The United States was officially declared independent by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This independence became a settled fact after the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1783) by the United Kingdom and the United States. However, our current governmental system was not yet in place during either of these times.
For the first 13 years of the United States of America, the government was under the Articles of Confederacy. It created an incredibly weak central government, reserving most powers to the 13 states that were a part of it. The national government had no ability to raise funds directly, and most important matters could be vetoed by a single state. To say it didn't really work is an understatement.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
Politics in the United States of America: An Introduction
There are very few times in American history that have been as divided as we are now. Red states or blue states, liberals or conservatives, authoritarians or libertarians, there seems at time to almost be two nations within one, two systems of politics and "realities". How did we get here, and how do we get out? Or can we even get out of it at this point?
These are all questions I hope to answer as I write on this blog. Look, I know blogs are old fashioned, at least relative to other forms of "content" on today's Internet. But this is a much better format to get these thoughts out then polluting up people's timeline on Facebook, or creating a god-awful /500 tweet thread on Twitter that would chase away the few remaining followers. A big reason for doing this is to regularly write, to get rid of some of those thoughts swimming in my head and dragging me down. It's a way to explore our past, present, and future, while also blowing off steam about the terrible crisis we are fast approaching.
I hope you reading this will get some use out of this, and welcome discussion, whether you agree or disagree. I'm not denying any bias, but instead am honest that my approach is most definitely from a standpoint that sits on the left of the political spectrum. I welcome disagreement and arguments from you who are not, but stale talking points will likely be ignored, and nonsense will be answered with absurdity. Particularly when dealing with historical facts, I feel confident that the information I'm sharing reflects what happened as best as can be told, but if I'm clearly pulling from some apocrypha (and there's plenty of that in our "known" American history to go around) please let me know.
These posts will have a fairly linear trajectory, and will comprise three parts. Part One will be a series of posts detailing how we got here. For the first thirty-five years of the Constitutional United States of America (1789-1824) there won't be separate posts for the two main parties, but once things get going with the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs, posts will be split between different phases of the Democratic party, and its two main opponents. Third parties will be explored as well, although only within the context of the eras discussed for the other two parties. While worthy of their own exploration, third parties really only play a small role in our current situation.
Part Two will discuss the situation we currently face. This includes the global situation, and the United States current role in it. It also includes the Federal government, and the governments of our states. Finally, it includes the obstacles and threats facing the Democratic Party (and to an extent, the almost insurmountable task before Republicans who are sick of the current state of their party have before them) as we look towards the 2018 midterms, an election that is arguably one of the most crucial elections in our nation's history.
Part Three will go beyond 2018. I'll be looking at 2020, yes, but more in a bigger picture sense of how to truly move past this awful situation we currently are in. In addition, I'll also discuss how we can prevent this dangerous situation from happening again.
The next post will be kicking off part one with the establishment of the Constitution, the election of Washington, and the beginning of our partisan political system.
These are all questions I hope to answer as I write on this blog. Look, I know blogs are old fashioned, at least relative to other forms of "content" on today's Internet. But this is a much better format to get these thoughts out then polluting up people's timeline on Facebook, or creating a god-awful /500 tweet thread on Twitter that would chase away the few remaining followers. A big reason for doing this is to regularly write, to get rid of some of those thoughts swimming in my head and dragging me down. It's a way to explore our past, present, and future, while also blowing off steam about the terrible crisis we are fast approaching.
I hope you reading this will get some use out of this, and welcome discussion, whether you agree or disagree. I'm not denying any bias, but instead am honest that my approach is most definitely from a standpoint that sits on the left of the political spectrum. I welcome disagreement and arguments from you who are not, but stale talking points will likely be ignored, and nonsense will be answered with absurdity. Particularly when dealing with historical facts, I feel confident that the information I'm sharing reflects what happened as best as can be told, but if I'm clearly pulling from some apocrypha (and there's plenty of that in our "known" American history to go around) please let me know.
These posts will have a fairly linear trajectory, and will comprise three parts. Part One will be a series of posts detailing how we got here. For the first thirty-five years of the Constitutional United States of America (1789-1824) there won't be separate posts for the two main parties, but once things get going with the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs, posts will be split between different phases of the Democratic party, and its two main opponents. Third parties will be explored as well, although only within the context of the eras discussed for the other two parties. While worthy of their own exploration, third parties really only play a small role in our current situation.
Part Two will discuss the situation we currently face. This includes the global situation, and the United States current role in it. It also includes the Federal government, and the governments of our states. Finally, it includes the obstacles and threats facing the Democratic Party (and to an extent, the almost insurmountable task before Republicans who are sick of the current state of their party have before them) as we look towards the 2018 midterms, an election that is arguably one of the most crucial elections in our nation's history.
Part Three will go beyond 2018. I'll be looking at 2020, yes, but more in a bigger picture sense of how to truly move past this awful situation we currently are in. In addition, I'll also discuss how we can prevent this dangerous situation from happening again.
The next post will be kicking off part one with the establishment of the Constitution, the election of Washington, and the beginning of our partisan political system.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Another Super Tuesday in the Books
Now that the day of multiple contests is in the book, we have a clearer picture of how this year's Presidential campaign is going to shake out. In short, unless you are a fan of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, things aren't looking so good.
The Democrats are first, and the result shows how far Bernie Sanders campaign has come. Unfortunately, it also shows that time has run out for Sanders to find a viable path to the nomination. A year ago it would have been unimaginable Sanders would have beaten Clinton in one state, let alone winning five separate contests (counting his previous victory in New Hampshire). It's a real achievement his campaign has made it this far and racked up as many delegates as it had.
The Democrats are first, and the result shows how far Bernie Sanders campaign has come. Unfortunately, it also shows that time has run out for Sanders to find a viable path to the nomination. A year ago it would have been unimaginable Sanders would have beaten Clinton in one state, let alone winning five separate contests (counting his previous victory in New Hampshire). It's a real achievement his campaign has made it this far and racked up as many delegates as it had.
Monday, January 5, 2009
2008: Yes We Did
Note: I am well aware that we are now into 2009, and the conventional time for end of year reflection has ended. However, I feel it negligent on my part to let the most momentous election year of my life go without comment.
In many ways, the year 2008 was not a good year. The stock market crashed, taking many retirement accounts with it. Amongst other factors, the reckless actions of several financial institutions resulted in a severe collapse of confidence in our nations economic health, and the further compounding of growing economic woes. Employees across several sectors found themselves out of a job just in time for the holidays.
(Yes we can!)
On the world front, China flexed its muscles, giving one hell of a show at the Olympics, and further showing that we are not the only power in the world. The messes in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, although Iraq fortunately showed some signs of improvement. At the end of the year, the quagmire in the Holy Land flared up once again, and one of the most dangerous corners of the world (the Indian/Pakistani border) has flared up far too much for comfort.
(Yes we can!)
On the government front, the nation had many black eyes this year. From Ted Stevens and Eliot Spitzer, William Jefferson to Rod Blagojevich, the year was full of the worst of our political system. Many state governments teeter on the edge of insolvency, and the state of Illinois is facing two years of gridlock with a thoroughly unpopular (and dilusional) governor. To top it all off, the Republicans brought forth the inevitable result of their 40 year old anti-intellectual, anti-government, and anti-"them" strategy by nominating Sarah Palin, an exceptionally unqualified Vice-Presidential candidate. In the realm of politics it certainly was a dark ye...
(Yes we can!)
Wait, what's that noise?
(YES WE CAN!)
Don't you mean "Yes We Did!"
No matter the crap that was flung by the various campaigns, no matter how low Blago sinks, no matter how many times Republicans questioned his ability to get the "hard-workin Americans", this year will be remembered as the year of Barack Obama.
It was one hell of ride, if a bit exhausting. From the victory celebration that warmed a cold Iowa night on January 3 to the jubilant night of November 4, we witnessed a Presidential campaign for the ages. Not only did an African-American with a deeply foreign name win the presidency, he did it convincingly. He beat the vaunted Clinton Machine, and discredited the tactics of Karl Rove.
Of the many missteps and gaffes made by the Republicans in the fall campaign, the one that riled me the most was their dismissal of the role of community activism. I wonder how Rudy 9-11 and Governor Palin feel about community activisim now, after it beat the pants off of them and clearly turned the tide in North Carolina and Indiana.
But now the bands and speeches of the campaign are silent, put back in place until the 2012 election. It is 2009 now, a time to see if Obama can deliver on his amazing potential. I still have a lot of hope that he will. Our nation has had a knack of picking leaders up to the task when we have great issues facing us, and I am confident we've picked a good one. Howver, only time will tell.
In the mean time, lets look back at it again, and remember that "Yes We Did". After all, its only two weeks until Obama's inauguration.
In many ways, the year 2008 was not a good year. The stock market crashed, taking many retirement accounts with it. Amongst other factors, the reckless actions of several financial institutions resulted in a severe collapse of confidence in our nations economic health, and the further compounding of growing economic woes. Employees across several sectors found themselves out of a job just in time for the holidays.
(Yes we can!)
On the world front, China flexed its muscles, giving one hell of a show at the Olympics, and further showing that we are not the only power in the world. The messes in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, although Iraq fortunately showed some signs of improvement. At the end of the year, the quagmire in the Holy Land flared up once again, and one of the most dangerous corners of the world (the Indian/Pakistani border) has flared up far too much for comfort.
(Yes we can!)
On the government front, the nation had many black eyes this year. From Ted Stevens and Eliot Spitzer, William Jefferson to Rod Blagojevich, the year was full of the worst of our political system. Many state governments teeter on the edge of insolvency, and the state of Illinois is facing two years of gridlock with a thoroughly unpopular (and dilusional) governor. To top it all off, the Republicans brought forth the inevitable result of their 40 year old anti-intellectual, anti-government, and anti-"them" strategy by nominating Sarah Palin, an exceptionally unqualified Vice-Presidential candidate. In the realm of politics it certainly was a dark ye...
(Yes we can!)
Wait, what's that noise?
(YES WE CAN!)
Don't you mean "Yes We Did!"
No matter the crap that was flung by the various campaigns, no matter how low Blago sinks, no matter how many times Republicans questioned his ability to get the "hard-workin Americans", this year will be remembered as the year of Barack Obama.
It was one hell of ride, if a bit exhausting. From the victory celebration that warmed a cold Iowa night on January 3 to the jubilant night of November 4, we witnessed a Presidential campaign for the ages. Not only did an African-American with a deeply foreign name win the presidency, he did it convincingly. He beat the vaunted Clinton Machine, and discredited the tactics of Karl Rove.
Of the many missteps and gaffes made by the Republicans in the fall campaign, the one that riled me the most was their dismissal of the role of community activism. I wonder how Rudy 9-11 and Governor Palin feel about community activisim now, after it beat the pants off of them and clearly turned the tide in North Carolina and Indiana.
But now the bands and speeches of the campaign are silent, put back in place until the 2012 election. It is 2009 now, a time to see if Obama can deliver on his amazing potential. I still have a lot of hope that he will. Our nation has had a knack of picking leaders up to the task when we have great issues facing us, and I am confident we've picked a good one. Howver, only time will tell.
In the mean time, lets look back at it again, and remember that "Yes We Did". After all, its only two weeks until Obama's inauguration.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Campaign Commercial Corner: As Minnesotan as Lutefisk, Dontchaknow?
Although I hope Al Franken kicks Norm Coleman out of his Senate seat, I do have to give his campaign credit for this. It is pretty funny, although possibly not in the way they intended.
(BTW, this ad is in response to the speculation about the digital insertion of Norm's wife in this ad.)
Of course, the biggest thing I get from both that ad, and this ad by Gordon Smith:
Is that it certainly isn't cool to stand by President Bush this year. In fact, it is pretty crazy that Smith would have an ad touting his ability to work with Senator Obama. I guess John McCain really is a maverick for sticking by all those policies that Bush has supported.
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