Why Many Americans Dislike Politicians

June 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Politicians are increasingly becoming a despised group. Opposing politicians often use negative campaigns to discredit each other rather than focus on the issues at hand. Many Americans are resistant to believing anything politicians say and have strong dislike for politicians overall. Here are some reasons why many Americans dislike politicians.

  • Disparity in Priorities

In a book written by E.J. Dionne, Jr. titled “Why Americans Hate Politics,” the author discusses that the Republic and Democratic party are still caught up in debates left over from the 1960′s such as women’s role in the family. Most Americans have moved on from this issue and are more concerned with things like adequate childcare for working mothers. This disparity in priorities leads many people to dislike politicians because they don’t seem to care about what’s important them.

  • Unfulfilled Promises and Distrust

You have all seen election campaigns where politicians discuss what they will do once elected to office. Unfortunately, some politicians use empty promises to get elected and once elected they fail to deliver on their promises. Additionally, the media is more focused on the bad politicians than they are the good politicians, which only fuels the contempt that Americans have for politicians. Unfulfilled promises create distrusts and a feeling of “all politicians are professional liars.”

  • Political Scandal

Some Americans are probably getting desensitized to political scandals like extramarital affairs and corruption. Although behaviors like extramarital affairs are done by many Americans, people do not want to see their elected officials violate society’s moral standards. When these ideals are violated, it creates lack of respect and dislike for politicians.

 

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Fewer Political Parties – A Sign Of Maturity Often Seen In Aged Democracies

May 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Different countries in the world have a different political setup insofar as the number of parties in the democracy is concerned. Mature democracies like United States and United Kingdom follow a two party set up. Of course, there is nothing official or formal about the limit.

It just so happens that the national political spectrum has been divided into two parties. One can never achieve real democracy if one places restrictions on the total number of political parties. Freedom of political association is a fundamental tenet of democracy.

Many experts view the twin party set up as a sign of a mature democracy. There is very little scope for political horse trading because voters will be choosing between one of the two options. On the other hand, having too many political parties, as is seen in certain European and Asian countries, can lead to a fractured mandate where the votes get distributed amongst different parties with almost similar ideologies. In such a scenario, the process of formation of government by reaching agreements with different political parties can become a very complicated process.

It has been seen that most matured and old democracies have a two or three party setup. On the other hand, countries that attend independence five or six decades ago have a large number of parties.

While having fewer parties may make the national view clearer, this does not mean that each and every member of the party subscribes to its ideology completely. There are different groups and pressure lobbies within a single party and such groups often function as independent units when it comes to seeking power and influence amongst voters.

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Voting Is Important

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The words echo through the television, the radio, and even on the internet, over and over again, “voting is important.” But, there are still thousands upon thousands of people that are 18 years and older that simply do not exercise their right to vote. There are many different excuses, but one of the most common one is that their vote doesn’t count. Another popular excuse is that the person doesn’t have the time. When you think of the process that many people went through to provide the right to vote to every single American citizen, aged 18 and over, those people that don’t vote should think twice.

The majority of people that do not vote simply do not understand how important it is. Every American’s vote goes towards choosing the leaders of the country. Whether it is your local town chairman, a city’s mayor, a state representative, a senator, or the president’ seat that is up for election, every chance you have to vote should be taken. If you do not exercise your right to vote, you can not complain about the way the country is being run. You’re one vote could have been the swing vote that would have put someone else in office, thus changing the way things are being run.

When someone says that they just don’t have time to vote, it’s really just an excuse. Voting polls are often open very early in the morning, some as early as 6AM or earlier. The voting polls also usually stay open until about 8PM. This is a long day, and longer than most people’s work day. That means citizens can run in and vote on their way into work, or on their way home. Better yet, go on your lunch break when it won’t be that busy. When you avoid the polls during rush hours, you will be in and out in a matter of a couple minutes. When you go during rush hours, lines will be longer and you may find yourself in line for an hour, especially during more popular elections, such as the Presidential election.

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Requirements for Running for President

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

While it might appear as if just any person can walk up and run for President of the United States of America, they can’t. There are specific guidelines and qualifications that those that wish to run for president must follow. These guidelines and qualifications are spelled out in the second amendment of the United States Constitution. However, if you are unfamiliar with the second amendment here is a look at what this amendment requires of all candidates for the President of the United States.

Citizenship. Article two of the Constitution requires that the president must be a natural born citizen. However, the term natural born has been under much debate. Some people believe that natural born requires that the person must be born on United States soil, while others believe that natural born can be the child of two American citizens who are overseas. This issue will be a target of much debate for years to come.

Age Restriction. Article two of the Constitution requires that you must be 35 years old to run for President. You cannot turn 35 during your campaign trail. You have to be 35 when you submit your papers for candidacy.

Residency Requirement. There is a residency requirement to be the President of the United States. You must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. A residence is an established physical address in the United States. The 14 years do not have to be consecutive, as long as it is 14 years you can run for president.

Term Limits. Before the 22nd amendment to the Constitution a person could run for president as many times as they wished. However, that was changed with the addition of the 22nd amendment. This states that anyone who has served six years as president cannot run for president again. This comes out to each president can serve two, four year terms of office.

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Democratic Candidates in 2012

December 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Although the nation is only halfway through Obamas presidency, curious voters are already looking ahead to candidates for the 2012 presidential election. There is a split amongst Democrats as far as Barack Obama goes; although many would like to see him return for a second term, there is a group that would like to see someone else take his place.

Some of the new possibilities include Alvin Greene, Jimmy McMillan, and Mike Gravel. Alvin Greene ran for the United States senator position in South Carolina, but lost to the Republican incumbent. As the first African-American candidate to be nominated by a party for the U.S. Senate, he is considered fairly progressive. Rumors say that he is considering a presidential run in 2012; however, a recent scandal may keep him from getting very far. In late 2010, he was charged with showing pornography to a college student.

Jimmy McMillan is another unusual candidate. He’s run for office six times in the past seventeen years, although he’s never held office. McMillan is a Vietnam veteran, which may endear him to patriotic and older voters. He holds liberal views on gay marriage and other social issues, although his views on the environmental problems the country faces are unclear. McMillan has said that a 2012 presidential election may be in his future.

A previous Alaskan senator, Mike Gravel has the most political experience of the three possible Democratic candidates. Like McMillan, he is a veteran of the United States military. Hes known for trying to eradicate the draft during the Vietnam War. Although he once claimed that his political career was over, he later said that he was considering trying to win the Democratic nomination in the 2012 election.

All of these candidates vary greatly from the current Democratic president, and it will be interesting to see how the Democratic party votes in 2012.

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Arguments for Keeping Abortion Legal

December 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When political debates start, it is almost inevitable that abortion eventually becomes the topic of conversation. There is very little middle ground in this debate, and people on both sides have very strong views about the debate and the people they debate against. There are several arguments in support of keeping abortion legal that tend to come up in any political discussion.

First, there is the argument that no one knows when life begins. Until approximately 24 weeks into a pregnancy, the fetus typically cannot survive outside the womb. Until that point, abortion supporters claim, the fetus is simply an extension of the mother and is not its own person with rights. In a case like that, the rights of the woman trump the rights of the embryo or fetus. For that reason, some supporters want to keep abortion legal throughout the entirety of pregnancy, while others think it should only be legal until a fetus can survive on its own.

Second, pro-choice supporters say that making abortion illegal may force many unprepared women into motherhood. An increase in unwanted babies could lead to a higher infant mortality rate due to infanticide, neglect, or abuse. They claim it is unfair for a child to come into the world unwanted, and that abortion may save children from a mediocre life.

Another point that pro-choice supporters make is that illegal abortions were very common before abortion became legal. Usually done in dirty, unsafe conditions, abortions were carried out by people who did not know what they were doing or what to do if something went wrong. Many women lost their lives due to these abortions, and it may be that making abortion illegal would start a return to these unsafe practices.

Such a heated debate will not be settled anytime soon; however, if both sides familiarize themselves with the others views, it is possible to become more understanding and tolerant of both sides.

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Getting Involved in Local Politics

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Everyone loves watching the national elections unfold, but local politics are equally important in the lives of American citizens. Local politicians determine the state of the roads people drive on, the quality of schools, how state taxes are allocated, and a host of other important political decisions. Getting involved in local politics gives citizens a chance to change their cities for the better.

The first step in becoming involved in local politics is getting informed. Following political advertisements on television only leads to confusion, so citizens should use their own resources to read up on candidates and issues. With this information in hand, they can make informed votes and elect someone they truly support.

Another way to get involved is to help candidates campaign. When people find a cause they heavily support, they may want to get involved with it. This involves educating people, disproving rumors, and giving out the information people need to make political decisions. At election time, candidates are always looking for volunteers to make calls asking for votes or donations, put up signs, and send out mailings. Participating in a campaign like this can be very rewarding for someone who really believes in the politician they support.

Attending local meetings is essential for the citizen who wants to stay politically informed. Many cities, counties, and states have meetings where constituents can get together, ask questions, and learn about how local politicians are spending tax money. Although these meetings are typically open and free to the public, very few people typically attend. They may fear that they wont understand whats going on or that their concerns will go unnoticed. However, politicians are eager to listen to the people they serve.

Playing a role in local politics empowers citizens and helps them make the best choice for themselves, their families, and their communities.

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A Perfectly Palin Christmas List

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
christmas list
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As the indomitable Sarah Palin rises once again to the fore of American politics, we take a tongue in cheek look at the possible Christmas list of those who aspire to emulate her ideals.

High Price Gifts for Palin People

If you are shopping for a supporter of Sarah Palin and have an unlimited budget, then why not invest in a second home in her home-state of Alaska. Alaska makes a great holiday destination with stunning scenery and surroundings and also provides ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits of the Palin preference – with hunting and fishing top on the lists of many visitors and excellent areas available to indulge in both.

Mid Price Gifts for Palin People

While many housewives and mothers across the United States will be looking for a box housing something from Scott Kay Jewels under their tree, supporters of Sarah Palin might prefer their Christmas gift to be sourced from Smith and Wesson. Every Sarah Palin supporting woman should own her own revolver, allowing her to feel empowered in these tough modern times.

However, if a hand gun seems a little too much fire power for the Sarah-supporter in your life, why not try another track and invest in a real life bulldog, which can not only provide protection but will also act as an ongoing reminder of the lady you love’s idol.

Economy Gifts for Palin People

If your budget won’t stretch to a hunting lodge, a pedigree pup or a personal firearm, then you will need to think outside the box to provide a bit of Palin-inspired Christmas spirit. Suggestions include, of course, a gift wrapped lipstick – as a nod to the political Amazon’s constantly made-up appearance. Or why not take out a subscription to a periodical devoted to outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, allowing your loved one to get up to scratch on Palin-esque pastimes.

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Gun Control Arguments

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

There is a viewpoint that gun control would inhibit the number of related deaths due to firearms in the United States. This is one of the most popular viewpoints when it comes to gun control arguments. However, many believe that if there are gun control laws then the only people who will suffer are the law abiding citizens who may become victims. Since these laws would have little or no effect on actual criminals due to the black market and street sales then the person obeying the law would be the only one without a weapon.

One such argument stating this case is the Columbine tragedy. These students broke numerous firearm laws; at least 20 of them. It is a myth that these students may have not went on a rampage had their been stricter gun laws since they broke the laws anyway through various loopholes. In fact, the states that allow their people to carry guns actually have the lowest violent crime rates in the entire United States. These nine states refute the myth that carrying guns by law abiding citizens makes crime increase.

Another argument by many that are for laws that allow guns is that victims will have a harder time defending themselves in their own homes and on their property. Since gun control does not lessen crime, the only people who suffer are the victims.

These are simply arguments against gun control laws being stricter but they do have validity. No matter which side a person is on, it stands to reason that the facts show reasons for both sides. The best argument is to look at the facts and numbers and then make an informed decision on which side you are on. The numbers don’t lie and the facts should be taken into consideration.

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Issues in Local Politics

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many voters tend to think of local politics as a more boring version of the national issues they deal with. However, citizens should realize that local politics are as important as national politics; in many cases, they may even be more important in day to day life! There are several issues that local politics cover; voters should keep an eye on these to ensure their quality of life in their communities.

School and school policies are a big part of local politics. Teacher unions, snow day policies, the election of school officials, and many other educational issues are decided on a local basis. Although national politics determine the very minimum standards of education, school districts and cities decide what goals they want for their schools. If you are the parent of school-aged children, look to your local legislation for educational reform.

Local taxes are also a big issue. Of course, a big part of your paycheck goes to federal taxes. However, a fairly significant amount still goes towards local taxes. This amount is not determined by federal laws or regulations. You and your fellow constituents vote people into office that decide how much you will be taxed.

Furthermore, keeping an eye on local politics enables you to decide how taxes are spent. There are lots of local issues that need tax money, and only people who vote get a say in it. Constituents may even be able to directly vote on tax increases. As an example, there was a new stadium built in Green Bay, Wisconsin, several years ago. Voters had to decide whether or not the new stadium would be built by deciding whether they would approve a 0.5% sales tax increase.

Although national politics receive more press coverage, stay involved in your local political scene. Being a part of the decision-making process in your city helps you get what you want from your city.

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