wealthy individuals can get essential things from the the lax campaign financing laws. So the 113th Congress need to address the United State's campaign finance regulations.

My opinion
:I think that both candidates spent a lot of money for their campaigns. Actually, they had no choice but to do their campaign to get more votes by advertising, phone calls, and door-to-door visiting. Even though the candidates have already realized that American has been suffering from debts, they just tended to spend more money for campaigning instead of saving them for paying for debts. It would be better if the next presidential candidates spend less money for campaigning.

Article 11

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Immigrant principal sets an example for students by voting

Thursday, November 7, 2012. Article comes from Los Angeles Times by Dalina Castellanos.

Summary
:The Canadian Native and educator, Yuri Hronsky had been living in the United States as a legal resident for more than a decade when he decided to be a citizen of America. His wife and three children were born in United States. Before he decided to be a citizen of the United States, he participated in Canadian elections. He did not know about the candidates of Canada. However, he knows more about he candidates and issues in U.S. than Canada. He became U.S. citizen and vote for the first time as an American citizen in this Tuesday. One of his students at the Agoura Hills Jewish day school decided to follow Yuri's journey for being a America citizen.


My opinion
:From my point of view, being a U.S. citizen legally for immigrants gives benefits for themselves as well as the government of America. As many foreign companies and workers are developing their business more bigger in America, the government gets benefits and has more power to regulate other countries' trade. Immigrants are hardworking for America, not for their original hometown. It has enough reason to allow immigrants to be a U.S. citizen legally. It helps America to walk toward to successful future.

Article 10

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Death penalty needed in society

Monday. October 29, 2012. Article comes from the THE REFLECTOR by Kimberly Murriel.

Summary

:In the United States, the capital punishment which is known as the death penalty is the one of the most serious debated issue. Some of people argue that death penalty is a constitutional and is a suitable punishment for heavy and serious criminals. Because the courts use capital punishment to discriminate against minorities and underprivileged citizens. On the one hand, others emphasize that the capital punishment is a unconstitutional and cruelty punishment as a revenge. The reason why they have opponents of capital punishment is that it is inhumane and cruel, the worst kind of punishment. Especially, the families of victims think that death penalty makes them worse and feel vengeful. However, the author's opinion if that the death penalty needs in his society because it helps people to get out of serious crimes.

My opinion

:From my point of view, I think that capital punishment should apply to only really serious crimes such as uncontrollable criminal who killed many innocent citizens and terrorists. But it should be eliminated on any kinds of misdemeanor crimes because many innocent criminals lose their lives. And it is really cruelty punishment and it steals peoples' individual right. I think that death penalty does not need in our nation and other nations, too. Criminals also have their own rights to protect themselves.

Article 9

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Time to Eliminate Political Parties?
October 25, 2012
Article comes from Flatheadbeacon by Dave Hadden

Summary
:The 2012 presidential election is coming to all Americans and the whole world. All American citizens feel that there is a lot of flaws in this year's election outcomes.The economic crisis faced to people, the government had conflicts with foreign domestic policy, and heavy debts. Therefore, the voters, all Americans are waiting for the consequence that who are going to win the election between The Republican and Democratic Party. However, it is time for Americans to work together to win America, not the different parties. As American religious traditions teach peace and reconciliation, the Republican  and the Democratic Party have to find a way to cooperate for better future of American, not fighting together. Citizens want to see that America retake the strong economy position and live happily without any problems.

My opinion
:From my point of view, I think that we need to mediate the serious situation between the Republican and the Democratic Party. Each political party tries its best to gain their own benefits because only one candidate can be a president of one nation. That's why different political parties try to make their candidate to be a president by spending more money on campaigns. But it is not important thing for Americans because they have to work together to figure out better solutions for economic crisis, unemployment, debts, and other serious issues.

Article 8

Sunday, October 6, 2012

Article comes from Euronews.

Morocco judges protest for reforms and pay rise

Summary

:A group of magistrates of Morocco organized a sit-in outside of the Supreme Court which locates in the capital Rabat. About 800 judges gathered together to demand a independent judiciary amid complaints. Because they think that they get unfair and not enough salaries for their duties. And judge Nazik Bekkal from the city of Sidi Kassem said that judges have no protection, no rights, and have miserable salaries, and even work in catastrophic conditions. That group have collected more than 2,000 signatures to reform the bill.

My opinion

:From my point of view, I think that judges of Morocco have to find their authority and power based on their position. They have been working in miserable circumstances and even get poor salaries. Even though they try their best to do their duties in their department, the national government does not advocate them well. That's why the government should change their mind to give enough salaries to judges.

Article 7

Foxnews

“Diplomats asked repeatedly for more security before Libya attack,lawmakers claim”

Article from foxnews.com. 

Summary

: U.S. diplomats in Libya asked the Obama administration for more security in Benghazi continually from September 11.  Steven and other three Americans were killed on that day by Lybia terrorist so that the diplomats provided information and evidences in order to prove how much they need more security in Lybia. However officials in Washington rejected those requests.

“HouseGOP wants State Dept. to answer for Libya security”

Article comes from cnn. and by Deirdre Walsh and Gregory Wallace

Summary

: Diplomats of the United States in Lybia requested one thing that increasing security in Benghazi. But they were rejected by the State Department, the officials in Washington. To solve this problem, the Republican demanded answers to several questions and wanted to more specific information about the serious situation throughout the letters. And government Reform committee, Chaffetz oversees the national security subcommittee (He is a top surrogate for the Romney Campaign).

Article 6

In 9/11 truce, President Obama, Mitt Romney debate role of military

September 27, 2012.By Philip Elliott, The Article Comes From Deseretnews

Summary

:Both of candidates, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, discussed whether the United States is a safer place on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The president Obama said that the war on terror under his time makes Americans are better protected. However Romney emphasized one thing that still America is in dangerous situation from terror. Also many citizens worried about their soldiers in Afghanistan because some of them lost their precious lives in other lands. Romney criticized defense cut  and he suggested that
America should end the war in Afghanistan. Also he wants to have security responsibility to protect from al-Quada's power. Both of candidates thought that terrorism and national security issues are also important problems that they have to figure out. However, most American citizens (54 percent) said the economy and jobs are more important.

My opinion

:In my opinion, I think that American soldiers who are in Afghanistan should be returned to their homeland. Because they are wasting time for saving other nations, not their own country. It means that the American government spent amounts of money for unnecessary things. There are many victims or soldiers who were killed by terrorists so that the candidates and even citizens should concern about national security, not only economic and jobs.

Article 5

RI governor, house speaker explore seizing site of 2003 nightclub fire by eminent domain

September 18, 2012

The Article comes from Washington Post.

Summary

:Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and House Speaker Gordon Fox argued that they are planning to whether the state can seize by eminent domain the site of a 2003 nightclub fire where 100 innocent people were killed. However, the families of victims and survivors have been fighting for building memorial at the site of the Feb. 20, 2003 in West Warwick. And this land is owned by a private company so that this land can be refused to sell or donate area for memorial site. Even though the citizens want to build memorial for victims, the governor and the speaker of the House just want to seize the lands lightly and emphasizing the eminent domain. And the lawyer of the Economic Development Corp. presented that the governor's legal team will decide whether the land use for public facility. 

My Opinion

:From my point of view, I think that the government should repose to this situation by building memorial site for victims and their families. Because the government did not support victims' families and even planed to use that land for public use. It should not be happened for society. There were 100 innocent people who were killed and their families have been fighting for many years to build memorial site. So the governor and the speaker of the House should try their best to comprehend citizens' feeling and try to build memorial for victims.

Article 4

Thursday, September 13rd

WHY IT MATTERS: Washington wields power in education and students feel the effects

September 12, 2012. The Article comes from Washingtonpost.

Summary

:States and local governments have primary responsibility to regulate education in the United States. However, the federal government holds too much power to control over education. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney argues that the No Child Left Behinds needs to revision. Nowadays, most Americans emphasizes that the education is an serious issue that they have to figure out. In order to compete globally, many American students pay amounts of money for higher education; however, it only leaves huge debts for students. Even though the federal government spend a lot of money, it still contains problems of accessibility, accountability and teacher quality. Obama administration determined to advocate students to speed in math and reading as well as the Republicans charged that the administration was usurping the power of Congress.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

My opinion

:From my point of view, I think that Americans need to figure out how they develop or improve their education That's why the federal government reacted to this serious problem by establishing the No Child Left Behinds Act. However, it caused some difficulties so that many students and citizens wanted to repeal or change directly. Even though many students are struggling with amounts of debt, I think U.S. government tries its best to give many chances to people to learn many things. And the next administration will be improved more and more.

Article 3

Thursday, September 6, 2012

US Government Debt Hits Record $16 Trillion

September 04, 2012

Articles come from MONEYNEWS

Summary

:The Treasury Department claimed one serious problem that national debt has approached $ 16 trillion. It showed that the debt of America tends to rise as time goes by. Therefore, Americans realized that they have to figure out something in order to better solutions for decreasing amounts of debt. And GOP vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan mentioned that Obama administration is threatening many jobs because this debt and his government always spend a lot of money for helping poor and disabled people. In this coming election, both candidates emphasizes that they will decrease the rate of debt.

Opinion

:I think that U.S. government's serious problem is debt. Even though America has lack of budget, it tends to spend money more and more. That's why the government are having hardships because of amounts of debt. I know that it is too late for the U.S. government to change those wrong policies. However, I think that next new president and his administration will alert these things into positively and successfully.

Article 2

U.S. Firms Move Abroad to Cut Tax

August 29, 2012

By JOHN D. MCKINNON And SCOTT THURM Article comes from The Wall Street Journal

Summary
:Nowadays, many big U.S, companies are moving their factories to abroad in order to cut taxes. Also they determine to move their cite for expanding the operations and geographic reach. The company, AON expected to reduce its tax rate, which average 28% over the past five years. However, the government didn't try its best to deal with the problems as well as offered better solutions. According to the companies which stay in overseas, they are satisfying something that they can pay small amount of money for taxes. Therefore, Obama administration encourages U.S. companies to stay in America, Also he emphasized that American companies should grow their power and then join the global competition. Especially, taxation advocates American business to gain best position to compete with global countries.

My opinion
:In my opinion, many huge U.S. companies have no choice but to move their places to abroad. Because  paying taxes is the most serious problem that they have to figure out. If I were the president of my own Company, I would move the factories in order to cut taxes and manage my company with small money. Obviously, it is hard for companies to pay amounts of taxes in every month or year. However, Obama administration encourages or attracts its companies to stay in U.S. I hope that this system will use effectively in the future.

Article 1

Election 2012: Do Candidates Have a Foreign Policy?

By PATRICK SMITH. Article comes fromThe Fiscal Times.

Summary

:The candidates of president of America, who are Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, are conducting their own campaign to get more votes. And the voters are expecting that new president or his government will solve domestic problems. However, the candidates think that the global policy is also important thing as well as the domestic problems for their successful future. If the government fails to control its nation, the power of global position will be decline or collapsed. Therefore, American government have no choice but to gain nothing special,but, lose many things. So voters and other people think that foreign policy is not on the election agenda. Also it is time for the United States government to take care of itself, not helping only overseas countries. U.S. government should try its best to defend people and territories. America should has to walk toward to new era. First the candidates have to work hard for their nation, then they can have opportunity to participate in global position. 

Opinion

:From my point of view, I think that America should take care of itself and its people at first. Until now, the government of United States send many soldiers to other countries instead of defending it self. Because of America tends to work and act as the world's police, they spent a lot of money for other nations. Therefore, it is time to change those wrong things and then only work for its citizens by advocating and providing many varies of choices. Obviously, if the government is not able to control itself, it never get a chance to approach the global policy. As all fathers sacrifice them for family, the government must protect or provide better choices its people. Voters want to these kinds of government and they are waiting a leader who can lead the nation effectively and successfully.