Describe the 3 most important things you learned after reading about the Congress (OR please comment on someone else's post between 11-17-13 & today).

 By the way, Happy Ground Hog's Day and Happy Super Bowl Day (the only time the two have happened on the same day!).

Remember that everything you post on the internet can be seen by everyone, everywhere, forever.

Chris Christie. Bridge lane closings. 2016. Discuss.

http://thehill.com/person/chris-christie

Is the revolving door a problem?

Lobby-a-palooza! New year brings new turn of the revolving door

http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2014/01/02/lobby-a-palooza-new-year-brings-new-turn-of-the-revolving-door/

Is the new budget deal good for the economy, good for the Congress, and good for the political futures of those who vote for it? Or not?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/12/house-pushes-through-ryan-murray-budget-deal/

Do we want deal makers or elected officials who dig in their heels? What should we want?

http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000002587335/think-back-lets-make-a-deal.html?ref=politics

Take a look at the video above.

Are you a Senate purist? Do you already miss the filibuster (on judicial and executive branch nominees)? Is this a positive or a historically sad change?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/11/21/harry-reid-nuclear-senate/3662445/

Analysis: Do you predict that a Conference Committee will resolve the differences in the House and Senate budget bills? How or why not?

(Will Elections and Voting considerations play a large role?)

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/21/us/politics/party-budget-comparison.html?ref=politics&_r=0

What did we learn from the 2013 elections? (btw: this is the 300th post for this blog. Wow)

5 things we learned from Election Night 2013

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/politics/election-2013-5-things/index.html

Completely unrelated article that you should read anyway: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/business/they-loved-your-gpa-then-they-saw-your-tweets.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=education&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1384095769-fTLazpLti60XF/CzXZnVMA

Please share a link to your favorite or best mastery product so far AND THEN share a positive comment on somebody else's.

You could comment on something you learned from somebody else's product.

You could comment on how and why you liked the way they presented the information. 

You could comment on how they described, explained, and gave an example.

Remember to take your notes collaboratively outside of class so in class you can connect the information to the news and the other chapters this week.  Thanks.

Will Hillary run?

Time: "It has been like this for months now. Clinton, who claims not to have decided about another presidential run in 2016, has been traveling the country delivering speeches on her own record and current events that sound a lot like precursors to campaign rhetoric. The fact that she is not officially running has not stopped her from testing out themes on the stump, while positioning herself against her likely Republican opponents. The examples show up on both sides of the Atlantic, in paid speeches, at awards dinners, rallies and fundraisers."

Is it good campaign strategy for an incumbent Republican to run hard AGAINST the tea party?

"As he seeks a third term in the U.S. Senate, Lamar Alexander is doing something few other incumbent Republicans have tried recently: Instead of running scared of the tea party, he's running hard against it," the Washington Post reports.

"Independent analysts and strategists in both parties think Alexander has a good chance of winning his primary against a low-profile state representative. He is far ahead in early polling, but Alexander's willingness to confront the tea party makes it one of the most important bellwether races in the country."

What will you be watching with the beginning of a new term of the United States Supreme Court? Which cases are most important?

Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!

Analysis: Your predictions for the government shutdown. What will happen next? When?

Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!

Analysis: Do you think there will be a government shutdown like 1995-1996? What will the political impact be?

Wondering about a government shutdown? First thing to know: It all won’t disappear.

By Lisa Rein and Eric Yoder

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/wondering-about-a-government-shutdown-first-thing-to-know-it-all-wont-disappear/2013/09/20/15e566b4-221a-11e3-a358-1144dee636dd_story.html

Who has political power? (Hint: be specific and use people's names)

10.How could you use power to improve the public good? 11.Give an example of a use of power you consider to be a positive or negative use of power.

9. What is high-quality power? How can Americans get more of it? 8. What plans could you make to use your power or gain more power?

7. How have you used your power as an American?

6. Explain the five political games people play. Give an example.

5. What recent examples can you give of people gaining power, using power, or trying to use power (current events)?