post # 10

1. Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?  Why?
I remember this election and following the Florida recounts. I remember as a young man I licked Al Gore for how he challenged Bush which he was later criticized for. I remember feeling an injustice, but later I learned more about how the electoral college works as far as keeping the smaller and less populous states relevant in a campaign. I do not like the winner take all approach thou I think they should be able to win parts of states like the few mentioned in the text. This may make more people turn out to elections if the think they would have a larger part in the election process.




2. Is the ability to fundraise too important in elections?  In other words, are good candidates prevented from running because they cannot raise the needed funds?  Can/should something be done to correct this if it is a problem?
I think it is too important. There may even be more of an atmosphere like the framers intended if every serious candidate had a level playing field to express his or her ideas really bringing out the best and brightest our country has to offer instead of who is the best salesman of a parties ideology.
Unfortunately I am not sure if anything can be done, when people are going to lose power or money they rarely tend to vote for it.


3. Why is there such voter apathy - in other words, why is there often such low voter turnout for elections?  Is there a way to rectify this problem?
I think a large part of the American people don't think a lot of the issues relate to them. A lot of the time It seems that the vote don't matter politicians have there own agenda is not always in line with the people it is in line with the potential voter. They are looking to increase the base, I think most Americans have everything they want and just want to live there life until something is threatened to be taken away.

blog #9

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?  I think I agree most with the Republican Party because I would think there should be a smaller federal government with more rights set fourth by the states and I do think that we should keep a better handle on entitlements. There are things that I don't agree with completely like the  abortion issue because I could careless what someone does I don't think it is right but I can live my whole life and never get an abortion if I so choose.
2. Does America need political parties?  The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties?  Would that work today?  Why? I do think we need parties for the sake of elections I think that to reach the people in this day you need a lot of money and you have to have an organized effort to do it otherwise only rich would be able to get there name out
3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why?
I like the Libertarian party I like the views on tax reform and there I ideas on limited government. I like the idea of having more control over my life without having rules put on others and vice versa. I think socially liberal and fiscally conservative rings true with what my bottom line view is, this keeps the government keeping there check book in order and does not allow them to force any social issues on me.

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?
2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?  Why?
3. Is media objectivity important?  Why or why not?

I do not think that objectivity exists completely in any of the news organizations and this is because there is someone who owns it who has a bias in someway, I do think that there is a degree of lean with reporters but how far they can lean depends on which organization they work for if they go against the grain they usually end up switching news stations, I think CNN is fairly even not that they are objective but they have some left and right talking points so it balances out a little were as most others seem to go just one way. I prefer talk radio it seems that it is a little more hard newsmaybe because they do not spend much time on make up. I think that talk radio is more interactive that is why it affects views a little more you have people call in and sometimes they are so uninformed that it almost drives you crazy, I feel more engaged even if I am not calling in I am listening to a conversation not words just repeated off of a teleprompter. I do think being objective is important because it lets the officials know that they are being watched and since they fight back and fourth with such fire I do think there are few things they get away with some people probably are criticized unjustly just for ratings.

commented on Cassandra Kunsman
Megan Biggs
Nathan Tollett

post 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 think that the media uses polls to give a backing for stories they want to tell. If they are for or against something I think that is what they use to prove points, invoke conversation, and stir controversy.  They have become so dependent on them they have polls for everything I would not be surprised if they don’t have a poll for how people react to polls.

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?  Party identification is not that important to me, I would think that is was more important to people of past generations because they had a closer tie to social issues of classes of people when there was less of a middle class and more of a blue collar VS white collar agenda. Most of my friends seem to be the same most call themselves independent or libertarian but truth is I think they don’t even vote. Politics seems to be like a reality show that keeps regurgitating the same talking points.

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues?  Why? I think social issues only because if you watch the news that is what seems to be talked about it is if the president had a beer with some Joe or if the first lady has a recipe let’s not forget who in office has the juiciest sex scandal. To even listen to politicians talk is so frustrating you almost have to just change the channel I would like for once for someone to bring some numbers to a conversation or even wheel in a chalk board it is like listening to a child give you excuses why they over spent on their checking account, you never hear the truth sorry I messed up I could have done better.

posted on Jenna MCcarty
                   Nathan Tollett
                   Donna Spradlin

civil rights

Regarding civil rights and discrimination, please address;
1. The issue of race - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination?  Why or how so? That is tuff because you have special interests groups and the media who kind of direct traffic in regards to which way the governments attention is directed and how it reacts. It usually seems to be who is crying the loudest gets the most attention at the time or who stands to make money off of a victim. I think the government has done well to make sure no one is oppressed and has control over there own life without living in fear.
2. The issue of gender - same question as #1.
I think that men and woman have equal rights and in a relatively short time I think that is a huge accomplishment, I think issue of pay is not as much a civil rights issue as it is a job issue. It is business I think it would be absurd to think that a company pays the extra money because they are men when they want to pay you less no matter who you are. Women should negotiate better in the work force they are just as qualified and should be just as confident when asking for the extra money.
3. The issue of sexual orientation - same question as #1 and #2.
I think the government does to much in regard to this issue this should be a state issue and this opinion is just because sexual orientation in my opinion does not something that has to be made public knowledge meaning I am a man I am white but by looking at me you do not know my sexual orientation this is a private matter you can make wills and leave things money land ext. to people already why is it important for everyone to have another label

responded to donna spalddin, megan biggs and jared griffth

sorry forgot to include responses

commented on Cassandra Kunsman,Brittany McCann, and Rebecca Zuchowski

chapter 4

1.  Freedom of Speech:  How important is it?  Does the freedom go "too far"?  What areas of speech should not be protected? This is arguably one of the most important liberties that we as U.S. citizens have because it allows us to express or selves. It also allows to inform and be informed of the things that are going on around us with the filter of an entity over us. I do not think that this goes too far I choose to think that people like to exercise this right improperly due to lack of consideration or just lack of education. I think all speech should be protected but maybe we should think of the forums in which these are practiced because I should have the right not to listen to some of the free speech in public places.
2. Freedom of Religion:  Is separation of church and state necessary?  Why or why not? I think it is not necessary if implemented correctly maybe we have not found a way that everyone can express themselves with getting there feelings hurt. I just think these is a better way to incorporate learning with the beliefs of everyone even if they choose not to practice a religion. Maybe when people don't get offended by Hanukkah candles or a Christmas tree or and  Quran.
3. Criminal Procedure:  Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government?  Why or why not?  Many argue that defendants have too many rights - do you agree?  Why or why not? I yes they are extremely crucial this is the system in  which all checks and balances take place this is why we drafted the new constitution so that we would have enough rule without being over prosecuted or taken advantage of I do think that there should be a common sense clause writ in some where that does not allow guilty people to escape prosecution but our courts are designed in way that yo are innocent until proven guilty and it is the prosecutor's burden to prove there case.

blog assignment 3

1. It is in my opinion that it is important to have a strong national government because it protects the interests of the states and the individual people. This could be in time of war or being discriminated against in civil matters. This is equally important in the when it comes to the commerce of the nation because it keeps things in check as far as not allowing monopolies or trade barriers between states.
2.It happened because the there was increased regulation put on the American people during the depression to boost the economy and it had since grown to be more of a burden that a economical motivator. It was probably a great campaign strategy that was sure to win an election since the country was becoming fearful of government corruption.
3.I do think that it is a matter for the national government but it is a limited role their involvement should be set to enforcing minimum standards such as the do with other laws now if the want to give more incentives to those states who want to go above and beyond with the standards that they maintain that is where it becomes the states choice to do so.

blog assignment 2

1. The constitution is a stronger document than the articles because it put more power in the hands of the central government. I feel this  allowed the states to unite to form a stronger economy and a stronger government by coming together to support all of there interests. Like the protection of ships and borders of there neighboring states.
2. I did not know that a citizen from one state can not file suit against another state. Still not sure what that is in regard to if anyone would like to help me out there.
3.It was important because it made clear what types of cases could be brought directly to the court that was not an appeal the court was designed to interpret the constitutional law.
4.I think it is a  still more in favor of the federalist the federal government has the power to deny the state ability to uphold federal laws even in cases where the federal government are not upholding the laws.

My name is Robert and I am 34. I am a happy father of 3 children 5,3, and 1 so this is one reason I decided to take web classes it works well for our schedules. I would like to finish at Roane state next semester and am seriously considering teaching history. What little free time I have I like to spend working around the house or out in the garden and am very happy it is football time in Tennessee. This is the first time I have used blogs and podcasts a little behind on that technology but am finding it fun and convienant I am looking forward to this class so that I can hopefully be envolved in the future

First blog

Hello Class