Drugs and Interests of Public

According to Public Agenda, the majority of Americans are worried about a family member becoming addicted to illegal drugs, and that the government is not doing enough to combat this problem. This group is winning the competition against the family in DiPietrantonio’s post in the conflict of getting mass/majority interests on their side. The two groups in this conflict are “anti-drug” and “Pro-marijuana.” The anti-drug group has the majority, and since the issue is on the agenda in their favor, this is an example of the elite/majoritarian Congress exercising its function as representatives of he majority. This is also an example of individual-based Classical Liberalism in conflict with Civic Republicanism, as the pro-marijuana side is looking after the abilities of individuals to smoke it, while the anti-drug group is looking after the stability of the country.

Obama Pledges Aid To 2-Year Colleges

On Monday President Barack Obama announced his "Skills for America's Future" initiative. The aim of this is at increasing cohesion between community colleges and industry partners, at a meeting of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board. This initiative will use $2 billion over four years which will be taken from the controversial Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. The plan will create private partnerships and training programs in community colleges nationwide. Since the recession has placed such a burden on state and local budgets, community colleges have been forced to cap enrollments and scarp courses. Obama said, "Not only is that not right--I think it's not smart." A few corporations which Obama said will be participating in this program will include, McDonald's, Dap Inc., Accenture and United Technologies. The goal of this program is 5 million more community college graduates and certificates by 2020. This plan is definitely needed and extremely valuable. Education in America in the past years has declined and unemployment rates are at its peak. This plan could only help both of these crisis issues. Students with lower financial status and who are not able to attend public colleges and have the grades for four year colleges still deserve a chance and a some what equal chance to all other students; this plan will give these students the equal opportunity they deserve. Having 5 million more students with certificates rom 2 year colleges and actually graduated from these colleges is a huge impact from that of just $2 billion.

http://www.lsureveille.com/news/obama-pledges-aid-to-2-year-colleges-1.2354197

Amerca Less Anxious About Foreign Affairs

American citizens are less worried about foreign policy than they have been in four years, according to Public Agenda's Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index. As Elizabeth Woolen's blog notes, the elites and leaders surveyed thought that jobs and the economy were more pressing issues. This is an example of what we learned about the conditions of a public issue that get that issue onto the public agenda. One of those conditions was the scope of the problem. Job-loss and poor economy affects most Americans directly, while foreign policy does not. Jobs also affect those Americans with higher intensity and higher cost than foreign policy does. That is why even though foreign policy may need to be higher on the agenda, it will not be until the economic problems are solved.

The political risks of supporting gay rights

It can be seen historically that political leaders who propose changes that are radical at the time face opposition form not only the general public but also other politicians. The article refers to passing the civil rights act to prove this point. Proponents of civil rights influenced the political policy of the day through protest and they eventually were able to get their issue on the agenda. Today gay rights activists hope to do the same thing. The gay rights movement has gotten more median attention in the past years; because of this the general public is more aware of the issue at hand. Advocates for gay marriage are fighting for what they feel is a civil right that has been denied to them and both sides are arguing on moral grounds.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-klarman-gay-marriage-20100919,0,7513660.story

Kate White