Adventures of Andrew Lee

1. I graduated CMC.
2. I've chosen to defer my Truman Scholarship (for up to 4-5 years). Unlike the rest of my fantastic cohort (the Facebook-Youtube Generation), I am not going straight to graduate school (although the exciting world of public service and water law still eagerly awaits me).
3. Instead, I am now a web entrepreneur (that sounds really cool!) in Washington DC. After the media coverage of Fantasy Congress in the NYTimes, NBC, NPR, and others, we received calls from textbook publishers and news organizations to partner, so I've placed my scholarship and grad school plans on hold.
4. What's it like? We have a house in Washington D.C., found all of our furniture on Craig's List (including a fantastic white board for $40 from Burtonsville, MD). It's tough. Owning a small business is not easy. Working with partners puts you at the top of your game and also the worst of your game. There are many naysayers, but when you're young, pursuing the vision is the most important thing.
5. Why are you doing it? Simple. It's a new experience. I have a dream of changing the world of politics through technology and I think we can do it.

So, I thought that attending a lecture with Anne Krueger at the Ath would be a quite dry affair. I was invited because I had been notified that I had won the CMCStudents.com Web Entrepreneurship Award, along with my great partners (Arjun and Ethan) for our business plan and website Fantasy Congress. All three of the best econ minds I know won the Outstanding Junior Economics Award- Paul VanDeventer, Elizabeth Schultz (my girlfriend), and Chris Urban. Other economics students won awards, notably Dan Yavorsky for his econometric analysis of the game Deal or No Deal on middle school students in a low-income middle school in Pomona and a high-income middle school. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed by how qualified the CMC economics department is. Well, after I had won my award, the infamous Professor Manfred Keil shows everyone the following video when students wind down from their finals! Straight from the Columbia Business School follies, it is "Every Breath You Take" created by Columbia Business School students. Click on Every Breath You Take, and watch the Columbia Business School (CBS) dean (played by a CBS student) lament the appointment of Ben Bernanke as Fed Chair. The lyrics are wonderful, and this movie is something that will go down in history as a relic of internet glory (like other hilarious political movies that circulate the internet, like the Jib Jab Movies- namely This Land). The great part was that Anne Krueger was the first to clap!

I just completed my Congress simulation. I successfully played the role of Senator Jon Kyl achieving his goals of an almost full repeal of the estate tax and a full repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Here's what Caroline An of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (3/31/06) had to say about it:

And while the scenes were real, the location was far from the stately confines of the U.S. Capitol. The committee conducted its business in Roberts Hall 104, a small classroom on the Claremont McKenna College campus...

The students take the exercise seriously, and spend hours researching their roles online as well as watching hours of C-SPAN hoping for a glimpse of the person they are going to pose as...

Because of the stressful environment, it also tests students' grace under pressure and ability to deal with conflict, Menefee-Libey said.

"It gives them a real sense of how they do in a political setting and how they tolerate in the face of conflict,'' he said.

Nevertheless, the simulation showed that a battle of egos is not a battle of wits. As the last days rolled on, the atmosphere became tough as people became tired, stressed, and postured with every last ounce of strength. I can see why legislation takes forever to be considered (as the Senate Pro Tempore, I could at least see that!). Politics is rough and really brings out some of the best and worst in people. I do, however, consider this to be a learning experience. Hopefully, wherever I go, I will be pragmatic, but also respectful of dissenting opinion. So that means, I would behave better in real life.

After waking up much too early to arrive at Debate Nationals, one of my Debate Union team members (Duncan Anderson) pointed me in the direction of the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement. The movement aims to restore the Earth from degradation by not pro-creating. Of course, this is a hilarious website, but it belies an even bigger question about human beings and our biological need to have our own children. I was discussing with a friend why I wanted to have my own children (and also adopt), and she just kept on saying that adopting is better. Her arguments were:

1. These kids are already here, they need your love;
2. Having more kids will not stop environmental degradation;
3. You need to break out of the biological cycle that binds you to only care about people that share your own biological traits.

The only arguments I had for her were that I would adopt, but I want my (and my wife's) kids too. The sheer "coolness" or having a child be the product of both me and my wife was worth the trouble. So, I'm in Corvallis, WA at National Parliamentary Debate Nationals. We'll see how this turns out; I have a lot more schoolwork to do (such as writing an essay on water marketing). This upcoming Tuesday is the day that I will know about the Truman scholarship. Fingers crossed (and another post forthcoming about the interview and preparation).

The course, taught by Professor Weinstein of the Hudson Institute, is a writing course which focuses on research and writing methods. 75% of your course grade consists of the final research paper (35% final draft; 10% research presentation; 30% research paper draft), while 25% is divided between the op-ed (15%) and the quiz on the Williams book (10%). As a friend of mine advised, "Do what he tells you and you'll be fine." Although the grade for the course largely rests on your final research product, I suggest that you do well on the op-ed. Doing well on the op-ed allows Professor Weinstein to fully vet out your mistakes (saving you from problems later on) and gives you a chance to show him that you implement his recommendations. If you don't understand what you are doing wrong, set up a meeting with Professor Weinstein. He always checks his e-mail and will get back to you within twenty-four hours. Put the time and effort into your paper and you will be proud of your work, regardless of the grade. Aside from that recommendation, here is a one-page review sheet for the Williams book and the quiz given for the Williams book:

Williams Review Sheet

Williams Quiz

I hope this DC Study Guide was some help. Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful experience in our nation’s capitol.

That's right; you're no longer in Kansas. Although your job will probably teach you a lot about D.C., you will need to understand Congress and its interactions with the Executive, the budget process, etc. Thankfully, Dorothy & Toto, you have Professor John Haskell from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Generally, reading is less than Professor Spalding's class, but it requires that 25% of the course grade be based on contributions in-class. Another 30% will be based on a 12-15 page paper; midterm (20%); and final (25%). Here are recommendations for this course: 1) DO come to class with questions or comments about the reading. Professor Haskell usually has a general plan of where he wants to go, but he would much rather have the class discuss the reading. If you come to class prepared, you will have 1/4 of your grade taken care of. 2) DO write to prove a thesis. Professor Haskell wants the class to be academic, but also to be practical. Therefore, on your midterm & final, he wants to see that you can just simply write a thesis and back it up with paragraphs and proofs from the reading. If you've ever taken an AP European History course, or AP U.S. History course which requires this type of writing, you will be fine. 3) DO NOT finish your paper in one night, forgetting about the grammar and the pragmatic style of writing. Write as if you're writing for Professor Pitney (pragmatic writing is good for all professors, practice often). If you're new to Pitney's style, then go here. Professor Haskell's class is a very useful class, where you understand how Congress works and especially how the Budget process works. Being in Washington D.C., he's the guy you can ask about whatever goes on. Don't waste this opportunity. Besides, you can't even get to the Emerald City without some politics involved. Study Guides (two books- Oleszek and Thurber- all you need): Midterm Study Guide [flash http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=j1i2ho1bh04fl&document_id=2076556&page=1 w=450 h=500] Index for Final Study Guide [flash http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=doaw68642y0yl&document_id=2076535&page=1 w=450 h=500] Final Study Guide [flash http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=9e5qtg2xgkm8k&document_id=2076558&page=1 w=450 h=500] Comprehensive Quick Review Sheet [flash http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=fweb7f4qxtboj&document_id=2076559&page=1 w=450 h=500]

Part III- Professor Spalding’s Post-Cold War, Current Event-Foreign Policy Class (Gov 125- Readings in American National Politics)

Posted by Andrew under: College; Study Guides .

After the fall of the USSR, the United States remained the sole superpower in the world. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States found reason to exercise its power (in Afghanistan and Iraq). If you’ve never taken a foreign policy class, don’t worry, your introduction to U.S. foreign policy will be comprehensive. If you are interested in foreign policy, you can be happy to know that this class does not disappoint. Professor Spalding’s class will focus on three things: theories of foreign policy, the transatlantic relationship, and whatever the current event topic is (e.g. War on Terrorism, whatever the threat may be- possibly N. Korea). Professor Spalding’s class consists of four parts: a midterm exam (20%), oral participation (20%), a book review (20%), and the final exam (40%).

The following are recommendations for her class:

1. Professor Spalding wants to know that you understand and could use the readings if questioned on the subject. As with the Academy, DO say and write the names of authors from the readings during your seminars and exams to receive high marks (e.g. Kagan says…).
2. Be able to summarize the reading, and DO have a couple of points to discuss about the reading. Professor Spalding’s seminar begins with summary of the reading, then continues to understanding the author’s perspective on topics in the class, and ends with general points of discussion. Within those three areas, you should come prepared to talk in one, at best be able to contribute in all three.
3. DO NOT discuss in class topics outside of the reading, Professor Spalding grades the presentation seriously and it will be the difference between an A- or a B+. If you want to discuss domestic policy, do it on your own time.
4. DO NOT make any grammatical errors on the book review. As well, follow recommendation (1) for the book review.
5. DO know the typologies of foreign policy theory, it’s likely that somewhere in your final or your midterm, you might have a question on foreign policy theories.

Generally, her class is straightforward. I would suggest meeting with her throughout the year concerning your internship and to discuss your performance in class.

Study Guides after the jump…

My Midterm Guide (Nat’l Security Strategy; Powell- “A Strategy of Partnerships”; Beinart, “A Fighting Faith” and responses; Attacking Terrorism)- Created by Elizabeth Schultz and Andrew Lee

Class Midterm Guide (Nat’l Security Strategy; Powell- “A Strategy of Partnerships”; Beinart, “A Fighting Faith” and responses; Attacking Terrorism)- Created by Spring 2005 DC class

Index to Final Study Guide

Final Study Guide (Gordon and Shapiro; Kagan- OP and P, America’s Crisis of Legitimacy; Cooper- Europe and America; Lindberg- Beyond P and P; Judis; Gaddis- book and reader)

Comprehensive Final Review Sheet

From Animal House to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, D.C. is a tough metropolitan city. The other parts of DC orientation cover the more famous discontents (crime, etc.). Nevertheless, you will need some advice on how to find an apartment and eat frugally in order to find time to enjoy the sights and sounds of D.C.

I'm Too Young to Find an Apartment Follow these steps:

1. Choose the size of apartment you would like, depending on the number of people you'll be living with. Studios/Efficiencies contain a kitchen, bathroom, closet, and a living/dining area a little larger than you average dorm room (19'x12'), one and two bedroom apartments are self-explanatory. If you are comfortable with the dorm lifestyle, go with a studio (~$1000/month) and split the rent with a roommate. If you would like to live with more people or would like a room of your own, go with any other type of arrangement ($1200+/month). Decreasing space or increasing the number of people in a typical apartment is the most cost-effective approach.
2. To find an apartment in Washington D.C., all you need is Apartments.com, Craig's List, and may be Apartment Showcase (see apartments near metro stops). Call some of the apartments and ask questions (microwave, fitness room, neighbourhood, utilities included, can you send a floor plan). Give them a fax number and they should be able to fax over a lease to you.
3. If anybody gives you a low price, stick to it and don't budge. Students have received amazing deals by sticking to a price quote.
4. Consider whether you will want to come to DC early (fall students) or stay after the program (spring) to work a summer internship. If you do, pick roommates who want the same. You can usually get a better rate on an 8 month lease than a shorter lease.
5. Most CMC students have gone through Charles E. Smith Realty, primarily in Crystal City by Arlington, VA, but also around the Pentagon City area. Other students have lived in the Northwest DC area, staying in Connecticut Heights, the Albermarle, the Quebec House, or even as far as Silver Spring, MD at the Blair Apartment. Factor in concerns about how close the nearest Metro stop is, but keep in mind that there is also an extensive bus system in Washington D.C., most Metro stops are within a ten-minute walk of an apartment, and your apartment may offer a shuttle service.
6. [UPDATE 2/19/2008]: Here are the rules of thumb I've picked up along the way while living in D.C. for 3 years:
   1. closer to DC- higher price, think of places with metro stops outside of the District, such as MD or VA
   2. closer to metro stop- higher price; think of walking maybe ten minutes to a metro stop. Most people do it and it'll give you much needed exercise. A walk of maybe 1/2 mile or even 1/3 mile can save you almost $400/month. Keep in mind that if you plan on hosting people, it will be tougher because you aren't paying as much.
   3. Don't listen to people who say you can only live in Crystal City, etc. They generally haven't been anywhere outside of their own apartment areas. Of course, NW is always good, in addition to anyplace in VA, and especially parts of MD, U Street, and NE DC. I would however, recommend trying places outside of those traditional areas, that would mean that you get a lower price.

Food Costs Money! Yes, food does cost money, much like everything else in this world. However, you can live in D.C. for less than the cost at CMC. Here's how:

1. Pack your lunch (like everybody else). An average meal in D.C. will cost a minimum of $5.00, while packing your lunch can cost you less than $2.00.
2. Shop sales. Yes, much like the rest of America, if you want to save money on food, you can shop the sales and coupons for each store. For example, yogurt always has a sale going on.
3. If you're intrepid (like me), shop at (Costco). Bring your suitcase to the Metro and go to the Pentagon City Metro stop, turn right toward the non-mall entrance. You'll go up a set of escalators that ends in front of the entrance to a shopping area. Go through the entrance to the shopping area, and go straight (you'll see a large sign saying "To Costco"). At Costco, you will find fresh produce, milk, bread, and other basic essentials (in large quantities) that you can definitely use to feed you throughout your semester. For example, you can buy bread, peanut butter, jelly, oranges, granola bars, pretzels, and juice boxes (which could be lunch for two weeks for you). You will also find rice ($11.00 for a 50 lb. bag of rice), noodles (spaghetti, shells, etc.), and other base foods in large quantities for a low price.

Enjoy Yourself

1. Everybody Wins DC- It's a good reason to take a Power Lunch and help the DC community. You'll meet a lot of staffers that are also working on the program.
2. Set up a lunch each week with a friend on the Hill or in an area that you're interested in working. Informational interviews are never used enough in D.C.! Generally, all underpaid staffers are more than happy to meet you for lunch and talk about their grand lives.

The DC program requires a 40-hour (full-time) internship, Gov30, in which you learn about Washington D.C. As you intern, you will come to understand the "magnificent intentions" of those who work in D.C. To learn about Washington D.C., you would not choose normal internships that would be available in another major city (e.g. i-banking, museums, hospitals, etc.) Before you apply, you should choose the type of internship experience you would like:

• 
  The Hill (House or Senate) - If you're interested in working as a Hill staffer after college, then you should consider working on the Hill. Most offices want to see that you've gone through the "foot-soldier" work of a campaign, a personal office, or another partisan organization before you work on the Hill. Most Hill work consists of constituent services, daily newspaper clips, and small research assignments. In order to receive substantive work, you will have to complete your usual administrative duties and do more than the normal amount. Most people recommend that you work in the House than in the Senate because you are more likely to be given more responsibility with smaller staff. Supposedly, the best work on the Hill is on committees, but a limited amount of space is available on committees. To receive these internships (esp. committee internships), it is best if you are a constituent for the member (chair or ranking member), or if you have a personal connection. Note: All things on the Hill are split between Majority & Minority: the minority has a smaller budget, than the majority. Pay: Expect unpaid.

• 
  Advocacy Organization (Think Tanks, Lobbying Firms, or Watchdogs): Think Tanks (non-partisan like RFF, PIPA; subtly partisan like AEI, Brookings, Hudson, Cato, PPI) influence Congress through their academic studies, research operations, polling organizations, and their ability to craft messages for Congress. Lobbying Firms (private- list; advocacy- AFT, NFIB) try to influence Congress through their congressional liaisons and their meetings with Congressional & Executive staff (legislative process). Watchdog groups (Fiscal- TCS, POGO, CAGW; Environmental- EWG, Public Citizen) conduct hard-hitting research in order to affect the news cycle. Many organizations can be a combination of two or even all three of these types. Depending on the experience you want (or the issue you like), you can learn of the different types of pressure that each group exerts on Members. Pay: Varies.

• 
  Party Organizations- All party organizations are always in need of free labour in their efforts to move public opinion (by crafting messages), motivate donors, mobilize voters, and conduct opposition research. These organizations are the most active during the election cycle, but also need interns during the legislative years. Certain party organizations are affiliated with the party (DNC, RNC, DSCC, NRSC, DCCC, NRCC), while others are organizations that are associated with a particular party (Emily's List, NRA, etc.). If you're a very hard worker interested in party politics, you might enjoy working for a party organization. Pay: Expect unpaid.

• 
  News Organizations (e.g. ABC, Roll Call, Congress Daily) - The News Cycle is one of the most important mediums that affects Congress. If a particular issue sticks with the news, then Members will begin to care. The only catch is that most news organizations are looking for a journalist-in-training, unless you want to intern in the Washington Post Business Dept. A journalist-in-training will have sample clips, in addition to his/her resume & cover letter. Pay: Expect unpaid.

• 
  Agencies (e.g. DOL, GAO, USDA, EPA, CIA, DIA, DOJ, State, and FBI)- Landing an internship in an agency is fairly difficult because many people apply and the federal government has early application deadlines. Working for a federal agency gives you a leg up in any field because you function in a large organizational environment, and you are specialized in a particular field. For many people, working in a federal agency is good job security (because it pays more than the Hill) and if you're interested in public service, most federal agencies allow you to raise a family and still move up the ladder. Additionally, federal agencies allow you to exercise your expertise (e.g. EPA-biology major). To see federal job openings, go to the OPM website. You'll need to apply online, and if you are set for a particular federal agency, you need to find their human resources/human capital liaison to speak to. Keep in mind, unless you work in congressional/legislative affairs (which are basically the same work as on the Hill), you will not be participating in the day-to-day operations of Washington, D.C. and most of those working around you will have had graduate degrees. Note: State Dept., CIA, and other high profile internships require you to apply almost a year in advance. If you're a future I-banker or economist, you might want to try the OCC in the Treasury (they control credit lending) or the CEA. Pay: Varies (some volunteer, some as high as GS-7)

For a further listing of internships: visit Prof. Pitney's Internship page, the Everett Public Service Internships, Studentjobs.gov, or Monstertrak (contact Career Services for Username & Password; if you want a paid internship, look in Monstertrak). Remember that you will be working at this place for a whole five months, choose wisely. To ace the internship, you should (a) do your work, and (b) go to your supervisor and say, "My evaluation will be coming up, is there anything more I need to do to receive an A on my internship?" It's pretty simple.

A good man was at his place of worship, praying to God. He said, "Lord there is so much trouble in the world. There is injustice, poverty, conflict and violence. Lord, please send someone to help...please."God spoke. He said, "I did. I sent you." There is an election on Tuesday, Vote.

Colorado

I'm taking the advice of Colorado State Senator Ken Gordon, who has been working tirelessly to help Colorado by fixing TABOR through Referendum C & D, and I'm urging you to go vote for Referendum C & D. I can't stress enough how important it is to vote for these two initiatives. On a personal level, many of my CU friends are paying higher costs of tuition than many of my friends at CMC. This is unacceptable. CU's world-class public education has produced brilliant scholars and is an institution that we, as Coloradans, need to protect. These rising student fees are not part of the normal economic cycle, but are part of a glitch created by TABOR. Students should be allowed to return to pre-recession levels of spending and not have these unnecessary financial burdens.

Do something to help. Vote yourself, of course, but do something in addition. The outcome of this election hangs by a thread. And this applies in other counties as well. Even if you have a mailed ballot, many people never fill them out or send them in.

1. C and D are only an attempt to get us back to where we would have been with state services if the recession had not happened. We are not trying to do anything new or extravagant. It is just that the TABOR amendment requires a vote of the people to let services come back to pre-recession levels after a recession is over. The services we are talking about are, education, a health care safety net, and roads and bridges.
2. Because Medicaid is a federal program with matching funds, prison spending is driven by sentencing laws, and K-12 education is protected by Amendment 23, cuts that will be necessary if C and D do not pass will disproportionately affect colleges and universities. Colorado will be the first state to defund higher education, and a state that already does a poor job of getting its high school graduates into college, will become much worse. In this century the good jobs and the good economies will go to the states and countries that turn out the engineers, writers, and math and science majors who can work in the jobs of the future. We should be putting more into education not less. Even conservatives should be concerned that more and more of the best scientists, computer engineers and mathematicians are coming from China, Singapore and India. It is a security issue. (If people complain about Amendment 23, they should know that we still fund K-12 poorly compared to other states.)
3. Colorado has 8700 people with developmental disabilities on waiting lists for supports and services. Many of these people will die before they come off the waiting list. In other states people with disabilities get services, and it is cost-effective because with early intervention many disabled children can attend typical classrooms, get jobs and be productive rather than being institutionalized for life. The failure to care for the disabled is hard on our hearts. We can do better.