Post 2: Congress, the president & the budget showdown

The federal government is about to run out of money.  If Congress doesn't pass and the president doesn't sign a continuing resolution which gives the federal government money to continue to operate by September 30th there will be a government shutdown.

As you know the House of Representatives is controlled by the Republicans and the Senate and the White House are controlled by the Democrats.  In order for a continuing resolution to be passed it would need bipartisan support.  Some members of the Republican Party are using the tight timeline to push for something they have long wanted - the defeat of the Affordable Care Act (ie. Obamacare).

A lot of political commentators are speculating on the upcoming showdown.  You will join your voice in this national debate:

• Do you agree with the strategy of some Republicans to use this showdown as an opportunity to try to defund the Affordable Care Act ?
• If there is a government shutdown who should get the blame - the Republicans or the Democrats and why?  
• Do you think a government shutdown is or is not a responsible outcome from this showdown?

Please post your answer with a minimum of 3 sources backing up your argument.  See me for help if you are having trouble finding articles you can use.  Please cite your research and integrate your citations into your argument.

If you need an introduction to this topic I suggest this article from the Washington Post.

This post is due on Friday, September 27th.

Response to Post #1

Due Friday, September 20th

Please pick someone to respond to from last week on the question concerning whether the US should attack Syria.  Your choices include:
- a classmate from either period 5 or 6
- President Obama (read his 9/10 speech's transcript)
- Russian President Putin (read his editorial in the New York Times)

Your response should be at least 1 paragraph long.  It should be clear WHO you are responding to and what specific point they made that you are addressing.  Your post can agree or disagree with their argument.  Your response must include a MINIMUM of one source. 

Remember to attack the argument and NOT the person.

Please post your response on this thread and not on the old one.  Thanks.

Post 1 for 2013!

Please answer the following prompt by class time on Friday, Sept 13th. Your answer should be well explained and use sources to support your argument. You are expected to cite your sources but you are not required to use MLA formatting. Please include links to internet source. Your goal is to use at least 3 sources in your post. Please proofread before posting. Your post will be read by me, your classmates, and even potentially others. :) A great place to look for arguments you might want to use is the opinion section of any major newspaper.  See me if you need help researching or writing your post. I look forward to reading what you have to read.

The US Congress will vote soon whether to give the president the authority to conduct military strikes on Syria. If you were a member of the Congress would you vote yes or no to authorize the president's plan and why? 

If you watch the Congressional debate(s) on CSPAN on this for your government observation paper you can use them as a source for this as well.

If you need background considering the topic I would recommend the following resources to familiarize yourself with the situation in Syria:

• BBC: The BBC has put together a page with articles on Syria & key background
• From the Washington Post "9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask" See me if you need more help
• From PBS "Your Cheat Sheet to the Syrian Conflict"
• From NPR "Which Bad Syria Option Do You Prefer"

Please don't use the articles I recommended as your own research.  You still need your own research.  Thanks.

Note:  you will be graded on how & whether you back up your opinion with evidence.  You will NOT be evaluate on your opinion.