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
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
Binders, Libya and Other Matters That Don’t Matter
by Jessica B. October 25th, 2012 Democratic Deliberations
Once again Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama faced off in a debate to give us a better idea of what the candidates are offering. And once again the voting public is stuck with a bunch of talking points and sound bites that tell us absolutely nothing about anything important. Mitt Romney has got binders full of women. Obama reacted to the bombing in Libya in a way that Romney may have misremembered. Do any of these things matter when choosing a president?
Debates these days are well-oiled machines that are planned and negotiated well down to the last detail.
Debates these days are well-oiled machines that are planned and negotiated well down to the last detail.
Can a Tired Obama Pick Up Steam?
by Jessica B. October 8th, 2012 Democratic Deliberations
During the 2008 elections in October, Obama’s message was reaching fever pitch. As McCain hit two major stumbling blocks, the economy and Sarah Palin, Obama knocked him over and continued the message for Hope and Change.
But fast forward to 2012. Obama is struggling with a voter base that is still waiting for that hope and chance and opponents who interpret his every move as treason and socialism. So where does that leave Obama?
The first round of debates this week showed us that Obama is not quite as strong in one of what used to be his strongest areas. Many
But fast forward to 2012. Obama is struggling with a voter base that is still waiting for that hope and chance and opponents who interpret his every move as treason and socialism. So where does that leave Obama?
The first round of debates this week showed us that Obama is not quite as strong in one of what used to be his strongest areas. Many