Should people remove the “old fashion” electoral college?

Electoral College is a voting system for nowadays’s election. However, there are a lot of argument about whether the system should be abolished or preserved.

Should Electoral College be preserved or removed? This question is not easy to solve. There are lots of problems caused by the Electoral College system. For example, candidates will only go to New York because bigger states have more electors. And also, it is possible that the reflect of the popular votes of the citizens is not accurate enough, and also the minority candidate can be selected in this condition. Actually, the nearest president election, which trump wins, represents the small possibility of the not accurate reflection. In this election, we can clearly see that Trump has less votes than Hillary Clinton in citizens votes. However, Trump got more electors’ votes than Hillary Clinton, which in this case the electoral college system does not represent popular votes at all.

The other negative effect of the Electoral College is that those electors do not vote for their candidate will be called “faithless electors”. Sometimes electors will not vote because they already know the result and they do not think their decision matters a lot. Therefore they might want to give others information by not voting. From my perspective, it is not fair to call someone “faithless elector” although they did not vote for their candidates. People cannot give them extra press through their whole lives.

There’s also positive effect about the electoral college. Thinking about collecting all the votes from every citizen and count the result, I would say that electoral college is easier because they only have 538 votes in total. My personal thinking is that electoral college should be taken out so that the candidates will no longer focus on the bigger states, instead citizens can get more information about the election and each candidates. I also know that candidates can choose states that have bigger population to go to, in this way they can get more votes and win the election. “The Electoral College was necessary when communications were poor, literacy was low, and voters lacked information about out-of-state figures, which is clearly no longer the case,” a quote said by Gene Green. I totally agree with him because technology is developed in USA, people can see and hear what candidates are doing on the television. Therefore everyone should have the right to vote, by voting I mean everyone should have the vote to decide with president they are voting for, not which president they want their elector to vote for. Citizens might get upset if the elector is not voting for their candidate. At least people should be responsible for their own vote.

 

Exploring the Presidency

This year in government class I learned about the basis of our government through our six units: Civics 101, Foundations, Elections, Presidency, Congress, and Judiciary. I came into class barely knowing anything and was constantly confused when my brother and dad were talking about politics in front of me. Now, I have a greater knowledge of the government and I am able to participate in the various conversations my family has about politics. My favorite unit out of the last two trimesters was the presidency because I enjoyed learning about the specific duties and leadership positions that our president takes on.

Prior to this unit, I did not know the specific powers and duties the president has. All I knew is that he was the leader of our country. But, there is a lot more to the job than just being a leader. In class we explored the powers and limitations of the President through reading Article II of the constitution, Richard Neustadt’s Presidential Power and Clinton Rossiter’s The American Presidency. Article II helped me understand what the President can and cannot do during his presidency. Neustadt’s Presidential Powers discusses the informal powers of the President. Then, The American Presidency explores the modern roles of the President. These three pieces broadened my views on the presidency.

Photo Credit: Mediaite

My favorite activity we did during class this year while learning about the presidency was fun with Article II. This made me analyze and take a deeper look into Article II of the Constitution. Instead of just reading through the article and retaining some information I had to closely read what the text is specifically saying. In the activity, we read eight hypothetical solutions and had to find out if they are constitutional or unconstitutional. This helped me explore the constitution in a new way that is more fun than simply reading it. One thing that I found interesting was that the constitution states that the president has to “give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union”(Article II Section 3).  While the president always gives the State of the Union address to the nation he does not have to. The president can just give the Congress a letter. The Constitution only states that he has to give the Congress information of the State of the Union not the whole nation.

The next step in exploring the presidency was looking at the modern roles of the president. Rossiter mentions ten presidential roles that the president has. These roles include: Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, World Leader, Chief of State, Chief of Legislator, Chief Diplomat, Protector of the Peace, Voice of the People, Manager of Prosperity, and Chief of Party. Personally I think the most important role of the president is Chief Executive. By reading Rossiter’s The American Presidency, I learned that as Chief Executive the president must choose federal officials, manage national affairs, develop policies, and enforce federal laws and court rulings.  These responsibilities of the president especially affect the United States and the citizens. Then, on the other hand, I personally think that the least important role of the president is Chief of Party. While the president is the representative of his party, his commitment as president is not to his party but to his country as a whole. Before reading this piece I did not know about all the roles the president takes on when he comes into office. The president definitely keeps himself busy with all the roles he plays.

Photo Credit: Econintersect

The last step in exploring the presidency is looking at his informal powers. Neustadt’s Presidential Power explores the informal powers the president has. In my opinion, the most important informal power Neustadt mentioned was the act to persuade. The president has to persuade people every day that what he is doing is what is best for our country. Persuasion is a big part of being a president and every successful president uses persuasion to prove that everything he does is in the nations best interest.

The presidency was my favorite unit because I explored things I never knew or understood before. Now I know the many different limitations and roles the president has as leader of our country. Overall, government class has taught me a lot about our nation and how it runs, specifically each branch of the government.

What Makes an Effective President

For the president to be more effective in his term, he must focus on the current affairs of the country. If the United States is at war, then Commander-in-Chief role is the most important role because of his duty to protect the country. However, if the United States is at peace, then the president will take on a new role that fits the situation. According to Rossiter’s The American Presidency, the roles of president include: Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander-in-Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, Voice of the People, Protector of Peace, Manager of Prosperity. The roles of the president are very important to understand what he is supposed to do in his term to make him more effective. It is crucial to understand that it depends on the context of the moment to decide which presidential role will be the most efficient. If the United States is in war, the president must worry about the safety of the nation. If the United States is in peace, then the important role depends on the current circumstance in the country; for example, whether the Unites States needs to overcome debt, or make an important policy.

If the president focuses on the role of Commander-in-Chief during war, than he can make his term more effective for the country. As the Commander-in-Chief, the president is in charge of the armed forces. He has the number one priority in the army. He decides where troops are stationed, where ships can be sent, or whatever there is something needed in times of war. All of the generals take their orders from him. Therefore, this shows that in war, the president’s number one duty is to protect the nation from the enemy. Also, the president obtains more power than he would in times of peace. This can make him more effective as a president because he is focusing on the most important issue available. The president will use the Commander-in-Chief role in time of war because it is more important than the other roles at that moment.

At times of peace, there are other presidential roles that the president can obtain to be more efficient. Since the president does not have to worry about war, there not using his Commander-in-Chief role, he has to take on other current affairs inside the country, or diplomatic roles with other countries. If there is a bill that is being debated, then the president will take on the Chief Legislator for the moment. This example can show that for a president to be effective, he needs to focus on the current events. Another important and recent example is the Fiscal Cliff policy that took place earlier in the year. For the president to be fully effective, he must put his role of Chief Legislator above all the others to make him more effective.

The American Presidency, there are important roles that the president must activate at the right time to make him a more efficient leader. This topic is interesting to me because of the complexity of the presidents job in the United States. I believe that it is important for the president to use each role at the right time to make him for effective. During times of war, I believe that Commander-in-Chief is definitely the most important role. However, during times of peace, I believe that the president must pay attention to the current affairs of not just the United States, but of the whole world. Political scientist made these role to make it easier to visualize what the president actually does. During certain situations, I believe that the president will enthuse on one or the other depending if its relevant in the current affair.

So What Exactly Is a President?

When asked the question “What is a President?”, one might be surprised at the lack of knowledge. Some might say he is “the leader of the country,” others might say, “he’s that guy who gets to live in the White House.” So what exactly does the President do? Well, for one he makes all the decisions, right? Wrong. The President does not hold all of the power, like a King or Queen would, but us Americans know that already. So what else is there to know about the role of the President. Lots. In our government class we discussed several documents about the role of the President, including Article II of the Constitution, Richard Neustadt’s Presidential Power and Clinton Rossiter’s The American Presidency. These articles helped me to fully understand the true powers, and limitations of the President. Article II of the Constitution describes the official powers of the President, what his official jobs are and what he can and cannot do. Neustadt’s Presidential Power explores the informal powers of the President, along with how these powers are useful in modern life. The American Presidency discusses the modern roles of the President that have been taken on as America grows older. These three articles help define what a President is.

Article II of the Constitution gives the formal duties of the President. In section 2 it states “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States … and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States.”  But, there are some catches to all the powers he holds. He “require[s] the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices” so that he does not have complete dominance over every part of the US government. The president shall also “give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union”(Article II section 3). Now this might be something the public knows right? They know that the President gives the State of the Union Address annually and that it is always during prime time television. Although this is the case nowadays, it says nowhere in the Constitution that this update must be in the form of an address, it could just as easily be a letter dropped off at the Congress’ headquarters. These duties and powers of the President do seem a little vague, so what does a President exactly do with these powers? Richard Neustadt explores this in his work, Presidential Power. 

So we know the President has powers, but what exactly does he DO? Presidential Power by Richard Neustadt studies the powers of the President, and explains how being a President really works. One of his main arguments is Presidential Power is “the power to persuade” arguing that one “does not obtain results by giving orders.” Basically all of the President’s power stems from his power to persuade and how he is seen by the public. Article II gives the formal powers of the President, but Neustadt explores what the informal powers are. The connection between the president’s constitutional powers and his informal political power originates from his unique job. Each branch of the government shares some of its powers with the president, making him connected to each branch, along with the decisions each branch makes. The president can influence each branch, and the decisions that the branches make influence the American society as a whole, which gives the president informal power over almost all aspects of the government and American life.

Clinton Rossiter’s The American Presidency tackles the question of what role does the President play? Rossiter would argue the President has 10 very important roles, and that each of these roles pertains to a different aspect of his power. The ten roles are Chief of State, Chief Executive, Commander in Chief of Army and Navy, Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Chief of Political Party, Voice of the People, Protector of the Peace, Manager of the Prosperity, and World Leader. These roles play a large part in defining what a President is.

So what is a President? A President is someone who is elected by the people of their country, to preside over the other parts of government, without being able to actually take over their powers. A President is someone who speaks for the benefit of his country, and who advocates the rights of the people. A President has many roles, and is expected to do many things. A President is a leader of the nation.

Is America Still the Land of The Free?

When America was first created, it was seen as a giant melting pot. A place where anyone could go to and be welcomed with open arms. A place of freedom to do what you pleased when you pleased it. But, America as we know it today is not as welcoming as described in the history books. Although we have over 11 million illegal immigrants who have merely been doing their jobs and not hurting anybody, Americans seem to have this idea that all illegal immigrants are bad and are trying to take down the United States. This reasoning is why congresses’ attempts to make these immigrants citizens have been so controversial. The plan to take these people and make them legal citizens of the US would take time and effort, ensuring these people just truly want to live in the Land of the Free.

Right now, in order to become a United States citizen, you must either have been born in the US or had parents who were citizens when you were born. If you do not fit either of these groups, you can apply for citizenship through either “derived” or “acquired” citizenship through parents, or you can apply for naturalization. The naturalization path is usually difficult and requires being interviewed and taking a test on English and on Civics which is composed of US History and Government.To take the naturalization test, you must be a “permanent resident for at least 5 years, be a green card holder, be able to read, write and speak English, be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles or the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order of happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law”(US Citizenship and Immigration Services). In other words, you must be a good person and have positive ambitions for living in the United States.

Illegal immigrants in the US are not green card holders, so they are not eligible to become a citizen through naturalization. Now, most citizens think, “Why can’t the government just kick out all these illegal immigrants?” Well, they cannot do this for a variety of reasons. One, if we did so, we would be losing a large percentage of our workforce. And two, we can only deport people who are violating laws. There is no reason to deport a family who is minding their own business and not hurting anybody. Since they aren’t hurting anyone, why not just make them legal citizens? This is the issue members of congress are dealing with right now. In the attempt to get more than 11 million illegal immigrants their green cards, the White House leaked an immigration bill draft on Sunday, February 17. The leaked plan called for an 8 year process in which the 11 million illegal immigrants could apply for a “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa, increased security funding for borders, and expanded E-Verify systems for employers to check employees legal status. This bill was created by all democrats and was widely disputed by republicans. Senator Marco Rubio released a statement saying, “This legislation is half baked and seriously flawed” and that it would be “dead on arrival” if it were to be sent to Congress. This bill could have been the President’s way of saying Congress is moving too slow in figuring out a bill for this. He said in Las Vegas, “if congress is unable to move forward in a timely fashion, I will send up a bill based on my proposal…” It has been released, however that Obamas’ proposal is a “plan B” if the congress cannot come up with its’ own proposal.

Illegal immigration has been a big issue in the US for quite a while, and legislators are working hard to solve the issue. While there is a “Gang of Eight” who have dedicated much of their time to solving the issue of illegal immigration and illegal immigrants, they are still not going fast enough for President Obama. The hope is to get a plan by March, but we will see what happens, and how congress decides to deal with the current situation.

Author: GOV_NicoleH

Thoughts on Solving the Gun Crisis: We Still Need Protection

Throughout the year we have been going over current events and how they relate to our class. An important current event is gun control. It affects hundreds of people every year and has been getting much attention because of the record numbers of gun caused casualties in 2012. Every day a new headline over the current position on gun control is introduced on the current whereabouts on the bill being passed. Gun control is a very controversial issue, and I believe it should not be restrained too much.

Gun control should be only a little more regulated, and that people should still have the right to bare arms. I understand that the tragedies in Newtown and Aurora were unfair and people blame the guns. Regulation is definitely necessary to a degree, but restraining citizens from protecting themselves would be unacceptable. President Obama agrees that the right to bare arms is acceptable, but he wants to drastically change the current ways to get guns, making it very difficult to bet rifles and handguns.This is a subject that was even included in the constitution, and changing its meaning dramatically is unfair. This relates back to our government class because it emphasizes the importance of persuasion, a topic that we covered in “Congressional Government”. President Obama is trying very hard to convince Congress to pass the bill, and he is using certain techniques to do so. In “Congressional Government”, the author states that “He can introduce his bill; but that is all he can do, and he must do that at a particular time and in a particular manner…” meaning that the advocates of this bill need help inorder for change to occur. They are very limited. The president is restrained and without more advocacy the bill won’t be passed for awhile.

 I have learned many things about national politics from this course. First, I learned about elections, and the several different tactics legislators use to become elected. I learned about the electoral college, and debated over who was going to win the presidential election. I learned about the difference between the political parties, and we started to form opinions. Then, we moved on to the presidency, and we talked about the crisis of the fiscal cliff. I worked with my group to create a possible solution to the fiscal cliff and the national debt. We then moved on to congress and legislature. I learned of the importance of persuasion of legislators in order to ensure their positions, and the different rules the constitution presents to ensure judges stay faithful. All of these examples have led me to better understand our nations government.

Gun control and other important current events that we go over in class are helping to shape my opinions about the government every day. They present me with questions that we can discuss in class, helping me to understand the course material in a more comprehensive manner. The opinions that I am creating are heavily influences oncurrent events, and solutions we have to discussions in class. These discussions are teaching me to think in a different way, and are showing me the different ways the government works.

Braydon

Red, White and Blue… and Rainbow too?

 

This week President Barack Obama announced his support of same-sex marriage to the public. He said that ” it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married” because his personal views are “evolving” with the modern time and that he wants to progress our country forward socially. The Constitution never specifically stated that marriages should only be between a man and a woman and it never discriminated against anyone due to their sexual orientation. Obama was only supporting the people’s right to live their life freely and keeping politics out of the social aspects of the country. His radical actions may have an impact in his 2012 campaignin November due to the views of the swing states. Those that oppose say that marriage is a sacred entity and it should only be between a man and a woman. Honestly, I think that marriage should just be about commitment between two people who love each other and honor the marital bonds by marrying for the right reasons and staying together for as long as possible. There is nothing sacred about a divorce. Of course, that is my own opinion and everyone is entitled to have differing views.

Game-Plan Change for 2012 Campaign

For example, North Carolina recently banned same-sex marriage and it received many young people opposing it regardless of their political party preference, which gives Obama’s campaign some hope because the future generation supports the equality for all sexual-orientations. I think President Obama’s timing was a little off with his announcement putting his campaign in jeopardy, but maybe the social issue of equality will overcome the political barriers and unite the new generation on the path to progress. President Obama’s campaign relies on his voters’ priority of social issues rather than other key components that fundamentally separate the political parties. However, President Obama feels confident in his actions because he feels as though he has support from talking with students who are the future of America. President Obama states that “when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same-sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation, that they believe in equality,” he said. Regardless of the political parties, many people support marriage equality which gives hope to the future of our country and maybe President Obama’s 2012 campaign.

However, there are Obama-supporters that do not support gay marriage and many say that it is possible that he could lose their support with his statement. And however much national attitudes may be shifting, the issue remains highly contentious among black and Latino voters, two groups central to Mr. Obama’s success. Polls show that gay marriage is not a huge concern to swing voters and majority voters, but it might jeopardize his once “locked-in” minority voters.  New York Times Analyst Adam Nagourney states that “In truth, Republicans and Democrats are hardly sure whether this will be a deciding issue in any state, given how pressing economic concerns are, particularly in the swing states” meaning that many voters will not see this as an issue in the upcoming election and that they will instead focus on more important issues like the economy, for example.On Perry Bacon Jr’s Democratic blog Red, Black and Blue,he stated that “African-Americans voters, according to polls, are more likely to oppose gay marriage than other Democratic blocs of the electorate” which could be a huge factor in President Obama’s probability of being reelected. It is practically impossible to predict the outcome of the 2012 election based off of one issue, many components effect who will be the next President of the United States. Personally, I think Obama made a politically risky move because unfortunately there are still many people who do not think that all people should be granted the same rights and are  seriously offended and uncomfortable by Persident Obama’s announcement.

Only Got 30 Seconds to Save A Life

Emotion, persuasion, truth, and style: the keys to a successful campaign ad. Media is saturated with news, opinions, and entertainment as it reaches everywhere, from our televisions, to our phones. TV commercials are the only thing remaining that gives a presidential candidate full control over his image. So what makes a persuasive, yet entertaining presidential campaign? My answer: one that helps citizens to understand what the potential president would actually do. Giving such information enhances presidential accountability.

What can a president do? Make his or her priorities clear. Will he or she promote alternative energy, tax cuts, etc?

Presidents pursue their campaign plan so the answer to this question really matters. Presidents work to follow through with their key plan because the issues that they emphasize most in their campaign appeals are the issues they emphasize most in their first year in office.

Because every four years we collectively forget what presidents do, most criticism of presidential candidates and campaigns by journalists and specialists misses the mark. We complain that presidential candidates and their campaigns spend too much time attacking one another or that they don’t disagree clearly enough. However, candidates can reveal their agenda priorities in vague or negative appeals, too. In addition, if negative campaigns keep people engaged and vague claims keep them optimistic, then citizens are more likely to hear the competing agendas.

Effective political ads use sounds and images to communicate information, advance an argument, and affect voters emotionally, all in a very short period of time—frequently just 30 seconds. Ad makers must therefore use all of the cinematic tools at their disposal (video, images, voiceovers, sound and visual effects, music, titles, and editing) to win voters’ hearts and minds.

It only takes 30 seconds.

May the Best Man or Woman Win…

 Throughout the second and third trimesters in government, I’ve heard a lot of emphasis on how voters must be well-informed so that the best decisions are made for our country. This is why candidates make commercials, Twitter accounts, and a personal website outlining their views, policies, and other blurbs about themselves in order to gain votes. With only a few short moments on a computer, you can know almost everything there is to know about a certain candidate. Voters are encouraged to learn about who they are voting for, but on top of that I believe there is more to be learned rather than simply a candidate’s biography. Being president is a very hard job, only few make the cut of being a truly great president. So we must ask, who makes the cut and how do we determine it? Americans must be able to define HOW the president runs the country, rather than simply stating so. This is necessary for voters to decide who would be best for the job.

According to political scientist Clinton Rossiter in his book The American Presidency, there are details about the job that many Americans may overlook. Rossiter outlines that one of the many roles of president is Chief Executive which ensures that the president “reigns, but also rules; he symbolizes the people, but also runs the government.” (197). One candidate may seem perfect for this role, but can we be sure that he is successful with the role of making ties and alliances, or Chief Diplomat, as well? All-encompassing questions like these are necessary in deciding a president that can help America out of it’s current turmoil.

Another tough call to make is the question whether or not the president can serve as the “Protector of Peace” and as the “Commander in Chief” and keep both in mind when making decisions related to war. According to Rossiter, both are crucial roles in a presidency. It’s a tough job with impossible decisions, which is why we must keep this in mind come voting day.

Americans must delve into the role of the president before deciding who should take the enormous job. If we do not do so, we may end up with a president that cannot serve his roles (outlined by Rossiter) dutifully and successfully. Much more must be taught about the modern presidency, rather than simply stalking presidential candidates.

1 Role, 2 Roles, 3 Roles, … It’s called the President

            Recently I heard about President Obama hosting the annual Easter Egg Roll as well as visiting troops in Afghanistan.  From my government studies, I was able to understand these duties as three of the different roles the President holds: the Chief of State, the Commander in Chief, and the Voice of the People.  Originally, I found these two events interesting because they are completely different, but they both include duties of the Chief of State.  I was able to further appreciate other ways our President serves the United States.

Bo on the Easter egg!

            In hosting the Annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House, the President performs his job as the Chief of State, “the living symbol of the nation.”  As Chief of State, he is in charge of ceremonial events, which increase morale in the country.  On April 9, 2012, Obama presided over all aspects of hosting this year’s 134^th Easter Egg Roll with the theme “Let’s Go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move.”  The event included family activities and the traditional egg roll on the South Lawn, as well as “educating families on smart ways to incorporate healthy eating and exercise choices into their daily routines.”   In promoting healthy lifestyles, people gained a positive perception of Obama, which reflected positively on America as well.  I appreciated Obama’s effort to use the opportunity to spread ideas, which will improve the quality of life for the American people.  Next, I found it amusing that President Obama was even represented by a picture of his family’s dog, Bo, on the red Easter egg.  In conclusion, Obama successfully performed his duties as he appeared as a remarkable President and representative of the country by hosting a day of fun and promoting healthy lifestyles.

On May 1, 2012, President Obama visited the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to greet the American troops and present ten Purple Hearts.  In his visitation, he performed the duty of the Chief of State as well as the Commander in Chief and the Voice of the People.  At this event, his duty as the Chief of State is different than when he hosted the Easter Egg Roll.  In Afghanistan, he stood as an inspirational symbol of the country while he addressed the troops rather than hosting an event.  The soldiers who earned the Purple Hearts held President Obama in high esteem and looked to him as the most important figure in the country.  Also, by presenting awards to righteous people, other Americans wanted to gain the same honorable mention, which increases morale in the country.  I value the President increasing morale because it strengthens our country’s identity.  In addition, as the Commander in Chief, Obama interacted with the troops in order to evaluate strategic plans for conflict and motivate his troops to persevere, “We don’t go looking for a fight. But when we see our homeland violated, when we see our fellow citizens killed, then we understand what we have to do.” Lastly, as the Voice of the People, he gave a message of gratefulness from the people of America to the troops.  Obama expressed America’s gratitude in saying,

“And so, together, you guys represent what is best in America.  And you’re part of a long line of those who have worn this uniform to make sure that we are free and secure, to make sure that those of us at home have the capacity to live our lives…And I’m here to tell you, everybody in America knows that.  And everybody in America appreciates it.  And everybody in America honors it.”

The President is able to make speeches like these because he knows the true feelings of the people of America.  Obama’s trip to Afghanistan was extremely impressive going a great distance to perform three of his roles.

Soldiers Receiving Purple Hearts

            I overlooked the importance of each of the Presidents’ roles in each event until my government studies.  In using the knowledge I obtained, I am able to see the significance of each action the President takes.  I now see how each role represents not just the President, but also the entire country.  President Obama does a great job in juggling all roles at one time and creating a fantastic identity for America.  As seen in the two events, Obama is a figure for, speaks for, and gives direction for the United States of America.  When throwing an event or giving a speech, he embodies the ideals of this country.  While performing his roles, he is motivating, thoughtful, and insightful.