Friday, March 29, 2013
Chapter 9 Blog
1. Which political party do you most identify with? Why? Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
I do not particularly identify with either, it would be hard to choose. But I guess I agree more with the Democrats, it is just according to what is going on at the time. The Democrats believe similarly with me because they believe in equality, fight for education, support freedom of speech, fight for a clean environment, support technology, use economic responsibility, use fair taxes, fight for working America, support health care, support women's right to choose, support multi-cultural system, and support real campaign finance reform. It makes me glad they fight for equality and education, because many take this for granted. The Republicans on the other hand are more conservative, I agree with a few things they do as well. It is just according to what is going on in the world, and more about the issue instead of what a particular party believes.
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 does seem that America need political parties because without them everything would be a mess. I don't think American politics today would be able to operate without them, because we are so use to them and have used them for so long. It helps to know that there are others out there that support the same values you do. Political parties make more of a voice to the government, rather than just one person.
3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with? Why?
I most identify with the light party. They are dedicated to "Health, Peace, and Freedom For All." They seem like they actually want to make a difference in people's life for the better. They have a seven point program which addresses and serves to resolve our current socio-economic and elogical challenges. It seems they are trying to do good honest work and want to make America better.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Blogs I commented on:
I commented on the following blogs: Mackenzie King, Kristy Jones, and Gabrielle Miller.
Chapter 8
1. From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why?
The National Education Association represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty, and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become students. It is also the largest professional organization and labor union in the United States. There has been much criticism against the NEA and other teachers unions for allegedly putting the interests of teachers ahead of students and for consistently opposing changes that critics claim would help students but harm union interests. The NEA has often opposed measures such as merit pay, school vouchers, weakening of teacher tenure, certain curricular changes, the No Child Left Behind Act, and many accountability reforms. I agree with them about the issues at hand. I plan on becoming a teacher and I am using 4 years of my life to be a teacher, the least the government could do is strengthen tenure. Most jobs have securities and teachers need security too. NEA opposes weakening tenure and I do too.
2. Find an interest group with which you associate (positively). What is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues?
The National Education Association (NEA) is an interest group that I associate well with. I plan on working in the school system as a teacher and this group seems to try and do their best helping out teachers as well as students. They promote the No Child Left Behind Act, increase education fund, dropout prevention, and lowering the achievement gap. It is great what they promote and are very persuasive about their issues.
3. Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe it's a fine-line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?
I feel that interest groups have just enough power in the political system. Interest groups provide a louder voice than one person alone can. Interest groups can keep citizens informed about he direct impact of policy on their lives, and with that information, constituents can better hold their elected officials accountable for those policies. The line of balance is crossed when interest groups go as far as when they go on a riot and destroy property to try to get government to listen or when they cause disruptions in meetings.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Chapter 7
1. Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics? Of the major news outlets (CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias?
Objectivity still exists in the media's coverage of politics, but there is always going to be subjective judgments, personal values, and prejudices. When some one is announcing an issue, they will let you know the facts; But they will also put in their point of view and let you know what they feel about it. Many major news outlets are biased. The news medias that seem the most biased are fox news and MSNBC. People who listen to the conservvative network Fox are going to have a different viewpoint than those who listen MSNBC. CNN seems to be the most objective of all the major news outlets.
2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics? Why?
Talk radio does not really affect my view of politics, because I usually do not listen to talk radio in the car. I prefer to listen to music, but if I do hear about an issue then I go with what they say. When I go to tell my mom or husband about the issue, they feel a different way, due to who they listened to. Sometimes we hear different stories and it gets turned all around. Talk radio sometimes does not give all the fact, instead they give their own viewpoint with partial facts.
3. Is media objectivity important? Why or why not?
Media objectivity is important, more media networks need to be more objective and less biased. I would rather hear about the facts of an issue or news piece, than listen to someone's opinions with partial facts. It is important for the media to remain object, so the public is informed correctly and be able to make their own judgment about the issue at hand with all the facts and no person opinions of the media.
Objectivity still exists in the media's coverage of politics, but there is always going to be subjective judgments, personal values, and prejudices. When some one is announcing an issue, they will let you know the facts; But they will also put in their point of view and let you know what they feel about it. Many major news outlets are biased. The news medias that seem the most biased are fox news and MSNBC. People who listen to the conservvative network Fox are going to have a different viewpoint than those who listen MSNBC. CNN seems to be the most objective of all the major news outlets.
2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics? Why?
Talk radio does not really affect my view of politics, because I usually do not listen to talk radio in the car. I prefer to listen to music, but if I do hear about an issue then I go with what they say. When I go to tell my mom or husband about the issue, they feel a different way, due to who they listened to. Sometimes we hear different stories and it gets turned all around. Talk radio sometimes does not give all the fact, instead they give their own viewpoint with partial facts.
3. Is media objectivity important? Why or why not?
Media objectivity is important, more media networks need to be more objective and less biased. I would rather hear about the facts of an issue or news piece, than listen to someone's opinions with partial facts. It is important for the media to remain object, so the public is informed correctly and be able to make their own judgment about the issue at hand with all the facts and no person opinions of the media.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Chapter 6
1. Polls: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/pollingcenter/ 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?
America news media could never be too dependent on polls. Polls are a major way to voice our public opinion. It will give the most accurate opinions, even though there could be a small percent error. It is appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them, because it lets us know what their opinion is on the matter at hand. It also gives us a little more inside on the situation.
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?
America news media could never be too dependent on polls. Polls are a major way to voice our public opinion. It will give the most accurate opinions, even though there could be a small percent error. It is appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them, because it lets us know what their opinion is on the matter at hand. It also gives us a little more inside on the situation.
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?
Political party identification is not important to me. Different situations call for different answers and different factors influence my decision other than political party identification. It is not very important to my parents and grandparents either, I guess this is one of the influences that makes me not care for political party identification. It does seem a little more important to my friend due to the influence factors around them.
3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
Social issues and economic issues influence my opinion in several ways. Economic issues greatly influence my opinion, when money is down I focus more on the economic issues. I am always concerned with the government and how they spend their money. The issues I always look out for is scholarships and college financial aid when it comes to economic issues. Social issues greatly influence my opinion as well. I will always have a strong opinion about abortion, gay rights, gun laws, and equality.
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