America's Failing Education System

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The results of a new global exam given to a group of international fifteen-year-olds reiterates a fact which has uncovered America's possible upcoming weaknesses--our students fall far behind those of other countries, particularly in math and science. The article discusses, among other things, the amount of homework given to American students versus those of other countries; Americans outrank countries such as Finland in amount of homework given. Almost ironically, Finland still consistently outranks almost all other countries in test scores. The article also discusses the issues with the way schools are funded as well--many public schools that achieve more are commonly in "affluent suburbs" as opposed to inner city places. This creates an almost classist education system, where the already economically privileged are able to achieve more and the underprivileged aren't given a proper chance to catch up.

This relates to our class due to the beginning of our civil rights chapter; it is a common belief that everyone has the right to a fair, thorough, affordable education. I personally believe that America's education system should be more federally regulated, as it isn't fair that someone in another state or area may be receiving a much more quality education than I am. I believe that education should be totally equal throughout the country, no matter the "affluence" of the area.

Supreme Court to Debate Affordable Care Act and Contraceptives

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It was agreed recently that the Supreme Court would review the provisions of the Affordable Care Act which requires businesses of a certain size to cover reproductive health services and contraceptives with no co-pay. Many Christian businesses--most prominently, Hobby Lobby Inc.--have spoken out against these provisions, saying that it would conflict with their personal beliefs. The White House has said, in response, that the requirement is "lawful and essential to women's health."

I personally believe that, as stated in another article on CNN, religious liberty is for people, not corporations. A corporation is not a citizen of the United States; therefore, its religious affiliations are almost a moot point. While religious liberty for all religions is definitely important, a Christian corporation may not necessarily have entirely Christians working for them. I believe that reproductive health is incredibly important and the actions taken against providing reproductive health for women is another facet of the war on women. I also believe that it's another way for those against the Affordable Care Act to try to wriggle their way out of paying for it.

California High School Urged to Change Offensive Mascot

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This month, the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee wrote a letter to Coachella High School on their mascot, the Arab. The group stated that by using the mascot, the high school was participating in discrimination and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. They also stated that this behavior would "not be tolerated."The mascot itself depicts a man with a large nose and heavy beard wearing a traditional head covering. The high school itself has used the mascot since the 1930's, and says that their use of the word "arab" in terms of their mascot is to celebrate the vibrant Middle Eastern community that has thrived in Coachella since the beginning of the twentieth century. This relates to our class because it involves foreign issues and its effects on domestic disputes within the country, no matter how large or small.

I personally believe that the high school should change their mascots name, as it is highly insensitive to an already marginalized minority group. I understand the right to free speech is universal, but one should have been raised with enough sense to take others' feelings into consideration.

GOP Unfavorability At An All-Time High

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In a recent poll, sixty-four percent of Americans said that they hold an unfavorable view of the Republican party since the shutdown. Another fifty-four percent say that they view the Tea Party negatively. Meanwhile, the favorability ratings of the Democratic party have remained virtually unchanged from before the shutdown to now. In addition to an attack on party support, House Speaker John Boehner's disapproval ratings have raised from forty-eight percent in late September to fifty-five percent. This is the fist time that the Speaker has been disliked by a majority of Americans.

I believe that this change in approval/disapproval ratings should have been expected. The GOP accomplished nothing during the shutdown, as the Affordable Care Act still passed into law even with the political disarray. I believe that it will be difficult for the Republican Party to regain its credibility among the American people, and even more difficult for the Tea Party to do so.

House GOP Offers a Debt Ceiling Proposal

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Earlier today, it was reported by CNN that House Republicans proposed to solve the debt ceiling issue by "temporarily rais[ing] the nation's borrowing limit while keeping the partial government shutdown in place." There has been no talk of a deadline for this raise in the borrowing limit, although an extention of four to six weeks is the most likely option, as previously indicated by the House GOP. The GOP is scheduled to meet with President Obama on Thursday afternoon to discuss the matter of raising the nation's borrowing limit. The president has already stated that he would consider a short-term deal raising the federal borrowing limit, along with threatening that "if Republicans want to propose a short-term fix and Democrats say no, then the firm ground Democrats think they're standing on now would soften." However, this proposal has already been debunked as having nothing to do with the government shutdown--in short, it wouldn't fix anything regarding the shutdown. 

I believe that both parties, as of right now, are acting like spoiled children. I think that if congressional pay was docked or completely taken away during times of a shutdown, Congress would act much faster. I think that this proposal could be a good thing, if both parties are willing to negotiate and come to a compromise instead of fighting one way or the other. 

Moves Towards Diplomacy Between Iran and the US

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Earlier today, the Secretary of State John Kerry met with the new Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif met in New York with the permanent members of the U.N.'s security council and Germany. During this meeting, which was described as "constructive", the countries discussed multiple topics, one including restarting talks about Iran's nuclear program. Both parties sounded equally optimistic; Kerry went so far as to say he was "pleased" by the Iranian Prime Minister's willingness to cooperate. Indeed, Zarif seems far different from the previous Prime Minister--his presentation was even described as "thoughtful." A meeting such as this has not occurred since Iran's 1979 revolution, where tensions initially began between the two countries.

I believe that this rise in diplomacy between Iran and the United States is beneficial not only to us, but to the entire global community. Continuing tense relations between America and the Middle East does not solve any issues in either country; it only breeds unnecessary prejudice and conflict.

Congress Takes a Break From Syria Question

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It was reported today that after Russia's proposal on seizing Syrian weapons, Congress has shifted its focus into considering a bipartisan bill to increase energy efficiency in the US. After President Obama's speech, Congress has since decided to "take a break" from the Syria debate--whether or not a military strike is beneficial to both the US and the world at large. This is quite shocking, considering that Syria openly admitted to having chemical weapons by agreeing to hand them over to Russia, which is technically grounds for war. Instead of taking action, House Republicans are beginning to fight among themselves over Obamacare (once again!).

I believe that this shift from international to domestic issues is a welcome one. The Syria situation has been questionable at best from many different perspectives. I believe that while intervention in Syria for humanitarian purposes is a good idea, a military strike is far from what the US needs. Our military spending outrageously outweighs that of anyone else for a country that hasn't officially been to war since World War II. If we were to send UN officials to intervene, I would be much more inclined to agree. But a military strike means increases in military spending, most likely, when money should be pumped into things that matter, like education, health care, etc.