Tuition Rise, But So Does Financial Aid

This article discusses that while tuition has increased for both public and private universities, the amount of financial aid students are receiving is compensating for the increased cost. In 2009 students received $28 billion in Pell Grants, and that is $10 billion more than the year before. This tool of government would be considered legitimate as long as the increased investment in need-based aid does not come at the expense of students' loans or millions of college students who rely on this and other need-based aid programs will experience higher costs and fewer options. However, by increasing these grants, the government is on the right track to alleviating the problem of cost with respect to higher education.

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/college-pricing/?scp=3&sq=higher%20education%20cost&st=cse

-Kelly Neary

Are New Nuclear Sites Stuck Under Red Tape?

Nuclear energy emits zero carbon dioxide, and helps end dependence on foreign oil. Yet, nuclear energy still seems not to be the choice policy by congress. The reason for not using a greener energy source is somewhat unclear. Most believe that it involves the great amount of time (almost 10 years to be approved and built) and expensive price tag which makes investors unlikely to support such projects. Although President Obama promised to look into nuclear energy as the next step to energy independence, only two new nuclear sites have been approved by regulatory boards. Nuclear energy while a viable option seems to just be stuck under red tape.

Michael Rocus

http://www.economist.com/node/17254442?story_id=17254442

Indy airport is lauded in FAA safety check

The Federal Aviation Administration is in charge of the regulations in airports. For 11 years in a row, Indianapolis Airport has received a perfect score on aviation safety. For smaller airports, this is common, but for such a large airport, this is a grand success. The FAA imposes rules and safety nets to protect the safety of flying citizens. They are a good example of the enforcement agents because they monitor the standards and can, if need be, apply sanctions to those who do not amount to a safe-enough airport. However, the Indy Airport also monitors themselves as they have self-report operators check for discrepancies every day, and correct them right away.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20101104/BUSINESS/11040461/Indy-airport-is-lauded-in-FAA-safety-check?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com

Elise Leppert

A Surge in Lawsuits Challenging E.P.A. on Climate

To combat the increase in greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, the federal government regulates individuals' and companies' output of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide. Conversely, litigation against the federal government on this topic is on the rise. A new report by DB Climate Change Advisors says the largest increase in litigation has been in the area of challenges to federal action, specifically industry challenges to proposed E.P.A. efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

This shows the catch-22 that can happen with government regulation. The government regulates a behavior that it considers harmful to the welfare of the general public, in this case the emission of greenhouse gases. But if this regulation is unreasonable, the government can be the subject of mass discontent and legal action. It is necessary for the federal government to use regulation not as a mode of punishing others, but as a tool to encourage more positive behaviors.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/a-surge-in-lawsuits-challenges-e-p-a-on-climate/?scp=7&sq=regulation&st=cse

By Stephanie Doctrow

A Continual Battle Over Health Care Reform

While Republicans will most likely be unable to repeal the new health care law in the near future, they are promising a re-examination of its details. This includes new taxes and the requirement for Americans to carry health care insurance. Republican representative John A. Boehner stated,"The American people are concerned about the government takeover of health care. I think its important for us to lay the groundwork before we begin to repeal this monstrosity." The results of the election guaranteed a continual battle over the health care law on both a capital and state level. Republicans are assuring the public that changes are expected to be in effect for years to follow. This complex measure is expected to provide coverage to more than 30 million people by 2019.

Matthew DiPietrantonio

-http://nytimes.com/2010/11/04/business/04care.html?_r=1&hpw

For-Profit Colleges Oppose Tight Regulation

On September 24, the US Dep. of Education announced that it would move forward with it's plans to create tighter regulations on for-profit schools. These regulations are focused on protecting students from debt. Specifically, these regulations force schools to inform the students about: rates of graduation, debt and the income that the students will receive. These new regulations stem from student and federal concerns that the training they receive at school might not actually prepare them for a job. This regulation of for-profit schools would be defined as protective regulation as it deals with the vulnerability of students. The students are vulnerable to the hazards of for-profit schools that have the incentive to take advantage of students.

Aria Greenberg

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/us/25iht-educSide25.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=regulation&st=cse

Promise of a More Limited Government

Recently the Republicans gained house majority, and vowed to roll back the role of government. In time, the health care law will also be downsized. President Obama reflected on this and stated that he accepted blame for failing to provide the economic security that americans demand. Obama, who has spent the last two years with Democratic majority, must now spend the last two years with Republican majority swooping to downsize government at every chance. "I've got to do a better job" as he took responsibility for not doing enough to alter the currency value in his presidency. Repealing the health care law to extend health insurance to most Americans has been a Republican rally for months, but with President Obama's veto power he has been rejecting it. The Republicans wish to eliminate the more direct government aspects of the tools that the government is using to administer their policy by making people seek out their own health insurance.

Hayden Wolf

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101103/ap_on_el_ge/us_election_rdp;_ylt=As.Bl0uVyxbnR6edfqCCYFys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFlcWtqOTQwBHBvcwM3OQRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3BvbGl0aWNzBHNsawNyZXB1YmxpY2Fuc3A-

The republican party announced to reagain control over the government

This article clearly talks about until today, U.S. mid-term election of the House of Representatives election results gradually revealed, the Republican advantage was too obvious Republican House Leader Boehner has been announced as Speaker of the House, which also means that the U.S. House of Representatives Republicans regain control. Personally, I think the reason it adversed to the democratic party is becuase most of Americans are dissatisfied with the national situation so far. Such as to today's United States, economy remains the biggest problem to Americans. And also undoubtedly one of the most important problem is unemployment, related to our class, we 've been discussed before about the most significant public pocily in United States so far. Unemployment and economy are the top two public pocily issue. Obama did not help bail out the U.S. commitment to achieve the effect which is help people get job and rais the economic up as he expected and promised. In a word, Americans worried about economic issues than worry about the deficit, education, health care, terrorism, illegal immigration and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Therefore, Obama's government did not take good policys to reform some of the most important public policys are the biggest problem so far.

http://news.ifeng.com/world/special/meiguozhongqixuanju/content-2/detail_2010_11/03/2987909_0.shtml

Video Game Ban

Earlier today, there was a somewhat lively debate within the Supreme Court about banning the sale of violent video games to minors. They considered the effects of violent video games on young people and the definition of violence. Violence includes killing, maiming, and sexually assaulting images that appear offensive or deviant. Even though the law is not in effect yet, they would impose a $1000 fine on stores that sell video games to people under 18. If the government were to go about this issue by social regulation, they would have to heavily monitor. There is no promises it would work because, like alcohol, there would be problems like distributing to minors. Also, what would the government do about the violent games that minors already own? Just a few things to think about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/03scotus.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Michelle Watkins

Data Elusive on Low-Level Crime in New York City

This article mentions NYPD’s newest statistics about crime in their city. As the years pass, the number of rape, robbery, murder and assault have been historically low. If major crimes have been declining then so should the minor crimes. Since 2002 the information about crimes have been closed from the public which have many questioning the city's integrity. Recently the department has issued penalties in a dozen cases of officers manipulating crime reports since 2002.
With the lack of integrity, City Council member Jessica Lappin had pushed a bill to make sure that the NYPD make their stats public and make sure that their complains are claimed correctly.
The regulations and bills connect to BIrklands direct government. With all this regulation it protects the public and makes sure they are getting the information they deserve.

Elizabeth Sziler

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/nyregion/02secrecy.html?ref=todayspaper

U.S. Senate, governor hopefuls flying around Illinois day before election

The top candidates for U.S. Senate and governor chatted up voters in Chicago this morning before hopping on planes to tour Illinois in frenzied, day-before-the-election campaigning. 

 U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Kirk and GOP governor candidate Bill Brady met bleary-eyed suburban commuters this morning as the crowds stepped off Metra trains. Both candidates said they're feeling comfortable that independent voters will break their way, but Kirk acknowledged anything can happen in Illinois.

After weeks of bombarding their opponents with negative attack ads on TV, Brady and Kirk were softening their partisan edges in the final hours hoping to appeal to independents who may still be on the fence. Kirk and Brady are scheduled to end up at the Wheaton Bowl tonight for a Republican rally.

Post by: Ziying Yuan

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/11/us-senate-governor-hopefuls-flying-around-illinois-day-before-election.html

For-Profit Schools Under Review

As of recently, the Apollo Group, a huge for-profit education company that runs the University of Phoenix and Western International University, has been under review. This is because the Obama administration instituted new rules barring pay-for-enrollment deals among student recruiters at for-profit colleges. This will most likely cause significantly lower enrollment levels at Apollo and its peers. Top for-profit colleges such as Apollo’s received $26.5 billion in government-funded student aid in 2009. Consequently, with the government taking a closer look at Apollo, shareholders have been fleeing. Thirteen for-profit education companies have lost 32 percent of its value this year. Mr.MaCarthur, a researcher, has studied for-profit education sectors since 1997 and is fond of revealing illegal tendencies that occur in firms. He states, “Given the chairman and his son sold roughly two million shares in July of 2009 during a program review that was raising questions around the proper refund calculations, it should come as no surprise the S.E.C. is asking questions.” It will be interesting to see what happens as a result of governmental pressure on these companies.

-Matthew DiPietrantonio

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/business/31gret.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hpw

Government and Policy China to begin national population census Nov 1

 China will launch its sixth national population census Monday, ten years after the last one, as the world's most populous nation seeks a clearer and up-to-date picture of its population.
  Since China implemented the family planning policy in recent decades, making the population growth rate has been at a resonable situation.The Chinese government also said it is China's family planning policy which led to reduce population pressure and boost the national economy. 
  Statistics will be calculated in December, with the key data scheduled to be released by the end of April 2011, sources said. 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-10/31/content_11481728.htm

Reid Promises Immigration Vote After Election

Senator Harry Reid promises illegal immigrants the ability to vote in certain elections. This is an issue that isn't exactly on the forefront of most politicians' bills, but Reid brings it up and proves that immigration is a major factor in the polls.

Posted by: Sam Livingston

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/reid-promises-immigration-vote-after-election/?ref=politics

Bomb Plot Shows Key Role Played by Intelligence

Last week, a woman dropped of a package at the UPS office in Yemen addressed to Chicago that turned out to be a bomb. The bomb was identified in Britain after 2 days of travel. The bomb made it onto four different cargo flights, two of them also carrying passengers. This is a wake up call to officials about the quality of the security. Despite the billions of dollars that are spent on security to prevent terrorism, the bomb most likely would have made it to Chicago, however the Saudi Arabian service set off an international terrorism alert. The government now must inspect cargo more closely to prevent carefully hidden bombs from slipping through security.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/01terror.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=us
Tom Millman

Satirists, Aim for Sanity

Yesterday in Washington DC, two political satirists Stephen Colbert and John Stewart held a rally to inspire voters for the upcoming elections on November 2nd. Not being a political candidate or outwardly supporting one, their message was a call for nothing more than simple common sense when looking at politics. Their aim in a comedic manor was to shed light on the idea of the fear mongering that is currently going on in the United States political system. This issue is important because with the nearly 200,000 people that showed up, clearly many Americans are influenced by those outside the standard political realm. This issue makes it clear that political consciousness and an unemotional standpoint should be used when thinking and engaging in politics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/us/politics/31rally.html?_r=1&ref=politics

Ben Rains

Health Overhaul: Free Birth Control On The Horizon?

Everyone knows that the health care bill is on the horizon, however, it must be implemented in smaller increments to be effective. This article is exemplifying how Obama is taking steps to change the preventative care for woman. This is going to include giving free birth control to woman across the United States. Teen pregnancy is a rising issue and if the pill is available to woman free of charge it will slow the growth substantially. This would also help remove a cost barrier for woman who could not afford the protection before. Small steps like these are the ones that will eventually lead to a great solution to all the health issues in America.
-Will Kalish

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978650963

Global Warming Fight- Geoengineering Versus Biodiversity

A conflict is brewing in the global warming issue because the 193-nation Convention on Biological Diversity is not allowing climate-related geoengineering activities that may affect biodiversity until these activities can be justified on an adequate scientific basis. This scientific basis is the nature of the climate that nothing can be considered adequate in the sense of physics. Climate activists and scientists have recently come to an agreement to keep things in line with the agendas of advocates, but it is unknown if scientists will fall in line when they are told that they can’t do research on all solutions to the global warming problem. This is an example of direct government because it deals with recruiting, socializing, and managing human resources.

http://www.science20.com/cool-links/global_warming_fight_geoengineering_versus_biodiversity

Kilee Imlay

Elitism - The Charge that Obama Can't Shake

This article illustrates the importance of a politician being able to "relate" to his or her constituents. Sarah Palin's "folksy" way of speaking made her appeal to a variety of voters, despite her relative lack of political experience.

In contrast, Obama has been accused of being "elitist", "freedom hating", and an "intellectual liberal" that looks down upon the "common" American. In my opinion, those that make these accusations are only using these terms to unnecessarily vilify Obama and undermine the policies that he has implemented.

Unfortunately, most of us don't take the time to think most things through; we rely on gut feelings and what makes the most sense to us at the time with the knowledge we have; this is a concept that Obama has stated, but a concept that the American public would rather label as "elitist" than thinking through and seeing the merit it holds.

In my opinion, we must look past the name-calling and at actually qualifications. We must work towards progress and not run towards those that preach fear and anger without actually stating new and innovative solutions. And above all, when November 2nd rolls around, we must use the logical thought processes that we as humans are capable of, rather than fleeting notions and feelings.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/weekinreview/31baker.html?hp

Supreme Court to hear violent video game case

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday about federal court's decision to throw out California's ban on violent games. Governor Schwarzenegger of California signed this law prohibiting the sales of violent video games to minors (under the age of 18) in 2005. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declared it unconstitutional last year. Federal court stated that such law violated minors' constitutional rights in the First and Fourth Amendment.

Supporters for the law stated that such a law will protect minors from buying such violent titles while games and free speech advocates think that the ban could lead to strict federal regulation on the content of games and other media.

However, the gaming industry is actually doing a much better job at preventing minors from buying entertainment not intended for their age group than the music and film industries.

Post By: Christina Cheng

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_supreme_court_video_games

Obama warns of policy reversals without Democratic surge in polls

Obama spoke at a rally in Philadelphia with the intent of encouraging democrats to not only vote but also spread the word about voting. Obama warned that if democrats don’t go to the polls there will be repercussions: “we can fall short and all the progress we've made over the last couple of years can be rolled back.” Obama is speaking of healthcare and economic progress, both of which have been enacted through direct government which is a policy tool that republicans are historically less likely to use. Republicans, at least theoretically, are opposed to large bureaucracy which many people believe Obama has expanded. Obama’s speech was meant to persuade voters that republican’s policies will be detrimental to the nation.

Kate White

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-philadelphia-20101031,0,1426913.story

Obama Walks Fine Political Line on Terror Threat

Reporters Cooper and Baker discuss Obamas mentioning of recent terror threats may be a wrong time for upcoming elections. In this article officials debate whether it is "right" for Obama to have had the conference about recent terror threats especially after the December 25 incident. The biggest argument made was if Obama were to hold out on mentioning any threats it may affect the country and potential criticisms made by the citizens in the future.

This connects to class because the topic of direct government. This is a situation that needs to be controlled by the government in order to ensure safety and the Obama administration is in the middle of figuring out if it is being handled well.


Elizabeth Sziler

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/us/politics/31prexy.html?_r=1&ref=politics