American Institutions
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Five Critical Questions: North Korea and DenuclearizationThe recent politically relevant news I found intriguing was in regards to North Korea’s denuclearization.
How was the decision reached? It hasn’t been reached. Kim Jong Un said that he would no longer create nuclear weapons, but evidence shows otherwise. The articles, in review, have stated that more facilities have been scoped out and have grown. Kim Jong Un has since then offered to allow an American Burger Joint to commence in North Korea, creating possibly good will/good intentions with U.S. relations. Qui bono (or who benfits?) The world benefits, especially the United States, South Korea and Japan which were likely the most threatened. North Korea could benefit if Kim Jong Un allows for a Western burger franchise to be developed in North Korea, causing economic growth. North Korea could also be deceptive and benefit from being left alone to make their weapons. Why/ what is the evidence? There is no unequivocal evidence that they are trying to deceive the U.S. At one junction during talks with Korea, Trump mentioned that North Korea was blowing up four of its larger test sites and ‘total’ denuclearization processing had begun. However, officials have stated otherwise, and that there was no evidence these actions had taken place since the summit. How does asking these questions affect your approach to the issue on the news story? In an effort to understand the information that is being presented, by asking these questions, I am not just excepting the information placed before me. The questions are a cue to consider and weigh the facts and to delve deeper into the presented information. Is there sufficient information in the articles to answer your questions, if not what additional information would we need to answer the questions. There seems to be an argument whether N. Korea is actually shutting down its nuclear program. Given the information provided it is unclear what the intentions of N. Korea are; supporting Western burger franchises or denuclearization. The information needed to settle the question of denuclearization would be the need for Satellite imagery providing alternate evidence. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/02/signs-of-activity-at-north-korea-nuclear-facilities.html https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/if-north-korea-denuclearizing-why-it-expanding-nuclear-research-center-n887056 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kim-jong-un-north-korea-denuclearization-by-end-trump-term-south-korea-says/ Political Ads: Nixon v. McGovernI chose to review the Nixon 1972 political ads.
During his “Nixon Now More Than Ever” campaigns before becoming president 1972 he had the most extensive popular vote margin finalizing his campaign for U.S. Presidency. Possibly a reason for this was the 26th Amendment lowering the voting requirement to 18 from 21 adding an additional 11 million voters. One of Nixon’s campaign ads against McGovern made him a flip-flopper titled “McGovern Turnaround”. The focus was, I believe to utilize the categories of the Backfire and Spin tactics appearing to make McGovern undecided on many varied subjects to the legalization of Marijuana, and what should be done in regards to the subject of busing or anti-busing. These tactics could be utilizing how McGovern felt he was wrong and changed his position in favoring one set of interests over another. The ad even without vocally mentioning Nixon’s name appeared to make him a wise and stable choice for President. In review, Nixon’s ads made use of the varied type of campaigns that appealed to varied audiences some targeting those new legal voters mentioned above. His ads weren’t narrowed to just a small loyal demographic audience. |
Campaign Finance: Senate and House of RepresentativesCampaign Finance Discussion
2016 Senate race financing Mike Lee (R) received funds from small/large contributions and PAC contributions to his race in 2016 close to a total of six million campaign dollars. Zero of that was self-financed. Misty Snow (D) received small/large contributions and PAC contributions totaling $76,686. She self-financed 1.56% of her campaign, and Stoney Fonua (I) campaign fund information is not available. 2018 Senate race financing Mitt Romney (R) has received so far small/large contributions of $5,144.270, zero of that is PAC contribution or self-financed. Whereas, Jenny Wilson (D) both large and small contributors, as well as, PAC totaling $909,735 in which zero is self-financed by her. House of Representatives (2016) race financing Chris Stewart (R) largest industry contributor-Oil & Gas $92,500 and Lobbyists came in second $47,220 Charlene Albarran (D) largest industry contributor-Retired $16,395 and second was Misc. Finance $5,300 House of Representatives (2018) race financing Chris Stewart (R) largest industry contributor-Oil & Gas $72,000 and Defense Electronics second $41,750 Shirleen Ghorbani (D) largest contributor-Dem/Lib $56,588 and Electronics Mfg. & Equip. $29,088 Jan Garbett (3) largest contributor-Real Estate at $10,750 What do you find interesting about the money sources in these races? That OpenSecrets.org describes how much funding is provided by business, ideological, labor and miscellaneous interests, as well as the Geography data of in state and out of state contributions. An example is the Mia Love and Ben McAdams analysis chart. Ben McAdams (D) received 74.5% in state and 25.5% out of state funding. Where Mia Love (R) in state 15.0% and 85.0% out of state funding. OpenSecrets states, that generally members of Congress receive their campaign contributions from their (Home District – industries) and interest groups based in Washington that are attuned to committee assignment (members in Congress). Do the overall money totals for incumbents and challengers fit patterns described in the packet? Some similarities can be compared from OpenSecrets information to the patterns described i.e., where the contributions come from (Interest Groups), loan made my candidate, and the percentages of contributions. However, it is difficult to find the increasing self-funding by the candidates. For example, OpenSecrets information implies Mitt Romney has funded zero percent to his campaign so far. Term Limits |
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