Saturday, September 14, 2024
What is a swing state?
A little help for the GOVT 2306 essay.
- From Wikipedia:
In American politics, a swing state (also known as battleground state, toss-up state, or purple state) is any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate in a statewide election, most often referring to presidential elections, by a swing in votes. These states are usually targeted by both major-party campaigns, especially in competitive elections. Meanwhile, the states that regularly lean to a single party are known as "safe states" (or more specifically as "red states" and "blue states" depending on the partisan leaning), as it is generally assumed that one candidate has a base of support from which a sufficient share of the electorate can be drawn without significant investment or effort by the campaign.
What are the swing states in 2024?
- From the NYT: Tracking the Swing States for Harris and Trump.
- - Pennsylvania
- - Georgia
- - North Carolina
- - Michigan
- - Arizona
- - Wisconsin
- - Nevada
How competitive will Texas be?
- From Wikipedia: 2024 United States presidential election in Texas.
Texas is generally considered to be a red state, not having voted Democratic in a presidential election since Southerner Jimmy Carter won it in 1976 and with Republicans holding all statewide offices since 1999. Texas' location in the American South and largely in the greater Bible Belt has given the GOP the upper hand in the state in recent decades. Texas is considered by some to be potentially competitive, as the state has not backed a Republican for President by double digits since it favored Mitt Romney in 2012, which can be largely credited to the fast-growing Texas Triangle trending leftwards in some recent elections.
For More:
- From Axios: As Harris invigorates Dems, Texas appears out of play.
- From KXAN: 2024 election: Exploring claim Texas is ‘sleeper battleground state’
- From KXAN: These are the reddest and bluest counties in Texas, based on recent election results.
Friday, September 13, 2024
Dear Chat GPT: What is an international government?
Is this a good answer or not?
An international government typically refers to a type of governance or administrative system that operates beyond national boundaries and involves multiple countries. There are a few ways this can be conceptualized:
1. **International Organizations**: These are institutions formed by multiple countries to address global issues and coordinate policies. Examples include the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These organizations have their own structures and procedures for decision-making and often have some degree of authority over member states in specific areas.
2. **Supranational Entities**: These are organizations or systems where member states cede some level of sovereignty to a higher authority. The European Union (EU) is a prominent example. It has its own institutions that can make decisions and create regulations that member states are obliged to follow.
3. **Global Governance Initiatives**: These are frameworks or processes aimed at managing global issues through cooperation between countries. This can involve informal agreements or frameworks like the Paris Agreement on climate change, where countries work together to address global challenges without forming a formal government structure.
In summary, while there is no single "international government" in the sense of a global government with overarching authority over all countries, there are various forms of international governance that involve cooperation and coordination among nations to address global issues.
From the Texas Tribune: Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials say
- Click here for the article.
For our look at government finance.
Property taxes are the primary way that local governments in Texas fund their operations. This includes both ISD's and Community College districts. Since these bills can get pretty steep, there are ongoing attempts to limit them. Some would like to eliminate them. Doing require that local governments fidn other means to fund themselves.
This article explains how much.
Key Terms:
- property taxes
- state budget officials
- conservatives
- Republican lawmakers
- Texas Senate Finance Committee
- Legislative Budget Board
- School property taxes
- sales tax
- cities
- counties
- school districts
- special taxing districts
- maintenance and operations
- income tax
From the article's intro:
Texas would have to spend tens of billions of dollars to get rid of the state’s property taxes, state budget officials said Wednesday — a reality check on some conservatives who want to end them once and for all.
Now, lawmakers have those figures in hand. Getting rid of all property taxes collected by school districts would have cost the state $39.5 billion in tax year 2023, figures presented to the Texas Senate Finance Committee by the Legislative Budget Board show. School property taxes, which pay for costs like teacher salaries and new facilities, represent the largest chunk of a property owner’s tax bill.
In addition, the state would have had to shell out another $42 billion to cover the property taxes collected by cities, counties and special taxing districts last year. All told, the state would have had to spend $81.5 billion to completely eliminate all local property taxes. That’s more than half of the $144 billion that lawmakers allocated for Texas’ current two-year budget.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
A little background on the development of Iowa Colony
From the Wikipedia entry:
Iowa Colony was founded in 1908 by the Emigration Land Company of Des Moines, Iowa, and received its name from Iowans G. I. Huffmann and Robert Beard. The community received a post office in 1919, and rice farming was introduced there in 1920. Although not directly on a railroad line, Iowa Colony was served by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe line through nearby Manvel. The population grew slowly to twenty-seven and remained at that level until the mid-1960s. The discovery of oil in 1948 brought regional employment to the area. By 1961 the Iowa Colony post office had closed, yet during the 1960s the settlement began to grow vigorously as part of the greater Houston area. By 1973 Iowa Colony had been incorporated (in 1972), and by 1989 the town listed a population of 661. The city hall, community center, and municipal court are all housed in the same building, next to the fire department. In 1990 the population was 675. The population was 1,170 in 2010. Iowa Colony showed unprecedented growth, with an estimated 2019 population of 3,233. In 2020, they surpassed the 5,000 population requirement to seek home rule status, and subsequently voted to pass the city's Home Rule Charter on November 3, 2020. The city website further states in 2021 that the population has exceeded 8000, growing at a rate of 400%.
The Post Office: An Express History | The Origin of the US Postal Servic...
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
From Texas Redistricting: Current Districts
To help out with understanding the second written assignment.
- Click here and follow the links for each map.
What can felons not do?
Vote depends on the state.
Occupations
From ChatGPT:
Certain professions may have restrictions for individuals with felony convictions due to the nature of the job, legal requirements, or concerns about safety and trust. These restrictions can vary by state and industry, but here are some common examples:
- Legal Professions: Becoming a lawyer or judge often requires a clean criminal record, although some jurisdictions may consider the nature of the felony and the time elapsed since conviction.
- Financial Services: Jobs in finance, such as banking or investment roles, may be restricted due to the need for trustworthiness and adherence to regulatory standards. Convictions related to fraud or financial crimes can be particularly disqualifying.
- Healthcare: Many roles in healthcare, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, require background checks. Felony convictions, especially those related to drug offenses or patient abuse, may pose barriers.
- Education: Teaching positions, especially those involving direct contact with children, often require background checks. Felonies related to violence or abuse can be disqualifying.
- Government Positions: Certain government jobs, especially those involving security clearances, can be restricted for individuals with felony convictions. This includes roles in law enforcement or other sensitive areas.
- Real Estate: Licensing requirements for real estate agents often include background checks, and felonies related to financial crimes or dishonesty can be problematic.
- Childcare and Social Services: Jobs involving the care of children or vulnerable adults usually require background checks. Felonies related to abuse or neglect can be disqualifying.
- Aviation: Jobs in aviation, such as pilots or air traffic controllers, may have strict background requirements due to safety concerns.
- Public Safety and Law Enforcement: Roles such as police officers, security personnel, and emergency responders often have strict standards regarding criminal history.
It’s important to note that some states or jurisdictions have laws and programs designed to help individuals with felony convictions reintegrate into the workforce, and the impact of a felony conviction can vary depending on factors like the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. If you're concerned about specific career paths, it's often helpful to consult with a legal professional or career counselor who specializes in employment law and criminal records.
From ProPublica: He Was Convicted of Killing His Baby. The DA’s Office Says He’s Innocent, but That Might Not Be Enough.
A couple decades ago that included shaken baby syndrome.
Suddenly an increasing number of parents whose infant children suddenly died were being accused of causing their child's death by shaking them violently enough to cause fatal brain damage. Many were found guilty.
Soon after, questions emerged about whether these verdicts were based on bad science and were driven by zealous prosecutors looking for headlines (remember that we elect our district attorneys).
- See: Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome.
But reversing convictions is difficult to do. This article describes such an effort. It can be tough to prove one is actually innocent of a crime after conviction.
- Click here for the article.
Here's a bit of it:
If Eaton concluded that a conviction was no longer supported by the evidence, she was expected to go back to court and try to undo that conviction. The advent of DNA analysis, and the revelations that followed, did not automatically free people who were convicted on debunked evidence or discredited forensics. Many remain locked up, stuck in a system that gives them limited grounds for appeal. In the absence of any broad, national effort to rectify these convictions, the work of unwinding them has fallen to a patchwork of law-school clinics, innocence projects and, increasingly, conviction-review units in reform-minded offices like Nashville’s. Working with only one other full-time attorney, Anna Hamilton, Eaton proceeded at a ferocious pace, recruiting law students and cajoling a rotating cast of colleagues to help her.
Monday, September 9, 2024
What is a tariff? What in an unrealized capital gain?
Each is part of the tax proposals each major party candidate promotes.
What are they?
Trump proposes increased tariffs:
A tariff is a tax that a government imposes on imported or exported goods or services. Tariffs are also known as customs duties.
- Revenue: Tariffs are a source of revenue for the government.
- Regulation: Tariffs are a form of regulation for foreign trade.
- Protectionism: Tariffs can help protect domestic industries by making imported products more expensive.
- Unfair practices: Tariffs can address unfair practices that other countries use to make their exports cheaper.
Tariffs can be fixed or variable. Fixed tariffs are a constant sum per unit of imported goods or a percentage of the price. Variable tariffs vary based on the price.
- From Investopedia: What Is a Tariff and Why Are They Important?
- Analysis: Trump’s 10 Percent Tariffs: Projected Impacts on U.S. Households and Allies.
- Analysis: Five Things to Know about Trump’s Tariff and Income Tax Proposals.
Harris proposes taxing unrealized capital gains:
Unrealized capital gains refer to the increase in the value of an asset that has not yet been sold. In other words, it’s the profit you’d make if you sold an asset at its current market price compared to its purchase price.
For example, if you bought a stock for $50 and its current market price is $70, you have an unrealized capital gain of $20 per share. This gain is “unrealized” because it only exists on paper until you actually sell the stock. Once you sell it, the gain becomes “realized” and can be subject to taxes depending on your jurisdiction and how long you held the asset.
- From Investopedia: What Are Unrealized Gains and Losses?
- Analysis of Harris’s Billionaire Minimum Tax on Unrealized Capital Gains.
- Analysis: What Is Unrealized Capital Gains Tax? Unpacking Kamala Harris-Backed Proposal On Ultra Wealthy.
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 Week - Two Recap
The principle goal last week was to get you familiar with what a constitution is, and what types exist in the United States.
What is a Constitution?
Articles of Confederation
Debates of the Constitutional Convention
U.S. Constitution
- Preamble
- Article One.
- Article Two.
- Article Three.
- Article Four.
- Article Five.
- Article Six.
- Article Seven.
- Bill of Rights.
- Amendments 11-17.
The Texas Constitution.
Local Government Code.
City Charters.
Week Three:
Federalism
National
State
Local
Constitutions
Statutes
City Ordinances
Fiscal Federalism
Sunday, September 8, 2024
From the Tax Foundation: Tracking 2024 Presidential Tax Plans
For our look at current presidential campaign and economic policy.
- Click here for it.
Recall that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1:
- To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.
And it allows the national government to collect an income tax in the 16th Amendment.
- The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever sources derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
The Tax Foundation compares the relative tax proposals along the following criteria:
- Business Taxes
- Capital Gains and Dividend Taxes
- Credits, Deductions, and Exemptions
- Estate and Wealth Taxes
- Excise Taxes
- Individual Income Taxes
- Payroll Taxes
- Tariffs and Trade
I'll add detail as the semester proceeds.
For our look at due process - Charges recently filed . . .
What does it means to be charged with a crime?
Keep this in mind as we walk through civil liberties soon. Due process rights are defined in Amendments 4 - 8 in the U.S. Constitution, and made applicable to the states in the 14th Amendment. The Texas Constitution also contains a list in its Bill or Rights.
From ChatGPT:
Being charged with a crime means that law enforcement or a legal authority has formally accused someone of committing a criminal act. It’s the start of a legal process where the person accused will have to respond to the charges in court. This involves:
- Legal Process: Once charged, the person will go through legal proceedings, which might include an arraignment, where they enter a plea, and possibly a trial if the case isn’t settled through a plea deal.
- Rights and Defense: The accused has the right to defend themselves against the charge, which includes hiring a lawyer, presenting evidence, and challenging the prosecution's case.
- Consequences: If found guilty, the consequences can range from fines and community service to imprisonment or other penalties, depending on the severity of the crime.
Being charged doesn’t mean the person is guilty; it means there’s a formal allegation that they need to address in a legal context.
In the news:
- In historic case, father of 14-year-old school shooting suspect charged with murder.
Georgia officials charged the father of the suspected Apalachee High gunman with two counts of second-degree murder Thursday — the most severe charges ever filed against the parent of an alleged school shooter. The arrest came less than 36 hours after two students and a pair of teachers were gunned down with an AR-15-style rifle that, investigators allege, the man allowed his 14-year-old son to possess.
- Steven Hotze charged with more felonies over voter fraud conspiracy assault.
Conservative activist Steven Hotze has been charged with two more felonies in connection to a bizarre confrontation that left an air conditioning repairman facing the barrel of a gun held by a man investigating conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
- Nearly 50 people charged in Houston bail bond scheme will all face trial in February.
More than 50 people accused of participating in a conspiracy to bail inmates of the Harris County Jail using fraudulent information will stand trial together in February, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
AABLE Bail Bonds, the company at the center of the case, was raided in June 2022, and ceased operations soon after.
Friday, September 6, 2024
Have you considered being a Peer Support Specialist?
From her answer:
I am currently in the mental health field. I have Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (MHPS) and Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS)certifications. I am currently a Supervisor at a Mental Health Peer Crisis Respite with The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD. I would like to obtain my Peer Support Supervisor (PSS) Certification. Some of the things standing in my way of getting my PSS are that I need to complete my Associate’s Degree, and then go through the course work to complete my certification. All of these certifications are state certifications. To keep them active I have to complete a certain number of CEUs every two years, and also complete and pass an FBI background check every two years. To maintain all of my certifications, to continue with my current career and move into higher levels of my career I have to maintain my certifications, and continue to maintain a clear background.
Links related to the profession:
- Mental Health Peer Support Specialist.
- - Texas Health and Human Services: About Peer Support Services.
- - Mental Health America: How to Become a Peer Support Specialist.
- Recovery Support Peer Specialist.
- - Peer Force: Recovery Support Peer Specialist Certification Step-by-step Guide.
- Mental Health Peer Crisis Respite.
- The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD.
- Peer Support Supervisor (PSS) Certification.
What is a political influencer?
The case brought against the two alleged foreign agents involves surreptitiously paying for the services of a small number of political influencers. The purpose seems to be to use these people to promote certain points of view that favor interests outside of the United States that are also against the nation's interests. The people who follow them - the influenced - are more likely to adopt positions favorable to outside interests because they are veiled.
The source is unknown.
But what is a political influencer?
And what specific influencers seem to have been the targets?
From ChatGPT:
A political influencer is someone who has the ability to shape or sway public opinion and political outcomes through their influence, often leveraging social media, traditional media, or other platforms. They might be involved in various activities, such as:
- Media Presence: Individuals with a strong presence on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, or podcasts who use their reach to promote political messages or viewpoints.
- Thought Leadership: Experts or commentators who provide analysis and opinions on political issues, potentially guiding public debate and policy discussions.
- Activism: People involved in advocacy or grassroots movements who mobilize support for specific causes or political candidates.
- Political Campaigns: Those who play a key role in shaping the strategies and messaging of political campaigns.
Their influence can manifest through shaping narratives, mobilizing voters, or affecting policy discussions.
Who are these influencers?
- Tim Pool.
- Benny Johnson.
- Dave Rubin.
- Lauren Southern.
- Taylor Hansen.
- Matt Christiansen.
The two media companies at the heart of the indictment mentioned below
- Russia Today:
a Russian state-controlled international news television network funded by the Russian government. It operates pay television and free-to-air channels directed to audiences outside of Russia, as well as providing Internet content in Russian, English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Portuguese and Serbian. RT is a brand of TV-Novosti - self-named an "autonomous non-profit organization" (ANO) - founded by the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti in April 2005.
. . . RT has regularly been described as a major propaganda outlet for the Russian government and its foreign policy. Academics, fact-checkers, and news reporters (including some current and former RT reporters) have identified RT as a purveyor of disinformation and conspiracy theories. UK media regulator Ofcom has repeatedly found RT to have breached its rules on impartiality, including multiple instances in which RT broadcast "materially misleading" content.
- Tenet Media:
an American right-wing media company founded by Lauren Chen and her husband Liam Donovan in January 2022. Tenet Media features six right-wing influencers, including Matt Christiansen, Tayler Hansen, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern. It describes itself as a "network of heterodox commentators that focus on western political and cultural issues".
According to an unsealed indictment, the two indicted Russians were employees of the Russian state-controlled media company RT who were charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, and allegedly funneling around $10 million into Tenet in order to "distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging"
. . . The indictment alleges the Tenet founders masked its Russian funding by creating a fictitious persona of a wealthy European sponsor, "Eduard Grigoriann." The charged Russian nationals, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, were involved in day to day operations of Tenet by fall 2023, using false names to conceal they were Russian RT employees.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
What is the purpose of FARA - The Foreign Agents Registration Act - according to the indictment below?
Let's think about this in terms of free speech and free press.
Do they apply to the covert funding of domestic speech and press activities of foreign entities?
These are the 12th and 13th paragraphs of the indictment.
BACKGROUND ON THE FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT
12. The Foreign Agents Registration Act ("FARA"), 22 U.S.C. § 611 et seq., is a registration and disclosure statute that requires any person acting or agreeing to act in the United States as "an agent of a foreign principal" to register with the Attorney General if he or she is engaging or agreeing to engage, directly or through another person, in certain types of conduct for or in the interest of the foreign principal. Conduct requiring registration under FARA includes, as is relevant here, political activities, acting as a publicity agent or information-service employee, and disbursing money for or in the interests of the foreign principal. FARA registrations are made to the Foreign Agents Registration Act Unit ("FARA Unit") of the Department of Justice's National Security Division. It is a crime to willfully fail to register when required under FARA.
13.The purpose of FARA is to prevent covert influence by foreign principals, which include foreign governments, companies, and persons located outside the United States. Proper registration under FARA allows the U.S. Government and public and private audiences to evaluate the statements and activities of individuals who are serving as agents of foreign principals in light of their status as foreign agents. Among other things, FARA registration reveals the identity of the foreign principal on whose behalf the registrant performs services, the type of services the registrant provides the foreign principal, and the source and amount of compensation the registrant receives from the foreign principal. FARA registration statements are publicly accessible on the website of the FARA Unit. In addition, FARA registrants are required to label informational materials transmitted within the United States with a conspicuous statement disclosing that the materials are distributed by the agent on behalf of the foreign principal.
A DOJ Indictment: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. KOSTIANTYN KALASHNIKOV, a/k/a "Kostya," and ELENA AF ANASYEV A, a/k/a "Lena,"
Let's use some current news to cover class material.
- Click here for the indictment.
- What is an indictment?
The 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury."
It provided an opportunity for citizens to check the power of prosecutors. They have to be convinced that there is a reason for a case to go to court.
A grand jury in DC thinks there is enough evidence for two people to go to court to face charges that they violated The Foreign Agents Registration Act.
- Click here for that law.
- - Wikipedia.
- - 22 U.S. Code Subchapter II - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN PROPAGANDISTS.
Now it heads to the judiciary. It will be assigned to a trial judge and the case will be heard in that court room.
More on that when it happens.
Next up: info on the charges and the groups charged.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Monday, September 2, 2024
Technocracy
A post below - this one actually -refers to a person they call a technocrat.
What is that?
- a proponent, adherent, or supporter of technocracy.
What is a Technocracy?
- Wikipedia.
- Investopedia.
- Britannica.
Just one of the many ___oracies that exist
For the first assignment: Texas Occupations Code
I did a google search with "Texas Occupation Code news" in order to see what's up with regulations regarding qualifications to practice certain occupations. These might have an impact on you and your plans.
Who knows?
- Baytown veteran, state at odds over funeral director requirements.
- Real estate broker’s license on probation after commission finds proof of state code violations.
- Affidavit: Shaker, county employees knew former deputy medical examiner was not licensed.
- Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training.
- Texas court deems 8-liner games unconstitutional by nature.
__________
- Texas Statutes: Texas Occupations Code.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 2018 Standard Occupational Classification System.
For
Search for occupations.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query occupations.
Information about the 2024 Election
For nuts and bolts stuff, not the fluff.
FYI: The information below is about the conduction of the elections. This is not to be confused with the campaigns run by each of the candidates.
That's a different thing.
We will cover that separately.
Here is the relevant law:
- U.S. Election Code.
- Texas Election Code.
Here are the agencies that enforce that law statewide and locally:
From the Texas Secretary of State:
- Welcome to Texas Elections.
From the Brazoria County Clerk:
- Elections and Voter Registration.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
How party identification influences opinion formation
Study the chart below. It shows facts associated with crime - murder rates in large cities - and data showing how people perceive those cities: Are they safe?
Note the two furthest to the right - people who identify as Democrats and Republicans don't seem to be seeing the same thing.
Why?
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 - Week One Recap
A summary of last week's activities
Definitions
What is Government?
. . . the body, entity, invested with the power to manage a political unit, organization or more often, a state.
What is Politics?
. . . the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of status or resources.
What types of governments exist?
- Distribution of power
- - one (autocracy)
- - few (oligarchy)
- - many (democracy)
- Extent of governmental power
- - limited (constitutional)
- - authoritarian
- - totalitarian
Aristotle:
- Pure
- Corrupt
What is Political Culture?
- "Political culture is the set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments, which give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system".
- - traditionalistic
- - individualistic
- - moralistic
For week 2:
What is a Constitution?
1. : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
2. : a written instrument containing the fundamental rules of a political or social organization.
News - 9/1/24
For you reading list:
Group of Texas Democrats asks DOJ to investigate Texas over possible voter rights violations.
- vote suppression
- Texas House Caucuses
- federal voting rights
- Texas Election Code
- primary elections
- safe districts
- ambition
Judge allows parental consent for Texas kids’ social media accounts, but blocks content moderation
requirement.
- social media
- free speech
- content moderation
- rights of children
- parental consent
Paxton takes Dallas to court over gun ban at State Fair.
- gun rights
- Texas Attorney General
- civil law
- litigation
- state / local conflict