It always surprises me when people claiming to be against big government seem to give spying programs like PRISM a free pass. It seems that big government is totally welcome to violate our freedoms when it is in their interest, but when they disagree with the philosophy behind it, big government is un-American.
As someone who generally tends to support big government when the purpose behind it is to improve the living quality of the people within the country, I tend to fall on the opposite side of the fence. I have no problem with income tax and federally funded
Time to Get Grover Norquist Out of Politics
by Jessica B. June 4th, 2013 
Democratic Deliberations
Grover Norquist is the founder and figure behind Americans For Tax Reform, an organization that currently has 219 representatives and 39 senators pledged to not increase taxes and resist any attempt to get rid of deductions and credits.
It sounds pretty harmless, making politicians sign an agreement to stick to promises they make to their own constituents.
But that is the problem, in and of itself. These politicians have signed and made a pledge to people other than their own constituents. While those who signed these agreements probably lean towards libertarian and conservative ideals, they still should always remain slightly flexible
It sounds pretty harmless, making politicians sign an agreement to stick to promises they make to their own constituents.
But that is the problem, in and of itself. These politicians have signed and made a pledge to people other than their own constituents. While those who signed these agreements probably lean towards libertarian and conservative ideals, they still should always remain slightly flexible
Holding Politicians Accountable
by Jessica B. May 21st, 2013 Democratic Deliberations
This week has been a rough one for the U.S. government. With the exposure of questionable practices within the IRS and the invasion of media privacy, the government’s reach raised red flags as to how much freedom is too much freedom for the government to take.
At the end of the day, it is up to us, the citizens of this democracy to push our politicians to honor their promises to us and behave in an ethical manner. I know those two concepts seem like a joke in American politics these days, and that is why our democracy is cracking
At the end of the day, it is up to us, the citizens of this democracy to push our politicians to honor their promises to us and behave in an ethical manner. I know those two concepts seem like a joke in American politics these days, and that is why our democracy is cracking
Sad Day for the US Senate – Background Checks Fail
by Jessica B. April 23rd, 2013 Democratic Deliberations
A large majority of Americans support the introduction of stronger background checks to purchase guns of any kind across the U.S. Since the terrible actions at Newtown, there has been new energy behind gun control bills that have gone before congress, but sadly, elected officials seem more interested in lobbyist groups than their constituents, and background checks have not been able to gain the super majority that is needed to avoid filibustering.
It is amazing to me how many so-called constitutionalists will beat the drum to fight gun control but then stand by to watch congress held hostage by a
It is amazing to me how many so-called constitutionalists will beat the drum to fight gun control but then stand by to watch congress held hostage by a
How Did the NRA Get It So Wrong?
by Jessica B. January 1st, 2013 Democratic Deliberations
After days of remaining silent, the NRA finally emerged from the darkness sending out Wayne LaPierre to present the organization’s reaction to the violent deaths of 20 small children in a small town in Connecticut.
The NRA was in an interesting position. Many Americans were scared, upset and angry, and while many blamed guns, many did not feel that banning guns would necessarily help either. Most people I spoke with about it just felt lost, helpless and rather hopeless.
Very quickly talk turned to an assault weapons ban, the very same assault weapons ban that was in place from
The NRA was in an interesting position. Many Americans were scared, upset and angry, and while many blamed guns, many did not feel that banning guns would necessarily help either. Most people I spoke with about it just felt lost, helpless and rather hopeless.
Very quickly talk turned to an assault weapons ban, the very same assault weapons ban that was in place from