Voter Education and Partisanship
Tue, 2004-10-12 03:27 — jrearick
Okay, I haven't updated since last Friday. It seems like a long time for me. Not much has happened over the weekend other than studying. I had my History blue book test today. Wednesday I have two more tests. One at 5:00 and one at 6:30. This means I will get out of one test and go directly to another test. Perhaps I will take my psychology test during the class time so that I will not have the stress of back to back tests and I will be able to attend the entire FUG meeting and not miss out on dinner.
Anyway, during some of my free time over the weekend I put together a few of my opinions I have been wanting to record about politics recently. These ideas have very little to do with the presidential race, but I believe they are very important to everyone. Thinking about this stuff, I have been thinking that I should do something to help voter education. I don't want to do anything for any particular party or candidate, but something non-partisan. I don't know. I figure if my points are good enough, I might submit it to the Daily or Tribune. Anyway, I would like to hear your opinions.
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Voter Education
With all the attention given to the presidential race, it?s easy to forget that we are choosing more than just a president when we go to vote on November 2nd. Many places also tack on other votes to the ballot. Decisions for house and senate seats, state representatives, local, and municipal issue may show up on the ballot as well.
The system of checks and balances make each branch of the government equally powerful, though, the media tends to focus more attention to the executive branch than the equally important legislative and judicial branches. This is understandable since there are so many races and the districts have become so small that local TV news outlets, and even some newspapers, reach several different districts. It becomes difficult to report equally and intuitively on all the different elections their audience will be experiencing.
Many people don?t know what districts they reside in. There are web sites out there that help you find out what districts you are in and where to go to vote, but a lot of times they are hard to find through all the campaigning propaganda. I didn?t even know who my incumbent senator and representative were. It took me a while just to find out basic information about these people. It?s even harder to find those who are not incumbent. After a bunch of digging, I found a web site I was looking for at congress.org. There, I was able to find basic information about which candidates will be on my ballot, what district I am in, a little background information on the candidates and even a quick way to read what their position is on a variety of issues. It?s not as in-depth about local issues, but for a web site, I was very impressed.
It is important for voters to be informed about what their options are. They must know what candidate best represents their issues in order for our government to work the way it was intended. When I?m not informed enough to be comfortable with a decision, I?m less inclined to actually voice my opinion, and I?m sure that is probably true for a lot of people.
Partisanship
Before the Iowa caucuses in January, I was very much against the idea of political parties. I was registered as independent. I thought the parties were only good for making sure nothing happens, but after participating in the caucus I gained a new understanding of the system, and why there is such a thing as partisanship.
When I went to the caucus I changed my affiliation to democrat so I would be able to participate. I knew that I didn?t like the way Bush was running the country, so I felt I had a responsibility to voice my opinion on which possible candidate would best represent my interests. It was then I realized that having an organization, such as the Democratic party (or Republican, or Socialist, or whatever), allows people with similar interest to better support someone who will best represent theirs. Without the support system a political party provides, only those who already have money would be able to do any effective campaigning. If there were no party support systems, billionaires like Ross Perot would have become president, and only the interest of the rich would be represented, even if the majority elected them.
Having several different beliefs represented in our government by different parties ensures that the people are getting what they want. In our system, the minority has a strong voice. Our government was set up in this way for a reason. No one idea or belief would be represented by our government. I am reminded of a South Park episode about how this form of government allows us, as a nation, to ?have our cake and eat it too.?
Compromise is a result of debate caused by differing views in the government. You can look at compromise two different ways. Either both sides get what they want, or both sides don?t get what they want. Either way, when a bill is passed, it is ideally altered by compromises so that the law will represent the beliefs and ideas of the citizens.
I currently consider myself a democrat. This, by no means, is a permanent affiliation. Party affiliation seems to be a somewhat permanent thing for most people. I will continue to have an open mind to other opinions. I may be persuaded to change my mind and become a member of a different party, or become independent again. In the end, I have a greater appreciation for the way our government works.
Anyway, during some of my free time over the weekend I put together a few of my opinions I have been wanting to record about politics recently. These ideas have very little to do with the presidential race, but I believe they are very important to everyone. Thinking about this stuff, I have been thinking that I should do something to help voter education. I don't want to do anything for any particular party or candidate, but something non-partisan. I don't know. I figure if my points are good enough, I might submit it to the Daily or Tribune. Anyway, I would like to hear your opinions.
--
Voter Education
With all the attention given to the presidential race, it?s easy to forget that we are choosing more than just a president when we go to vote on November 2nd. Many places also tack on other votes to the ballot. Decisions for house and senate seats, state representatives, local, and municipal issue may show up on the ballot as well.
The system of checks and balances make each branch of the government equally powerful, though, the media tends to focus more attention to the executive branch than the equally important legislative and judicial branches. This is understandable since there are so many races and the districts have become so small that local TV news outlets, and even some newspapers, reach several different districts. It becomes difficult to report equally and intuitively on all the different elections their audience will be experiencing.
Many people don?t know what districts they reside in. There are web sites out there that help you find out what districts you are in and where to go to vote, but a lot of times they are hard to find through all the campaigning propaganda. I didn?t even know who my incumbent senator and representative were. It took me a while just to find out basic information about these people. It?s even harder to find those who are not incumbent. After a bunch of digging, I found a web site I was looking for at congress.org. There, I was able to find basic information about which candidates will be on my ballot, what district I am in, a little background information on the candidates and even a quick way to read what their position is on a variety of issues. It?s not as in-depth about local issues, but for a web site, I was very impressed.
It is important for voters to be informed about what their options are. They must know what candidate best represents their issues in order for our government to work the way it was intended. When I?m not informed enough to be comfortable with a decision, I?m less inclined to actually voice my opinion, and I?m sure that is probably true for a lot of people.
Partisanship
Before the Iowa caucuses in January, I was very much against the idea of political parties. I was registered as independent. I thought the parties were only good for making sure nothing happens, but after participating in the caucus I gained a new understanding of the system, and why there is such a thing as partisanship.
When I went to the caucus I changed my affiliation to democrat so I would be able to participate. I knew that I didn?t like the way Bush was running the country, so I felt I had a responsibility to voice my opinion on which possible candidate would best represent my interests. It was then I realized that having an organization, such as the Democratic party (or Republican, or Socialist, or whatever), allows people with similar interest to better support someone who will best represent theirs. Without the support system a political party provides, only those who already have money would be able to do any effective campaigning. If there were no party support systems, billionaires like Ross Perot would have become president, and only the interest of the rich would be represented, even if the majority elected them.
Having several different beliefs represented in our government by different parties ensures that the people are getting what they want. In our system, the minority has a strong voice. Our government was set up in this way for a reason. No one idea or belief would be represented by our government. I am reminded of a South Park episode about how this form of government allows us, as a nation, to ?have our cake and eat it too.?
Compromise is a result of debate caused by differing views in the government. You can look at compromise two different ways. Either both sides get what they want, or both sides don?t get what they want. Either way, when a bill is passed, it is ideally altered by compromises so that the law will represent the beliefs and ideas of the citizens.
I currently consider myself a democrat. This, by no means, is a permanent affiliation. Party affiliation seems to be a somewhat permanent thing for most people. I will continue to have an open mind to other opinions. I may be persuaded to change my mind and become a member of a different party, or become independent again. In the end, I have a greater appreciation for the way our government works.
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