The so-called “Buffet rule” has been causing a lot of stir recently, especially after President’s Obama State of the Union speech last week.“[Senator] Whitehouse is expected to introduce the Paying a Fair Share Act on Wednesday. His proposal would codify the "Buffett Rule," named after billionaire Warren Buffett: It would require people who make more than $1 million to pay a 30 percent effective tax rate. Tax loopholes now allow some of the wealthiest Americans to pay lower tax rates than people in the middle class.”
What are your thoughts on the “Buffet rule”? What impact will it have on the economy?
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This NYTimes article reports on the poor working conditions of overseas factories for Apple products. Among the problems cited are violations of both working conditions and safety hazards. But begs the question of whether companies should be sending jobs overseas in the first. Many argue that we should keep the jobs in America despite cost. Others argue that Americans would be either unwilling or unable to pay increased prices in order to keep those jobs in America. What are your thoughts? Would you support outsourcing jobs overseas if working conditions were fair and safe? If so, why? If not, how would you encourage companies to keep jobs in America? How can we hold companies accountable for the fair and safe working conditions of their workers wherever they are?
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicates that she wants to leave American politics. What is her legacy as First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State? Do Progressives need her in a leadership position? Could she be a strong Progressive contender for the White House in 2016?
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In this provocative article, the author argues that adding a Constitutional amendment to end corporate Personhood could actually backfire on the Progressive movement. This is because the language of such an amendment could end up restricting Constitutional rights possessed by groups such businesses, unions, and grass-roots movements. The author concludes by arguing that progressives should instead work through the executive and legislative branches to curb corporate influence in Washington. Do you agree? Are there potential dangers with adding a Constitutional amendment on Personhood? What is the best way for progressives to take on the Citizens United decision?
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"We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules"
By stressing equality, fairness, and social mobility, has the President crafted a message that can win in 2012? Can Occupy protestors coalesce around the President's agenda?
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What did you think of the State of the Union address? What are your thoughts to the accusations that it was more of a campaign speech than a SOTU? Did you agree with the President’s talking points? What were your thoughts on his program for education, immigration, and infrastructure? What do you think of his home refinancing plan? His foreign policy agenda? What, if anything, in his speech did you disagree with? How will this impact the President’s 2012 campaign?
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What do you think should be the focus for President Obama's State of the Union address tonight? What aspects of rebuilding the economy should be prioritized?
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Newt Gingrich has recently been criticized for calling President Obama the “the most effective food-stamp president in American history,” citing the 46% increase in food stamp use since December 2008. The NAACP criticized Gingrich calling this characterization “inaccurate” or “divisive”. Others still have labeled the statement racist. What are your thoughts on this? How would you respond to this?
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Now that Gingrich has won in SC, how does that impact who is likely to win the GOP primary? Given the suspected role of the Bain ad in Gingrich’s win, what role do you think ads (positive or negative) will play in the remainder of this election cycle? Are there ways that President Obama should change his 2012 campaign to reflect the results of these recent primaries/caucuses? What strategies should the President try to counteract or defend against potential smear ads?
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Ron Paul is a rising star among many young activists and he is even wining over some Progressive minded voters . Yet, his stances on education, a women's right to choose, labor unions, the separation of church and state, civil rights and host a of other issues are antithetical to the Progressive movement. Why is he growing in popularity? Is it a problem that so many young people are being drawn into his coalition?
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What are your opinions on the anti-piracy legislation which many corporations and politicians have been crafting?
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In this article, Professor Chernus argues that if the President relies primarily on
invoking facts and policies in his re-election bid, our nation will be on track to elect a GOP President. Because "political psychologists like George Lakoff and Drew Westen would say to the Dems, 'There you go again,' thinking that a laundry list of true facts and popular policies can win elections. Sorry folks. The only way to beat a narrative that looks strong but wrong is with a narrative that looks strong and right (morally right, not conservative right-wing)." What is Professor Chernus getting at? What kind of moral narrative do Progressives need to win in 2012?
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In this George Stephanopoulos interview, Stephen Colbert talks about his presidential “exploratory committee” and the former-Colbert PAC’s anti-Romney ad. What are your thoughts on Colbert’s recent political actions, including his attempts to educate the public on the ramifications of Citizens United and SuperPACS through his TV show? What do you think of his previous attempts to sponsor the SC GOP along with a Citizens United referendum? Would Colbert make a viable third-party candidate?
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This article's author points out, "Lately, critics of public sector unions...claim that collective bargaining by government is responsible for today's budget deficits; that public sector unions, in league with allies in the Democratic Party, are lining the pockets of their members at taxpayers' expense. The facts don't support these allegations. There is little correlation between states that have public sector collective bargaining and states with large deficits" So why does the right demonize public sector unions? How should Progressives respond?
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Dr. King heroically fought for racial and economic justice in this country. Is our nation on track to realize his dream of equality in the US?
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In this interview, McCain criticizes Citizens United, stating that he has predicted that SuperPACs will “destroy the political process.” When asked why Romney or others don’t stand against Citizens United, McCain replied “Because they won’t stop…. as long as unlimited amounts of money are there, there not attributable to the candidate, it’s going to happen. ..We had campaign contribution limitations for a reason and the United States Supreme Court basically did away with all of that and we’re going to pay a heavy price for that ….” What is your response to McCain’s statements? Do McCain’s criticisms indicate a potential turn in Conservative politics?
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“Conservatism is the theoretical voice of this animus against the agency of the subordinate classes. It provides the most consistent and profound argument for why the lower orders should not be allowed to exercise their independent will, to govern themselves or the polity. Submission is their first duty”
The author reminds us that Conservative as a political stance is always a reactive stance and argues that given the increasing prominence of more Progressive stances (universal healthcare, public education, taxing the rich, etc. ) the Conservative backlash in politics is predictable. What are your thoughts on this article?
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New Statesman has put out a list of who they consider to be the top 20 US Progressives. Is there anyone you would add to this list? Who do you think the most important Progressive voices in this country are and why?
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Mitt Romney claims that his business background qualifies him to be President and provides him with insights to fix the US economy. What do you think of Romney's claims? Were his enterprises at Bain Capital, as the below article argues, unethical and indicative of a broken political system?
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Why are some Progressives interested in Ron Paul? Is Ron Paul in anyway a Progressive? What kind of President would he make?
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South Carolina’s Justice Dept declined to “preclear” the state’s new voter ID law, requiring a picture ID on the basis that it discriminates against minorities and therefore violates the Voter Rights Act. Texas is facing a similar situation. What are your thoughts on these voter ID laws? Do these voter ID laws successfully protect against voter fraud? In your opinion do they violate the Voting Rights Act?
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Is there reason to be optimistic about the economy going into the 2012? Do you think that the the economy will improve enough to help the President's re-election efforts?
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What are your thoughts on President Obama's defense strategy just released Thursday? Is a 'leaner' military a 'weaker' one? How would you respond?
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Occupy movements are now coordinating to "Occupy Congress" Jan 17th in protest of Congress' recent actions (and inactions). What are your thoughts on this tactic? Is this an effective method to communicate to Congress?
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After the Iowa caucus results in which Romney and Santorum were basically tied for first, what impact if any do you think McCain's endorsement of Romney on the next round of caucuses? In what ways could Santorum or Romney be a threat to President Obama in the 2012 elections?
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What advice would you give the President as he plans his reelection strategy? What should be the top priorities for Progressive activists in the 2012 elections?
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With the Iowa caucuses approaching, it seems appropriate to discuss how important exactly is the Iowa caucus for determining the 2012 GOP candidate? The author of this article seems to think that Iowa is perhaps not as representative of general American public opinion as we have been led to think. What are your thoughts? How important is Iowa? Will Iowa have a significant impact on the next upcoming caucuses?
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