http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm The Association of Young Americans Policy Issue of the day. en-us Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:47:58 -0400 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:30:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss young_americans@hotmail.com young_americans@hotmail.com http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/4/14/Fed-Chair-calls-for-Deficit-Reduction Testifying before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke called on Congress to address the federal government's budget deficit. In his testimony he stated, "Although sizable deficits are unavoidable in the near term, maintaining the confidence of the public and financial markets requires that policymakers move decisively to set the federal budget on a trajectory toward sustainable fiscal balance. A credible plan for fiscal sustainability could yield substantial near-term benefits in terms of lower long-term interest rates and increased consumer and business confidence. Timely attention to these issues is important, not only for maintaining credibility, but because budgetary changes are less likely to create hardship or dislocations when the individuals affected are given adequate time to plan and adjust. In other words, addressing the country's fiscal problems will require difficult choices, but postponing them will only make them more difficult."Learn more about Deficits and the National Debt in our Issue Paper. Share your views in our Forums. Budget Deficits and Debt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:30:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/4/14/Fed-Chair-calls-for-Deficit-Reduction http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/3/15/Social-Security-Trust-Funds After decades of the Social Security system running budgetary surpluses, which were loaned to other federal government programs, this year Social Security will run a deficit. As reported by Yahoo News,"This year, for the first time since the 1980s, when Congress last overhauled Social Security, the retirement program is projected to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes nearly $29 billion more. Sounds like a good time to start tapping the nest egg. Too bad the federal government already spent that money over the years on other programs [...]. Now the government will have to borrow even more money, much of it abroad, to start paying back the IOUs, and the timing couldn't be worse. The government is projected to post a record $1.5 trillion budget deficit this year, followed by trillion dollar deficits for years to come." As noted in the AYA Social Security Issue Paper, "There are only three ways for the government to make up for the 'declining Social Security surpluses and emerging Social Security deficits: reduce spending, raise taxes, or borrow more.'" social security Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:28:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/3/15/Social-Security-Trust-Funds http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/2/10/Bipartisanshipwell-maybe Yesterday a group of elected officials from both parties met at the White House with President Obama to discuss some areas of common ground. The Wall Street Journal reports that "One of Mr. Obama's top priorities is a bill aimed at boosting jobs. In the meeting with top congressional Democrats and Republicans, the president pitched ideas for boosting small-business hiring, including tax breaks. [...]Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said the package currently being negotiated might win a rare bipartisan Senate vote." Soon after the meeting, however, leaders from both parties were setting out their partisan positions. As reported by the New York Times, "A mere 20 minutes after Mr. Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate Republican leader, recounted how Republicans had been forced to the sidelines while Democrats hashed out their sweeping health care bill, Mr. Obama trumped them with a surprise appearance before the reporters assembled in the White House briefing room." misc Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:22:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/2/10/Bipartisanshipwell-maybe http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/10/Calls-for-Fiscal-Responsibility The Concord Coalition convened a National Conference on Fiscal Stewardship this week in Washington, D.C. Attendees came from across the country and discussed ideas for addressing our growing national debt and increasing costs of entitlement programs, as reported by CNN Money. Learn more about the national debt, budget deficits and entitlement programs in our "Deficits and Debt" and "Social Security" issue papers and on the Concord Coalition website. Share your thoughts in our Forums. Budget Deficits and Debt Healthcare social security Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:08:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/10/Calls-for-Fiscal-Responsibility http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/4/Impact-of-Healthcare-Proposals-on-Young-Adults The Congressional Budget Office released a report this week addressing the impact of healthcare proposals on insurance premiums. That report found that "In general, the proposal would tend to increase premiums for people who are young and relatively healthy and decrease premiums for those who are older and relatively unhealthy." The report also noted, however, that the proposals do provide sudsidies for individuals at lower income levels, which could offset some of this increase. The Senate is expected to debate healthcare for much of the month of December. It represents a terrific opportunity to become educated about the proposed reforms, determine for yourself your own opinion, and reach out to your Senator to express that opinion. Decisions are made by those who show up! Healthcare Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:46:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/4/Impact-of-Healthcare-Proposals-on-Young-Adults http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/1/President-Speaking-to-Nation-Tonight-about-Afghanistan-War In a speech scheduled for 8pm tonight, President Obama will outline his plans for the war in Afghanistan, including sending an additional 30,000 tropps to the conflict. The New York Times is reporting that "In bringing the total American force to nearly 100,000 troops by the end of May, the administration will move far faster than it had originally planned. Until recently, discussions focused on a deployment that would take a year, but Mr. Obama concluded that the situation required "more, sooner," as one official said, explaining some of the central conclusions Mr. Obama reached at the end of a nearly three-month review of American war strategy." According to the Washington Times, "A senior administration official tells the AP that President Barack Obama will tell the American people Tuesday night that U.S. troops will start leaving Afghanistan 'well before' the end of his first term." Share you thoughts on the President's plan and the War in our Forums. Foreign policy Military Terrorism Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:28:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/12/1/President-Speaking-to-Nation-Tonight-about-Afghanistan-War http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/9/22/Healthcare-Reform With Congress back in session almost all attention in the halls of the Capitol appears focused on Healthcare reform. The Senate Finance Committee Chair, Max Baucus, recently released his proposal, which joins several other pieces of legislation aimed at reforming the healthcare system. The New York Times has been running a series on the various reform proposals.What are your thoughts on the various healthcare proposals? Do you think the interests of young Americans are being adequately addressed? Share your thoughts anf views in the Forums. Deficits and Debt Healthcare Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:53:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/9/22/Healthcare-Reform http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/9/11/91109 Eight years ago today, terrorists hijacked 4 planes, crashing two of them into the World Trade Centers, and one into the Pentagon. On the fourth plane the passengers fought the hijackers and the plane crashed in western Pennsylvania, avoiding the planned target of either the White House or the Capitol. The New York Times recounted this morning's commemoration ceremony in New York City, noting "The day could not be more different than Sept. 11, 2001: It is rainy and gray, with whipping winds." As always we invite you to share your thoughts on the war in Afghanistan and memories and reflections on the events of September 11, 2001, in our Forums. Terrorism Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:02:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/9/11/91109 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/8/14/Bipartisan-Effort-on-Education A pair of unlikely allies have come together on Education Reform. "Education Secretary Arne Duncan is joining forces with two unlikely allies, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Republican former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to push cities to fix failing schools," reports Yahoo News in an Associated Press article. "Gingrich applauded Obama for showing 'real courage on the issue of charter schools.' Obama wants to increase the number of charter schools, which have a controversial history and are a divisive issue for his party's base." Share your views on the Education in America in our Forums. Education Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:54:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/8/14/Bipartisan-Effort-on-Education http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/8/7/Future-Preparedness-Index Young People First, an organization that aims to establish a powerful constituency of young people to advocate for long-term priorities in the United States, is developing the Future Preparedness Index. The FPI "will empower younger generations to prevent the next cycle of hidden crises here in the US, and encourage a proactive, practical approach to successfully meeting our most critical long-term challenges." The FPI is being developed and you can play a role - Young People first has set up a questionnaire which will assist in developing the FPI. Follow the link to the Questionnaire. Activism Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:42:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/8/7/Future-Preparedness-Index http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/7/31/Medicare-Medicaid-and-Social-Security Tomorrow afternoon, at their annual meeting in Chicago the American Bar Association is hosting an Intergenerational Debate on Reforming Entitlement Programs. The two young lawyers are former AYA board member Erin Ginsburg and current AYA president Luke Repici. Check out the latest on healthcare reform from the Wall Street Journal. And learn more about these issues in our Social Security and Deficits and Debt Issue papers. Share your views in our Forums. Deficits and Debt Healthcare social security Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:26:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/7/31/Medicare-Medicaid-and-Social-Security http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/7/2/N-Korea-Launches-4-Missiles With tenstions high between North Korea has reported test fired 4 short range missiles today. Yahoo News reports, "[t]he launches came as North Korea's relations with the United States, South Korea and other countries were already severely strained after its May 25 underground nuclear test and a series of missile firings. The U.N. Security Council adopted a tough sanctions resolution last month to punish the communist regime." The Christian Science Monitor reports that "Last month, Japanese media reported that Pyongyang might shoot a long-range ICBM in the direction of Hawaii around the July 4 holiday. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ordered the deployment in the region of US antimissile interceptors and a sea-based tracking radar. President Obama thought the situation serious enough to address in an interview broadcast on June 22. 'Our military is fully prepared for any contingencies' regarding North Korea, Mr. Obama said. But despite Thursday's ripple of short-range test shots, there is little physical evidence North Korea is readying another long-range test, at least in the foreseeable future."How do you think the Unites States should handle relations with North Korea? Share your views in the Open Forum. N. Korea Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:45:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/7/2/N-Korea-Launches-4-Missiles http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/29/Generation-Gap A new study by Pew Research Center shows a significant values gap between older and younger generations. "Almost eight in 10 people believe there is a major difference in the point of view of younger people and older people today, according to the independent public opinion research group. That is the highest spread since 1969, when about 74 percent reported major differences in an era of generational conflicts over the Vietnam War and civil and women's rights. In contrast, just 60 percent in 1979 saw a generation gap. Asked to identify where older and younger people differ most, 47 percent said social values and morality. People age 18 to 29 were more likely to report disagreements over lifestyle, views on family, relationships and dating, while older people cited differences in a sense of entitlement. Those in the middle-age groups also often pointed to a difference in manners," reported Fox News regarding the study.Do you find this gap exists between you and your parents and other older Americans? Share your thoughts in the Open Forum. misc Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:37:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/29/Generation-Gap http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/22/Protesting-in-Iran Unrest and uncertainty continues in Iran following their presidential election and claims of fraud in the reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "[M]ore details emerged of election irregularities and the government stepped up accusations against the West and the media for fomenting violence. Until now, the government has employed police and ideological militia to quell protests. But now Iran's Revolutionary Guard have vowed to weigh in. It ordered protesters to "end the sabotage and rioting activities" and warned them to be ready for a 'revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij, and other security ... and disciplinary forces' if they dared to gather in public again," reports the Christian Science Monitor. Share your thoughts on the situation in Iran and teh broader Middle East in our Forums. Iran Middle East Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:54:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/22/Protesting-in-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/25/Iraq-Attacks-Decline As U.S. troops begin to draw down in Iraq, the number of attacks has dropped. The Wall Street Journal reports that "U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. David Perkins said there had been 13 significant attacks in Iraq this month as of May 23 compared with 28 during the whole of April. He also said the number of mass casualties this month as of May 23 is down 58% from the equivalent period through May 23 last year. Gen. Perkins also said that as American combat forces prepare to withdraw from Iraqi cities by a June 30 deadline, the transition period will mean a period of vulnerability. But both the Iraqi and American security forces are working to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, so that the country doesn't see a severe spike in violence." As noted on the White House website, President Obama has set out that "By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will have full responsibility for major combat missions. After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip, and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian personnel. The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011."On this memorial day we at the Association of Young Americans remember and honor the memory of our fellow Americans who gave what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion" to our country. Iraq Military Mon, 25 May 2009 09:51:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/25/Iraq-Attacks-Decline