1. Which political party do you most identify with? Why? Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
I find myself relating with the Democratic party more than the republican party. The idea of giving the rich more tax breaks in a hope that they will then put the extra money into hiring and paying better is kinda like crossing your fingers to me. I also like the fact that the democratic party seems to be looking out for more of my needs.
2. Does America need political parties? The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties? Would that work today? Why?
It seems to be helpful to get behind a certain political party versus trying to run in a election without one. I tend to think that without a party a lot more things to help our country could and would get done since there isn't a certain way a particular parties platform stands, allowing people to vote with what makes more sense.
3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with? Why?
I'm sure there are several that have some great ideas, I found myself intrested with the green party. I like several of their set values, and also the fact that they don't accept money from corporations. Sounds like a party that won't get their vote bought.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Chapter 6
1. Is American news media too dependent upon polls? Is it appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them? Why or why not?
Polls are a great way to find out what people are thinking and what percentage they are swinging from one end of an idea to the other. The problem with a lot of media polls is they truly aren't random, they are voluntary polls, and normally the only people what will reply to them are people with strong feelings. Not giving a true accurate percentage. Polls can sometimes influence people's own feelings about a certain subject, so when viewing a poll make sure you know how they are asking the question, and who is behind the question.
2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)? Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents? Does it seem more or less important to your friends? Why or why not?
Not very important but I do tend to determine or generalize a person when they say they represent a certain party just because of the different stances those parties take on issues. My father was never really for one party or the other, he had more of a feeling of hoping the president was going to make things run right for him. Politics where never much of a discussion in my family. My friends aren't much into politics either, I find myself watching CNN, or John Stewart, or Fox to get a different perspective of different political issues and characters.
3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
My feeling on politics comes more from the social issues. Economic issues are important to me, but I find myself more intrigued with other countries behavior and our feeling about it. I also listen to how one party plays the angles against the other parties.
Polls are a great way to find out what people are thinking and what percentage they are swinging from one end of an idea to the other. The problem with a lot of media polls is they truly aren't random, they are voluntary polls, and normally the only people what will reply to them are people with strong feelings. Not giving a true accurate percentage. Polls can sometimes influence people's own feelings about a certain subject, so when viewing a poll make sure you know how they are asking the question, and who is behind the question.
2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)? Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents? Does it seem more or less important to your friends? Why or why not?
Not very important but I do tend to determine or generalize a person when they say they represent a certain party just because of the different stances those parties take on issues. My father was never really for one party or the other, he had more of a feeling of hoping the president was going to make things run right for him. Politics where never much of a discussion in my family. My friends aren't much into politics either, I find myself watching CNN, or John Stewart, or Fox to get a different perspective of different political issues and characters.
3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
My feeling on politics comes more from the social issues. Economic issues are important to me, but I find myself more intrigued with other countries behavior and our feeling about it. I also listen to how one party plays the angles against the other parties.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Chapter 5
1. The issue of race - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination? Why or how so?
I think that the government has done so much to help the minorities have a fair chance in everyday life. From in the beginning, when a African American didn't have any rights, to now having a president in the white house having African decent has come a long way. There has been all most so much of a fair chance that it had some of a effect of majority discrimination with affirmative action.
2. The issue of gender - same question as #1.
Women's rights have developed through the years, not having much of any rights to having all kinds of laws and acts to help protect their rights. Still today there is some differences in the pay wages and corporate latter when it comes to gender.
3. The issue of sexual orientation - same question as #1 and #2
Sexual Orientation has been on the back burner for rights as race, and sex has been the issues for so many years. Now that most ends of those subjects have been corrected there is more thought about the freedoms with sexual orientation. Some sexual orientation rights have been developed, but there are still battles over marriage, and other rights that come with that.
I think that the government has done so much to help the minorities have a fair chance in everyday life. From in the beginning, when a African American didn't have any rights, to now having a president in the white house having African decent has come a long way. There has been all most so much of a fair chance that it had some of a effect of majority discrimination with affirmative action.
2. The issue of gender - same question as #1.
Women's rights have developed through the years, not having much of any rights to having all kinds of laws and acts to help protect their rights. Still today there is some differences in the pay wages and corporate latter when it comes to gender.
3. The issue of sexual orientation - same question as #1 and #2
Sexual Orientation has been on the back burner for rights as race, and sex has been the issues for so many years. Now that most ends of those subjects have been corrected there is more thought about the freedoms with sexual orientation. Some sexual orientation rights have been developed, but there are still battles over marriage, and other rights that come with that.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Chapter 4
1. Freedom of Speech: How important is it? Does the freedom go "too far"? What areas of speech should not be protected?
Being allowed to express how you feel is one of the most important parts of the Bill of Rights. Without it no one would be able to give different ideas to come together to some type of agreement. Freedom could never go to far as long as it didn't cause injustice to someone else. All areas of speech should be allowed as long as it wouldn't cause harm on another rights.
2. Freedom of Religion: Is separation of church and state necessary? Why or why not?
I think that having our government out of our personal relationships with religion is a very import and necessary provision. The government shouldn't tell someone how they should believe or we wouldn't be free at all!
3. Criminal Procedure: Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government? Why or why not? Many argue that defendants have too many rights - do you agree? Why or why not?
Yes, all people are created equal and with that should have the same rights as all. Defendants are held against their will to prove themselves innocent and should have every right possible that doesn't infringe on their rights for due process.
Being allowed to express how you feel is one of the most important parts of the Bill of Rights. Without it no one would be able to give different ideas to come together to some type of agreement. Freedom could never go to far as long as it didn't cause injustice to someone else. All areas of speech should be allowed as long as it wouldn't cause harm on another rights.
2. Freedom of Religion: Is separation of church and state necessary? Why or why not?
I think that having our government out of our personal relationships with religion is a very import and necessary provision. The government shouldn't tell someone how they should believe or we wouldn't be free at all!
3. Criminal Procedure: Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government? Why or why not? Many argue that defendants have too many rights - do you agree? Why or why not?
Yes, all people are created equal and with that should have the same rights as all. Defendants are held against their will to prove themselves innocent and should have every right possible that doesn't infringe on their rights for due process.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Chapter 3
A strong national government is a very necessary and important because they are the one that has the final say in our everyday lives. The national government also deals with other countries and needs to have the power to be able to deal with any foreign affairs. The state government does need some power to be able to in force the different laws that those states have.
As the country was dealing with the great depression the national government and presidents during that time felt they needed to create programs and other decisions to help the country grow and prosper once again. During the Reagan years he said "Government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem" showing how he had felt that less government was important to put more power in the states hands to let them determine what moneys they received where important and not the national government. The move to allowing more power in the states hands I believe was a good move, because it allowed the state and local government to have more control over its own people.
The education is an important part of our countries stability and should be controlled by both state and national government. I believe that any money that is given to a state by our government should have some type of stipulation on it to know that that money is getting results. If states where allotted money by our national government to help our children and others receive an education than there has to be some type of guarantee that this money is not wasted.
As the country was dealing with the great depression the national government and presidents during that time felt they needed to create programs and other decisions to help the country grow and prosper once again. During the Reagan years he said "Government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem" showing how he had felt that less government was important to put more power in the states hands to let them determine what moneys they received where important and not the national government. The move to allowing more power in the states hands I believe was a good move, because it allowed the state and local government to have more control over its own people.
The education is an important part of our countries stability and should be controlled by both state and national government. I believe that any money that is given to a state by our government should have some type of stipulation on it to know that that money is getting results. If states where allotted money by our national government to help our children and others receive an education than there has to be some type of guarantee that this money is not wasted.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Chapter 2
The transformation from the articles of the federation to the constitution is important because it allowed our country to govern itself. Before the constitution we had to follow the laws that Britain had set, causing us to be treated unfairly with different taxes and laws.
The Bill of Rights where an important part of our constitution because it set certain laws that where set and required and that the congress couldn't intrude on. The freedom of religion, speech or ever the freedom to assemble, are all important parts that allow each one of us to be free.
Capital punishment is not constitutional because it is not mentioned, but that doesn't make it illegal. When a certain law isn't listed in the constitution the right of that law is allowed to be interpreted in each individual state. I believe that if someone kills someone in cold blood, they too should suffer the same demise. There are degrees of crimes which should be considered in making a judgment for the death penalty.
The Bill of Rights where an important part of our constitution because it set certain laws that where set and required and that the congress couldn't intrude on. The freedom of religion, speech or ever the freedom to assemble, are all important parts that allow each one of us to be free.
Capital punishment is not constitutional because it is not mentioned, but that doesn't make it illegal. When a certain law isn't listed in the constitution the right of that law is allowed to be interpreted in each individual state. I believe that if someone kills someone in cold blood, they too should suffer the same demise. There are degrees of crimes which should be considered in making a judgment for the death penalty.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Chapter 1
I’ve always thought that the power that each person has being an American citizen is a great one. Democracy has always been taken for granted. How can someone have the right to complain about what our government is doing, but not go vote? People need appreciate the country we live in and the power we have.
Separation of power is an important part of our government because is stops one area of government to control or monopolize a certain issue without it being heard and discussed by all. Think about it, if the Congress had the bright idea to create a certain law that wasn’t Constitutionally correct, and we didn’t have the Supreme Court to make sure it was or wasn’t, we would have all kinds of crazy unfair laws.
My political view is more moderate that either left or right. I’ve found myself agreeing with the Democrats more and Republicans, but also don’t think either of them have all the right answers.
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