QOD- Debate- Fri Oct 5

QOD- Debate- Fri Oct 5

What is the Democratic spin on the outcome of the debate?

What is the Republican spin on the outcome of the debate?

What seems to be the general consensus among journalists about the debate?

What impact do you think this first debate will have?

Student's Response...

QOD- Debate- Thu Oct 4

QOD- Debate- Thu Oct 4....

What was a plus for Romney in the debate?

What was a plus for Obama in the debate?

Either of them make any critical mistakes?

Best line of the night?

Who do you think came out ahead?

QOD-The Economy- Wed Oct 3

QOD- Economy- Wed Oct 3

Economically, how is a "stimulus" package supposed to work?

Economically, how is reducing taxes supposed to work to benefit the economy?

QOD- Polls Accurate?- Tue Oct 1

QOD- Polls Accurate?- Tue Oct 1....

Who is claiming the present polls are wrong?

What is their arguement for the polls being wrong?

Student's Response....

QOD- Polls- Mon Oct 1

QOD- Polls- Mon Oct 1

What do present polls show for the overall, national vote for President?

What do present polls show for the "battleground states?"

Student Response's....

Visit to Knox

Register-Mail Look at Our Class

Local historian, Owen Muelder talks to our class
on our visit to Knox Collge.

Nice article in the Register-Mail on our class....

 

GHS poli sci students sharing views on election through blog

 

By JOHN PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

 

GALESBURG —

If you’ve heard that younger voters — or soon-to-be voters — are apathetic, you haven’t had a chance to talk with the students in Evan Massey’s poli sci 368 class at Galesburg High School.
However, everyone can read what class members are writing about politics, elections and the upcoming presidential race in particular as they blog about the elections of 2012 at http://ghspolisci368.blogspot.com/.

Issues or Non-Issues?

Issues or Non-Issues?

 

Candidates bring up a variety of topics during the campaign. It is often difficult to tell what the meaning of some of these topics:

·         Real issues?

·         Minor issues?

·         Ways of examining character of the candidates?

·         Revealing a candidate’s values?

·          Clever sound bites?

·         Distractions from the real issues?

 

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

The debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephan Douglas were held in 1858, for the campaign for the US senate. The debates were held at seven sites in Illinois, one of them include at Knox College in Galesburg. Lincoln wasn’t as popular as Douglas was, but during that arguments Lincoln stated that the United States wouldn’t survive as a half slave, half non-slave county. The debate at Knox College was on the east side of South Street between Cedar and South Cherry streets and was the site of the original debate. It is the only remaining; original building that is still stating that the debates took place at. Douglas beat Lincoln for the seat at Senate, but in 1960 Lincoln ruled over Douglas for the Presidency.

Political History Reports

1948 Election

     In 1948 the presidential election between Dewey and Truman was held. Everyone across America was sure that Dewey would win, its said only Truman believed he would win and be re-elected. All the polls predicted Dewey was far ahead in the lead, including George Gallup's organization. Roper was so sure that he ceased polling in September. Even a poll asking how good of a job Truman had been doing said only 36% of people thought he was doing good as president. However, the polls proved wrong and president Truman was re-elected for another term. He beat Dewey 49.6% to 45.1%. Most likely the polls were wrong since their main source was the telephone, like it is today, and then it was still rare to be able to afford a phone. Therefore, only the rich mostly answered polls.
     Because of the error many papers and magazines published with headlines of Dewey winning. A famous picture shows Truman holding the Chicago tribune with the title "Dewey defeats Truman". This just added to the embarrassment of being wrong.
     The 1948 polling error is the main example used that polls aren't always right. This massive error in election history has taught America that only the election day really matters. Polls should be used more generally as a guideline.
     It showed to not give up hope even if the polls say there is none, and to not take it easy if your the one winning. Dewey had a low-key campaign due to overconfidence. So Truman took advantage of that and ran his campaign the best he could despite the overwhelming polls.
     the 1948 polling error showed to not completely trust polls. Polls can easily be miscalculated or subjected to just one group. Polling organizations have also tended to be more careful at how they go about it.

- Karisa

QOD- Good & Bad- Fri Sept 28

QOD- Good & Bad- Fri Sept 28

Based on Mr.Hawes look at the history of government programs....

What would be three examples of effective government programs in your mind & why do you consider them effective?

What would be three examples of ineffective government programs in your mind & why do you consider them ineffective?

What is your verdict- government too big or government help needed?

Student's Response....

QOD- Government- Thur Sept 27

QOD- Government- Thur Sept 27

Many criticize government for having gotten too big. Government spends a lot of money.

What are the top ten items in terms of government spending in it's yearly budget? And how much does it spend on each item?

Student's Response....

QOD- AARP- Wed Sept 26

QOD- AARP- Wed Sept 26

What is AARP?

What are the issues of most concern to them?

Why was Ryan not warmly received at their convention?

Student's Response....

AARP stands for the American Association of Retired Persons. AARP members are the most concerned about Social Security and Medicare. Ryan wasn't well liked at the AARP convention because Ryan wants to change Medicare to voucher system.

- Savannah

QOD- Senate Election- Tues Sept 25

QOD- Senate Election- Tues Sept 25

How many Senators are up for election?

How many Democrat incumbents?

How many Republican incumbents?

Where are the most heated elections?

What projections do they have about the outcome?

Student's Response....

QOD- Senate & House- Mon Sept 24

QOD- Senate & House- Mon Sept 24...

What is the present makeup of the US Senate in terms of Republicans & Democrats?

What is the significance of getting 51 or getting 60 Senators?

How many Senators are up for election?

What is the present makeup of the House in terms of Republicans & Democrats?

What does a simple majority mean more in the House?

Student's Response....

Our Experts- What Are the Issues?

I asked our "experts" what they considered the major issues of this campaign. These are individuals who are across the political spectrum, but all very well read. Here are the questions they were asked-

1- From your perspective, as you vote, what do you see as the major issues in this election?

2- What are issues that either candidate are bringing up which you do not feel are important issues, that are more just campaign ploys?

3- What are issues the candidates do not seem to be dealing with which you feel should be issues of the campaign?

Here are their responses....

RR says....

#1.  The economy and the deficit.  Whenever times are tough, the economy dominates everything else, as evidenced by 1980, 1992, and 2008.  Economic growth is tied to deficit reduction, as the Greeks and Spaniards are finding out.  An underlying issue is just how much a national government can (and should) do to influence economic policy.  This will be subtext of the Romney campaign—government efforts to improve the economy are inefficient and inherently corrupt, as the government will assist its political allies, regardless of their contribution to economic recovery.

#2.  Each side is making noises about reducing the deficit, but neither side is being honest about what it will take to accomplish that.  Obama’s class warfare campaign calling for a “fair share” tax increase on the “rich” will raise no more than $70 billion, according to a study in the Wall Street Journal.  Romney’s statements about cutting funds for PBS and the Endowment of the Arts, etc. (with which I happen to agree) will not even save $1 billion a year.  With a deficit of $16 plus trillion, none of these suggestions will make even a small dent in the deficit.  The best hope of deficit reduction was the Simpson Bowles task force report (which the fanatics on both sides ignored) because it recommended the perfectly sensible approach of both raising revenue and limiting government expenditures.

Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, the Bush-era tax cuts will expire and the mandated cuts in spending agreed to last year will kick in.  The combined effect of which will take about a trillion dollars out of the US economy, which is more than enough to trigger another huge recession. 

Election History Reports

Each student is being given a topic related to past elections in the United States. Students are asked to research their topic. They are asked to submit their report via email by Monday, September 24 at 7:45am to emassey@Galesburg205.org.

The report should:

1- Be submitted via email by the deadline.
2- Be 300-400 words or 1 to 1.5 pages in length.
3- Give the basic details of this event.
4- Explain what the "legacy" of this event has been in either American history or in better understanding elections. What significance has it had in changing American history?
5- All papers will be checked for Wikepedia paraphraphing!!
6- All papers should have a minimum of 3 articles listed at the end of the paper, with the internet address of those articles.

Knox Trip Assignment

Wednesday, Sept 19 we will be going to Knox College to listen to Owen Muelder who is the founder and head of the Underground RR Center at Knox College. He is going to talk to us about Knox College and Galesburg in the 1800's leading up to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

By Monday, Sept 24 at 7:45am, I would like you to submit via email to emassey@galesburg205.org a report on one of the following:

Option #1- Galesburg & Knox in the 1800's.
What were the values of the early founders of Knox and Galesburg?
How did these values impact life in Galesburg and Knox?

Option #2- Knox & the Debates
Describe how the social and political values of Knox influenced what Lincoln had to say?
Describe the level of "activism" in Galesburg in regards to abolitionism?
How did Galesburg's "activism" play a role in the debates?
What did Lincoln have to say?

Option #3- Debates- Then & Now
What were the Lincoln- Douglas debates like?
What will this year's debates be like?
How will they be different than this year's debates?

Your reports should be 300-400 words or about 1 to 1.5 pages in length.

QOD- Benjamin Netanyahu - Fri Sept 21

QOD- Benjamin Netanyahu - Fri Sept 21

Who is he?

Why is he in the news?

What does he expect of US?

What is meant by "red line"?

Student's Response....

QOD- Simpson-Bowles- Thur Sept 20

QOD- Simpson-Bowles- Thur Sept 20

What is it?

What did it recommend?

Why didn't it work?

Student's Response...