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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question # 3

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question # 3

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Rodney Davis is the most similar to Jefferson Smith from the movie. He comes froma smaller district bt he is overall seen as a greta leader. He understands what the people want in his district like how a recent proposed act might interfere with current projects, like the wideneing of Route 29. He also understands the districts need for a lock and dam plus other trnasporation infrastructure. The difference between Smith and Davis is the fact Smith was serving his first term as a Senator instead of Davis who might be serving his third term as a US. Representative from Illinois.

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The 13th Congressional District election contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, and Mark Wicklund, a Democrat from Decatur, has been a refreshing oasis of civility in a year that will go down in history for the coarseness and viciousness of its politics.

Davis is seeking his third term representing the district, which covers 14 counties. Before being elected in 2012, he spent 16 years as a staff member for U.S. Rep. John Shimkus. Wicklund is a former steelworker and the board president of the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation, which provides services to low-income families and elderly individuals.

Davis currently serves on the House Agriculture, Transportation & Infrastructure and Administration committees, putting him in a position to have influence on issues that are important to the 13th District. For instance, a highway infrastructure bill affects long-term projects like the recently completed widening of Route 29. Davis also has a strong understanding of other transportation infrastructure needs, such as locks and dams and other waterway priorities.

Davis, during his time in office, has shown a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner, which has sometimes put him in the crosshairs of GOP stalwarts. Last year, he caught flak for supporting an omnibus spending bill. He argued that the bill wasn't perfect, but it was crucial in averting a federal government shutdown.

More recently, Davis rescinded his support for Republican Donald Trump after tapes surfaced of Trump bragging in explicit terms that his celebrity allowed him to kiss women without their consent and to grope them. Davis, who also stepped down from a Trump agriculture advisory committee, called the comments "abhorrent" and "inexcusable." He has stated, though, that he also will not vote for Hillary Clinton, and has been sharply critical of her.

He has also differed from his party on other issues, such as normalizing relations with Cuba (which he favors because of potential trade benefits for central Illinois) and supporting medical marijuana.

As far as other accomplishments in Congress, Davis points to a bill he sponsored that was enacted that allows small businesses that hire veterans to get a break from portions of the Affordable Care Act. He also has been active in lobbying for increased funding for pediatric cancer research, inspired by Jonny Wade, a Jerseyville boy who died at age 8 from brain cancer.

Davis deserves credit and respect for standing with his convictions, even when they put him at odds with his party. He's also been well-prepared, in tune with the district's issues and has been able to get things done. His influence will keep growing over time.

Wicklund shows an admirable compassion for the most vulnerable in our society, honed by the hard-won personal experience that comes from helping care for his disabled son. He is well-intentioned in his underdog campaign, and his service at the local level should be applauded.

But in this case, he has not persuaded us that change is needed in the district. We recommend that voters return Davis to Washington for a third term.

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Our View: U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis deserves third term

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The 13th Congressional District election contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, and Mark Wicklund, a Democrat from Decatur, has been a refreshing oasis of civility in a year that will go down in history for the coarseness and viciousness of its politics.

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question #1 

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question #1 

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I thought the movie was intresting and gave a great explaniation for how the Senate truly works. The movie also really showed how hard it is to fight political machines like Jim Taylor had set up in the Senate. For example, Jim Taylor was putting a lot of pressure on Senator Paine to get rid of the new Senator, Mr. Smith. This was due to the fact Smith wanted to get rid of the corrupt plans involving the dam building and putting in a camp instead. Before Mr. Smith was appointed the job as the junior Senator, the governor had to pick a new one since the last one was no longer there. Instead of the governor making the decision by himself, Paine and Taylor were deciding for him. THey wanted someone who was guillble enough o be brought into their corrupt plans. Their plans backfired with every person they proposed to the people since most were not happy with their choices. They needed someone likeable so they chose Mr. Smith since all the children loved him. Another example of the corruption found inthe movie would be Taylor puting up false ads and messages across the states about Mr. Smith. This caused some people to see him as corrupt instead of the actual corrupt people. They also made it seem like Mr. Smith's plans were corrupt and that was their first attempt to get rid of him. This plan almost worked until Ms. Suanders convinced him to go back and fight. He talked and talked at the Senate until his home state heard the news from him and he could get some support. Taylor threatens Paine several imes when he tries to back out. At the end of the movie, Paine confesses to the political machine and the corrupt dam plans when Mr.Smith collaspes from exhaustion.

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question #2:

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Question #2:

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Mr. Smith most likely belonged to the Reuplican party or an Independent party, depending on the political parties view back then. Smith wants to truly help the people in any way that he can. He wants the children to have a place to be free instead of building a dam where there isn't a demand for one.  Republicans say they want to help the people and usually vote for things that truly help them. Mr. Smith might of been considered an indeoendent since he was left on his own by the Senate and he had very original ideas. His ideas do not correspond excatly with any of the two established parties yet he tends to lean more towards the Republican side. I think Mr. Smith would continue in politics for a time just to make sure the right laws and propositions are being past. However, I do think he would stay forever since poltics are rather time consuming, corrupt, and harsh.

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I do/ do not support an amendment making flag burning unconsituional and why? 

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I do/ do not support an amendment making flag burning unconsituional and why? 

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I do not support and amendment making flag burning unconstitutional. Flag burning isn't ideal way of expressing one's opinion but it's still a way to say what they want to say. Take away one part of someone's right to share their beliefs and opinions, then its a possibility to take away the other rights. Even as unfavorable flag burning is, it's still a form of speech.

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I think hearing it was better than reading. I think tone of voice adds a certain feeling to it. When reading the document it just doesn't feel important and it's kind of boring too. Reading does give a better understanding of what they are talking about though.

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Whats your favorite part of the Declaration. 

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Whats your favorite part of the Declaration. 

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My favorite part of the declaration is at the end of the document. I like how they declare the independence by saying the people of this country instead of we as leaders declare independence. They repeat the rights and actions the people can do if necessary. I like how they use the people throughout the document and state to the world the troubles they had encountered with the King and his soldiers.

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I thought it was interesting how the presidents aids were completely aganist Reagan pushing for O'Connor to be on the supreme court. I also found it a little shocking to learn that it took until the 1980's to have a woman on the supreme court.

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Most Americans think there are too many people on welfare who should not be getting it and believe overwhelmingly that those who do receive welfare benefits should be required to work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83 percent of American adults favor a work requirement as a condition for receiving welfare aid. Just 7 percent oppose such a requirement, while 10 percent are undecided.

Support for a work requirement is slightly higher among those who personally know someone who is receiving welfare benefits.

Sixty-five percent of Americans think the bigger problem with welfare programs is that too many people get welfare who should not be getting it. That's down slightly from August. Still, only 24 percent feel the bigger problem is that there are too many people who should receive welfare who are not getting it. Eleven percent are unsure.

Fifty-five percent of adults say they personally know someone currently receiving welfare benefits. Thirty-six percent say they know someone who is receiving welfare benefits who could be working instead.

Among those who know someone on welfare, 69 percent think America's bigger problem is that too many people on welfare should not be receiving it. Among those who know someone on welfare who could be working instead, the number who believes that to be true jumps to 86 percent.

The survey of 1,000 adults was conducted on July 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is 3 percent.

The welfare work requirement was signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton following passage by the Republican-controlled Congress. The Obama administration now is allowing waivers of that law, prompting many Republicans and conservatives to complain that the work requirement has been gutted.

Seventy-seven percent of Americans have been following news reports about federal welfare programs, with 39 percent who are following "very closely."

Sizable majorities across virtually all demographic categories favor a work requirement for welfare recipients.

But there's a clear partisan difference of opinion when it come to what's the bigger problem with welfare programs in this country.

Eighty-eight percent of Republicans and 60 percent of those unaffiliated with either major political party think the bigger problem is too many people getting welfare who should not be receiving it.

Just 46 percent of Democrats agree, while nearly as many - 41 percent - believe the bigger problem is those who are eligible for welfare are not getting it.

Florida and Missouri last year passed measures requiring some form of drug testing during the welfare application process. Fifty-three percent of likely voters believe all welfare applicants should be tested for illegal drug use before receiving benefits.

Sixty-two percent of voters think state governments should offer those who have lost their jobs, and been unsuccessfully looking for work, minimum-wage jobs instead of welfare payments.

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Poll: Most Americans Favor Work for Welfare Recipients

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Most Americans think there are too many people on welfare who should not be getting it and believe overwhelmingly that those who do receive welfare benefits should be required to work. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83 percent of American...

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1)What are your expectations of this class?                               2)Presidential Election 

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1)What are your expectations of this class?                               2)Presidential Election 

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1) I expect this class to be fun and interesting.I think I will learn more about the government and how it functions. I expect the class to have some difficulty in the lessons and assignments.I expect to learn more about how current events and systems of the government affect what we do.

2)My interest level in the presidential election is not very high. I generally don't like the subject of politics or most of the people involved in politics. If I were to have the ability to vote in this election I would probably vote for Trump. I honestly think both options are terrible and Trump is just as bad as Hillary, however Trump seems to have some of the right ideas. I don't agree with most of the things he has said or done but he has some better points than Hillary.