The debate

The Green New deal which is Howie Hawkins and the Green Party policy. They want to implement, public jobs for the unemployed in public works. Increase minimum wage to 15/hour so people can actually live off of minimum wage. Doesn't believe in a trickle down system because money don't get to the middle/lower class. Howie understand the struggle of the average citizen because she worked middle class construction jobs. Built in progressive personal tax. Free health care for all New York. Disagrees with common core  and believes that teachers should create their own curriculum and lesson plans because they know whats best  for students.Free Tuition at CUNY, SUNY, and Community Colleges. Statewide income-based property tax circuit breaker for homeowners. Honest that he doesn't know if tolls are going to be increased, but says he want to modify the public transportation system so it's facile for average citizens. He wants 100% clean energy by 2030. Going to band tracking because it's toxic to the earth. Wants equal civil rights and racial justice. Fair Elections and getting rid of the two-party system of corporate rule with multi-party democracy.Wants to end corruption in the government.

This make Howie Hawkins the better candidate because he isn't funded by the wealth 1% so she isn't bias and has experience because he is the middle class.
-Takia Graves

Education Direction

The topic that is very controversial on this  up coming election is education on wether common core be embraced in the New York State education policy. Common Core is a set of  academic standards in mathematics and English language arts that a student is required to meet. This outlines what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. Teachers in New York State disagree with the practice of common core, they believe that students aren't completely learning the curriculum, but how to pass the test at the end. Teachers also disagree that students should be given so many test and that they shouldn't be graded on how well the students grasp the topic. 

         Governor Cuomo of the Democratic Party agrees with common core learning and believe that we should implement money into the education system to continue the program.

      Rob Astorino and the republican party education Plan includes replacing Common Core, change board of regents.        

      Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, says he would give transform foundation aid for public schools and exclude Common Core because it's "linked to high-stakes test that can be used to hold students back, deny diplomas, fire teachers and close schools." If Howie Hawkins  is elected students will learn simple arithmetic and actual things they need to learn to better their lives. It would be really effective because if the education system was reformed and changed their would be more successful influential people in society.

-Takia Graves 

 "Hawkins Calls "Stop Common Core" Ballot Line a Diversion, Calls for Gubernatorial Debate on Education Issues"Howie Hawkins". Project of the Green Party of New York State,  10 July  2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014

"Common Core National Standards and Tests: Empty Promises and Increased Federal Overreach Into Education." The Heritage Foundation". Heritage. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. 

"Read the Standards." Common Core. Common Core. Web. 24 Oct. 2014

Opinion of Education Debate

    Howie Hawkins probably has a good chance of drawing in more voters because he gives promising proposals. For instance, he says how he would give 100% foundation aid for public schools, completely exclude Common Core because it's "linked to high-stakes test that can be used to hold students back, deny diplomas, fire teachers and close schools...testing for Common Core is wasting public school resources" There has always been controversies with the common core but Howie seems like he has strategies up his sleeves and can be the key to ending this huge debate. This means that New Yorkers can have some closure with the feuds of what education policy they should follow.
     ~Kayla Ashe B-band

N/A. "Hawkins Calls "Stop Common Core" Ballot Line a Diversion, Calls for Gubernatorial Debate on Education Issues"Howie Hawkins. Project of the Green Party of New York State,  10 July  2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014
<http://www.howiehawkins.org/hawkins_calls_stop_common_core_ballot_line_diversion_calls_for_gubernatorial_debate>
N/A"Quality Education For All " Howie Hawkins. Project of the Green Party of New York State, N/A. Web 23 Oct 2014
<http://www.howiehawkins.org/platform>

Education Debate in NY State

           This years Election for New York Governor gets more and more intense. The four candidates,  Andrew Cuomo (Democrat), Howie Hawkins (Green Party), Rob Astorino (Republican) and Michael McDermott (Libertarian) are ambitious and have their hearts to become New York's Governor. There are many issues that are valid in a New Yorker's perspective. One of them is a person's education. Lets face it without education, life would be hard as it is already. Education is a key to comprehending the things around us. In addition, each candidates agree that education is very important for an individual.  This year, New York is mainly focused on New York's education policy and the future of it would hold. Some topics of education was Common Core educational standards, segregation in schools, give more money to schools, etc. Each candidates have varies opinions on what to do with education. Andrew Cuomo plans on changing Congresses establishing formulas without application operation with no performance reasons, Vouchers (state-funded scholarships which help pay for students to attend private school instead of public school)  weaken many public schools, improve a classroom to make students want to learn and add more SUNY challenge grants so working class families have a chance at receiving an education. Next candidate is Rob Astorino plans on operating The Astorino/Moss Education Plan which includes replacing Common Core, change board of regents by taking away the power from Assembly Speaker, encourage on having skills that would benefit later years like bing healthy and being financially stable.  After is Howie Hawkins who agrees with Rob Astorino about excluding common core, but in addition he has some ideas of having teacher and school be evaluated on their actions, free tuition for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges. Lastly is Michael McDermott also wants to get rid of Common Core. Overall, it is a tough battle but all that matters is education for everyone. The real question is who has a better proposal for education?

   
 ~Kayla Ashe B-band

               

Cites:                                        

Lankes, Tiffany."Finding best ways to help cities is key theme as candidates spar". Buffalo News. Buffalos News, 22 Oct 2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014

<http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/albany-politics/finding-best-ways-to-help-cities-is-key-theme-as-candidates-spar-20141022>

Campbell, John. "Battle for N.Y.: Common Core polarizes Cuomo, Astorino voters". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie Journal. 14 Oct 2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014

<http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/new-york/2014/10/14/governor-race-education-issues/17278699/>

Spector, Joseph "5 takeaways from last nights debate" Democrat and chronicle. Democrat and chronicle. 23 Oct 2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014

<http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/vote-up/2014/10/23/five-takeaways-from-last-nights-debate/17763681/>

Harding, Robert "10 questions with Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino on Cuomo, SAFE Act and other issues"auburn pub. Auburn citizens. 10 March 2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014.

<http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/questions-with-republican-candidate-for-governor-rob-astorino-on-cuomo/article_ee562f86-a787-11e3-8a6f-0019bb2963f4.html>

N/A. "Applying for a Grant" 2.ed. N/A. 17 Sept 2014. Web. 23 Oct 2014<http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html?src=pn>

N/A. "School Choice: Vouchers". nscl. National Conference of State Legislature. N/A. Web. 23 Oct 2014  

<http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/school-choice-vouchers.aspx>

N/A. "Andrew Cuomo on Education" On the issues. N/A. N/A. Web. 23 Oct 2014

<http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Education.htm>

N/A."The Astorino/ Moss Education Plan". Rob Astorino. N/A. N/A. Web. 23 Oct 2014

<http://www.robastorino.com/astorinomoss-education-plan/>

N/A."The Economic Security Database" Howie Hawkins. Wilder Opportunities for Women. 20 Oct 2014
<http://www.howiehawkins.org/platform>

N/A." Common Core". Vote mcdermott. Mcdermott for Governor 2014. N/A. Web. 23 Oct 2014<http://votemcdermott.org/common-core/>

The Better Canidate

Howie Hawkins and the Green Party is the better Canidate because they want equality for everyone and dosen't any class or race of people more important than the other. He is the most unbiest Canidate that is running for the election. Public jobs for the unemployed in public works and higher wedges that people can actually make a living with.Free health care for everyone. Want to put more money into the education system so every student gets quality education. 100% clean energy.

"A Green Alternative: Our Platform."Howie Hawkins for NY. Vote Green Party. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. http://www.howiehawkins.org/platform

-Takia Graves 

The Battle for Governor (Opinion)

Overall, Andrew Cuomo seems to have a higher chance of becoming NY Governor once again. Even though his father was previously NY Governor, he has been very successful in his terms and caught many New Yorkers hearts and their attention. He has shown what he do and how we surely won't be disappointed. He shows how people should come first to have a bound with as well.

-Kayla Ashe B-band

The Battle for Governor

         What is it to be Governor? Sure it might be that they have the ability of approving state budgets, having a choice to sign bills from the Legislature, represents state citizens and other elected officials throughout the nation. There are more privileges that one has when they are governor with that an old say is "with a great power comes great responsibility". In the year of 2015 we have four candidates that show their own ideas of being a governor.
           
         Governor Cuomo has commitment to public service and the proven leadership skills to make government work for the people of the state. Governor approves abortion and that's it's the women's choose. He wants to  create public/private partnerships that leverage state resources to generate billions of dollars in economic growth. Platform on corporations tax-free incubator zones and prevent landlords from avoiding rent regulation. Plan form on Crime is to end stop and frisk,videotape all interrogations not give money to prisons, collect DNA for all crimes, to exonerate the innocent, not incarcerating youth. No tolerance for drugs, modify education system and putting for money in the system. Put more money in to clean oil and energy.

           Next is Rob Astorino who is sided with the Republicans who presently serving his second term of being County Executive. Rob has many plans of actions when he becomes governor. He plans on lowing rates and valued cost to draw in more businesses, establish a connection with fellow New Yorkers and the press, and even improving a students education to benefit them for the future and the world.  Of course a governor's top priority is our economy. Rob has created a proposal to have more jobs for individuals to have New York's economy growing. Also he would have many facilities and building be rebuild so we can bring back mass-produce and high tech industries back to New York. On top of that he would attack high property taxes like lands, reconstruction, personal property, and personal property like stocks, bonds, etc.
       
          Howie Hawkin is sided with the Green Party which means that they are against any violence, social justice and of course going green, he suggests on A Green New Deal for New York.  Economic democracy which mean flat taxes and equal wedges, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Justice, Environmental. Civil Rights and racial justice disapprove of stop and frisk and other racial of unequal police tactics.Criminal justice reform which gives everyone equal opportunity in the justice system. Workers rights that improve the wedges of workers. Immigrants rights allowing immigrants to have more freedom and rights like a average American citizen. Women's Rights like letting them have the same salary as men, and fair job opportunities, end Corruption of in the government. Howie’s economic plan is to create a state-owned bank so NY can pay for public project and for private businesses at low cost instead of having a private bank. Howie’s main force is going green especially since he wants more people to move to rural communities and have reserve healthy food. He also strongly disagrees with CAFOs which in other words are the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. In Howie’s eyes, they are damaging the environment, food safety, public health, ethical treatments of animals (abusing them) and etc. He also wants students/ children to have some sort of background knowledge of buying and creating fresh foods and have economic security which is incomes workers and retired elders need to achieve economic security.

Andrew Cuomo

                 Democrat 

        

                Howie Hawkins

                 Green Party 

Rob Astorino
Republican






Cites:

Weaver, Teri. " Rob Astorino on taxes, bridges, school aid and advice from George Pataki" Syracuse Media Group, 15 October 2014. Web. 20 October 2014.

<http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/astorino_on_taxes_bridges_school_aid_and_advice_from_george_pataki.html>

"Issues". Rob Astorino Issues. N/A. Web. 21 October 2014
<http://www.robastorino.com/issues> 

"Andrew Cuomo on the Issues." Andrew Cuomo on the Issues. OnTheIssues. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ontheissues.org/Andrew_Cuomo.htm>.

"A Green Alternative: Our Platform."Howie Hawkins for NY. Vote Green Party. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.howiehawkins.org/platform>.

"Howie Hawkin for NY Governor-Green Party." Howie Hawkin. Green Party New York. 19 October 2014 

<http://www.howiehawkins.org/about>

"The Economic Security Database" N/A. Wilder Opportunities for Women. 20 October 2014

<http://www.basiceconomicsecurity.org/>

Democrat or Republican

The difference between democrats and republicans is everything from their core values to their perspective on national security and the economy. Republicans believe that every person should be responsible for his or her self.Democrats believe it is the responsibility of government to care for all individuals under all circumstances.Republicans believe the government should help stimulate a business environment where people are free to use their talents.Democrats believe that the economy is too  complicated for individuals to navigate alone. Republicans believe in a strong national defense.Democrats believe we should scale down our military and reducing the money spent on military intelligence.

Neither the Democratic nor Republican Party is better then the other, both have some good views on politics but being able to understand the position of both side leaves me undecided and considered a liberal. I agree with the Republican view on national defense and we should continue to have a strong army just in case of any threats to the super power America is, but disagree with the Republican views on education and agree with the democratic education policy that test shouldn't be given to students to depict the capability of a student. 

   Even thought we have two sides of politics don't mean a side is right in the divided house we call America. Neither party have selfish views but different opinions on how to better America. Both sides have good views and if the decided not to take a sides on which political party is better but to become one political party and combine their ideas instead of bickering on who perspective is better America can become a better country and super power.

Democrats v. Republicans

       In our government, we have two different parties that are the "backbone" for the United States. If people may or may not know they are called Democrats and Republicans. Both in which have different perspectives / ideals in our government, for instants Democrats that believe in being united and the Republicans that believe in the great Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.

       First off is the Democrats who state that "we're greater together than we are on our own" even with President Obama on their side to create a stable economy, creating more jobs, education, health care, and making sure that each individual has supply to clean energy. For years they make sure that their people are involved and have many people's support including mine because everyone's voice is heard which is key to having a stable government. According to the Democrats we the people together can overcome anything.

       Finally, the other party is the Republicans who has a representative to listen to what the people have to say and become their voice. Their goal is express their message to other Americans to gain the right of freedom and equal opportunities for all. Republicans main goal is to ensure each individual is treated the same way and spread the word of Republicans putting their people as their priority.

-Kayla A.

This is Blog number 1 from Kayla A. and Takia G.