White House preps expansive online privacy bill

This article is about President Obama's plan to restrict the way online companies like Google can use consumer information. After the scandals and public concerns with maintaining privacy, this bill would require companies to involve the consumer in the way they use the consumer data by asking permission before sending off information. The Federal Trade Commission would monitor the way companies are using the data, and the FTC's expanded power may cause conflict from Congress. Will this bill help people get their sense of privacy back, or is it already too late? Should the government implement more restrictions like this one? Do you think this bill will be made into a law?

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/online-privacy-bill-white-house-114696.html?hp=r2_3

Father of Boy With Leukemia Asks California School Officials to Bar Unvaccinated Students

This article is about the amount of unvaccinated children in California, and whether or not vaccination should be manditory. It focuses on a father's concerns about his son with leukemia being exposed to diseases from his schoolmates. However, up to this point, vaccinations have be easy to opt out of for parents in California. Now, the state government is enforcing slightly stricter rules, like requiring a signature from a doctor, in the hope that parents will let their children will be vaccinated. Should the California (and other states) make laws that make vaccinations manditory for all children who are able, for the sake of other children? Should the vaccinations continue to be left up to the parents?

 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/us/father-of-boy-with-leukemia-asks-california-school-officials-to-bar-unvaccinated-students.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Georgia inmate put to death after Supreme Court denies stay

In the days and hours leading up to Tuesday's execution, Hill’s legal options dwindled: On Monday evening, a federal appeals court denied a request to review the issue of Hill's mental capacity; on Tuesday morning, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the sole authority in the state that can commute a death sentence to life without parole, voted to deny clemency. Just 30 minutes before Hill was scheduled to be put to death, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a review of his case. The court turned down Hill's appeal for a stay of execution in a 7-2 vote, with Justices Stephen M. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting.

Morning Plum: Majority wants GOP to fix Obamacare if Supreme Court guts it

Republican leaders are openly rooting for the Supreme Court to gut Obamacare subsidies in three dozen states, explicitly in order to accomplish what Republicans failed to accomplish through the political and legislative process. That suggests Republicans have no intention to agree to any “fixes” to the law if SCOTUS does gut it, even though some conservative reform types want them to offer some sort of policy response of their own if millions lose subsidies and coverage.

House bill would undo President Obama’s immigration moves

Rep. Robert Aderholt, a Republican House member from Alabama, is in the process of proposing a bill that would put further restrictions on immigrants. This piece of legislation would overide Obama's decision to defer deportations and to grant up to 5 million work permits for these immigrants. It would also reinstate Secure Communities, an immigration enforcement program which Obama has ended.

Same-Sex Pairs in Florida Say Jubilant ‘I Dos’

On January 5, a judge lifted the ban on same-sex marriage in Florida, making them the 36th state to do so. Many joyous coup,es were wed only a few hours after the descision was made. The article also portrays the views of both clerks and politicians alike who are opposed to same-sex marriage on the lifting of this ban. The more conservative of these clerks announced they will continue issuing licenses because it is the law, but will be ending ceremonial courthouse weddings, so as not to force clerks into participating in something that may go against their beliefs. Jed Bush also commented on the lifting of the ban, urging for the respect of persons on all sides of the issue.

Obama to meet with lawmakers next week

Next Tuesday, President Obama will be meeting with the congressional leaders from both Republican and Democratic parties. How do you think this will go? Do you think there is any chance they will be able to cooperate?

Judge Lifts Ban, and Gay Weddings Begin in Florida

On January 5, 2015, Florida became the 36th state to allow gay couples to get married. The Republican party with leadership of Jeb Bush (the state's former governor) had an interesting comment. Do you think republicans are becoming more accepting towards same sex marriage? What do you think will happen now that Florida allows same sex marriage? Will this change the minds of other states?

Obama Dials Up Executive Power

Obama Dials Up Executive Power All eyes are on the U.S. Congress, awaiting the clashes that are bound to take place between Obama and a Republican-dominated Congress. Obama has begun to use his executive power to get things done, which some criticize as unhelpful. This article provides a list of key policy issues that are bound to cause drama this year, including energy, labor, health care, and others.

Seven Years In, Reporter Says Little to Court

Seven YeRs In, Reporter says Little to Court Seven years ago, James Risen wrote a book detailing a failed CIA program that would attempt to slow down Iran's nuclear program. The court believes that Jeffrey Sterling provided the information, but Risen refuses to admit the sources for his information. Risen fought his court summons and los, but he still is against revealing information to the government. This is one instance of the crackdown the Obama administration has taken in regards to leaked information. Is Risen right in refusing to reveal his sources?

Start the Clock on Assessing Congress

The 100-day evaluation is used as a market in US politics. By Tax Day, there will be a good sense of whether the year will be shaped only by confrontations or if it will feature a decent dose of  compromises. How do you think this political year will turn out considering the Republican dominated House and Senate?

California Governor Unveils Energy Goals

In California Governor, Jerry Brown's inaugural and state of the state speech on Monday, he addressed the role California was going to play in environmental issues. He stated that California was going to have to be a policy leader in "stopping potentially catastrophic changes to our climate system." What do you think of his plan and will other states incorporate these changes?