Post 3: Due 10/9

This week we're covering the world of campaign finance.  Since the Citizens United v. FEC decision this issue has become a hot button issue for some.

Read this article on the proposals some candidates have offered on campaign finance and do some independent research on campaign finance.  Then answer the prompt below:

What do you think of the current rules on campaign financing in national elections?  Should they be changed?  If so how?  If not, why?

Please post by class on Friday, October 9th.

This article:  http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/09/09/npr-reality-check-on-campaignfinance-reform-it-would-be-difficult-and-slow

Info about the 2016 Presidential election & the money the candidates have raised so far:

http://www.fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/election-2016-campaign-money-race.html

http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/28/434708855/charts-2016-presidential-campaign-finance-fundraising

Post 4 - Due 10/11

Due Friday, 10/11

You might be wondering if you get to take the week off because the federal government is shut down, but HA one branch is still highly functional (as in they get work done) even though they aren't being paid - the US Supreme Court!

This week the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission while we are learning about campaign finance in class!  This case will further establish what is legal post- Citizens United v. FEC.

Your task is to answer the following questions in your post and to have specific data from federal elections post-2008 to back up your claims. 

• Do you think that there should or should not be a limit on how much an individual can give to an individual candidate in an election cycle? (This is the central question the Court is answering in McCutcheon v. FEC)
• Are Super PACs becoming too powerful?  (This is what changed in the political landscape after Citizens United v. FEC.)
• To what degree does the role of money in federal elections concern you?

You should have at least 3 articles back up your claims.  Please do not rely on articles or resources I gave you.  See me if you need help.  

Respond to Post #3

Please respond to the super PAC post by Friday, 2/10. Please use new articles to support your post. There are a lot of developments - including Florida - on this issue of super PACs which should be included in your response.

I look forward to reading your posts. Thanks.

Post #3: Due Friday 1/27

After the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United decision many predicted that "super PACs" were going to destroy American elections. There has already been a lot of super PAC money in this presidential election and a lot of speculation on its impact in the Republican primary race.

Research the role of "super PACs" in this presidential election. If you need a place to start go to opensecrets' list of super PACs. You can use the names of the super PACs to help guide your search. Then answer the following questions in your post:

What are the positives and negatives of super PACs in the presidential race? Do you think they play an overall positive or negative role in helping the voters make an educated decision on who they should vote for?

I look forward to reading your posts. Please post ON TIME. Thank you.

Term 3: Post 1

The Supreme Court this month made a landmark decision regarding campaign finance right as we are discussing campaigns and right as we are transitioning to the topic of courts. How nice of them, right? Please read up on the Court's new ruling. I have included some articles below because it is no longer on the front page. In your post please address the following questions:

-What will the short and long term impacts be of this decision? What will candidates, parties, interest groups, and Congress do in response to this ruling? Will it improve or hurt the way American elections occur?
-Do you a agree or disagree with the Court's ruling and why? If you disagree, what do you think the Court should have ruled and why? (Keep in mind the Court's precedents and the First Amendment).

Post due on Tuesday, February 2nd by 7pm.

Welcome back and lets have a great term together! M. Aby

The Supreme Court removes important limits on campaign finance
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104482_pf.html

Supreme Court rejects limits on corporate spending on political campaigns
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104866_pf.html

High court shows it might be willing to act boldly
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012101724_pf.html

Citizens United used 'Hillary: The Movie' to take on McCain-Feingold
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012103582_pf.html

Campaign Finance Ruling: Hard To Reverse
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122843894

Honest Ads May Be Byproduct Of Landmark Ruling
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122843898

A Century Of U.S. Campaign Finance Law
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121293380