Here are some election questions from Cari Montgomery. Cari is a student in one of my onlne courses:
1.) How much power do the American people really have during the political elections?
2.) How much power do each divisions of the political parties really have? And what can and will they do with it in the next four years to help the American economy?
Feel free to post your thoughts. I will comment shortly.
I believe that they have enough power to change the government during the political elections, but when there is slightly different from two candidates, the Electoral College will be the one who determines this. I'm glad that American people have idea of freedom and wisdom to choose who should be selected. Unlike politics in my country, voters in country sides can be bought by money.
ReplyDelete2. Both have power, but the one who is the government at that time will have more power. They also can be affected by lobbyists. Originally, the governments would do flavor for their people in order to maintain their popular, but when it comes to reality, the governments need to do for the long-term goals not just shot-term goals.
Well Mr. Sullivan, we are led to believe that as American Citizens that our votes really do make the difference. I am beginning to question that for a few reasons:
ReplyDelete1. How much say does the electoral college have in all this. I have seen many cases where the President has won the Popular vote and lost the presidency because of the electoral college vote. Then I have seen cases where the president lost the popular vote and won because of the Electoral College vote. A good case in point is George W. Bush. What is the point of even having a popular vote, if it does not determine the Presidency. I know the argument behind it, "The reason we have an Electoral College is because if really Charismatic Leader comes in and is able to sway the masses, the Electoral College prevents a dictatorship." But isn't that what checks and balances are for in the political system? Sounds a little fishy to me.
2. We also have political interest groups that are able to sway the presidency. They do this by funding the candidates base for advertising etc.
3. Then we have the media. If it is in a certain political figure's "pocket" then they will virtually ignore that candidate's flaws and focus on all of the flaws of the opponent. This happened with Barack Obama. The media quite literally determined the election. So how much power do I feel the citizen has during the election? As much power as it wants to have, but it will be a fight.
In answer to your second question, each party only has as much power as they have seats in the senate and in the congress. Right now the democrats have the majority in both so they can almost do whatever they want. This will only be prevented by consciensious democrats who object to certain policies. By policy the Republicans are supposed to be for smaller government and small spending. They also are supposed to have tax cuts, but right now in these areas both parties look exactly the same, which is why I feel people are becoming disillusioned with Partisan ism.
Cherie Bullock DBU POLS 2301...
ReplyDeleteIt appears as though Americans really have no say in the Presidency, and it is for this reason we have fewer and fewer individuals taking part in the political process. They think, "why bother...my voice isn't going to be heard anyway."
If the true purpose of an electoral college is to prevent a dictatorship, what's the purpose of limiting a presidential term to 4 years with a maximum of 2 terms? It appears the electoral college idea is a little antiquated.
As for the power of the parties...there is only as much power as there are seats, true. But one thing to consider is that those positions are bought, just as easily.