policy with pop

Just Tax: A Lady GaGa Makeover of the Republican Party?

Congressman Aaron Schock’s abs is not the only strategy the GOP has to attract a following of The Young & the Republicans. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele wants to attract youths by giving the GOP a hip-hop makeover… Yeah…

Well, 23 year old Peter Cowman has a different genre of music to reestablish the Republican Party.

Parodying Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” is a creative way to slam Democrats with a familiar GOP attack - Democrats just tax and spend. Not only is the young Republican’s video gaining traction on YouTube, but his Congressman, Dave Reichert, proudly showed off the video at the weekly GOP conference meeting. Rep. Reichert wanted to highlight how Republicans can use young people and new media to appeal to new voters.

Do you think Cowman’s video is effective? Will it reach a new audience and pick up new Republican voters? Should the GOP adopt this type of media strategy? Or is it just a video some kid made?

What about the substantive argument itself? Do you think that Democrats are the party of tax and overspending? President Barack Obama’s party does not seem to mind increasing taxes on the rich and spreading the wealth. Is that a bad thing?

And are Republicans a little hypocritical for criticizing Democrats for overspending and taxing? When President George W. Bush and the Republicans were in power, they practiced deficit spending and nearly doubled the national debt to $10.7 trillion, which essentially is a tax on the future.

Speak your mind. Or Just Dance!

How Should Mariah Carey Respond to Eminem’s Insults?

Remind me not to get on Mimi’s bad side…

Mariah Carey hits Eminem with a bus of a song in “Obsessed.”

The feud between the megastars started in 2002.  Eminem publically claimed that he had been sexin’ the diva. In the released single “Superman,” Em raps, “Buy you ice / B*tch if you died wouldn’t buy you life / What you trying to be my new wife? What you Mariah? / Fly through twice>”

Mariah did have a rebuttal. “Clown,” off her Charmbracelet album, is reportedly about Eminem and takes the rapper to task, but it was never released. While Mariah made some subtle jabs while responding to reporters’ questions, she never publically launched a counter-offensive. She took the higher ground so to speak.

I thought the 2002 feud had died. It’s 2009 for goodness sake.

But with his return to the spotlight, the rapper brought back his old insults. He raps about Mariah in “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” a song off of his Relapse album, calling her a c*nt, a wh*re, and a b*tch. He also clowns Mr. Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, too.

Nick defended his wifey and launched a blog attack at Em, claiming Slim Shady (a white male) was sexist and racist for insulting the bi-racial diva.

But, Mariah can speak… sing for herself.  She recorded and released “Obsessed.” Now the diva’s camp claims that the song and video is not about the Detroit rapper (apparently she’s vegetarian and doesn’t beef). Right… Because referencing sex rumors and drug problems in your song has no relation to the reignited feud and Eminem. And, dressing up like an Em is only a coincidence.

Anyway, what do you make of Eminem's attacks against Mariah? Insults from a jilted ex? Or put-downs from a sexist and racist (like Nick claims)?

How should one respond to insults? For years, Mariah did the supposedly classy thing and only refuted any accusations. And the insults kept coming. Apparently girl got tired of the attacks and fired back. Which approach is best?

And who are you supporting in this war of lyrics?

You Be the Judge: The Obama Presidency

During the elections, then-Senator Barack Obama ran a near flawless campaign. Obama edged out the Clinton machine in the primaries and then convincingly trounced John McCain and the Republicans in the general election. With his message of “hope” and “change,” Obama ran a disciplined, organized and innovated campaign, resulting in unprecedented fundraising, millions of votes and the election of the first black President.

But the election was so last season... two seasons.

It has been about six months since Obama became President of the United States. Now that Obama has established an executive record, many of my friends have begun to evaluate him as Commander and Chief.

I expected my Republican friends to downplay any Obama successes, but I was surprised to hear some of my pro-Obama friends harshly criticize the President. These are not just people that voted for him. These are former hardcore fans that were Obama precinct captains and had posters of the man up on their bedroom walls. Now they are taking him down a notch or two… or ten for their perception of his inaction on a variety of issues.

Some of my friends are having voters’ remorse. They say Obama has not been the progressive reformer his campaign rhetoric made him out to be. Universal healthcare? They point to his administration wishy-washy stance on including the public option.  “A fierce advocates for gay rights”? Not exactly. Shutting down Gitmo? There’s been a delay… Questions arise as to why a Democratic President and Congress cannot or do not make a liberal’s wildest dreams come true.

But that’s not to say Obama has lost all his popularity with his base. I have friends who fiercely defend the President’s record. These friends point out that the President is busy managing two wars and a recession, left over by President Bush, as well as handling each international crisis as they arise. Thus, they say, “He can’t do everything at once.” Moreover, Obama is constrained by Congress – Democratic or not.

These faithful Obama fans also applaud the President’s efforts thus far. He has lifted the federal ban funding on stem cell research, signed into law the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (helping women sue for equal pay), and nominated the first Latina to the Supreme Court among other things. Furthermore, they say he has already changed the tone in Washington. Indeed, Obama’s style has been to build consensus on issues, which often is slower and means more compromises than liberals would like. But, it has been a departure from the previous administration.

So what do you think about the Obama presidency? A success so far? Or should it have done more?

And what metric are you using to judge President Obama? President Bush? Obama’s campaign promises? The current social, political and economic realities?

(Poster by: Shepard Fairey)

To Glee or Not to Glee

This week marks my twenty-##### birthday… 

With a twenty-something birthday coming up, it’s only natural to question what you’re doing with your life. It’s kind of cliché though. Like a TV show…

Sometimes figuring out who you are and who you’ll become is melodramatic, like Felicity. Sometimes it’s awkward and funny, like Glee.  Here’s hoping my quarter-life crisis is Gleeful, filled with catchy pop tunes, a little bit of dance and sarcastic humor.

As the Glee trophy says, “By its very definition, glee is about opening yourself up to joy.”  Some people follow their passions, regardless of financial insecurity or social expectations. Will Schuester chose the glee club and teaching over being an accountant. Happiness won over money in this narrative.

However, others value wealth and/or prestige as the prevailing objectives and do jobs they don’t like. I have plenty of buddies who eagerly go through the hazing process that is law school - the Socratic Method, class rank, law review, etc. - to gain a $160,000 big law firm job.  Hopefully, the rewards make up for the sacrifice.

As I ponder my life - what I really want and how to achieve it – I want to know your perspective. Let’s call it your birthday present to me. Tell me: What are “good life choices?”

Independent Pop Day!

It’s time for the annual PolicyWithPop.com song of the summer speculation and declaration! This time honored event occurs around the fourth of July and is celebrating its 2nd year in action… As you recall, I went with the Jason Mraz tune of “I’m Yours” last year.

This year is a bit more difficult for me to choose my personal favorite. I’ve been busy in DC and hardly have time to listen to new music. I do have a radio alarm clock but I only have it on one station (94.7 Fresh fm). It plays 1990’s and early 2000’s classics. Listening to old songs like Oasis’ “Wonderwall” or DHT’s “Listen to Your Heart” is actually comforting after a long day. However, it makes it hard to keep track of current popular music. But I will try.

I’m actually digging Jordin Sparks’ “Battlefield.” Not sure if it is a huge radio or iTunes hit but it’s stuck in my head (Why does love have to feel like a battlefield?). Watch her video:

Jordin Sparks - New Music - More Music Videos

Beyonce’s “Ego” is pretty sweet too.

Beyoncé - New Music - More Music Videos

Which song is dominating your head this summer? Sound off.

Happy Fourth of July!