Chapter 10

I agree with the dissent on Bush v. Gore. I think the recount on the votes in the state of Florida, should be left up to the state of Florida. It should have never gone higher up than the Florida Supreme court. I feel as if there were any question as to the fairness and accuracy of the voting machines themselves, regardless of deadlines, a recount should be done for the sake of fairness in the most important election to the most important and powerful office in the United States.

I believe the ability to raise money is very important to winning an election. If people don't know who you are, they won't want to vote for you. The people won't know who you are unless you have the money and means to get your message and campaign promises across, and become a household name. Although it may be unfair, and good candidates are not always able to run due to lack of funding, unfortunately money is an essential element to a successful campaign. An example of this happened in the county that I live in this year. It was the race for the Roane County sheriff's office, where the incumbent was favored to win, not on the basis that he was the best man for the job, but because the other candidate, simply did not have the money to win. Now in my opinion, this is not to say that either man was more or less qualified than the other, this is not the point I am trying to make. The particular issue with this race had nothing to do with qualifications, or how good one or the other would be as sheriff of Roane County, it had everything to do with money, and which one had more to campaign with. Should anything be done about this? No, not in my opinion. While someone may lack funding, unfortunately it takes money to get your name out there.

I feel a lack of voter turnout can be contributed to lack of interest, and it takes a strong interest in something to get the average American to take time out of their busy day to wait in line at the voting booths. This lack of interest could be a variety of things; they have little faith in all candidates, and do not care to vote for any of them, they don't feel as if their vote makes a difference, and so on. I think there are things to be done to fix this problem, and i think they are being done. Celebrities are jumping on board, and reminding people of the sacrifices others made so we could simply have the right, and encouraging a new generation of voters to get out there and make a difference. Also, if voting could be more convenient, it would increase voter turnout, but I fear that would lead to more voting fraud.


Blogs I commented on:
-Katelyn Dozier
-Robert Devaney
-Robert Johnson

Chapter 9

I have always considered myself to be a Republican, mainly for religious and moral reasons such as abortion and prayer in schools. Some things about the Republican party I sometimes disagree with is limited government. I think the great depression taught us that there are times when the government has to step in to help us help ourselves.

I do not think America needs political parties, however I think we're going to be stuck with Republicans and Democrats running the show for a long, long time. Political parties would be fine if our leaders and politicians actually believed in the issues they claim to. It's all about money and power, and who has the ability to get elected.

I did some research on the Libertarian Party. They are the third largest political party in the United States, and believe in not intervening in foreign policies, and personal freedom the way it was meant to be when our great country was founded.

blogs I commented on:
-Stacey Clark
-Matthew Cooper
-Robert Devaney

Chapter 8 Blog

I chose the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from Table 8.1 of our text. I learned that they originated in 1903, and are a "strong and diverse" labor union. They work with freight drivers and warehouse workers, but have worked with those in all types of occupations. There are 1900 affiliate offices in the US and Canada. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters work to enforce contracts between and employee and their employer; such as guaranteeing decent wages, promotions, health care, job security, retirement and paid time off. I found it interesting that since this is such a large group, they offer valuable things at a discounted rate just for being a member, such as health care, 401k, even discounts on having taxes prepared.

An interest group in which I associate, would be Right to Life. As a mother, and pro life believer, I feel strongly about what they stand for, and the work that is put in to getting the message across. The key to their persuasion is simple, life. Just because it is a fetus and still inside the womb, it is very much a living person. A woman's right to privacy does not give her the right to kill and innocent child.

I believe interest groups have just the right amount of power. There have been times where I feel the beliefs of others have been shoved down my throat so to speak, but it hasn't necessarily influenced my views. After all, that is what makes our country so great, we can express our views (peacefully), without persecution. I'm sure there are those that may disagree, but that is only my opinion.

Blogs I commented on:
-Mona Manwill
-Stacey Clark
-Taylor Wilson

Chapter 7 Blog

As far as whether or not media objectivity still exists in the coverage of politics, I honestly don't have much of an opinion on that. I haven't had cable television in a very long time, and even if I did have it, I wouldn't have time to watch it. Not to mention, I've said it before politics frustrate me and I try to avoid them. I did however do a leading reading on objective media, and I found that NPR has a pretty good reputation for being objective.

Talk Radio-I enjoy listening to talk radio, more specifically Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage of  The Savage Nation. How it affects me and my views? I don't think it's so much as what they are saying, but the fact that I'm in my car, and it's nothing but their voices and the road. I think the atmosphere in itself, causes me to really listen, not to mention the passion of the opinions that come from those radio shows, by callers and the hosts alike.

Media objectivity is important, however I agree with the opinions of many journalists think this is a myth. Besides, sticking strictly to the facts is boring, and boring doesn't sell.

Blogs I commented on:
-Robert Johnson
-Katelyn Dozier
-Donna Fox

Chapter 6 blog assignment

This one is a tough one for me, as I have a hard time writing about things I don't have a strong passion about, and sorry to say politics is something that frustrates me and I tend to avoid. However, I will do my best.

     I do think the news media is too dependent on polls. While the public opinion may be of extreme importance to politicians, I think the general public has a hard time thinking for themselves as it is. I think we need to think for ourselves instead of what percentage of the population thinks about certain issues, and how well they like the folks running for office. We rely way too much on what is portrayed in the news media.

     On the subject of political party identification, I think the labels need to go away. We have very important issues at hand in our day, that cannot be limited to an affiliation with one party or another. We need to do what is right, and vote how we feel will be the most effective way to fit our views. As far as the views of my parents and grandparents? My grandmother was a Republican, and I was totally floored when she voted for Obama his first term. My father, a Republican, but for the past few years, is leaning toward being a Democrat, but he refuses to admit it.  A big issue for me for my entire voting life, has been abortion. Typically someone with strong anti-abortion views would lean toward the Republican party, even though they completely disagree with their economic views, but that is changing.  I think our society needs to evolve into a different way of thinking. Our economy has been in such bad shape the past decade or so, our social views are almost being outweighed by our economic views. 



I commented on:
-Matthew Cooper
-Sierra Chapman
-Lee Ellison