Prime Time Debate or Was It:

The Republican candidates spoke two weeks ago. They talked about issues ranging from electability, to immigration, to campaign funding. One thing it all had in common: no clear plan can be deduced from any candidate – except Dr. Carson. Each candidate pushed for some type of change, but in terms of a solid path to tread on, viewers were disappointed. Supposedly a debate, it turned into a “this is what I have done, and this is what I will do for you,” match, rather than talking through the problems. If Trump’s snide comments did not turn you off during this debate then the quarrels amongst candidates, which seemed childish, will. To check out the full debate in video: click here.  For the transcript: click here.

Bernie Sanders and His New Texting Campaign:

Living in a world of free flowing information, a possible presidential candidate has many routes to turn to in terms of reaching supporters. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, three go to formats for presidential candidates, took a back seat when Bernie Sander’s organizing director implemented a texting binge to broaden Sander’s support. Texts came out in the 1990’s, but utilizing them in this fashion might spread the word enough for Bernie to get the jump on Hillary. Read more.

Jeb Bush and his Defense of the Patriot Act:

Continuing his consistent defense of his brother, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush came out in favor of returning the NSA to its original foundations. He stated that he found no evidence of the Patriot Act endangering people’s civil liberties, and that companies should cooperate better with intelligence agencies. Even though Republicans in Congress voted to end the NSA’s collection of phone records, Jeb Bush looked to forward the scope of their data collection ability. Read more.

The Iran Deal: Passing in Congress:

Iran Deal Break Down: The deal will work to limit Iran’s ability to obtain Nuclear weapons. Doing so, the US will stop sanctions and embargos placed on the country. Some stipulations are:

• Limit centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA). Centrifuges are used to separate the elements needed for nuclear power.
• Uranium stockpile will be reduced by 98%, or up to 660Lbs for 15 years. The level of enrichment must be kept at 3.67%.
• Research and development will be limited for 8 years, and only able to take place in Natanz. Fordo, the other enrichment site, will become a research center, and the centrifuges will be allowed to produce radioisotopes for use in medicine and other industries.
• The reactor being built in Arak will be limited so it cannot build nuclear weapons.
• They will not be permitted to build heavy-water reactors or accumulate heavy water for 15 years.

Currently, the Iran Deal seems like it will pass Congress with little hiccup. Obama requires 34 out of 46 members in the Democratic caucus to sustain a veto, if it comes to that. He already has pledges from 23 to support him. Some democrats, such as Bob Menedez, have come out against the deal believing that it will actually quicken Iran’s ability to gain nuclear arms. Iran leaders stated they have a right to nuclear power, like other first world nations, and want to utilize it for peaceful purposes. Read more (Also, read more here).

Donald Trump and Immigration, No Your Child Still Doesn’t Count:

Donald Trump, a possible presidential candidate, showed his obvious discontent over the immigration issue. Some say he is hypocritical in his radical claims for a wall since he has been accused of using out of country labor for his business. Now, his claims go even further. He extends his tight immigration policy to the children of immigrants who were born on American soil. Read more.

• “I don’t think they have American citizenship and if you speak to some very, very good lawyers — and I know some will disagree — but many of them agree with me and you’re going to find they do not have American citizenship. We have to start a process where we take back our country. Our country is going to hell.” – Interview from Fox News

Another Greece Bailout:

In the late 1990’s, early 2000’s, nineteen European countries signed onto a new currency system which created the Euro. The European Central Bank issues and oversees the currency, but leaves budget and taxing to the countries. Having a rocky start, the Euro produced some issues in its early years, and some of the smaller countries have yet to recover. One such is Greece which saw a substantial debt crisis in 2010 due to the recession of 2008. The current bail out passed by a large margin, but will require huge budget changes, steep taxes, and a revamp of their current economy. Read more here and here.

Legislation to hit the House/Senate Floor:

• HR 3410 – Rural Economic Vitalization Act: “To authorize voluntary grazing permit retirement on Federal lands managed by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior where livestock grazing is impractical, and for other purposes.” This bill has been referred to Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry Aug. 17, 2015. – Opencongress.org
• HR 3257 – PILT and SRS Certainy Act: “To amend section 6906 of title 31, United States Code, to provide funding for the payment in lieu of taxes program for an additional five years, to provide a five-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, and for other purposes.” Referred to Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. – Opencongress.org
• S 1826 – “A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 West 2nd Street in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, as the Lieutenant Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas Post Office.” Bill sent to the House. – Opencongress.org
• S 1362 – “A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to clarify waiver authority regarding programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE programs).” Bill sent to the House. – Opencongress.org