Chapter 10

1. Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?  Why? Well, its the rules, you must have 270 electoral votes. But in my opinion I think they should declare a winner by who has the most votes, period. Not by the electoral votes, each state represents a certain amount of electoral votes, it sounds confusing to me.
2. Is the ability to fundraise too important in elections?  In other words, are good candidates prevented from running because they cannot raise the needed funds?  Can/should something be done to correct this if it is a problem? I think there should be something done about this. I'm sure there are plenty of good candidates that have lost a chance to run due to not raising enough funds.
3. Why is there such voter apathy - in other words, why is there often such low voter turnout for elections?  Is there a way to rectify this problem? I think people feel like their vote don't really count that, that one vote couldn't make a difference but it really can, those "one votes" add up and make the election what it is. I feel like people are so discouraged about what's going on lately and feel like its a losing battle.

1. Crystal West Jackson
2. Cassandra Kunsman
3. Nathan Tollett

Chapter 9

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree? When it comes to political parties I identify myself with the Republican side.  The Republicans share the same morals as I do. I don’t believe in same-sex marriage, also this whole Obama care has really turned me against the Democrats.

 

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 we do need political parties. We’re not going to agree on the same the subjects. I think political parties are a good way to get together and show what they stand for and how help others understand what’s going on.

 

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why? Independent political party, because they believe in some of what the Republicans believe in and some of what the Democrats believe in.

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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? I learned that National Education Association has around 3.2 million members, Service Employees International Union has around 2.1 million members, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has around 1.6 million members, American Federation of Teachers has around 1.5 million members, International Brotherhood of Teamsters has around 1.4 million members, and Union Food Commercial Works International Union has around 1.3 million members. I didn’t realize there were so many members in each of these unions.

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?

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 think that interest groups have too much power in the political system.  Everyone should have freedom of speech and not feel obligated to do something or be a part of something because of the interest groups said so.

 

1. Rebecca Zuchowski

2. Megan Biggs

3. Nathan Tollett

Chapter 7

1.       Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics?  Of the major news outlets (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias? I think that objectivity still exist in the media’s coverage.  In my opinion CNN and Fox News are the most bias.  My family and I don’t really watch any other news other than CNN and Fox News.

 

 

2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?  Why? In all honestly, I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, or anyone else on talk radio. So it does not affect my view on politics.

 

3. Is media objectivity important?  Why or why not?  I think media objectivity is important.  Reason being, that media is everywhere. Rather it be on tv, radio, social networks, etc. Its seen by so many people.

 

1. Nathan Tollett

2. Megan Biggs

3. Dexter Pelfrey

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? I don’t think American’s are too dependent on polls. Personally I like them.  I think it’s appropriate for new agencies to create polls and report on them as long as they doing their job and making a point with it. I think they are a good way to show and understand things than just watching someone read off of their paper.

 

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? I think it’s very important, it shows what you stand for and don’t stand for. However, I think everyone should respect for what political party everyone may be. I think it’s more important to my grandparents especially, and also my parents. My reason is because they are older, they have been around longer and understand how important it is. They have been around and witnessed things a younger generation has not.

 

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues?  Why? I think my opinion is more influenced by economic issues, Its becoming very scary. It’s a very serious matter.  I think everyone is worried that they may lose their job and if so, you may lose everything else.

1.  Rebecca Zuchowski

2.  Megan Biggs

3.  Cassandra Kunsman