Category: government

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Gas mileage

The federal government announced new rules that will drive up the gas mileage of newly made cars. The standards will increase MPGs to a level of around 35.5 mpg for all cars by 2016. While the decision is controversial, I believe it is the right thing to do. Critics say the move will drive up new car prices, while environmentalists say the laws will help the environment.

As a consumer, I would be glad to know that every new car will have better gas mileage each year. This will help drive down the need for foreign oil by reducing the amounts of gas needed. I think this plan is based on common sense and I agree with it 100 percent.

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Census

We’ve all been hearing about the census lately. It is important that everyone fills theirs out and mails it back in. The census helps the government decide how to allocate money. It’s all a part of being a good citizen. I filled mine out and sent it back in as soon as I got it. I hope everyone else does the same. I think it is important to do your part in helping out the government; they need all the help they can get!

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A Deal gone Right??

During the 2008 credit crises, the Treasury Department received 7.7 billion shares of the Citigroup Company for the $25 billion dollars it loaned to the bank. The Treasury plans to sell the shares throughout the coming year. If stock prices for the company stay high, the department could actually make a profit on the deal.

The shares were bought for $3.25 each. The current stock price is about $4.23 dollars. Citigroup has already paid back an additional $20 billion dollars it borrowed from the government during the crisis. It’s wonderful that the government may actually profit on the deal. I hope they can use the money to pay down the debt!!

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National Park Quarters

I saw that the U.S. mint is introducing some new quarters. The program is called the America the Beautiful Quarters Program and features national parks on the coins. 56 parks will be honored in all. The first five coins were introduced today to be followed by the remaining coins through 2021.

I believe this is a pretty good idea. National Parks play an important role in our lives and should be honored as such. Some of the parks featured include Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park. I’ll be glad to collect as many of these coins as I can!

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A Good Arrest

The drug problem in America is causing many problems. Not only are our own citizens suffering, but many people in Mexico are paying the price. The good news is that the Mexican police made an arrest that will help keep drugs off our streets and keep Mexicans a little safer. They arrested Jose Antonio Medina who is also known as the “King of Heroin”.

Violence in Mexico is steady as different gangs compete for the lucrative drug trade. Smuggling drugs into the U.S. is very profitable and continues to be a major problem for drug enforcement agencies. I am glad to hear that these lawless people are still being arrested and prosecuted for their crimes!

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Rare Minerals

The high tech industry uses many different rare minerals to make modern day devices. Cell phones, hard drives, and hybrid cars all use “light” and “heavy” rare earths in their construction. Currently, China supplies most of the world with these minerals, but they are running out of them and may cut supply. The good news is that the U.S. may have an answer.

Deposits of rare earths minerals have been found in Idaho and Montana. Steps have been taken to start mining these minerals and thereby guaranteeing a supply of them for the U.S. the only problem is that the minerals still have to be sent to China to be processed. China is the only nation with the proper equipment.

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Israel and Palestine

The Middle East continues to be a source of concern for many nations. Stability in the region is always threatening to go out of control. Recent attempts to bridge the gap between Israel and Palestine have had some success, but are in danger of falling apart once again.

Vice President Joe Biden recently traveled to the area to hold talks with all concerned parties. He states that America stands behind efforts to make the Palestinian areas a state. The U.S. has been working for years to get these two parties to some sort of agreement, but so far have been unsuccessful.

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Greece

The Greek government is in serious financial trouble. Teetering on the edge of defaulting on their loans, they are seeking help from everywhere they can. The European Union is considering their request for low-interest loans and the United States is doing what it can to help.

The Greek government has taken many steps to get their financial house in order which has caused strikes and rioting. The problem stems from their high national debt which is mostly foreign owned. Many investors have lost faith 9in Greece and are pulling out their money. I hope this wonderful country can restore the confidence needed to invite investors back into their country.

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Keeping it Safe!

The United States announced that several thousand U.S. troops will stay in the recently conquered town of Marjah. The town was the focus of a recent offensive that cleared the town of Taliban forces. The U.S. troops will be accompanied by more than one thousand Afghan troops who hope to keep the Taliban forces from returning.

The offensive and its aftermath is part of the “clear, hold, and build” program that is being implemented in an effort to bring about Afghan government control to the town. The Taliban is still fighting back and are setting roadside bombs in an effort to slow supply lines to the town. I hope this strategy will pay off for the thousands of Afghans who want a proper government.

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No 2

A team consisting of Pakistani and CIA operatives have worked together to execute the capture of the number 2 leader of the Afghan Taliban. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was arrested in Karachi recently. This is considered to be a cause of celebration for U.S. forces and Afghan’s alike.

Baradar is now in custody and is believed to be co operating with security teams. Baradar is a long standing member of the Taliban and was in charge of its day to day running. Officials hope this will help disrupt the Taliban organization and keep other leaders on their toes. I think that every thing we can do toward that cause will help us win the fight for the hearts and minds of the Afghani people.