Reflection:

            Choosing the items in my 12 identified laws, cases and offices was such a strenuous process. When first introduced to this assignment, I didn’t think as much thought and researching would be needed to complete the project. After researching just about all there is to know about the executive, legislative and judicial branches, I eventually came across some items that spoke directly to me. One court case that spoke directly to my life was the West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette case. Being raised with different religious views as most of my classmates, I was always looked upon awkwardly when refusing to say the pledge of allegiance. My friends never really understood why I didn’t say it, and to tell you the truth, I was never 100 sure why I didn’t say it. I just knew I respected my mother’s wishes. Because of this law, I am not forced to go against my religion by reciting the pledge of allegiance. The overall process of finding which items to include allowed me to learn more about the government, in depth, and really put into perspective which laws, cases and offices pertained to my life.

The difficulties with this project came with the research. I would have never guessed finding court cases relating to me would be as strenuous as it was. When I thought I’d found a case, it didn’t directly relate to my life. There were always things I could relate to as oppose to me relating to them currently. The less difficult aspect of this process was finding things that negatively affected my life. I found that when speaking of the negatives, everything I felt came easier to me making it easier for me to write and express myself.

As I mature and become older with age,, I would anticipate my life being more affected by the government. Since there are so many restraints set for children under the age of 18, as I pass the ages at which limitations are set, I will be more likely to part take in government activities. With age comes opportunity. The opportunities presented to me, the more likely it is for me to take advantage of those opportunities. This process has taught me so much about the world around me I hadn’t before known. Forced to research all aspects of the three branches of government, I now have a broader understanding of how I, as well as the world around me, is governed.  I understand that laws are set forth for the welfare of this country, and that all three branches do whatever in its power to protect that. 

Copy and paster above link to view my benchmark. 

The Passion.

The topic I decided to lobby is the government funding of abortions. When brainstorming a topic to lobby, I thought about the things I've fought against in previous classes while completing previous assignments. SLA really gives its students a chance to venture out into the real world to help fight for a particular cause or issue we feel should be changed. My passions lead me to this very topic of the incompetent acts on the government’s behalf. One incompetent act in particular acted as ammunition in my endeavor to help prevent the useless funding of abortions.

The Past.

            In previous blog posts, I’ve listed public officials, direct contacts and  some organizations working towards the same things I, a lobbyist, is working toward. I plan to physically stop government funding to financially remunerate abortion clinics for the destruction of fetuses. The Hyde Amendment, (passed into law by congress in 1976) became the backbone of my topic. This law acts as the foundation upon which I built my argument. Sometimes there are some things we all want to see changed, but laws act as restrictors. To move forward with this fight against abortion funding, I first had to identify what factors would hold me back.  I previously listed all states that abided by the Hyde Amendment, and the states that do not. The states that abide by the law only fund abortions in the case of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy is causing harm to the mother.  The 17 states that do not exercise the Hyde Amendment are the ones I will try my best to reach out to.  The officials of those 17 states will be contacted about the issue. South Dakota is an exception. South Dakota will only allow the government to fund an abortion in cases of life endangerment. District of Columbia is not considered a state in the United State, but its policy is that the government funds abortions along with the 17 states listed below.

The Proclamation.

            I, Taniera N. Reid, promise to do any and everything in my power to see the obliteration of the irresponsible government funding of abortions in the following states:

1.     Alaska

2.      Arizona

3.     California

4.     Connecticut

5.     Hawaii

6.     Illinois

7.     Maryland

8.     Massachusetts

9.     Minnesota

10. Montana

11. New Jersey

12. New Mexico

13. New York

14. Oregon

15. Vermont

16. Washington

17. West Virginia

I, Taniera N. Reid, will also contact any and every person needed to see that Medicaid no longer funds abortions. I will join forces with any and all groups/organizations fighting for the same or a similar cause as the one I am lobbying against today.

The bureaucratic ‘task’ that my partner and I selected was to outline the steps needed to apply for welfare benefits. The process included research, paperwork and a flowchart. Our flowchart consisted of the necessary steps needed to receive welfare benefits. The paperwork consisted of an application in the form of about 30 pages. This was a very tedious process. We made certain that the alias name and information we used to fill out the application was as eligible for welfare benefits as possible. We created alias children to make our applicant seem like a struggling mom in need of financial assistance as well as other assistance in order to raise her children effectively. The process as well as the application was monotonous. There are so many women who do not qualify for welfare benefits because their income is above the poverty line. There are also other women who need financial assistance immediately, but the process is so long they may not get the necessary financial aid they need in a timely manner. I would change these aspects of the bureaucratic process because it inconveniences the welfare applicants who need it most. The system has become so complicated because there were many welfare benefits applicants who may have lied and worked around the “system” receiving more money than needed. To cut down on wasteful distribution of financial assistance, the process has become more complicated to make certain the applicant’s who need welfare the most is able to receive it. 

Flow Chart: Applying for Welfare benefits

Welfare: How Do I Get On Welfare?

Eligibility: To be eligible for welfare, one must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted to the country for permanent residence, have little to no income. When a person applies for welfare, his/her citizenship is reviewed as well as each household member before access can be granted. A social securities number is required for all applicants. Social securities numbers will be needed not only for the applicant, but the each member living in the household of the applicant.  Work requirement vary depending on the state an applicant. Some states provide work and/or training programs. Work is not always required for some applicants. For example, an individual in a single-parent household, with a child under 12 months old, may be temporarily excused from work requirements. Temporarily or permanently disabled recipients, and those involved in substance abuse programs are also excused from work. Applicants attending college may be exempt from work as long as their education meets welfare requirements.

Application Process: all applicants must complete the welfare application. You may download the application, then mail for processing. Or, you can find your nearest “human services” or welfare office and fill out an application in person. An online application is also available.  If you need help with the application, contact your caseworker for assistance. Your caseworker will tell you which programs you are eligible for. Some programs may require documentation to prove your income, bills, marital status, and other information. After you’ve submitted all necessary documentation along with your application to your caseworker, he/she will submit the paperwork and let you know if you are eligible.

Taniera Reid

Stop Funding Abortions: Communication - Blog Post #4

My Issue: I am lobbying to stop the prodigal spending of government dollars on abortions in the United States.

Communication: The ones I will be in contact with throughout this lobbying process will be the senators Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey, as well as Obama’s administration at a later date. The people listed above play a role in the issue I am lobbying against.

Tactics:  The tactics listed below are the tools that will aid me in the journey to getting my message across to someone of a higher authority.

• Letters to the editor, editorials and commentary.
• Petitions.
• Phone calls to the targeted decision maker.
• Faxes to the targeted decision maker.
• Emails to the targeted decision maker.
• Personalized letters and postcards to the targeted decision maker.

Steps: I am still in the researching process. I believe in knowing and understanding the law to its farthest extent before taking my issue to someone of a higher authority. One mishap in my evidence/documentation/information can make or break my argument. Having facts, details, dates, names and supporters will help my argument.

After the necessary steps are taken to gain all information,

I will begin to:

1.     Write up petitions

2.     Send emails

3.     Organize rallies.

My tactics will be executed effectively with the assistance of my teachers and mentors with substantial knowledge regarding politics and perhaps marketing.

My next step would be to recruit members to join my fight against the wasteful funding of abortions in the United State and enforce the Hyde Amendment across the nation. Recruitments will consist of others that believe in and are as passionate, if not more passionate about this issue as much as I. With more than one voice fighting for a good cause, we have a greater chance at being heard.

Using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter and making groups regarding the funding abortion issue will help start off the recruitment process. This is an easy way to find out who in the world stands firmly behind the issue. 

If humans were evolved from monkeys, why don't we have more similar physical characteristics? In the diagram of evolution, chimps are the most closely related organism to humans. According to National Geographic, scientist’s found that humans are 96 percent similar to the great ape species. Scientist Frans de Waal at Emory University states, “Darwin wasn't just provocative in saying that we descend from the apes—he didn't go far enough." He also states, "We are apes in every way, from our long arms and tailless bodies to our habits and temperament." Scientists have actual proof of the genetic relationship between human and chimp.

Humans and chimps have a high degree of genetic similarity. Proteins are usually responsible for organism’s anatomical, psychological and behavioral characteristics.

The African Wildlife Foundation informs us that chimpanzees’ use of “sticks to collect ants and termites from their nests, and rocks to smash open nuts” draws a relationship between a human and chimp’s ability use “cognitive thinking to problem solve.” Similarities are drawn also in physical characteristics. The chimpanzee is known to be “Noisy and curious, intelligent and social” just like humans. The percentage of DNA identity between human and chimp is extensive.  However, the percentage is not 100% leaving room for physical distinctiveness between the two organisms.  Humans and chimps have a strong facial resemblance. According to the American Museum of Natural History, humans and chimps descended from the same ancestor species six or seven million years ago. The DNA of both organisms, passed from generations, changed. Many of these DNA changes led to changes in behavioral and physical appearance.

For more information, visit:

1. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/humanorigins/past/dna.php

2. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0520_030520_chimpanzees.html

3. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13842/the_similarities_and_differences_between.html

4. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html

5. http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/chimpanzee

Bibliography :

1. N/a, . "Report: Hyde Amendment not enforced." UPI.com. UPI, 09/28/2010. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/09/28/Report-Hyde-Amendment-not-enforced/UPI-31121285685508/

2. Franke-Ruta, Franke-Ruta. "A new push against Hyde amendment faces some high hurdles." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 03/22/2010. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/03/a-new-push-against-hyde-with-h.html

3. Kissling, Frances. "Pass healthcare reform -- then repeal Hyde!." Salon.com. Salon, 03/21/2010. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/03/21/repeal_hyde_amendment

4. Eggen, Dan. "Abortion Opponents Criticize Health Reform Bills." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 07/23/2009. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072201583.html

5. The Oyez Project, Harris v. McRae , 448 U.S. 297 (1980) 
available at: (http://oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1979/1979_79_1268)

6. Abramowitz, Elkan. "The Hyde Amendment: Congress Creates a Toehold for Curbing Wrongful Prosecution ." National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. NACDL, 03/1998. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://www.nacdl.org/CHAMPION/ARTICLES/98mar04.htm

7. The Oyez Project, Roe v. Wade , 410 U.S. 113 (1973) 
available at: (http://oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1971/1971_70_18)

(last visited Tuesday, November 9, 2010).