Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Census 2010: Congressional Reapportionment
Look at some of the analysis of the recently released 2010 census data. It appears that much of the population shift can be attributed to migration to the South and West. Here you can find some of the most notable changes and this graphic illustrates the population shifts and the political changes this causes.
Using your knowledge of redistricting and gerrymandering, explain how the population shifts benefit Republicans. What do the midterm elections have to do with this? Do you think the changes are fair? What effects do you think this will lead to nationally or locally?
Extending the Bush-era Tax Cuts
The lame duck Congress recently voted to extend the so-called "Bush-era tax cuts." The extension is the product of a compromise made through negotiations between President Obama (while not actually a congressional voter, he is the leader of the Democratic party, so Democrats follow his lead) and Republican leadership in the Senate. Click here for an illustrated representation of the deal and the failed alternatives.
Understanding these tax cuts are far more critical than simply knowing how much your family owes the government. Taxes represent one of the most fundamental and significant differences between our two major parties. To simplify, Democrats want progressive taxes that tax the rich at higher rates so that the government can provide necessary services while the Republicans believe in a more standardized, or "flat" tax structure that taxes similarly across incomes, so that the rich might stimulate the economy. Underlying this divide is a philosophical division: Democrats believe the government spends tax money most fairly and appropriately, while Republicans believe this money is spent best by the earners.
Where do you fall in regard to these divisions? What do you think is more important: tax breaks for everyone? Tax breaks for the middle and lower classes only?
The ideological division remains when we move to the topic of reducing the deficit. To reduce the deficit, do you think it is better to reduce spending or increase revenue? You balance the budget and decide which you favor. After you have balanced the budget on the interactive website, report back to classmates sharing whether you preferred cutting spending or increasing revenues and why.
Understanding these tax cuts are far more critical than simply knowing how much your family owes the government. Taxes represent one of the most fundamental and significant differences between our two major parties. To simplify, Democrats want progressive taxes that tax the rich at higher rates so that the government can provide necessary services while the Republicans believe in a more standardized, or "flat" tax structure that taxes similarly across incomes, so that the rich might stimulate the economy. Underlying this divide is a philosophical division: Democrats believe the government spends tax money most fairly and appropriately, while Republicans believe this money is spent best by the earners.
Where do you fall in regard to these divisions? What do you think is more important: tax breaks for everyone? Tax breaks for the middle and lower classes only?
The ideological division remains when we move to the topic of reducing the deficit. To reduce the deficit, do you think it is better to reduce spending or increase revenue? You balance the budget and decide which you favor. After you have balanced the budget on the interactive website, report back to classmates sharing whether you preferred cutting spending or increasing revenues and why.
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