book tv, damon root on the long-standing battle of supreme court. history tv" on n c-span3, saturday at 6:00 pm eastern on the civil war, discuss ns and authors president lincoln's 1864 reelection campaign. and at 4:00 pm, trial by fire. 1965 film that chronicles the battle of the bulge. let us know what you think about the programs you're watching. call us, email us, or send us a tweet. join the c-span conversation. like us on facebook. follow us on twitter. >> "washington journal" continues. host: and in our last half-hour

the "washington journal" today, we are opening up the phone's for the public policy issues that are important to you. if you want, you can call back began the question we today show with -- is the achievable eam still and still attainable? the question was asked by "new york times" earlier this month. that poll finding that more and more people are finding the american dream out of reach. we can talk about that, or any of the topics. 202-748-8001 for republicans. 202-748-8000 for democrats. 202-748-8002 for independents. 202-748-8003 for those outside the u.s. oof course, we will be checking facebook and twitter, as well. and you can email us. another question you may want to answer this morning is one

recent link to -- a post" piece which asks, is sent to a republican or democrat? chris kringle, a.k.a. santa claus. here's a few of the responses. santa is definitely a democrat. rather than cater to the wealthiest 1%, he rewards people who work hard and play by the rules. while he is not a participant first lady's anti-obesity campaign, he is very concerned about climate change. but r all, would often fly, he can't swim. republican national committee chairman answers, republican. imagine a democrat wearing that much red. and if you like a gift, you can

actually keep your gift. on our answer there or facebook page. one comment from adam on our facebook page on that question -- center is neither. the s too smart to fall for bs our political system has. the phone lines are open. with mari from minnesota. good morning. caller: yes, i just want to address one thing. i think we need to be sensitive to other countries. and i really offended there are countries -- it has gone to the we have to make -- we have to have satire about leaders. i would be very offended if they do that to our president. that it is ze probably to make money or whatever, but i think it has

gone beyond free-speech. because we need to be -- we to be more tolerant. especially when it is kind of offending their leaders. that is all i have to say. thank you. host: ccalling in with the topic of our last segment of the "washington journal". a few columns i want to point you to today on this christmas morning. of the the opinion page "washington times" -- warming the season with heated debate. nearly everyone can find something to like in the season, but there's lots that must be liked with trepidation. we gather with family and friends to celebrate, and amicably, sometimes not. the partisan by senate report on enhanced

interrogation techniques, or torture, if you like. different opinions on what ferguson and staten island will ignite angry words, inflamed by the assassination of "2 kasa" in brooklyn. immigration and the presence executive orders have sharpened the slayings of arrows. youngsville, pennsylvania. barbara is on our line for republicans. good morning, barbara. caller: good morning. i'm sorry -- i thought i would just be leaving a message. host: no, we are here, barbara. go ahead. my response is -- yes it is, but it is going to be different than it was for our parents and our grandparents. we don't have the same situation that they had. so much now that has to

be electronic, computers. back then, it was factory -- my dad was a factory worker. the factories up your are pretty much gone. so it is going to take a whole different mindset to achieve the american dream. but it is attainable. and another comment is that we need to work together at this. there has to be mutual cooperation. and we have to understand that country was founded on a belief in god. plan and his principles. that ve largely abandoned to our detriment. we need to get back to god. -- i'm that can happen praying -- and it is going to have to be a work of god for that to happen. but that is likely my comment. and as far as education, i used

be a teacher -- this will be -- and for -- nt we need a morally educated populace. to take parents have with their children -- i know that is hard for a lot of parents were working so hard -- but they have to get the kids on board with -- you got to do your work. host: barbara, you started talking about the american dream. do think that going to college is part of the american dream? or how would you define the american dream? caller: i went to college. to have a other ways good lifestyle without going to college. lot of junior colleges, community colleges that can achieve the same thing pretty much. so, a university education is not always the answer.

but to be educated for the job that you want is -- an students and have a plan. not to just go out there and say that, well, we will try this. they really should have a plan. sit down with your parents and get their plan made a go for it. host: barbara in youngsville, pennsylvania talking about the question that we began the day american -- is the dream still attainable? you can see the polling on this going back to 1996. the changing attitudes and whether americans think it is possible and not possible. can see, since 2010, those thinking it is possible has dropped to just above 60%. the piece highlighted in the times" earlier this month. from west palm beach, good morning.

morning and merry christmas. number one, i think that there united ments of the states of america in the present time who are giving the freedom of speech a bad name. what i mean by that is that i ey are saying things which, think, and law would be fighting words. in other words, saying things somebody want e to fight. i don't think that is what freedom of speech is meant to be. mention 2005 -- i won't the journalist's name, but there is a very highly to publish ournalist the story that turned out to be guantánamo bay, army soldiers were flushing korans down the toilet. people around the world were being killed by that, literally, and it was a full story. then sony comes out with this

thing, and it causes all kinds of problems. in law, we have a thing that says you cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater. well, why not? because if you do so, in my people to get killed. so if you can't yell fire in a crowded movie theater, then why can you do all of these other things when you know it is going to get people killed. the other part has to do with the fact that congress one respecting a ie religion, nor -- law respecting a religion, nor the freedom of. then have her children go the ly forced to public schools because they cannot afford to opt out where express their religious views. to not express religious views as to foster atheism. so i think we have some real contradictions here.

thank you very much for taking my call. palm beach west florida, dennis. we are in the final minutes of "washington journal" this morning. on a f the questions facebook page was based off of the political column -- is sent to a republican or democrat? one comment -- he must be a democrat. he gives and gives and gives away with no way to pay for it. quoted in the "washington post" knows if ing that he you have been that are good. on the other hand, he only works one day of year. which could make him not only a but a federal employee. we are getting our thoughts, as well.

and any other public policy issues you want to talk about. bernard is in deerfield beach, florida. our line for democrats. caller: hi. host: hi, bernard. you are on. caller: santa has to be a democrats because if you were a republican, only rich kids or corporations would receive gifts. the middle class and the poor would receive nothing. it is obvious that he must be a republican. host: plenty of comments on our facebook page, as well. that miller writes in center is a liberal, scrooge is a republican. bob, good morning. morning and merry christmas. neurologist here in virginiaand i want to make a comment about doctor watson.

doctor watson -- he made the ago about few years intelligible facts. and there was a high uproar. am a brain doctor, watson is not. he doesn't know the difference. he has said -- his data was not scientific. a scientist, like he is, so i admitted. and i accept his apology. is a big, big issue. host: wwe are about 15 minutes left an open phones. on christmas morning we want to note that the president and first lady

released their christmas reading yesterday, as part of their weekly radio address this week. here is a bit from the presence christmas greeting. >> merry christmas, everybody. we are not going to take too much of your time because today is about family and being with the ones you love. luckily for me, that means i get a little help on the weekly address. >> the holidays at the white house are such a wonderful time of year. we fill the holes with decorations, christmas trees, and careless. we invited more than 65,000 people to join us. i theme was -- a children's winter wonderland. and people, young and old, had a chance to come together. >> today, our family will join millions across the country and celebrating the birth of jesus. the birth not just of a baby in a manger, but a message that has changed the world. to reach out to the sick, the hungry, the troubled. and above all else, to love one another, as we would be loved

ourselves. >> we hope that this holiday season will be a chance for us to live out that message. to bridge our differences and lift up our friends, family, and neighbors. and to reconnect with the values that bind us together. country, they'll summit celebrating and honoring those who have served -- that also means celebrating and honoring those who have served. >> in a few days, the war in afghanistan will be over. that gives us an opportunity to step back and reflect upon all families have given us. we are able to gather with our friends because the troops are willing to hug there's goodbye. day, we can come home because they are willing to leave their families and deploy. we can celebrate the holidays because they are willing to miss their own.

>> ,and so is our troops continue to transition back home, back to our businesses, our schools, our congregations, and our communities, it is up to all of us to serve them as they have served off. you can learn how to support troops and our communities. >> so, merry christmas, everybody. and may god bless you all. we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2015. that was the president's weekly radio address. of the front pages of newspapers from around the country. is the "denver post", snow is the headline there. from "the state" out of south carolina, the artful hand of god is the headline.

and to the front page of the - a ton globe" this morning christmas outpouring. we are an open phones for about the next 15 minutes. our line for republicans. scott, good morning. caller: good morning. i would just like to comment on what is it -- - is there still a chance for a person to be rich? i guess. if you live in downtown manhattan, you know, and you them any kids -- three of are in college, $200,000 a year just get you by. york times" is -- i really hope in the coming year that they cease to be the paper of record. that would be my wish for the new year. but it all depends. and the government needs to without trying y

to tweak the system so that certain groups or individuals get a leg up, like warren gets his, you know, keystone xl pipeline so he can keep his cars rolling on the rails. host: what is your definition of achieving the american ddream? caller: it is doing what you want to do with our government interventions. i don't do the government as and i very advantageous, am not even for a lot of the republicans. i don't like what i see going on in washington. thanks need to be changed. of america is business. and the government is doing a to shut down business and stifle it. out more people you have there trying to exercise their minds and create new things and new ideas, the more wealthy are going to have.

idea that the president with his top her minds in washington and decide that we're going to have a program where they can create jobs -- none of them create jobs. none of them. host: we will go on to eric in salt lake city, utah. our line for democrats. caller: good morning. my name is eric, and i'm a small business owner in salt lake. my comment goes directly to the last caller. when you look at gdp growth rates before 1980, and gdp rates after 1980 -- cut r taxes were basically in half -- the declined by 21%. and our unemployment rate went up by 22%. dow the growth rate of the jones industrial average went up by 364%. excuse me. 364%. dow jones that the

took off like mad when we cut taxes, but the gdp did not. it declined. cutting taxes to not create jobs in america. so that message has failed for 30 years. it is amazing to me that we are still continuing on the same path. host: eric in salt lake city on our open phone segment. david is up next calling in from florida on our line for independents. yes, i'm ood morning, calling about social security payments. changed it ust recently. 23rd, i got my stipend. if that was a weekend, i would it the following monday. in on the -- tthat

means this month, i do not get on the 23rd, i got it on the 24th. next month, i will get on the 20th. not always, the 23rd. get on the 28th -- my birthday is on a friday and i don't get my payment. it so you get ged paid on a certain day of the week, rather than a date of the month. and my bills don't run that way. that so, david, what does five extra days mean for you on a monthly basis? caller: well, i am living on social security. on $1900 a month. you know, when i have to go days to five days to wait for that money to come in, i have to change. i also have bills coming in, bill that i rage have coming in on the 25th.

i have to find some way to get money before the 28th because i will get the money on my due l security date. and i ed social security just got a phone call after to switch and switch to switch. nothing got accomplished. i couldn't find other thing from them. host: david in auburndale, florida. also on this christmas morning, i want to point out this piece the "washington times" -- the recent floor speech in the house. according to a recent poll, nine out of 10 american celebrate christmas. there is a ver, troubling effort in america, by the cal minority, to remove symbols and traditions of christmas from the public arena.

have introduced a resolution for use by those to celebrate the holidays. the resolution also disapproves of efforts to ban christmas. we must not allow those who choose to take offense to shut down the celebration. i urge its passage. was congressman doug lamborn, a republican from colorado in a recent floor speech. also want to let you know that the house john boehner came out yesterday with his christmas poem. [video clip] >> was the end of the 113th, and the countdown began. time to take on the tough issues, like taxes and spending. the gridlock in the senate may finally be ending.

reform was needed from home in ohio to here on capitol hill. but not by executive order, instead by bill. for now, we celebrate god's gift to us -- his glory and life. so happy christmas to all, and to all, a good night. host: we are in open phones. our line for republicans. caller: good morning. thanks for taking my call. i have served in both the army and the navy -- the vietnam era. i saw an interview with vladimir putin and obama where made the statement -- of course, the microphone was so possibly off and it wasn't. he told vladimir putin that after the election, i will be

more flexible. okay. consideration, since that time, the election has come and gone. obama got reelected. of a sudden, is vladimir putin invading the ukraine? and now, here we have cuba knocking on her backdoor. i ich, for some respects, think that relationships with cuba could improve. nobody can tell me that things can i get better between these leaders and our countries. but i'm just curious as to why -- after the elections -- vladimir putin invades the ukraine and now we have cuba knocking on our door? an airliner is shut down over the ukraine. and this stuff just seems to go on and on. what i president obama's take on all this?

host: and steve is coming in on our line from illinois. good morning. caller: good morning. the work you for do, hosting at c-span day in and day out. you are to be commended to the high heavens. host: thank you, steve. caller: you're welcome. it is also funny, they got this to wall stmas present street -- it is due to this number coming up, or the economy creating jobs. and the politicians are all at a conflict of interest because they are tied into the stock market. one last thing, please. i am at the old folks home almost daily, and i have to keep repeating to the people i can hear because the - they try to read close caption -- and your transcription services lacking. if you could please get the transcriber to slow down with

growing up in that, because the people can't read it. and that would be such a wonderful present. let me tell you from a personal standpoint, you might mention it to your transcription service. i thank you very kindly. have a wonderful holiday. host: steve, you have a wonderful holiday, as well. steve is going to be the last caller. tune in tomorrow, though, will joined by terry jeffrey to talk about the accomplishments 113th congress and the new congress. joins us, to also discuss his collection of columns on race, politics, and social change. that is all tomorrow morning at 7:00 am eastern. but on this christmas morning, want to leave you with a shot of our control room.

and a very big thank you to the many production and crewmembers who put this program on the air every day. have a great christmas day. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> and merry christmas to everyone ccelebrating the season today. the huffington post has this message from the president. he is encouraging americans to spirit of christmas by volunteering in soup and organizing food drives. lessons ident values that jesus taught, and

encourages everyone to be better friends, neighbors, and citizens. michelle obama says that americans should show appreciation and supporting military families. our "q&a" program is 10 years old now. to mark a decade of compelling conversations, we're featuring one interview from each of the years of the holiday season. today, presence renu khator and preparing the youth for the workforce. at 8 o'clock eastern, a conversation from the national constitution center in philadelphia on the founding the bill of rights. the n the one hand, government has grown to a size the founding generation could never have imagined. and the bill of rights is

needed to keep the federal state ment and the governments in check -- to make sure that they do not violate precious individual rights. at the same time, however, without the governmental that the constitution created, tthe ghts would be like an arm without a body. are worse than useless. that brings me to the third connection between the bill of rights and the city of philadelphia. it was here that the supreme court heard its first case. it had that in a brief session in new york. the capital moved to philadelphia.