World Panel Backs Rules to Avert Banking Crises

The world panel recently met and ruled in favor of the new plan to escape the banking tragedy. The new plan has many people debating whether the economy was really in the panel's best interest. They are ensuring everyone that while their plan may not result in immediate economic growth, their plan will ensure the economy's stability in the long run. Numerous spectators are against the dramatic increase reserve that capital banks must maintain. The issue as a whole ties in with our new topic of agenda setting, (Birkland Ch. 5). It is obvious that the economy is the most prominent issue on the agenda and is definitely in the "decision making agenda." And from the looks of it, this issue is going to stay there for a while to come.

-Jordan Goodman

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/business/global/13bank.html?ref=business

Obama's plan to extend some tax cuts may be gaining traction

President Obama is attempting to extend Bush's old tax cuts, but not for the rich. I wasn't for these tax cuts originally and I'm against them again now. I believe in our current economic situation right now that these tax cuts would not improve our economy and I believe that is what Obama should be focusing on instead. Also I think its wrong to extend these tax cuts for some Americans and not every American. If somebody is earning more than $250,000 a year, then good for them, they deserve to be treated the same as every American. I believe these tax cuts will eventually get passed, but the timing and the new proposed tax cuts are not good enough for me.

- Brad Beckwith

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/12/tax.cuts/index.html

House G.O.P. Leader Signals He’s Open to Obama Tax Cut

House minority leader John Boehner said he would reluctantly vote in favor of letting the Bush era tax cuts for those who make over $250,000 expire as long as tax cuts for the middle and lower classes stay in place. Though Boehner is willing to cast his vote in favor of Obama’s Tax cut he has vowed to fight to renew the Bush tax cuts for everyone. It seems that the Republicans are not the only ones Nancy Pelosi and President Obama must convince to vote in favor of raising taxes on the wealthy, many Democrats are siding with republicans in opposition to the new bill. Some Democrats, agree with Boehner, who thinks it’s a mistake to raise taxes on anyone considering the economic state of the nation.

Boehner’s view that it is better for the good of the economy to keep taxes low during an economic downturn ties in with the idea of classical liberalisms. According to Birklin classical liberalism emphasizes liberties and private property ownership “as a means by which to improve overall wealth and happiness” (Birklin 19). http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/us/politics/13cong.html?_r=1&hp

Kate White

As Time Passes, the Goals in Afghanistan Shrink

Recently there have been huge indicators that the goals and optimism related to the United States, Afghanistan conflict have begun to dwindle. As the cost and frustration adds up as well as the scheduled exit of troops next year, it shows more and more that over time the initial goals the government had and policy that was in place will not fully succeed.

The article states "at this point, what can the United States really hope to achieve in Afghanistan?"

I feel like this is the most important question we have to answer because we need to realize that time is running out and that we must change our agenda in the region. If this is done we can be somewhat successful in resolving this conflict.

posted by: Alec King

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/weekinreview/12mazzetti.html?hp

Federal Employees owe IRS a Billion in Back Taxes

Recently after an extended investigation The Washington Post found out that 41 White House aides owe the Internal Revenue Service $831,000 in back taxes. This however is not all that was found, in total across the United States federal employees owe a billion dollars in back taxes to the IRS. Federal employees neglecting their taxes gives rise to the simple fact that the economic state of the United States is at a low point. For the people that go to work everyday and struggle to pay their taxes when big time federal employees feel exempt from doing the same, is shameful. President Obama has even tried to appoint a man, Timothy Geithner, who had thousands of dollars in IRS back taxes to the position of the Secretary of the Treasury. With the US in such economic turmoil having government employees not paying their own taxes, the United States takes another blow on how they are perceived around the world and at home. And that hope that the American people felt for an economic turnaround took a huge blow as well, with the people running the show failing to carry out a fundamental practice of a US citizen.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/09/congress-taxes-irs.html

Ben Rains

CORO Southern California's Public Affairs Fellows Begin Anew

The 53rd class of Fellows in Public Affairs at Coro Southern California began this past week with twelve new future leaders.
	For over half a century, the Coro Southern California Center for Civic Leadership has been “Training Tomorrow’s Leaders” through its venerated Public Affairs Fellows program. A number of local leaders have gone through the rigorous nine month training—including U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein, U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, state Senator Alex Padilla, former City Councilman David Cunningham, publisher David Abel; public affairs expert Kerman Maddox, Governor Schwarzenegger aides Billie Greer and Lisa Kalustian, former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Chief of Staff Robin Kramer. Twelve more future leaders began their Coro leadership experience this week as the 53rd class of Fellows in Public Affairs at Coro Southern California. 1. Patrick Atwater – Claremont McKenna College, BA 2. Farid Enrique Ben Amor – Cornell University, BA 3. Andrew DeBlock – Occidental College, BA 4. Timothy Golden – Lingnan University, BS 5. Elana Goldstein – Brown University, BA 6. Jessica N. Gray – Pepperdine University, BS 7. Antoinette Grier – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, BA 8. Thuy Huynh – University of California, Los Angeles, BA 9. Leticia Munoz – University of California, Santa Barbara, BA 10. Thalia Roussos – University of California, Los Angeles, BA 11. Corinne E. Tapia – Georgetown University, BA 12. Katy Young – University of California, Los Angeles, JD “As a graduate of the Coro Fellows program and Trainer all these years, I know what awaits these young leaders,” said Coro Southern California Chief Operating Officer, John Greenwood. “We have a long tradition of experiential leadership training and an alumni network that is second-to-none. It is going to be another Coro world-class experience for them.” For nine months, the Coro Fellows will examine the institutions of public affairs—government, business, labor, media, political campaigns and community organizations—to better understand the public sector and strengthen the relationship between citizens and their government. Stay tuned for future updates around placements, presentations and other Fellows activities. “To ‘Train Tomorrow’s Leaders,’ Coro engages the community as a class room,” said Greenwood. “Through projects, focus weeks, seminars and assignments, the Fellows learn about challenges facing the region and develop the necessary civic leadership problem-solving skills and networks to address them.

Health Plan Won’t Fuel Big Spending, Report Says

The cost of health care is one of the leading issues in the country today, accounting for roughly 17.3 percent of our total economy in 2009. Under Obama's new Health Care Law, health spending will grow faster as more and more people gain coverage. Controlling this growth has become a major priority, as the government, employers, and American consumers struggle to keep up with the rising health care costs. The biggest change is expected in 2014, when most Americans will be required to have insurance. Only time will tell if this new law will have the negligible effects that are expected.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/health/policy/09health.html?ref=health

-Kelly Neary