People have the vote which I think is the most simple example of how people can influence the political process and work with their politicians.
Beyond the vote; ideally, politicians listen to the people about what they want from their government. Unfortunately, these days it seems that groups of individuals who have the most money seem to have the loudest voice in our government. I feel that many have found it quite possible to influence the political process by using their check books.
Aside from voting and spending, people also have the ability to protest and petition. These two resources I feel are very helpful in communication the message of large groups of people effectively. Though they may sometimes serve dually as disturbances as well, no matter what side they are on, they make a point.
I think that it is a very interesting time to be talking about all of this, especially with all of the political un-rest that is occurring all around us. From the troubles in Egypt to Libya, to even Wisconsin we need think about how individuals and groups of individuals influence the political process.
We can look at how much influence the people of Egypt had in their political process. Ultimately, the leader stepped down changing the future of the country forever. This group of individuals stood together to influence the political process, and to create the changes that they wanted to see in their government.
Looking at even a more local level, we can analyze the trouble in Wisconsin. Not only is the power of the individuals evident through the protests, the petitions, and the conversation that is occurring across the nation in response; but the power of the individual is also evident through the Koch family's involvement in this process. They were able to contribute enough money to the campaign to get Tea Party representative Scott Walker elected to office. They used their individual power to ultimately influence the way government operated in Wisconsin, starting with the freedom of the unions within the state. Individuals within the Wisconsin government planned a vote in the middle of the night, not even given most of the democrats an opportunity to vote. Talk about individuals influencing the political process!
The situation in Wisconsin is an excellent example of how individuals and groups of individuals have the power to influence our political process.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
People's Opinions
People are always talking. There are always going to be people who get angry, upset, frustrated, and irritated with the leaders in the government. People have a tendency to think that they can do it better....yet a very small percentage of the people actual step up and run for public office. So where does that leave the rest of us? We who sit at home and blog about the things we see as the world turns. What role do us "whiners" have? In what ways does public opinion influence the formation of a democratic society?
I think that the people who live within a democratic society have immense power. Often times, they've more power than they realize and more power than they know how to handle responsibly. People are always talking. It's our human nature to communicate, to discuss, to thrive off of one another. You hear people discuss current events in grocery stores, at the gym, and through office buildings across America. Husbands and wives bicker about public policy while the youth struggles to grapple just what exactly government is and what it means for them.
In America, we are extremely lucky. I think that especially this past month, we all have become extremely aware of our luck. The world appears to be at a troubled point. There is immense up roar and protest occurring as I write this. I, like many others, can't help but question what the tipping point was for all of these events. What pushed the people to say "enough is enough".
But that's the thing, I get to question, I get to contemplate, and I get to freely discuss anything as I please. In the next election, for the first time in my life, I'll be able to cast a vote. I'll be able to stand up and proudly say, "this is who I am choosing to support." I can, at any time, volunteer my labor to a political campaign or a political movement. I can protest and boycott things that I am against or that I don't agree with. I can write about my feelings without fearing oppression. And I can, as I have before, sit down to breakfast with my state legislators and say "this is how I feel, what can you do to change it."
That is the power of my public opinion in our democratic society. That's what I can and that's what I choose to do. Some people may do more their power, and others may do less. But we have the power to shape our government. America prides itself on being a country that is "for the people, by the people". Theoretically, it is, or it should be, public opinion that shapes everything in our government.
I think that the people who live within a democratic society have immense power. Often times, they've more power than they realize and more power than they know how to handle responsibly. People are always talking. It's our human nature to communicate, to discuss, to thrive off of one another. You hear people discuss current events in grocery stores, at the gym, and through office buildings across America. Husbands and wives bicker about public policy while the youth struggles to grapple just what exactly government is and what it means for them.
In America, we are extremely lucky. I think that especially this past month, we all have become extremely aware of our luck. The world appears to be at a troubled point. There is immense up roar and protest occurring as I write this. I, like many others, can't help but question what the tipping point was for all of these events. What pushed the people to say "enough is enough".
But that's the thing, I get to question, I get to contemplate, and I get to freely discuss anything as I please. In the next election, for the first time in my life, I'll be able to cast a vote. I'll be able to stand up and proudly say, "this is who I am choosing to support." I can, at any time, volunteer my labor to a political campaign or a political movement. I can protest and boycott things that I am against or that I don't agree with. I can write about my feelings without fearing oppression. And I can, as I have before, sit down to breakfast with my state legislators and say "this is how I feel, what can you do to change it."
That is the power of my public opinion in our democratic society. That's what I can and that's what I choose to do. Some people may do more their power, and others may do less. But we have the power to shape our government. America prides itself on being a country that is "for the people, by the people". Theoretically, it is, or it should be, public opinion that shapes everything in our government.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Relationship Between Government and Private Sector
Today, it seems that everyone has their own opinion about the relationship between private sector and the government. It has been in headlines recently because of the HealthCare reform. The conversations about what changes would be brought to the healthcare industry and it switched from private hands, to government control. It's not uncommon to hear people complaining about post office and department of motor vehicle services. Is it really true that the Private Sector can run more effective operations than the government?
In my opinion, the back-bone of the private sector is the element of competition. Competition is the driving force of so much. It's interesting to discuss situations where the private sector is influenced by government.
For example, the gas companies are all run individually, Shell, Conoco, BP, Sunoco, but the government relations has a large influence on the prices. I think that for a most part, people have turned against the gas companies. Let's face it, none of us are happy about the rising gas prices. But who is really to blame? The government.... or the Private sectors?
The government and the private intersect on many levels? But where should they intersect? Should it be allowed for the government to be able to have this much control...and how does it compare historically?
In my opinion, the back-bone of the private sector is the element of competition. Competition is the driving force of so much. It's interesting to discuss situations where the private sector is influenced by government.
For example, the gas companies are all run individually, Shell, Conoco, BP, Sunoco, but the government relations has a large influence on the prices. I think that for a most part, people have turned against the gas companies. Let's face it, none of us are happy about the rising gas prices. But who is really to blame? The government.... or the Private sectors?
The government and the private intersect on many levels? But where should they intersect? Should it be allowed for the government to be able to have this much control...and how does it compare historically?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Power of Power
This weekend my family had the opportunity to travel to New York City. It was interesting reading everyone's idea of power in a different setting. Being out of Colorado gave me the chance to look at things through a slightly different lens.
We were taking a city tour of New York City, and our tour guide Heather was explaining that though New York City is capital of nothing, that it still is the center of the world. New York is a perfect example of power. The people who live on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park...they have immense economic power. As we explored neighborhoods where Katherine Hepburn and Yoko Ono lived, I thought about the political power that Yoko and her husband, John Lennon, had. Where did the power that there people have come from? What granted them the right to influence the world as they did? Is it because something about them was special, or is it just that the rest of us choose not to take the opportunity.
Target stores could easily be described as one of my favorite places in this world. I'm notorious for spending hours is Target spending more money than I have to be spending. But in the last election when Target Corporation gave $150,000 to MN Forward, an organization in Minnesota that is notorious for their public view on anti-gay behavior. This generous donation was given shortly after the United States Supreme Court overturned an law that originally had prohibited actions like these for the last 63 years. As hard as it was for me, I quit shopping at Target for over six months. As a YouTube video protesting the super-chain explained that because Target isn't a person, so why should they have the power or ability to influence our democracy? Was it right for the United States Government to give the power of our government to such a larger corporation who's interests didn't reflect those of most of their shoppers.
Power is everywhere around us. People seek out power. This country, among others, thrives on power. When did power become about sides, about personal agendas. As I had mentioned in my weekly response post, Power is a selfish, egotistical thing. On occassion, power can be sought for the better of a whole nation. I think that great political thinkers like Aristotle sought power truly to benefit all who lived in his community.
Target Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8
Article on Target's Contributions:
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/07/27/target-emmer-donate/
We were taking a city tour of New York City, and our tour guide Heather was explaining that though New York City is capital of nothing, that it still is the center of the world. New York is a perfect example of power. The people who live on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park...they have immense economic power. As we explored neighborhoods where Katherine Hepburn and Yoko Ono lived, I thought about the political power that Yoko and her husband, John Lennon, had. Where did the power that there people have come from? What granted them the right to influence the world as they did? Is it because something about them was special, or is it just that the rest of us choose not to take the opportunity.
Target stores could easily be described as one of my favorite places in this world. I'm notorious for spending hours is Target spending more money than I have to be spending. But in the last election when Target Corporation gave $150,000 to MN Forward, an organization in Minnesota that is notorious for their public view on anti-gay behavior. This generous donation was given shortly after the United States Supreme Court overturned an law that originally had prohibited actions like these for the last 63 years. As hard as it was for me, I quit shopping at Target for over six months. As a YouTube video protesting the super-chain explained that because Target isn't a person, so why should they have the power or ability to influence our democracy? Was it right for the United States Government to give the power of our government to such a larger corporation who's interests didn't reflect those of most of their shoppers.
Power is everywhere around us. People seek out power. This country, among others, thrives on power. When did power become about sides, about personal agendas. As I had mentioned in my weekly response post, Power is a selfish, egotistical thing. On occassion, power can be sought for the better of a whole nation. I think that great political thinkers like Aristotle sought power truly to benefit all who lived in his community.
Target Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8
Article on Target's Contributions:
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/07/27/target-emmer-donate/
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