Egyptian Take Two: The Ins and Outs of the Struggle for a Constitution

Members of Egypt's Constituent Assembly

The Egyptian crisis has reached another turning point, with the second draft of their constitution. The first draft failed to lead the country for more than a few months. This second one however, may be no better than the first. The draft was highly backed by the Islamic Brotherhood, the organization that focuses the immense influence of Islam in Egypt. While the country is predominantly Muslim, the population has become increasingly aware of the pressure under which minorities have been placed. Specifically women and Christians (about 10% of the population), both of whom were highly oppressed under the old regime controlled by the Islamic Brotherhood; and while this draft appears to have gained popular support, it is the support of a drowning man for any air, no matter how stale.

The frustration of the people has become apparent in almost every measurable way. At polling booths across the nation attendance was phenomenally low, from sparse to actually empty at certain times. Upon questioning, the average citizens appear to have resigned themselves to the passage of the draft. Whatever the details, Egypt is decomposing rapidly without a constitution, and the attitude seems to be anything is better then nothing at this point.

The common people are not the only ones to have voiced discontent with the current government trends. Of the original seventeen highest cabinet officials originally elected, seven have resigned, giving a plethora of reasons from discontent with the president and parliament to simply finding politics unfit for their skills. Whatever the reasons, such a national decomposition does not bode well for the Egyptian people, either now or later. The largest question may be however, if the people are not content, will they be able to make their voices heard, or will they once again resort to violent protests?

While Egypt appears to have made significant strides in gaining stability, it is also acting as a model for the other recently liberated country in the region, Libya. For the connection between Egyptian Constitution, Libyan riots, and the American people, keep reading!

WE

Sources:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/26/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121226

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypts-government-sets-priorities-charter-18066325#.UNufWI59nww

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/29/15545841-crisis-tests-egyptians-constitution?lite

And We're Falling Off Which Cliff?

So what about that Fiscal Cliff?

If your anything like the millions of Americans who listen to public radio or can’t seem to tear themselves away from the television, you’ve probably heard the phrase “fiscal cliff” more than a few times, sometimes praised and frequently condemned. But what exactly is the fiscal cliff?

Projected budget analysis graph. Alternate scenario is
with extension of tax cuts and without program cuts.

                The phrase comes from the shape of the graph which shows the government’s net revenue vs. time. The current prediction, with the end of the Bush tax cuts, a planned increase in tax rates, and the beginning of the program reductions detailed in the Budget Control Act of 2011. These reductions are intended to be widely applied but not to cut too deep, with shallow cuts to nearly every department (a few are immune; veterans affairs, medicare, etc.)

                There is much discussion involving whether or not reaching the fiscal cliff is in fact the safest route for the country. This debate stems from the division on economic theory found in Congress, commonly understood through something called Keynesian theory. John Keynes was an economist who in 1936 published The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money. Keynesians argue that in times of recession the government should increase spending, taking a deficit in order to stimulate the economy. More projects, more employment, and more benefits will then push the economy more quickly into surplus.

                Non-Keynesian economists argue that recessions are a time for the government to decrease spending. In a more common sense argument, they argue that the government is the structural backbone of the economy, and in lean times should tighten its belt to control the damage of the recession.

                The true right answer to this question is probably a combination of the two. However, which one will be applied in the coming months and years to America’s economy remains to be seen. Democrats, who favor Keynesianism, currently control both the Senate and the White House, while the non-Keynesian Republicans control the House.

WE

Sources: http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/KeynesianEconomics.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-republicans-dig-in-on-fiscal-cliff-talks/2012/12/13/019a212e-4537-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_story.html