4.2 Struggles in Government

1. How has Trump impacted the timeline for Republicans to get a repeal & replace bill for Obamacare passed? He gave executive backing to Republican's want to end Obamacare, however, seeing as it was only 77 days into his presidency, critics said it failed because of its hastiness. 

2. What did Trump and Ryan do to attempt to place the blame on Democratic congressmen? They placed the blame on the Democrats for its failure, while making no effort to try to convert Democrats to agree with them, and they used a reconciliation process that only works in their own party, and then blamed the Democrats for not being on the same boat as them. 

3. How do Trump & Ryan predict voters will see the failures of Obamacare, if the program gets worse? They want the voters to see that the failing healthcare system would be the Democrats' and Obamacare's doing. 

4. Why was it so easy for Republicans to criticize Obamacare under Obama's presidency? Because Democrats have had power for the past 8 years with Obama's presidency, they have had plenty of time to convince the public that Obamacare is insufficient and that it should be replaced by their better, more beneficial healthcare plans. SInce they have so much public support, they can easily use the media to spread their message. 

5. What are the results of Republicans deciding to never compromise any policy principals under Obama's presidency? Congress is inefficient and Republicans remain stubborn in that they will not support Democratic policies, but even with a majority in the house they are still unable to pass anything substantial. 

6. How is Trump using Twitter as the "bully pulpit"? His easy access to Twitter and the Internet will draw substantial attention to any topic is wants to discuss. Twitter is his platform. 

7. What message is he trying to get across to his followers that he won't say publically? Apparently, he blames Paul Ryan for the fail of the bill, and he "says" that he wants him to resign, since he directs the public to Judge Jeanine's show, where she expresses the above opinion. 

8. Why would it be important for the Trump administration that the media blame Republican allies? So that Trump can't be blamed for the failure, rather it should be a collective blame where the president is not the one taking the fall. 

9. If Trump voters blame Republican allies, how does that help Trump gain more control in the party? By doing so, the Republicans question their ability to come to a consensus and work together, so maybe Trump can use this to his advantage and get them to band together rather than being an embarrassment.

10. Why would Trump adviser Steve Bannon (the former Breitbart editor) want to put blame on Paul Ryan? "Bannon thought the bill was a huge giveaway to the insurance industry." 

4.1 What Will Happen to Americans Who Can't Afford an Attorney?

1. What does the Legal Services Corporation do? This corporation helps poor Americans to get an attorney in civil cases, which is important the poor communities, where crime is rampant.

2. How is this different than the role played by public defenders? Public defenders must help everyone going through issues with the criminal justice system, but civil legal aid programs get their funding from parties, and private organizations to fill the gaps in public defense.

3. Which types of states end up getting the most help from this agency? States with poor funding to their legal defense system have the most help from this agency.

4. What types of cases are they typically involved in? They are typically involved in civil cases, but also in criminal ones. These are cases such as veterans benefits, domestic violence, foreclosures, and scams.

5. How do these services help save communities money? These groups help save money because then the communities' legal fees do not have to be directly paid. Also the homeless population gets cut down, which raises values of living.

6. Why can't the lawyers who work for the program advocate for the program? Lawyers cannot advocate because they are prohibited by federal laws from lobbying. Furthermore, they have to help their individual clients.

7. Why is this more prominent in rural areas than urban areas? This is more prominent in rural areas because rural areas are poorer, with poorer people, not as many resources, and more need for aid. Urban areas have more organizations and money to take care of their people.

8. Explain how this agency can be seen as an extension of 6th Amendment civil liberties. The 6th Amendment is that everyone has the "right to counsel," and this agency provides right to counsel to the underprivileged. Thus, the agency can be seen as an extension of the 6th Amendment.

9. Explain how this agency can be seen as an unnecessary government expenditure. This agency can be seen as unnecessary because it does not benefit all people and gets federal and taxpayer funding. It only benefits one group of people--the underprivileged, whom the privileged don't always want to support.