Just in the past decade alone we have seen our countries view on marijuana change dramatically. Only a few years into our past it was seen as a gate way drug that destroys families, neighborhoods, seen as a source of so many problems. Now it is going mainly stream with state of state legalizing it for medical and recreational use. With a record 61% of Americans want marijuana legalized across the country. It is changing many peoples lives and the over all quality of life for cities and state for the better with more tax revenue for states going towards better education, less people in jail or nonviolent drug offenses, and people getting much needed medical relief. The possibilities for this change in American culture is hard to fathom, what would our country be like if marijuana was legalized nationally? This is such a recent change and the walls and laws have been coming down so fast it is hard to stay what this new era will be like but the light seems pretty bright at the end of the tunnel.

Just a couple days ago our own Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the question before us to legalize recreationally, after legalizing medical us in 2016. Now we do now have referendums in our state so this will be voted and decided in our state legislature the Pennsylvania General Assembly. On March 20^thState Senators Daylin Leach and Sharif Street introduced Senate bill 350 they stated it would “end the destruction caused by cannabis prohibition.” Bill 350 would legalize the recreational us of marijuana for adults 21 and over, along with expunging the arrest records for some drug offenses and would earmark tax revenue for education. Furthermore, it would create a tiered system of licenses for growers and sellersand make it possible for colleges around our state to grow and study marijuana and teach students the professional science and business of the drug.

In a news release Senator Leach said “We’ve had a cruel, irrational and expensive policy on cannabis for more than 80 years.” In Pennsylvania alone around 25,000 people are arrested each year which highly disproportionately impacting minority communities is, in the Commonwealths marijuana prohibition. With the cost of arrest, prosecuting, and monitoring the people charged with marijuana related crimes is around $500 million a year. All those tax dollars have the opportunity to be freed up to work on so many more vital needs of our state to balancing our budget, improving our infrastructure, and investing in our schools. In an interview this week Senator Street said “It is time for us to join the emerging cannabis economy with the legalization of Adult Use Cannabis in Pennsylvania. … The economic imperatives are too great,” now this is oh so true. In a report in August issued by Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale estimated that legalizing marijuana could generate over $581 million a year in taxes for the state. The report went on to say it would be a costly mistake if marijuana was not decriminalized. Once again to restate the legalization of marijuana would save the state around $500 million every year and would gain over $581 million in new taxes every year for a total of over 1 billion. The possibilities of our State having over 1 billion to reallocate to so many of our other needs seems to quote PA’s Auditor General not decriminalizing would be a very costly mistake.

This bill has been gaining a lot of traction in Harrisburg and around the Commonwealth as a whole. With now 10 other state and the District of Columbia having passed legalization laws, and our next store neighbor New Jersey say to vote next week on their legalization measure could PA soon be next? As of today, a draft of the bill has not yet been posted on the state’s legislative website. Bill 350 still has a few votes and committees to get through before its even close to a final draft and land on the desk of Governor Tom Wolf. In this time state leader are trying to find out as much information as possible to try to make our position of this bill with come Republicans and Democrats alike wanting to know the possible impacts of this legislation. This is also a time when both sides of the isle are looking to see how their constituents feel on this issue and that is exactly what newly elected PA Lt. Governor John Fetterman is doing. He is underway on a on a 67-county, statewide marijuana listening tour. Each stop he has an open public discussion with the people so they can openly express their opinions on the issues and he can sit back and listen to the people. After people have a chance to speak they ask the audience to raise hands of approval or disapproval of legalization. In his most recent stop in York the large audience was very overwhelmingly in support of legalizing.

It will be every exciting to see if this bill is able to be finalized and voted on, the potential of this bill is huge. From helping expunging the arrest records for some drug offenses, generate tax revenue for education, and free up millions more or tax payer dollars. High expectations for this bill and our states future are on the minds of our law makers and Pennsylvanians alike. Looking ahead to the New Jersey vote next week and where PA goes from here.

Donald J. Trump is a force of nature never seen before in American politics, a man who was nationally known for his business empire and his very popular TV show The Apprentice, with no political or military experienced was elected to the highest office in the land. With his election it has opened a new era in American history and our politics, to say the least a very loud and divisive time in our country but we as a country will see what will happened in the next 2 or 6 years to come. To understand the President and his views we must look at the man.

Donald John Trump was born and raised in the New York City borough of Queens on June 14, 1946. To his parents Fred and Mary Anne Trump 1 of 5 children he was a rather rowdy child and his father wanted his son to rain more respect and discipline so he was sent to the New York State Military Academy. There he learned a lot about leadership and has said in interviews that he enjoyed his time there and learned a lot, he was the captain of the cadets and the baseball team as well. After high school Trump would go on received an economics degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Graduating in 1968 he would then join his family business started by his father, a real-estate and developing business which was mainly focused on building afforded housing in Queens. Donald eventually look over leadership of the company being appointed president of his family’s real estate business in 1971, renamed it The Trump Organization. His father was still around but Donald thought the company could greatly expand and reach new heights. He had big Dreams and looked across the river at Manhattan the big leagues of real-estate and he wanted in. So, he set off on his first big solo project renovating the old run-down Commodore Hotel and creating the new Grand Hyatt Hotel finishing the project on time and under budget. The company officially expanded it from Queens and Brooklyn and into Manhattan. From there the company had many more successes built or renovated skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses on over the country. The Trump Organization has had a very interesting history it had high and lows but even managed to pull itself up after filing for bankruptcy on several times and to this day and a flourishing company. There have also been many side ventures, a lot including licensing with the Trump on consumer products. He also has acquired the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants from 1996 to 2015. He had his name everywhere and Forbes estimates his net worth to be $3.1 billion. Donald continued to managed the company until his 2017 inauguration, with leadership now handed over to his children. He co-authored several books, including The Art of the Deal which quite honestly, I have read and recommend to people it very much helps you understand the man and see the way he thinks.

In the eyes of many Donald Trump embodies the American dream with this successful business and family. That is why many people for decades have thought he should run for president which had thought about since 1988 and he didn’t try until 2016. Right off the bat the day Trump announced he was running for President it was a fire storm the media could not stop talking about him and either for the American people. Like or dislike him he breathes attention and gets people talking, with comments and sound bights to change headlines in minutes. Many in the political elite and establishment took Trump as a joke and many on both left and right on the isle said he had no chance from the beginning. As the first polls start to come in people were shocked with Trump the front runner, with 16 other candidate many established and lift long politicians. His rhetoric to many seemed mean and like a bully but that how a lot of voters felt they were angry with the establishment and how things were going to they left like Trump represented them and their voice. Winning the Republican Nomination and the stage was set for the real battle for the Presidency against the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The election as we all know was one of the nastiest and divisive elections in recent history with both sides getting low in attacks on the other. Against all odds and the opinions of almost all the political establishment Trump would go on to win the Presidency. With taking office and now being 2 years in tensions are still high on both sides, with the country seeming more polarized then ever. What so much of it comes down to is the man Donald Trump himself, the Democrats support a fair bit of his platform and since he is the President they don’t agree with pretty much anything he supports. Both parties have the opportunity to put politics aside, come together, help bring the nation and together and push it forward with progress. I know this is a lot to a ask but I think the majority of the country feel the same that agreeing and bipartisanship is the what America need right now. Trump has said it himself so many times he is a businessman he negotiated he is willing to talk and give if the Democrats just come to the table. The opportunity to makes deals on improving infrastructure, paid family leave, immigration and so much more. We have seen a glimpse what can come from bipartisanship with criminal justice reform with the First Step. This legislation passed congress with flying colors and signed by the President is making our justice system fairer for nonviolent drug offenders and bringing in more rehabilitation programs to help people rejoin society. This is a great piece of legislation and is a great example of what is possible when people come together, hopefully the path the politicians will head toward in the coming years.

 

The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and the head of judicial branch of our government. It for the most part gets the least amount of attention compared to the executive and legislative branches but itself wields a great deal of power of its own and it a large check on the power of both branches. For a quick brake down for the court for those know my not be all too familiar with the judiciary listen up. The Supreme Court is make up of nine justices, the justices are chosen by the President and are vetted by the Senate Judiciary committee and then voted and approved by the whole Senate. The President gets to pick a new justice if a current justice retires or dies, this is because being appointed is a life long term with many staying until their death. In the formation of the Judiciary Congress set up the Federal court system and created 13 judicial districts (also call circuit courts). Along with setting up the Supreme Court with the original 6 justices, 1 chief justices and 5 associates. This number has changed over time and settled to the present total of nine in 1869. The power to increase the number of justices on the supreme Court is in the hands of the U.S. President. This is usually used to balance the power of the two sides on the court and is known as court packing.

The current Supreme Court is majority conservative with 5 of the 9 being appointed by Republican Presidents. One of right leaning side we have Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito appointed by George W. Bush, Justice Clarence Thomas appointed by George H.W. Bush, then Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh appointed by Donald Trump. Then one the left leaning side we have Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Stephen Breyer appointed by Bill Clinton, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan appointed by Barack Obama. Even with the conservative majority the court is still fairly even with Chief Justice Roberts sometimes being a swing vote for both sides.

To Presidents the Supreme Court is very important, a President can only be elected to 8 years but will a court appointment their impact on the nation will last for decades. This is way it was such an important issue that came up in the 2016 election on who would get to filled the late Justice Antonin Scalia who died February 13^th, 2016. President Obama was quick to name Merrick Garland as his pick to fill the vacant set, but Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell saw a problem. He stated there was precedent to not take any Supreme court nominations in a Presidential election year and to let the winner of the election filled the seat. At the time it was either going to be Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump making the choice and the American people had to make their decision. McConnell’s decision got a lot of blow back from the Democrats but was able to block the Garland nomination letting the future President make the decision.

Donald Trump went on and won the Presidency in 2016 and with that the chance to name his own nominee to the Supreme Court. During this campaign he wanted to emphasize transparency and release a list of judges that we would consider for the Supreme Court seat. This was the first time a presidential candidate had given a list of candidates during a campaign, he stuck to his word and did pick from his released listed. President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch of the 10^thCircuit on January 31, 2017. There was much resentment on the left about Trump getting the pick, but for the most part of the nomination process was fairly smooth and was confirmed by the Senate on April 7, 2017. The following year on June 27, 2018 Justice Kennedy was retiring from the Supreme court, meaning Trump would have another appointment. From his list he nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh on July 9, 2018 of the D.C. Circuit. This nomination received so much more backlash from democrats furriest that Trump got another pick, and soon a scandal to come. During the nomination process a woman named Dr. Ford accused Judge Kavanaugh of rapping her more than 30 years ago in high school. She testified before the Senate Judiciary committee where she put forth a very emotional story but, in the end, there was no physical evidence against Kavanaugh. He would be confirmed by the Senate on October 6, 2018.

In 2019 there could be more change to come for the court, Justice Ginsburg’s health is a big question mark after breaking 3 ribs and getting cancer removed again. It is to be seen if she is physically able to continue her with her position, she has made it clean in the past that she wishes to serve as long as she can. Then another possibility of change comes with Justice Thomas the longest serving justice on the court with rumors circling that he may retire this summer to clear a path for President Trump to pill his set with a good and reliable conservative justice. In either circumstance the President is most likely to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the 7^thCircuit. Former Law professor at Norte Dame, Catholic and mother of 7 children two of which she adopted from Haiti. Barrett became a favorite among conservatives when during her confirmation hearing Senator Dianne Feinstein said “the dogma lives loudly within you and thats of concern” referring to her strong Catholic faith. Many saw this has Feinstein questioning Barrett’s ability to judge due to her faith which would go against the Constitution which says there will be no religious test. Judge Barrett is most definitely a force to be recon with and could be in the national spot light once again but next time possibly a nominee for the Supreme Court, only time will tell.

America at the moment seems very more divided between people and parties on the surface but there are still the things that connect us all our sense and beliefs in freedom, our freedom to speak and act out in response to injustice and to stand up for our believes and morals. In this blog today we are looking at two of the biggest marches in America today the March for Life and the Women’s March. These people stand up for what they believe in not just for themselves, but because they love their country and believe they have the duty to change it for the better. These two annual marches, the March for Life and the Women’s March, both represent so many things that make America great. Although the March for Life has been happening since 1973, the Women’s March is new on the scene, only starting in 2017. It has found huge traction among Americans all over the country. On the surface, one might think these two events have nothing in common, with the March for Life protesting Roe v. Wade and abortion and the Women’s March protesting the presidency of Donald Trump and standing up for women’s issues. They may have different goals and their marchers may come from different backgrounds, but these marches have the same civic spirit in bringing people together for a united cause to show our nation and its leaders that their voices will be heard. Although these marches are only a few days apart and have had different histories and backgrounds, both are designed and used to connect deeply into the emotions and desires of the American people, and through different media broadcast the national issues of our time.

To start, we look at the differences between these two events. To say they are different is an extreme understatement, as they have a vastly different history and opposing goals. The March for Life was started in 1973 by activist Nellie Gray. A year after, an annual march started to peacefully protest on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade. This was the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in America. To this day, that march is a sign of large support to overturn the case that still has a large traction in politics today. The annual Women’s March on Washington was only started in 2017 in a mass protest of the presidency of Donald Trump, since his election was seen as a step backwards after so many years of progressive thought in America. The march has been to promote not just women’s rights, ranging from equal pay to reproductive rights, but also those of minority’s ranging from the LGBTQ community to immigrants alike. In 2018 and 2019, these events were just one day apart. The drastically different messages being spread from the streets of D.C. were only separated by a few hours. Although the differences are not just what we should be looking at, but also the similarities between the two.

On the surface after seeing all the differences one might think, what in the world could these two events have in common? Upon closer analysis, it becomes clear. At the end of the day, we are all Americans, and as Americas we have the right to freedom of speech and assembly. These events are that in a nutshell, with average Americans coming together for a common cause, their shared enterprise to demand the change they believe is right. As Americans, we are allowed to disagree with the government, it’s part of being a democracy and a good one at that. This is part of our everyday life; how one wants our country to be not just today but in the future. The infrastructure of the marches also have similarities, both having presidents and boards and being funded by the donations of millions of Americans and getting attention from speeches given by political leaders and celebrities. This brings authority to both marches along with greater media attention, and this puts greater pressure on our government to make the change the people demand by putting their message right in Washington’s face. It is so important to see what is similar because it cannot always be us versus them, at the end of the day we are all Americans, we all have a voice, and we can all choose to use it in our own way.

It is truly can amazing time to be alive and America, so much technology now connects our world helping bring people together for common goals and helps bring together these huge events. I hope these events continue to inspire people to go out and try to make change in their own community because it is our civic duty and our right as Americans. One of the most important parts I hope people take away from this is that at the end of the day we are one people, one nation and we should have love and respect for each other as we move toward.

Immigration something that our nation is built on is also one of the most divisive issues of our time. It seems that America is truly split on where to go from here the two parties have drawn their lines in the sand and dug in with the American people and millions of immigrants in the middle of it all.

Over our almost 250 years as a nation we have had tens of millions of immigrants come to our shores of a better life. As time has moved forward America has become much more limited of who they want in and the number they are willing to have. This is not a new thing in the 1920’s and 30’s there were limits on the number of people allowed from specific countries in Europe that could come over. In our time with much more immigrants from Hispanic and Muslim nations America has had a change of tune toward the importance of immigration. The issue has become very dividing today with the fight over immigration reform, border security, and what will happen to illegal immigrants within out borders. It seems that many politicians have changed their minds on their previous stances and it’s a whole new game for our government.

On the Republican side, the stance is to strengthen border security which includes new barriers, increase technology and more border agents. Along with standing against giving amnesty to undocumented immigrants who are already in the U.S. Then the on the Democrat side its it fairly hard to see what their position really against what is besides just the Republicans and Trump want. Up until the election of President Trump many top Democrats including Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, and Barrack Obama were in agreement that more barriers and security was needed for the southern border. But not in the age of Trump they have changed their tune with Nancy Pelosi now Speaker of the House says that “walls are immoral” and the party for the most part is behind her against adding any new border barriers. The Democrats also want to protect the illegal immigrants including DACA or “Dreamers” who they people should stay in the United States and have a pathway to citizenship. The government was partially shut down for 35 days longest is U.S. history all on the sticking point of Trumps campaign promise of a wall. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer for the most part was able to keep their party in line and not give in the Presidents demand, the government is back in business for now what is only funded to February 8^th. In this time the two parties are in conference trying to find a more long-term solution and agreement on border security and government funding. It is very uncertain if a deal will come from these talks because we could be looking at another shut down if not or the possibility of the President declaring a nation emergency to fund building the wall along with improving technology, more agents, and humanitarian aid.

We can only hope as a nation that a compromise is made so we can move forward from this stronger and more united. Both side know the importance of immigration in our society and know it is immigrants who build this country and are the reason we are all hear unless you are Native American. Immigrants are very important to our country in many cases immigrants do the work that Americans don’t want the little and big jobs that people don’t even think about helping our nation grow and run smoothly. We will soon see what will come out of these talks and what will be said in President Trumps State of the Union on February 5^th. I think we all want to move toward from this very divisive issue that has caused a lot of pain and suffering for so many.

Now I usually like to keep my writings very natural so now to cause conflict with people but I think for this it is important to be honest. I am a moderate Republican, and no Trump was not my first choice but I do respect him as our President. I have love politics and history for much of my life and that is how I can write from both points of view because I think it is very important to understand both or you are just going to be kind of arrogant. Now this is just my take on the issues and it is completely fine to disagree with me. I do think border security is very important to our country, and more funding is needed to protect our country from crime and drugs. This includes more barrier, not a wall from sea to sea but more fences in strategic areas because much of the border has natural barriers. More technology is also need for better surveillance and drug detection with more agents needed not just at the border but also at our ports of entry where most of the drugs come in. Then most importantly immigration reform is desperately needed there are so many people wanting to come to our country and we need a new and updated system in order to deal with this demand. I am no expert or politician so these decision are up to our leaders in Washington to figure out and lead our nation forward for this crisis we find ourselves in today.

 

With the 2018 midterm election many new faces have been brought into the national spot light. Both of the Republican and Democrats side alike, with now more women and minority in the U.S. Congress than ever before. It is signs of a changing America one of acceptance and diversity among color, creed, and sex. A lot of younger faces as well are really shaking up the status quo in D.C. bringing in new, fresh, and bold ideas. The 2018 midterms went as most do during a new Presidents first term in office. Since 1946, the average midterm loss for the president’s party is 25 seats, and this one was not different with the Republican losing 25 seats with 27 in the House and a Republican gain of two seats in the Senate. The midterms were a mixture of victories for both parties with the GOP able to gain seats in the Senate which is very important to President Trump with the cabinet and judicial nominees having to get Senate approval. Along with the GOP pulling off governor wins the states of Florida with Rick Scott and Ohio with Mike DeWine; these wins are very important to the Republicans because they will have power over redistricting. The states of Ohio and Florida are crucial in winning the presidency for a Republican. Then on the Democrat side pulling off regaining the majority in the House of Representatives, along with a few Governors races. Now as it stands America has a divided Government, this has happened many times our history and as it shows can show a lot of dead lock between the two chambers on Congress. The answer to a divided government is in compromise and bipartisanship which for more information see the first post on the blog below.

In this post we will be looking at some of the very important player the came out of the 2018 both new and old faces that are shaping our current legislature. We will be looking at both sides of the isle and exploring the people who are working for the American people today and might have plan for the future in 2020 and beyond. One the Democrat line up we have Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kyrsten Sinema, Beto O’Rourke, and Joe Manchin. Then on the Republican party line up we got Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Marsha Blackburn, Martha McSally, and Ted Cruz.

The Democratic party is a huge cross road in its history, it has now entered into a time of finding itself, trying to find their next voice and message. For many Americans at this time all they can see is the Democrats message is just anti Donald Trump, now is works for talking points in the short term but not for the long haul at all. You cannot win an election with just being anti Trump many have tried and failed at that one both Democrats and Republicans alike.  The roads Democrats need to make their decision on is their direction as a party if they should take more toward the middle or much more far left toward Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both self-described Democratic socialist. On time will tell what direction the party will go; the decision will be made in the 2020 Democratic primary on where the party goes from here. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest women every elected to congress at age 29, she won’t be a contender in the next election but she could have major poll in the primary and where the party goes with her allied Bernie Sanders who ran in 2016 and is considering another run. Then Beto O’Rourke is a young member of the house ran for Senate against Ted Cruz one-time Presidential candidates. Beto was a great fundraiser getting millions and got national attention, many saw him as a future presidential candidate for 2020 but we would loss to Ted Cruz and is now out of a Job but many still see protentional in him and will probably be back in the spot light soon. Then Joe Manchin represents the very moderate part of the Democratic party, when Donald Trump wins your state by over 42% you have to be. He votes will the Republicans on many issues which is how he was able to will reelection in 2018, but many see the moderate section of the party as a dying bread with most people seeing the party going ever farther left.  Kyrsten Sinema is the first female Senate from the state of Arizona which adds to the diversity of the new Congress and helps with the new faces and ideas to the party. Then the one that stand from this group is Nancy Pelosi who has been reelection as speaker of the house, she has been in the house since the 80’s and is part of the old guard of the Democratic Party and is still at the helm now even herself going father left to keep up the support from her own party.

Then over in the GOP many saw it was Trump being on the ballot which is how it looked too many to President Trump having MAGA rally’s all over the nation to build up support for many different candidates. This worked out well for the part in some very key races in the senate and governor races. Over in the House with the retirement of Paul Ryan and the loss of the majority, now minority leader Kevin McCarthy to lead the party through this time and find a path to regaining the majority. Then over in the Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell is leading his majority trying to push through the Trump agenda, along with the new two female Senators Marsha Blackburn, and Martha McSally who are bringing new life and energy in the Grand old Party.

This new Congress has low of issues to deal with so we shall see how these new and old faces are able to lead and work for the American people.

Ever since the loss of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election which was seen as a guaranteed victory to many in her party, there has been a power vacuum within the Democratic party. The question must be asked who’s in charge and that is the next step and direction of the party itself. As it stands now to many there is no clean leader of face of the democratic party with Clinton out many think for good now and Obama being out of office as well. The Democratic party has now entered into a time of finding itself, trying to find their next voice and message. For many Americans at this time all they can see is the Democrats message is just anti Donald Trump, now is works for talking points in the short term but not for the long haul at all. You cannot win an election with just being anti Trump many have tried and failed at that one both Democrats and Republicans alike.

For a while the Dems where built upon the message of Obama who was able to win two terms as President but lost heavily their majors in Congress and it the majority of state legislators as well. This is just a fact of political science one a liberal leader is elected the country becomes more conservative and vise versa. Barrack Obama is very special, his voice, charisma, and message inspired millions of Americans in hope and better days to come. He was politician lighting the brought to life a huge grass roots movement almost very seen in American politics making huge speeches to thousands all of the country. No matter what you believe weather you supported him or not you have to give it to Obama a masterful politician, was able to speech with just style and character was like straight energy into the American people. The Democrats had themselves a Star and in 2008 with only being a U.S. Senator for three years was able to bring down Hillary Clinton former first lady and Senator to obtain his parties nomination. Then in the general was able to win in a landslide against an all-American hero John McCain who had been a POW in Vietnam and had been serving as a senator for two decades. Obama had become the first African American president in history, he had broken down so many barrier and inspired a nation. In his victory speech he was a humble winner and spoke of an American Dream that is no dead. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonder if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer”. This speech brought tears to the eyes of many that believe change was coming to America. It is up to debate if Obama’s promise of “Hope and Change” was delivered but he was the face and voice of his party leading a movement in American politics.

In 2016 Hillary Clinton ran for President again but had a hard time finding the same energy for her election that Obama had. Bernie Sanders was her main opponent in primary and had a huge grass root following but Clinton was able to prevail and take the nomination. Clinton was a problemed candidate and leader with a list of scandals as long as her credentials along with her lack of personability and known as one of the most establishment candidates in history. Non the less from polls and the media it looked like Clinton path to the White House was certain. Trump was able to be in a way like political cocaine to the American people either good or bad he got a reaction. He was able to like Obama fill stadiums and had a huge grass roots following in middle America, saying that he was the voice for the forgotten men and women of America. With her loss to Trump, Clinton was no longer the face and voice of the party she was set aside to wonder in the woods and wondered what happened. With Clinton gone the Democrat Party is left without a face to lead them, their leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer was had much criticism and is and old generation clinging on to power. With the upcoming Presidential election in 2020 the Dems will be deciding their new leader, it is going to be quite the primary with over two dozen people expected in the primary. The party will also be choosing its direction as well if it wants to start more toward the middle of go to the more radical side of the party of socialism. It is sure to be a bitter fight for the nomination but whoever wins will have their biggest challenge facing against an incumbent President of the United States who also happens to be Donald Trump. In the end it will be up the American people to side which why they want our country to go left, right or down the middle, let the majesty of our democracy go on.

 

America today is very divided on party lines, with the way things are going may average Americans and TV personalities believe bipartisanship is dead. Bipartisan by definition is the action of two opposing parties putting aside their differences and working together toward a common goal. In a different time bipartisanship was the political norm, being able to compromise and work together was something that all politicians strived for and was the standard. For a large part of American history there was not a lot of large differences between our political parties and for the most part even with divided government work together to drive the country forward. There have been times in our history were the country has been even more divided then today, such as the civil war and much civil and political unrest during the 60s and 70s. Our country has been through much harder times two world, cold war, recessions and depression we are strong and we must continue to stand tall as the greatest democracy on the face of this earth.

In the age of Trump, it is hard for many to see the Republicans and Democrats working together but there have actually been a few really good pieces of legislation that has passed with huge bipartisan support along with the Presidents during his two years in office. These have included the very recent success of the Criminal Justice Reform bill known as the First Step Act. This bill I personally found very hopeful that bipartisanship is still alive and well I also very much agree with this bill with American as a whole becoming are becoming more lenient on crime. This bill helps reduce minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses, limits the Clinton era three strikes policy. Along with putting people in jails closer to their families, and a huge part of it is about second chances gives the inmates so much more access to rehabilitative resources and education so they can be better equipped to rejoin society. This is a very strong and important piece of legislation that will helps many Americans and their families. President Trump said in his public support of the bill “Our whole Nation benefits if former inmates are able to reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens”. This along with several other pieces of legislation including bills fighting human trafficking along with empowering women in society and in the work place and helping vets as well. These and others are all pieces of the modern bipartisanship in the Trump era still going strong but is covered for the most part by disagreements and fighting between the two parties.

There is still much to be worked out between the Republicans and the Democrats but I believe that there is still much that they agree on enough to work together. One big thing in infrastructure this is one of Trumps big campaign promises to invest large in infrastructure and along with deregulation to help get projects off the ground much quicker. The Democrats for the most part is very much in support for investments in infrastructure which has been part of their party platform for decades. Some believe that with President Trump in office the Democrats are simple just unwilling to work with him even when they agree with him. I believe that the Democrats as the take control of the House of Reprecipitates they must compromise and work with the GOP and Trump in order to show the American people they are mature enough and have to leader to deserve to be in power. I think that if the parties are able to show they can work together on something great like building new roads and hospitals across the nation in could bring in a new time on calmness and maturity back to politics, a kinder and gentler nation.

First in order for this to happen the government shut down will have to end which is very import for America as a whole. President Trump has made his demand and has addressed the nation on the importance of better border security and humanitarian aid to the southern border. I has drawn a line in the stand on this and is standing firm that he will not sign any bill to reopen the government without the proper funding for better border security, humanitarian aid, and the wall or fencing for the southern border. The Democrats have for the most part been unwilling to negotiate as well as the republicans on this issue. Many Democrats including the newly elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi think the wall is unnecessary and immoral. This is in contrast to statement made by many democrats a just a few years ago including Pelosi, Obama and many more support increase security and fencing. In the age of Trump, the tune of the Democrats has certainly changed against walls and fences along the southern border. I believe that the Democrats should just try to negotiate and give into some of the demands, I understand they have their views and their constituents they would give at least some funding for border security now so they can reopen the government. Then they can better plan for the future of border security and our budget as a whole without putting government works and the American people in the middle of it. Then in the end either got truly what they wanted but that is the nature of compromise and bipartisanship. It is a very important staple of our democracy and our leaders in Washington need to learn to work together for all Americans remembers the past while always looking toward the future for our nation.