Saturday, March 19, 2016

The Diffusion of Innovations among the American States Jack L Walker

"Demographic Factors: After studying the acceptance of technological innovations by both individuals and organizations, several writers have concluded that the decision maker's relative wealth, or the degree to which "free floating" resources are available, are important determinants of the willingness to adopt new techniques or policies.'4 If "slack" resources are available, either in the form of money or a highly skilled, professional staff, the decision maker can afford the luxury of experiment and can more easily risk the possibility of failure.'5 Other studies, especially in the areas of agriculture and medicine, have also shown organizational size to be a strong correlate of innovation"-Jack L Walker 


          Walker's 1969 article is a national study he performed then to see how rapidly states can conform to change and adopt them as new laws.  As no surprise of course, the results showed the northern eastern states as being more susceptible to change than the southern and western states.  as to be expected with everything going on in this day and age, the results are still pretty  much the same.  This, in my opinion, supports the idea discussed in class- there should be more representatives more the larger states.  Think about it, a state like New York- the most adaptable of all the states- has the biggest diversity of people from all parts of the world.  in order to get the most voices heard in order to continue with such adaptability, we need more people voicing our concerns and needs.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Sanders puts up a fight!

"There are a few other possible factors at work. For one: Clinton voters, assuming she was a lock to win, might have felt less urgency to vote. Some, exit polls suggest, even might have crossed over to the Republican primary instead to vote against Trump."

          The brief article touches of a major discrepancy on the latest polls taken in Michigan.  The result anticipated that Hillary would wing the primary by an overwhelming lead, this however was not the case.  Bernie actually won the state by a narrow lead.  According to the polls previous to the elections, Clinton was the anticipated victorious candidate whom would take Michigan under her wing- but who exactly was asked to participate in these polls? And where were they on election day?
          This is actually a very pleasant surprise yet a bit scary at the same time.  This particular piece I selected mentions of Hillary supporters assuming she would win, and of the others that instead want to make sure Trump was not triumphant. But did that actually work? Trump still has the lead! If this is indeed what happened in Michigan,  it should be a wake up call for all those whom continue to take Trump as a joke.  On the pleasant side, I have become a Bernie supporter- though still a bit hesitant about some of his promises, in my opinion, he truly is the best choice we got.  Learning that he actually has a higher chance than anticipated by the polls, gives me hope and pushes me to urge others to make their vote count.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Another Stab At the Constitution- Greene's Point Of View

"In a democracy, no one person should wield so much power for so long. Article III of the Constitution provides that federal judges “shall hold their offices during good behaviour.” In practice this language means they serve for life absent voluntary retirement or impeachment. Were we to draft the Constitution today, we would be wise to reconsider this provision."- Jamal Greene http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/07/08/another-stab-at-the-us-constitution/revisiting-the-constitution-we-need-term-limits-for-federal-judges

          Greene makes two very valid arguments in his article.  First we have the issue of old age, everyone will go through it- judges are not exempt.  After many years, and depending on the care and state of the body; we begin to deteriorate, physically and mentally.  One's judgement begins to decline and the older we get the more stubborn we are.  Think about it,  how difficult does it become to see or make your grandparents understand or agree with your point of view.  The second point to Greene's argument is that it becomes too political the way judges are elected.  First they are appointed by the president and then approved by the Senate.  As Professor Marduco has stated in his blog, with so many oppositions going on today between the democrats and republicans it has become increasingly complicated to elect Justices. I personally could not agree more with his argument.  As Green says, "In democracy, no one person should wield so much power for so long" , this is very true- the presidents cap of ruling terms is a great example of this, why are justices any different? Greene also mentions about an 18 year term, which I still think it is a bit long but nonetheless it is a step in the right direction.


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The Melting Pot vs Transnationality

"Only America, by reason of the unique liberty of opportunity and traditional isolation for which she seems to stand, can lead in this cosmopolitan enterprise. Only the American -- and in this category I include the migratory alien who has lived with us and caught the pioneer spirit and a sense of new social vistas -- has the chance to become that citizen of the world. America is coming to be, not a nationality but a trans- nationality, a weaving back and forth, with the other lands, of many threads of all sizes and colors. Any movement which attempts to thwart this weaving, or to dye the fabric any one color, or disentangle the threads of the strands, is false to this cosmopolitan vision. I do not mean that we shall necessarily glut ourselves with the raw product of humanity. It would be folly to absorb the nations faster than we could weave them. " http://www.theatlantic.com/past/issues/16jul/bourne.htm


Explanation:

          Randolph Bourne's essay written almost a century ago is an impacting one, holding many truth about America in this day and age.  In it, Bourne clearly resents the  ideology behind the melting pot theme- in which  all different cultures mix together into the "Americanized" main stream culture.  Bourne states of the importance sticking to your identity and beliefs, for each individual culture abiding by its rituals and beliefs respectfully of the others is what makes America unique. his point about America not being a nationality but rather it be called trans-nationality was perhaps his most striking point, I mean in reality, aren't we all descendants from immigrants whom moved to this country in search for that liberty we now can enjoy here? Lastly, in this particular paragraph he makes clear emphasis on the fact the America actually has the luxury of promoting such trans-nationalism for it stands a "unique liberty of opportunity"

Opinion:

          Being a first generation immigrant myself and adjusting to the very different way of life in this country, I must say this particular exert was most welcoming and comforting for me.   The principal reasons for migration are to escape persecution, in search of a better life, and more importantly for liberty.  To me and others like me, the United Sates offers protection for all three.  The fact that this essay was written almost 100 years ago and still very much applies to a lot of the principles held today is even more reassuring to me that American is the land of Liberty.  The idea of trans nationality is more alive today then it ever was, think about; with so many race interest groups and so many politicians always going after the race groups- it is quite clear that the idea of preserving those values from different cultures and allowing each person the liberty of practicing them within respectable measures of others is the American way!