Ricardo Hernandez

Mod 5

May 23

Political Issues Project

Illegal Immigration 

Our topic was on illegal immigration and border security. We discussed the population growth of illegal immigration over the years and how it impacts the country. Also we discussed Donald Trump's plan of building the wall and deporting all illegal immigrants, more info about the wall here. Illegal immigration is such a huge issue in this country that it has become the center of some campaigns due to Hispanics influencing elections more each year. 

Personally this topic is important to me because it hits home. I applaud Obama for trying to reform the immigration system by using an executive order, only to be shot down by several states. I feel like border security should stay the same because there are more people leaving the country than there are entering according to research done by the Pew. The reason being is that the cost and risk to cross the border because of so much security, is not the same was when my father first came here. The American Dream is dead to many people and they miss their families. So in my opinion border security doesn't need any huge upgrade, what is needed is amnesty to individuals described in Obama's Executive order. If there were reason to deport people I feel like families should be the last on the list or have some sort of privilege to stay. My parents work just as hard as every other citizen, pays taxes, and have not committed any felons. Yet they get denied the privileges just because they wanted to have a better life for their children.  The immigration system needs to be reformed now.

 

Ricardo Hernandez

Mod 5

May 2, 2016

Unit 4 Judicial

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-gop-jeopardizing-integrity-of-judicial-branch-by-blocking-merrick-garland/

Obama: GOP jeopardizing integrity of judicial branch by blocking Merrick Garland

It's an election year and that means no cooperation on behalf of the Republican party. That is what President Obama is saying about the GOP Senate, due to their stubbornness of going through the process of nominating Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Even though Judge Garland is as far as right on the political spectrum any Democratic President would nominate. Senate Majority Leader  Mitch McConnell, just hours after Justice Scalia's death, announced that the Senate would not hold hearings or vote on any nomination by the POTUS.  As Pres. Obama states " it's jeopardizing democracy" and "it erodes the institutional integrity of the Judicial branch."  due to controversial and important issues possibly being held to a 4-4 tie and a stare decisis of the lower courts. Although Judge Garland has met with senators from both parties not much is known if it's influencing the Senate Republican Leadership. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley will meet Judge Garland Tuesday for breakfast which is a good step. Nonetheless, the political division of parties has once again affected huge and important decisions.

As a student who is fortunate for having AP Government in such a controversial and exciting time in politics, I did not expect this to happen. This ties into our Unit 4 in general due to all branches of government being involved in this whole process. But in particular the Judicial branch because it mainly affects the Supreme Court. A judge is needed for controversial issues such as immigration that is being heard right now. Which I am very aware of due to the fact that that ruling will affect me and my parents. If it ends in a 4-4 tie the lower court ruling stands, which isn't good.  I am extremely  disappointed that the divisions of parties have spread so deep that no hearings will be held for a Supreme Court Justice Nominee. The senate should uphold their constitutional duty and stop acting like little kids. I hope that eventually this issue will be dissolved from our society. One can dream after all.

Unit 4 Bureaucracy

Ricardo Hernandez

Mod 5

April 17, 2016

Unit 4 Bureaucracy

Cleveland Prepping for GOP Convention

The City of Cleveland is getting ready for what should be the most controversial National Convention in history. Whether it becomes a brokered convention or not, delegates will have just as much problems as Security. The Department of Homeland Security, secret service, and other law enforcement agencies are preparing for the worst. With protests at Donald Trump rallies and the rise of terrorist attacks, Cleveland is not taking security lightly. Cleveland will use their Federal block grant to spend on " interlocking steel barriers and 2,000 sets of riot gear, including collapsible batons" as well as recruiting officers so that the city could have 5,000 officers. Should be a crazy summer as Trump supporters and haters will meet in a 50,000 person crowded room. 

This article applies to our unit about bureaucracy because it talks about the Department of Homeland Security and in class we discussed the Department of Homeland Security. This a great example of the Department of Homeland Security flexing it's powers by involving the Secret Service which the DHS has jurisdiction of. Security should be a priority at this event as protests have been present at Donald Trump rallies which are not normal at all. DHS can have power over this convention because it involves domestic conflict and possible terrorist attacks.

Ricardo Hernandez
AP Government Mod 5
March, 31, 2016
Unit 4 President

President Obama grants early release to 61 more federal drug offenders

This blog post is about justice being served for 61 Federal drug offenders! The POTUS has given clemency to 61 Federal drug offenders on Wednesday for their release. In total President Obama has granted clemency to 248 inmates in which over a third were serving life sentences for non-violent drug offense. Although there 61 inmates were given clemency, there are still 9,115 clemency petitions that are waiting to be heard from. His release of prisoners is an ongoing effort of his high-profile clemency initiative. To qualify, prisoners had to have served at least 10 years of their sentence and have no significant criminal history and no connection to gangs, cartels or organized crime. They also must have good conduct while in prison.

I believe that the president is doing a good job rewarding clemency and pardoning the sentences of many prisoners that deserve a second chance. I researched a bit more and found out that the President has pardoned more people than the past 6 presidents. Which is a great use of his inherent powers being the chief executive. This ties into what we are learning in class because as of now we are learning about the roles and powers of the president. Such as whether they are implied or inherent.

AP Gov
Mod 5
Unit 4 - Congress
March 21, 2016

Rep. Lamar Smith- 21st Texas- Republican

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He was elected into the United States congress in 1986. Before he got elected to the U.S. Congress, he was chairman of Republican Party for Bexar County, Texas House representative. Served on energy resources committee and the Fire Ants select committee. Then he ran for U.S. Congressman after four term incumbent Tom Loeffler retired. His biggest contributor for the 2014 election cycle was Smithers Merchant Builders with $17,800. He has served 15 terms. Rep. Smith fits the identity of my Republican Suburban Tech because his district is surrounded by cities like San Antonio and Austin. Also he is on the Homeland Security Committee, Judiciary Committee, and chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Lamar Smith was ranked the most effective member of the House in the 112th Congress.He co sponsored the notable Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.

Encrypt Act- I would think that being chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee Rep. Smith would vote in favor for this. But also being on Judiciary Committee could make him second guess.

Bill #2- I think that he would vote in favor because of him being on the Science, Space, and Technology. Also Republicans are very much in favor of privatization.

Bill #3- I feel like he would vote in favor because of him being on the judiciary committee.

Ricardo Hernandez

Mod 5

March 1, 2016

Unit 3

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/03/01/would-democratic-superdelegates-steal-the-nomination-from-bernie-sanders-probably-not/

Would Democratic super-delegates steal the nomination from Bernie Sanders? 

As I am writing this blog post, Super Tuesday is underway where most states hold their primaries and caucuses.  From the democratic side of the race, Hillary Clinton has a modest lead over Bernie Sanders with delegates won from the states that already held their primaries and caucuses. But when it comes to the Super-Delegates of the Democratic party, they overwhelmingly support Clinton and make Clinton have a lead of over 400 delegates as opposed to Bernie Sanders. The Bernie Sanders supporters have become a bit frustrated and have asked how big of a role these Super-Delegates have when it comes to the Democratic Nomination. But will all those Super- Delegates help Clinton when it comes time for the Democratic National Convention? The answer is yes and no. Super-Delegates only make up about 15% of all the delegates.  In 2008 Clinton had support from Super-Delegates early on in that presidential race as opposed to Barack Obama. But, as Obama gained momentum and popularity of the people, Super-Delegates shifted towards Obama a bit more. Which in turn later helped him to win the nomination. Luckily for Clinton, she has 150 more Super-Delegates compared to her 08' campaign around this time. In conclusion, Super Delegates tend to be more responsive of what the Democratic Constituent's want and the national race.  

Reading this article and "feeling the Bern" somewhat, I think that it was an interesting topic. Considering how popular Bernie Sanders is on the internet, I would think that he'd have more support. But then I remembered that he is an independent and not technically a Democrat. As Mr. Sontheimer said, it could be used against him. But anything is possible, if Trump can get this far then Sanders could win the nomination. The only thing that he would have to do is gain momentum and win the primaries to persuade super delegates onto his side. As we learned in class, super delegates only pertain to the Democratic party.