Becoming a Citizen

One can be a technically be a citizen, but if they do not practice their duties, are they really a citizen?  Government taught me not only the foundations of our government system, but also how to understand, manipulate, and follow it.  The thing I found most interesting was the election process.  Honestly, I didn’t know anything about the electoral college before taking the government course.  Knowing how the American government system works is the first step in becoming an active, and true citizen.  Furthermore, knowing how to find and understand information is what makes an active citizen unique.  Understanding the aspects of government is not small; there are many different components to it, but with the use of new information mediums, it is a reasonable task.  The use of internet allows access to an abundance of information and must be utilized by an active citizen.

Electoral College

Elections represent the founding spirit and beliefs America abides by, and are arguably the most significant facets of our society.  To begin, when looking at the electoral college, I was surprised to find a vote really isn’t a direct vote for the president.  At the same time, votes are the solely the most important part of a democracy, and passively sitting back defeats and purpose of the system.  Understanding what one’s vote is actually doing, as well as the power behind it is what makes a true citizen.  The interactive part of our course where we made predictions on the outcome of the 2012 election was especially interesting.  Looking at all the different information at hand, and then coming up with conclusions was really helpful in understanding what exactly was going on.  It was also exciting on the election day to see who was wrong or right (my predictions were correct as usual).  With all the excitement wrapped up in that, the use of technology was a refreshing outlet for all thoughts and opinions.  Most teachers neglect to follow the technological world, and the integration of Twitter was exceptional.  As a student, I was exposed to endless viewpoints from real people, and as a citizen I was able to conclude rational things based on the information at hand.

The word refreshing describes that technology is not used enough in the classroom.  There is quite literally endless amounts of knowledge, and information provided though this medium.  Technology adds fuel to the engine that is a student’s brain.  When they think that they are doing something just for a grade, the ethics are not as enthusiastic.  The internet backs assignments with reason and cause because of an audience.  Using the internet as a medium also allows group collaboration between peers, and even outside sources.  This is a valuable asset to current learning.  I learned not only how to access the internet and manipulate for my on benefit, but also how to collaborate and gain new perspectives.  All this information is necessary for a citizen to participate properly in government.

Participation in voting, although increasing, is below 70%
American citizens need to be more active and understand their role

After understanding where to find the information, as well as learn all the facts, a citizen must understand the importance of using these facts, and the role they play in society.  The Presidential elections is an obvious example of the necessity a citizen plays, but is only one of many.  Understanding votes is easy, but there so many other ways to get involved in elections.  The basis of getting involved in elections is through the pathways of actions (court, grassroot-mobilization, cultural change, lobbying, elections).  These are the main seeds which have endless potential for growth.  Elections are one of the pathways for a citizen to get involved.  Deciding who to vote for is the first main issue a citizen faces.  Grassroot Mobilization is a way to draw attention to a candidate.  In addition to all the other pathways in government, I learned that a citizen must take an active role using pathways to become an avid voter. Voting is only a start to getting involved in elections, there are many other aspects a person can get involved in, especially in media and internet.  Insight on how elections work is just one example of the importance of a citizen.  The fundamental of American government is the citizen, and knowing one’s value is key.

Overall, the use of internet was the most unique, and boundless part of the course.  Through it I rediscovered a new area of knowledge, and interaction.  It has helped me become a well rounded citizen, and gave insight to information I didn’t understand before.  Taking a passive role as a citizen nulls the efforts a democracy creates.  Additionally, taking an active role as a citizen but remaining ignorant is just as bad.  Not participating as a citizen cancels the idea, ideology, and overall beliefs of America.  Active involvement in government, in addition to knowledge is essential for the system to work properly.  Information is readily available to anyone who seeks it; government has taught me that.

Participation in the election process is one key role an active citizen must engage in

Taking the Power to Persuade Too Far

We have studied in our Government class the powers of the Presidency. The modern presidency requires use of different powers that are not outlined in the Constitution. He uses this power while in office communicating to Congress and the House, but he also needs to use it while communicating to the public. The President must use the Power to Persuade in order to gain the support of the American people. During speeches, addresses and debates he has to appeal to the public’s needs. With his power to persuade he is able to rally and gain voters and supporters.  Although I understand it is necessary to do as much as you can to please voters, I do not think stretching the truth should be an option.

The President has to appeal to his supporters and the majority of the citizens in the US. With that, there is a chance that he may stretch the truth in order to please the majority. Sometimes, “The president sets soaring expectations, but doesn’t meet them. His broken promises, failed veto threats, and reversals…” (Chandler).  Not only can a President promise things that will not happen, but he also can exaggerate or even say the wrong thing in front of the whole United States.

Regarding my topic I wanted to find parts of Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address where his words, facts, and numbers were not completely right. As I read through two articles [Washington Post and Fox News] I noticed that even the smallest change in words can alter the whole context of what the public hears. There are many cases where President Obama does not say what is actually correct because he phrases his speeches, debates and addresses in wrong context.

Obama giving his State of the Union Address 2013

For the first example fact Obama states in his address he mentions jobs. Obama says, “After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over 6 million new jobs.”

Obama is generally telling the truth but he counts the number of new jobs from the point in his first term when job losses were at their highest. He ignores the around 5 million job losses up to his first term. With regard to other factors and elements he technically had an increase of 1.2 million jobs.

Next, Obama states that, “We have doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas.”

The drastic assumption that Obama makes is not right. We are not even close to doubling the distance we go on a gallon of gas. The deal that the Obama Administration made with automakers will create an average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. So, Obama is definitely stretching the truth in this statement.

Obama also says that, “We buy … less foreign oil than we have in 20 [years].”

There really is nothing that relates the decline of foreign oil consumption to Obama’s presidency. If anything the decline started 2 years before Obama’s presidency. To show the decline Bloomberg says, “In 2011, the U.S. relied on imports for 44.8 percent of its petroleum consumption, down from 60.3 percent in 2005, according to EIA data.”

The United State’s citizens listen and learn from what the President says and promises. I feel it is the job of the President to provide facts, numbers and statements that are true to the entire United States. How can we grow as a nation when we are not given the correct information from our own leader? US citizens are becoming less informed and interested in government and Andrew Romano says, “Most experts agree that the relative complexity of the U.S. political system makes it hard for Americans to keep up.” Citizens definitely do not have to know everything about government and the system but they need to be informed about the state of the US and what challenges we are facing. Because the President is a main source of information it is necessary that the info he says is accurate and reliable. Pleasing the public with what they want to hear does not help the United States as a whole and can cause confusion and agreement to decisions that can harm us as a nation.

When President Obama is addressing the United States’ Citizens, should he please the people by saying the things they want to hear or should he stick to the cold hard facts. Obviously he has to persuade voters by saying the things people want to hear, but does that hurt the US as a whole? Is it the job of US citizens to know about all the topics that the President talks about and decipher when he is not exactly telling the truth or says something wrong? Overall, I definitely think the needed use of  persuading the public and voters can cause a skew in the line of fact and truth being told the public.

President Obama Campaigning: Persuading Voters

Making Students into Educated Voters

American citizens value politics and government more than any other category of popular focus.  Government and politics fill the vast majority of news Americans tune into consistently throughout the day.

Governmental references are seen in cartoons, books, movies, satires, music, and any other form of entertainment that you might be able to think of.  You might hear conversations involving an election or a new policy being discussed at the table next to you when you go out to dinner.  Why are Americans so into the American government?

Americans value government because their beliefs are what fuel the nation and what it chooses to do.  It is clear why public education of politics and government is so crucial to the success and the strength of the nation.  I believe educating students in government will help create intellectual and reasonable voters which will be the foundation for the government in the future.  This is why I believe government class is the most important class I can take at Parish.

This unit, we have learned about how the American government works.  We have reviewed political parties, elections, congress, and the overall foundation of the American government.  I have found the elections section the most interesting because it truly seems candidates fight to beat the person running against them rather than to just win.  For example, we watched campaign commercials from the Reagan, Clinton, Obama, McCain, Bush, and Nixon.  I found it interesting how candidates such as Nixon and McCain only contradict their opponents beliefs without putting forward their solutions to the problem their opponents address.  Watch McCain’s commercial attacking Obama here.  While some choose to attack, some choose to advertise themselves rather than the faults of their opponents.  I prefer these commercials because I feel the candidate is mature and is self-dependent on his own success rather than his opponent’s.  I feel as if the commercials attacking the candidate’s opponent is somewhat of propaganda, which makes me dislike that person on a sense of him being immature and childish.  Watch President Reagan’s commercial in which he supports himself here.

Because we reviewed these previous commercials, I can see the resemblance in the current presidential election.  I remember seeing the Florida debate between Gingrich and Romney fighting over who invested their own personal money in Freddie Mac while Ron Paul finally butt in telling them to stop arguing over stupid things just to make the other candidate look bad.  See the debate here.  At the top of the page is a political cartoon I found amusing because it illustrates what the two republican candidates chose to argue about in front of a huge number American voters.   This unit has really allowed me to see the candidates deeper than what I was able to see before.  I have used what I learned in this unit to select a candidate who I believe would be the best president, which shows how this unit has helped me mature in my knowledge and judgement in politics.

We have also learned about the electorate college and the criticism it receives.  After reading entries from Walter Berns and Richard J. Durbin, I have learned about the pros and cons of the electorate college.  I personally don’t agree with the electorate college because I think it’s original purpose of protection from the uneducated public doesn’t apply to modern times.  Reading about the costs and benefits of the electorate college, a major costs is the sub-committees which over power the individual electorate. I can understand more clearly why newly elected politicians have trouble getting what they mentioned during their elections put into action.  Newly elected electorates are “shut out” by sub-committees which join together to progress their views over the ones who aren’t in their sub-committee.  I’ve enjoyed reading their works and they have helped gain an understanding of our electorate college.

I believe this year’s Government class has achieved what it was designed to do.  I have gained a greater knowledge and interest in how the Government functions.  This unit has lead me to read the news and have a better understanding of what I’m reading.  I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to become more involved and interested in politics, the news, or the current American community in general.  Government has shaped me into a confident voter and has achieved it’s goal of interesting me in the nation.

Why The Youth?

There has always been one problem brought forth for presidential candidates: how to target the youth.  Last year had one of the biggest turnouts for youth votes.  Every year there is an increase in votes by citizens between 18 and 29, those who are considered the youth.  A majority of the time, these voters are the ones who vote more than the other voters for that year.

(PEW Research Center)

Youth voters have become more and more of a deciding factor in presidential elections.  When the candidates spend more time targeting the youth, they tend to win for that year.  According to PEW Research Center, in the most recent election in 2008, Obama spent more time than McCain on targeting the youth.  TIME Magazine named 2008 as The Year of Youth Vote.  Although the youth vote itself did not win the vote, the youth’s conversation with their families as well as their work towards spreading their views through technology lead to Obama’s victory. Youth have a stronger voice than most people believe.  An example is the recent Kony 2012 campaign, when the youth made a stand to have the government send troops to Uganda.  With even a little bit of passion, the youth can change the course of American government.

According to US News, Obama is already ahead in the youth polls.  Mitt Romney is also attempting to target the youth, however Obama’s college visits have put him ahead with those under 30.  According to Real Clear Politics, Obama is also ahead in the polls overall, partly due to the youth vote.

(PEW Research Center)

Youth vote will be a major factor this year also because of the topics that are relevant in this election.  Between birth control, abortions, sexual orientation, and other social topics, the youth are the key targets for this year’s campaigns.  Today’s youth are more in touch with these issues that past generations and due to this they will be major contributers to te election.  Through every election, the youth are necessary to win the vote.

Wrapping your Brain Around the Electoral College

This February I feel my true beliefs were greatly challenged when my government class was introduced to the Electoral College. I was greatly baffled by the Electoral College and the role it takes when electing the president, so much so that I had to ask many questions and ponder whether I believed it was right for the United States or not before I could formulate any opinions in my head. The Electoral College is such a complex and mystifying topic that really takes some time to fully grasp.  Believe me I have spent many moments contemplating the fairness and equality of the Electoral College and whether it follows the morals our nation was built on; I have finally come to a conclusion.

Before I discuss my outlook on the Electoral College and how it affects the nation’s voting process I feel I need to define the Electoral College and analyze what it truly does. Growing up I naively always believed people simply voted for the presidential candidates, people counted the votes, and the candidate with the most overall votes won the election and became the president. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Now you might be thinking, “wait that’s not how the United States voting process works?” don’t fret I was in your same shoes earlier this year.  The popular vote seems like the most efficient and fair way to elect the president but unfortunately it is much more complex than that.

The fore fathers of America established the Electoral College and wrote it into the constitution in 1845 after compromising with Americans.  In order to form the Electoral College the men had to make a compromise because some people wanted the president to be elected by popular vote and some wanted congress to elect the president.  The founding men where so against popular vote for two reasons. The first was because of their lack of trust in citizens to make an educated vote. They feared popular citizens with in the states that were by no means credible candidates could wow certain voters, ultimately putting an unqualified president in office.  The second reason was because they wanted to give the state a vote when electing the president. This is because American politics vary in different cultures of America.  (1)

            The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen from each state that ultimately determine the president. Regular citizens from each state vote for a number of electors committed to a certain presidential candidate. In other words democrats vote for a group of democratic electors and republicans vote for a group of republican electors that represent a certain candidate.  The electors chosen by the party of the candidate who wins the most popular vote become the electors in that state.  Next votes are counted state by state. The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state wins the overall electoral votes for that state.  Notice I said electoral “votes.” Each state is worth a different amount of electoral votes based off the population of that state. (1) Lastly the candidate who wins the most electoral votes wins the election.  Candidate must win a majority of 270 votes to win the election and become president.  (2)

After obtaining this basic knowledge regarding the Electoral College I was finally able to wrap my brain around the whole thing and devise a conclusion. The Electoral College is such a crucial process when electing the president; I say this because it truly regulates the voting to keep it fair. If the United States didn’t have the Electoral College any unqualified schmuck could run for president and possibly win the election.  Long live the Electoral College!

Sources:

1)  Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for selecting Presidents.http://www.thisnation.com/question/051.html

2) “Electoral College.” U*X*L Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Ed. Lawrence W. Baker and Sarah Hermsen. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 490-491. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.