1) Which political party do you most identify with? Why? Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
I can't say that I wholly agree with any one party. I have found since 1980, when I really began to listen to debates and speeches from candidates, that there are points from both that I agree with, and things that I disagree with. Right now the big thing is Obamacare. I don't believe that Government has any right to tell us we have to buy something we can't afford or do not want.
2) Does America need political parties? The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties? Would that work today? Why?
I think America would be in total chaos if there were no political parties. How would the people pick a president? The party system has been around so long, I can't even imagine them not being here.
3) Please research lesser known parties- which one do you identify with? why?
Tried to research the Libertarian Party and every time I put an 'address' in it told me server not found. But from what I've heard about them, I think this might be good party to study further.
1) Kylie Corrigan
2) Robert Johnson
3) Dexter Pelfrey
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
ch 8 blog
chapter 8.
1) Select interest group from figure 8.1 and research it. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/ disagree with their positions on issues? Why?
I choose the NRA because that in an orginization that my family has been involved in for many years. I found out that the NRA was started in 1871. It was started because union officers were not happy with the marksmenship of their soldiers. The mission of the NRA, aside from the right to bear arms, is firearm safety. For many years the NRA has offered classes for children 12 and up in firearm safety, which I think is very important. If children are taught to respect weapons from an early age, there might be a lot less accidental shootings. I told my boys from the time they were 3 or 4, though I had no weapons in my home at that time, that unless they checked it themselves, the gun is loaded. And that was reinforced at their grandfathers house. Common sense and respect, teach your children.
2) Find an interest group with which you associate . what is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues.
The group I chose is not an official one, I don't think, it's Military Moms. I chose this group because I am one. It's purpose is to put information out for the public and to offer support for other members of military families.
3) Do interest groups have enough/ to much/ the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe its a fine line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of the government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?
I think most groups have the right amount of power, but it seems that the more money you have, the more power you have, which I think is wrong. I think money is the fine line. The groups with more money have a better opportunity of getting information out and getting more lobbyists to push their agenda.
1) Select interest group from figure 8.1 and research it. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/ disagree with their positions on issues? Why?
I choose the NRA because that in an orginization that my family has been involved in for many years. I found out that the NRA was started in 1871. It was started because union officers were not happy with the marksmenship of their soldiers. The mission of the NRA, aside from the right to bear arms, is firearm safety. For many years the NRA has offered classes for children 12 and up in firearm safety, which I think is very important. If children are taught to respect weapons from an early age, there might be a lot less accidental shootings. I told my boys from the time they were 3 or 4, though I had no weapons in my home at that time, that unless they checked it themselves, the gun is loaded. And that was reinforced at their grandfathers house. Common sense and respect, teach your children.
2) Find an interest group with which you associate . what is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues.
The group I chose is not an official one, I don't think, it's Military Moms. I chose this group because I am one. It's purpose is to put information out for the public and to offer support for other members of military families.
3) Do interest groups have enough/ to much/ the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe its a fine line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of the government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?
I think most groups have the right amount of power, but it seems that the more money you have, the more power you have, which I think is wrong. I think money is the fine line. The groups with more money have a better opportunity of getting information out and getting more lobbyists to push their agenda.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Chapter 7
1) Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics? Of the major news outlets which are the most objective and which seems to have the most bias?
I'm not really sure how to answer part of this question. I don't think there is any real objectivity in any of the news forums any more. Most say they are objective, but they state only what they want to. I think this is true of ALL TV networks and newspapers.
2) How does talk radio affect your view of politics? Why or why not?
I don't listen to talk radio. One of my past employers would have talk radio on and I learned to tune it out because I got tired of the yelling and name calling. So talk radio does not affect my view of politics at all.
3) Is media objectivity important? Why or why not?
I think media objectivity is very important because so many people believe everything they see or hear on the news. And some times if you watch two different stations, you get two different opinions 'stories' so you don't know who to believe or what is really going on.
Friday, October 4, 2013
chaper 6
Chapter 6.
1) Is American news media to dependent on Polls? Is it appropriate for news media to make up a poll then report on it? Why or why not?
I think America as a whole it to dependent on polls. Some people will buy, operate, or subscribe to things based on polls. I also think that news media should not be able to make up polls, then report on them. That enables them to slant the results in which ever way they want to, which could be very misleading to the public.
2) How important is political party identification to you? Was it more or less important to your parents and grandparents? Does it seem more or less important to your friends? Why or why not?
Party identification isn't really all that important to me, so far I have voted independent, that way I could vote or the candidate I wanted instead of the party they were with. I don't remember my parents voting at all until Reagan was in office. Of course we moved around a lot, so they may not have had the opportunity to vote before then. As to my grandparents, I don't know if they ever voted at all. I don't have that many friends I can ask about this so I really can't answer this part of the question.
3) Do you feel your opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
My opinion is based more on economic issues. The reason is simple, I don't have much money, have never had much, so I am more interested in what is going to happen to what I do have, than I would be in say, ha ha, health care. If I didn't have the money for insurance two weeks ago, why would I have it now?
1. Brittany McCann
2. Nathan Tollett
3. Megan Biggs
1) Is American news media to dependent on Polls? Is it appropriate for news media to make up a poll then report on it? Why or why not?
I think America as a whole it to dependent on polls. Some people will buy, operate, or subscribe to things based on polls. I also think that news media should not be able to make up polls, then report on them. That enables them to slant the results in which ever way they want to, which could be very misleading to the public.
2) How important is political party identification to you? Was it more or less important to your parents and grandparents? Does it seem more or less important to your friends? Why or why not?
Party identification isn't really all that important to me, so far I have voted independent, that way I could vote or the candidate I wanted instead of the party they were with. I don't remember my parents voting at all until Reagan was in office. Of course we moved around a lot, so they may not have had the opportunity to vote before then. As to my grandparents, I don't know if they ever voted at all. I don't have that many friends I can ask about this so I really can't answer this part of the question.
3) Do you feel your opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
My opinion is based more on economic issues. The reason is simple, I don't have much money, have never had much, so I am more interested in what is going to happen to what I do have, than I would be in say, ha ha, health care. If I didn't have the money for insurance two weeks ago, why would I have it now?
1. Brittany McCann
2. Nathan Tollett
3. Megan Biggs
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