The President and Civil Liberty, Research Paper Example

An article on The Telegraph website mentions that U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed cutting corporate tax from 35 percent to 28 percent in order to promote economic recovery as well as improve his chances for re-election. But the reduction in tax rate will be accompanied by elimination of corporate tax breaks and other loopholes in order to make up for the lost tax revenue. Though a simple tax system is preferred by most, elimination of tax loopholes may invite opposition from industries specifically affected by it including the oil and gas industry. Though the administration’s proposal has little chance of getting passed, the administration is expected to introduce it anyway (Blackden, 2012).

This article highlights two important facts. First is that the U.S. President has a responsibility to ensure a high economic growth rate, lower unemployment rate, and lower national deficit. President Obama’s proposal seeks to promote economic growth by lower corporate tax rate because this means the corporations will be able to keep and re-invest a greater portion of profits. At the same time, higher profits may also encourage them to hire more people. But President wants to close loopholes because he wants to reduce national deficit. The second fact emphasized by this article is that the President has to care about public opinion and it is especially important near the election. Thus, it’s no wonder that the President proposal has been accused of an attempt to ensure re-election.

I believe that the President is doing the right thing by trying to close the tax loopholes because drastic measures need to be taken to deal with the growing national deficit. The tax system should be fair and corporations, especially in the highly profitable industries, also need to make sacrifice and not only the ordinary citizens, in order to deal with economic issues.

An article on the Washington Post website mentions the heat Black pastors have been taking for their opposition to same-sex marriage. The critics argue that gay-marriage is the current civil rights movement and it is ironical for black pastors to oppose it when they themselves have experienced the pain of discrimination on the basis of who they are. Some pastors like Rev. Nathaniel B. Thomas argue that they are not against equal rights for gay couples as well as civil unions but their belief in Bible means they cannot change the definition of marriage. Pastors admit that they may not be able to stop gay-marriage laws in states including Maryland so they are pinning their hope on public support (Fisher, 2012).

This article helps us understand when a social struggle may be perceived as a civil rights movement. In this case, gay rights movement is being perceived as a civil rights movement because some believe that gays are being unconstitutionally discriminated against for who they are. In addition, they believe that gays should have equal rights and access to same services that straight Americans enjoy because being different doesn’t make them any less American.

I believe that struggle for gay marriage is indeed a civil rights movement because the opposition is based on prejudice and stereotypes that gays will destroy the family system as we know it. Moreover, church and state are separate in America, thus, American constitution cannot be allowed to be influenced by Biblical beliefs. If Bible should be guidance for U.S. constitution then slavery should never have been abolished because Bible allows it. Moreover, the reverend’s argument that civil union could be allowed but not gay marriage also doesn’t hold ground because it is essentially saying that gays are different but equal. This is not much different from the argument put forward by those who supported segregation in schools.

References

Blackden, R. (2012, February 12). US President Barack Obama’s plan to slash corporate tax rate sparks political battle. Retrieved February 22, 2012, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/tax/9099047/US-President-Barack-Obamas-plan-to-slash-corporate-tax-rate-sparks-political-battle.html

Fisher, M. (2012, February 23). Black pastors take heat for not viewing same-sex marriage as civil rights matter. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/black-pastors-take-heat-for-not-viewing-same-sex-marriage-as-civil-rights-matter/2012/02/22/gIQAVZzeWR_story.html