Democracy in Wisconsin???

After the 14 democratic state senators in Wisconsin fled the state of Wisconsin there were charges saying they were being undemocratic.  Using the below stated definition of democracy and class reading; do you feel these state senators are a strong example of democractic principles or do you feel they are being undemocratic in refusing to do their job?

 

If  you feel they are being democratic explain why.  Make sure to include examples that support your view.

 

If you feel they are not being democratic explain why.  Make sure to include examples that support your view.

 

De·moc·ra·cy

 1.government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

 

2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.

 

3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.

 

4.political or social equality; democratic spirit.

 

5.the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

Governor Walker and the Budget Repair Bill

Governor Walker introduced a bill on Friday that plans to take away collective bargaining rights as well as pension and insurance benefits from public employees.

Based on the reading and class discussions, do you feel the state legislature should pass the bill?   

If yes, explain why you feel the bill should pass, make sure to address issues of monetary as well as collective bargaining losses to the employees.

If no, explain why you feel the bill should be voted down, make sure to address other ways the governor could potentially lower the budget deficit.

Meltdown

After watching the the video "Inside the Meltdown" you see the foundations of the our economic recession.  What misconceptions do you feel the average american has about the economy, economic stimulus and the our government's role in the problem?

Restoring the American Dream

After reading the article by Fareed Zakaria, what aspect, do you feel, is most important at helping America return to prominence?   Do you feel we are capable actually capable of returning to prominence or are the days of the US as the leader in the world a thing of the past?

Egypt

Use reading from class as the basis for answering the following questions.  Attached is the link to the article if necessary.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/31/egypt.protests.qanda/index.html?hpt=T1

While asking for change is clearly what the protesters want.  What do you think Eyptian President Hosni Mubarak should do to end the protests?  Be specific in your explanation.

Also what role if any should the US play in ending this conflict?

Globalization

Watch the attached video link on globalization.  We will discuss it along with the questions in in class on Wednesday.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE2ufqtzyk

Teachers grading parents?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/26/florida.grading.parents/index.html

Read the attached article.  Do you think it would be a good idea for teachers to grade parents? Why or why not?

State of the Union Address

During the State of the Union Address President Obama said,

"We need to outinnovate, outeducate and outbuild the rest of the world. We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our government. That's how our people will prosper. That's how we'll win the future."

What specific ideas do you have to help the United States economy to prosper?

Welcome!

Feel Free to post any comments or questions to the blog.  Check back regularly for class discussions