C12-4

    Many of Trump's White House staff has been let go because of their failure to pass the background check. These staff include the Deputy Assistant and the Chief Digital Officer. These are just two of the six who didn't pass the checks. A few of these dismissed people have chosen to disclose the reasons for their failure to pass the checks. Some of the reasonings for dismissal was failure of communication on how to answer some of the detailed questions on the form. The main guidelines for being a part of the White House are being reliable, trustworthy, having good character, and loyalty to the United States. These background checks and ensuring qualification for these positions can be calming, in a way, by giving reassurance that the people running our country have been deemed as "qualified."

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-staffers-dismissed-failed-background-checks-n724896

C12-3

     A doctor in Philadelphia has admitted to his "dealing" of prescriptions to patients who are in a drug abuse clinic, that is now no longer functioning. Dr. Alan Summers, age 78, has pleaded guilty in the court of the charges he has faced with this issue. He was charged with conspiracy, drug distribution, money laundering and health care fraud. Dr. Summers, along with many others close with him, have sold about $5 million worth of prescription drugs, along with other controlled substances, to drug dealers and drug addicts. This is a huge deal and makes you question the bureaucracy and how functional it is when it comes to regulations, background checks, and all sorts of other actions that seemingly could lower the numbers of these cases. It's scary, once again, to think of how people who are placed at a higher power, or with more responsibilities, can more easily perform these acts and have more access.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/philadelphia-doctor-admits-selling-prescriptions-addicts-45682220

C12-2

   Trump's new crack-down on immigration and the changes he has already made has changed so many lives, not even just in the US. It's shocking how far executive power can be take. It hasn't been as obvious in the past or as big of an issue because of the executive's restraint.. but all bets seem to be off now. This has gotten to the point where immigrant parents are signing documents allowing friends or relatives to pick up their children from work in the event they may be arrested by immigration agents. These parents have also given bank account information to those they trust in order to ensure their bills get paid and their children are fed in case they get arrested. People are living their everyday lives in fear. Immigrants of this nation, people who have come to America in search of a better and more stable life, now feel uncertain about their daily lives. These people have described the precaution taken to just simply answering the door or phone nowadays.  It is troubling that this has been forced upon our country. People continue to rebel, protest, and voice their opinions on these issues and those similar.. rather it will make a difference in the upcoming policy making, or changes, is still a huge question.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/immigrants-fearing-deportation-trump-change-routines-45679481

C12-1

   The trump administration announced it's reversal of the transgender bathroom issues. Following this reversal has been many protests and has obviously caused many to be very upset. Trump has announced that students in schools are no longer able to use restrooms simply aligned with their own gender identity. For an example of this issue, Gavin Grimm who is a transgender teenager, sued his county in order to be able to use the male restrooms. This is definitely not the only relevant case of those who have been affected by the transgender bathroom issues. Members of the human rights movement and speakers for the LGBTQ have referred to Trump as a bully, and referred to this movement as a "blind and cruel attack on young children." This is a huge issue for those fighting for equality and what the public values in terms of policy making.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/protests-follow-white-house-decision-transgender-restroom/story?id=45676187

C11-4

  Trump has recently signed a document stating his full support of building the wall along the border of Mexico. He has ordered homeland security and others assisting with the construction of this massive wall to begin immediately, despite having security in who is paying for it. Trump has gone public with his negotiations, beginning soon, with Mexico to have the country pay for the building of this wall. Nothing is set in stone as far as who will be paying for this wall, yet the construction is approaching, if not already being done. This wall will stretch along 1,900 miles to separate Mexico from the U.S. It is not yet clear where the money for this wall is coming from, but Congress would have to approve any additional funding for the wall to be built. Trump estimates the construction of the wall to cost about 10million dollars. Trump is also ramping up the deportation of undocumented immigrants as we speak. He has also threatened to reduce funding to places who refuse to turn over illegal immigrants. A meeting occurred with the government leaders of Mexico stating that the Mexican governments understands it is America's right to build a wall, even if Mexico does not approve or like it. The aspect that has challenged Mexico's leaders to comply is their disbelief of Trump trying to make their country pay for a wall that Mexico does not even want there.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/09/politics/trump-executive-orders-crime-reduction/index.html

"Trump Signs Executive Actions on Border Wall, Immigration"

C11-3

   Today, Trump signed three new executive orders. These included a five year lobbying band, with claiming that the band we are currently under was a two year band, full of loopholes. Lobbying is trying to influence a politicians or public figure's view on a certain issue. Among these three new orders is an order having to do with homeland security and the national security council. Trump claims people have been wanting this for a long time and will help to improve our country's safety. Lastly, he signs an order for a plan to defeat the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria. Trump is very confident in the ability of success for this last order he signed.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/09/politics/trump-executive-orders-crime-reduction/index.html

C11-2

'Rogue' Federal Twitter Accounts Multiply

     Some of these rogue twitter accounts have gained more than 1 million followers recently, and having more than eighty of these accounts total. The National Park Service has recently said these accounts have been handed off to environmentalists and activists. This being said, none of the account owners have come forward to identify themselves. These account owners are continuing to choose to remain anonymous. The tweets sent out by these account are defiant and disapproving of Trump and his policies. The tweets sent by these accounts have been viewed as productive and as a logical way of expression. The main question arises rather these accounts truly serve a purpose since they are run by supporters and not actual members of the agencies. The answer is not clear, but these accounts do encourage their followers to take action by getting in touch with congressional representatives.

C11-1

"Revenge of the Bureaucrats"

     President Trump has managed to further the anger and disapproval of his presidency even more within the first few weeks of being inaugurated. He has opened fire with the wrath of about 2.1million federal employees by his plans to cut down the size of the government work force. He has already made decisions to affect all of these employees by freezing most federal hiring and planning to shrink agencies who focus on domestic policies. The bureaucrats of the nation, however, are not planning to sit in silence. Trump may be the president, but there is still actions that can be taken, even if they are seemingly small. Employees can fight back through leaking information to the press and slowing down policy proposals through the system of bureaucracy. Trump is determined to enforce his plans of action and is threatening budget cuts as a form of reducing the domestic policy agencies. His plans will be difficult to carry out, as the Trump Organization admits, because of the difficulty to shrink the federal work force. If Trump carries out these plans he also runs the risk of angering workers all over the country, considering nearly 85% work outside of Washington. If the government employers are cut, this could also cost tax payers to be required to pay more money, because of the new reliance there would be on contractors. This is causing many fears and anxieties of these employees to arise because of the effort they have put toward the policies we have today that Trump is attempting to unravel.

C10-4

  Supreme Court litigators and many White House ethics lawyers plan to file a lawsuit against President Trump with allegations of him violating the Constitution. This has most recently come up for debate rather or not Trump is in fact violating the Constitution by allowing his hotel and others of his businesses to accept payment from foreign governments. The President is never intended to accept any money from other major foreign governments because of the fears of the framers that the President would be corrupted by payments or gifts. Many other allegations have been made toward Trump's actions by many major liberal advocacy groups. This suit will cause New York to order Trump to stop accepting these payments. One way to get around or avoid this situation to be viewed as constitutional is to put the hotel under someone else's name. There are many examples of "loose construction" in this suit as Trump's lawyers have argued that there is no constitutional provision that applies to fair-market payments. The technicalities on rather this issue is constitutional or unconstitutional will determine how this suit proceeds.

C10-3

   The Democratic party is not the only ones coping with this reality of Trump as president. Even the Republican party itself describes the uncomfortable feeling of Donal Trump leading our 
country. Many describe themselves "voting through gritted teeth" for Trump on election day. An insightful comment was stated by politico, "Several GOP electors refused to say who they’d cast their personal ballot for on Election Day. Others committed to voting for a third party or write-in candidate – if they vote at all – even though they committed to support Trump with their electoral votes." We seem to constantly separate Democratic and Republican emotions or reactions to situations that arise, but in reality there are upsets in both parties at this time.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/voting-for-trump-through-gritted-teeth-227031

C10-2

   The Democratic continues to be in this state of asking question such as, "what can I do?" It amazes me how huge of an issue this has become, but it is definitely justified in my opinion. Described as, "Dejected. Depressed. Scared. Angry. Plenty of emotions for a lot of young, idealistic, committed people." Peter Fenn, author of the linked article, was chosen for a job in political media in New York and has offered insight for those struggling with the new changes in our government and how it is being led. Staying focused is one of these insights. The Republican party taking over has given Democrats the opportunity to be in the minority for the first time in years and face these issues with confidence and determination, not backing down in order to make a change. Secondly, to simply listen. Most importantly to fight back, volunteer, and rally. Refuse to be silenced by the scrutinization. 


http://www.usnews.com/opinion/thomas-jefferson-street/articles/2017-01-13/8-steps-for-democrats-in-the-donald-trump-era

C10-1

  The Democratic party has been in a state of mourning ever since the news of Trump's election. This party has also taken this time to reflect on the respect gained for Obama and express their feelings on his resignation as president. People commend him for his breaking down of the racial barrier we face in the United States, especially the racial discrimination that occurs for those who hold high positions in the government. Despite many criticisms surrounding Barack Obama, he is commended for broadening healthcare reform laws, resurrecting the economy from a collapse, and approving the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden. Even Obama himself stated he accomplished about 70 to 75% of his goals as president. The Democratic party and many others continue to express their concerns for the upcoming years under President Trump.

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-01-19/president-barack-obamas-legacy-a-country-still-divided

Intro to Parties-Japan

 1.  Japan is a constitutional monarchy. In a constitutional monarchy the power of the Emperor is limited but is known as the "ceremonial head of state."  The Japanese government is divided into three separate branches, the Legislative branch, Executive branch, and Judiciary branch.

2.  Japan has a total of eleven political parties.

3.  There are two main groups that hold most of the political voice, the Liberal Party of Japan and the Japan Democratic Party.

4.  Japan is organized as a multi-party parliamentary, consisting of numerous parties being recognized.

5. There aren't any obvious reported issues happening within Japans political parties. Their views seem to line up for the most part.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Japan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Japan