Chapter 9

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
I was raised in a Republican household mainly because my family members are mostly business owners or doctors. My family never agreed with taking from the rich and giving to the poor and they definitely didn't agree with lowering doctor's pay because of universal healthcare. I didn't know any better and I always looked down on Democrats. As I got older, I started to become my own person and stopped identifying with a party. I consider myself an independent. I am this way because I agree with some things that the Republicans support and I also agree with some things that Democrats support.

2. Does America need political parties?  The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties?  Would that work today?  Why?
Personally, I do not think that America needs political parties. It separates people, which causes unnecessary turmoil. Too many close friends and close family members argue about politics and in my opinion, it's a waste of time. I think that political parties are just a way for people to be against each other instead of coming together as one and focusing on real issues. I think the government is starting to have way too much control, and if people weren't so absorbed with which party is right and which party is wrong, they'd notice and actually start to do something about it. I think that American politics would be just fine without parties because like I said, people would have more time to focus on the big issues.

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why?
After doing some research, I'd have to say that the Peace and Freedom party stands out the most to me. They seem to care about real issues. They dream of a nation where everyone is equal. Where everyone has food on their table and clothes on their back. I agree with this and it would be interesting to see this party become more popular. I love the fact that they want to see the Earth treated better and they want things to be done in order to reduce pollution. They support Ralph Nader, as do I.

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1. Dexter Pelfrey

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3. Donna Fox

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?
       The interest group that I selected from figure 8.1 was National Education Association (NEA). Their website states that they "are committed to advancing the cause of public education." This is definitely something I agree with. I think that public schools should be set to higher standards just like the NEA. I also agree with their opinions on equality in education. I think every single child should have equal education. What I found interesting was their opinion on public education and democracy. Their website says "public education provides individuals with the skills to be involved, informed, and engaged in our representative democracy." I really liked the way this was worded and it was definitely interesting. 

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?
         My absolute favorite interest group is Greenpeace. I've become very involved with their goals and missions. They are the largest direct-action environmental organization in the world. They believe in stopping forest destruction, cleaning oceans, cutting down on pollution, and basically anything that preserves the beautiful Earth. I really love that they make it clear that they will always refuse funding from the federal government and that they are committed to nonviolence. I think that even more people should become involved with Greenpeace! 


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 don't have enough power in the political system. I think that most interest groups have amazing goals and are filled with people that have a large amount of ambition. I think that groups like Greenpeace could really help if they were heard more in politics. I think that more laws that would protect the Earth and the environment would be passed if Greenpeace were heard more. I think that the line gets crossed when interest groups hold too many protests outside of federal buildings. If interest groups are constantly pushing Congress to change laws or do something differently, I think that then, interest groups are going too far and are crossing the line.

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1. Nathan Tollett
2. Casandra Kunsman
3. Donna Spradlin

Chapter 7

1. Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics?  Of the major news outlets (CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias?
       I do think that objectivity still exists in the media's coverage of politics. I think that certain news channels try to convince people to vote for a certain person or to think a certain way about specific political parties. I think that Fox is definitely the most objective and the most bias. Fox, to me, seems to be republican based. They seem to favor republican candidates and laws. I watched Fox during the previous election process and I noticed they had more negative things to say about Obama.


2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?  Why?
     I don't think that talk radio affects my view of politics. Sometimes on long car rides, I'll listen to NPR and just soak in what they have to say. I don't allow media to influence my political views. I'm very stern and stick to what I believe in. I do listen to things I don't agree with, though... and I'll respect a talk radio host's opinion.

3. Is media objectivity important?  Why or why not?
     Yes I do think that media objectivity is important. The news needs to be unbiased because what they are reporting (or at least should be reporting) is facts and things that are actually happening in the world. 


Commented on:
1. Brittany McCann

2. Robert Johnston

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 news media is too dependent upon polls. I think that polls are a good thing because they show what Americans are thinking and what their opinions on current events are. I do think it is appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them. I think it's a good thing to know what the majority of Americans are thinking on subjects like war and taxes. I like to see if the majority of Americans support Obama or disagree with the way he is running office. I think that the government would react a whole lot differently to potential bills and laws if public opinion wasn't able to be accessed so easily.

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?
         Personally, I think that political party identification gets too heated. Too many people argue about politics and a lot of unnecessary turmoil is created.  I was raised in a Republican household, so unfortunately I have heard a lot of negative things about Democrats, but honestly I don't really label myself as any political party. My parents and grandparents are really strong Republicans because they are business owners and doctors. As many of you know, the new healthcare bill reduces the pay of doctors. My friends are like me... they don't support one of the other. I agree with some things that Republicans believe in and I also agree with some things that Democrats say. If I were forced to claim a political party, I guess I'd say I was Independent.

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues?  Why?
    I do not feel that my opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues. I've always felt the same way about politics. Like I stated in question 2, I think politics causes problems between people that are completely ridiculous. I was friends with a woman who divorced her husband because they argued too much about politics... how sad! When there is a war going on, I'll always stick to my opinions on war. I'm not quick to change my beliefs based on current events.

Commented on:
1. Megan Biggs
2. Cassandra Kunsman
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