Stuff YOU Should Know
What Does Middle Class Mean Today?
Identifying the common characteristics that bind together a particular demographic is something sociologists, marketers, and politicians have been doing for years. It is a practice that many believe aids in serving these populations, while others believe it can lead to broad stereotyping. A common identifier is socioeconomic, which is typically categorized by lower, working, middle, and upper (or some combination). Perhaps the most difficult economic grouping to properly define has been the middle class.
The American Enterprise Institute, recently released a report examining the current state of the middle class in the United States. After conducting a poll, it determined that income and lifestyle are what dictate a self-identification as middle class. Eighty-six percent of respondents believe that having a secure job and being able to live within your means best defined the middle class. The majority of people polled also said that the economy during the past ten years has made it difficult for Americans to become or maintain middle class status. Additionally, the folks over at NPR compiled and shared their own data about how the definition of middle class can vary widely based on where you live.
What Do You Think? Consider the types of community you are a part of – neighborhood, school, church and civic organizations, city, or state. What is the socio-economic make-up of these groups? Do they differ from one another? Why or why not?
Netanyahu Wins Re-election, Causes Stir
The Israeli and the Palestinian Authority flags. Photo: Purestock/SuperStock
On March 19, Israel held elections for its Knesset, the legislative branch of its parliamentary government. The polls reported voter turnout (72.3%) at its highest since 1999. There were ten political parties represented, although the most prominent race was between the Likud and the newly formed Zionist Union–a coalition made up of the Hatnuah and the Labor Party. After a very tight race for prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud Party) was re-elected to office, defeating Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livini on a joint ticket. While the media had reported that the people of Israel were looking for a change, polls also showed that Israelis were deeply concerned about national security.
Shortly after securing a new term as prime minster, Netanyahu created controversy by seeming to shift his position on to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. In a 2009 speech, Netanyahu said he supported a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. (The idea of a two-state solution begins with the assumption that the nation of Israel will exist alongside a defined and recognized Palestinian nation-state.) The United States supports this policy.
But right before the election, Natanyahu said there would be no Palestinian state if he were elected. Some believe that Netanyahu’s comment was a campaign strategy intended to energize his supporters to go out and vote There has also been conflict between the prime minister and President Obama over nuclear deal talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Dig Deeper Continue to follow this story, making note of the Netanyahu’s comments regarding the Israeli-Palestine conflict as well as Iran. What measures are likely to be taken during his term regarding these issues.
New Fracking Regulations
Last fall, btw brought you a story about fracking, a drilling process that releases natural gas from shale rock. It has become a controversial subject and caused a vast divide between those who support or oppose the practice. Last week, the United States Department of the Interior (the government agency that manages federal lands and natural resources) announced new laws regarding fracking. The regulations will take effect in June and will only apply to hydraulic drilling on federal lands.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell justified the new rules by saying that the ones in place did not reflect the “technical complexities” of modern-day fracking. Some of the new rules include a stricter storage requirement for waste water, the construction of stronger concrete barriers between wells and other water zones, and disclosure protocols for fracking companies. Those supporting the measures believe that the new regulations will strike a balance between public safety and the rights of industry leaders.
Dig Deeper Response from both sides of the issue has not been positive. Do some research and determine why. What did both sides wish for that they did not receive? Is there anyone happy with the new regulations? If so, whom and why?
Government Web Sites Ranked
Once upon a time, having a Web site was considered the sign of an amateur. Those days are now long gone. If there is information the general public would like to know, it is expected to be available somewhere on the Internet. The U.S. Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies (part of the General Services Administration) recently compiled a list of the most popular government Web sites. While not every government URL is accounted for, the Digital Analytics Program has compiled data on roughly 1,350 domains. This represents about 300 executive branches of the government.
The data can be sorted to determine the number of people visiting sites at any given time (without personal details), how the information is being accessed (desktop/phone/tablet, etc.), and the amount of traffic each site receives. Currently, the most popular site tracks the amount of your federal tax refund. This will probably change once tax season concludes for the year. Other sites include information on forms, applications, and publications, the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day.”