Wisconsin Governor Layoffs Looming, Lawmakers in Gridlock - ABC News

Wisconsin Governor Layoffs Looming, Lawmakers in Gridlock - ABC News

How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process?

People and groups influence the political process because of their rights to vote.  In connection with last week’s discussion, public opinion leads to ideals and optimistic situations that people want to see happen.  Because of this desire or drive to gain advantage in a process, people are likely to vote on the party they feel will accomplish this advantage for them.  Unfortunately, and as our text further elaborated on, people are not taking advantage of our voting privilege as often as they used to.  They either feel their vote will not count towards the election process, or could simply lack the knowledge that older generations had.  A large portion of uninterested voters could stem from the fact that politicians may seem conceded in a sense and really no better than his/her opponent.  It makes it hard to decide on a leader when you fail to see their leadership qualities.  Either that or a person may feel that despite the side of one party, neither offer a just resolution.  Where either situation may exist, the fact still remains that a big part of who places in office is up to the people.  We have that influence in politics so no matter how we feel about a particular individual, it would make sense to decide and cast our vote.  Importantly, if we aren’t too sure who we are voting are, we can always gather facts and use various resources then take a few minutes and view both sides.  In the end, the turnout could be just what the county needs.

Public Opinion in Our Democracy (Highlights) 1950

Greek Socialists Hold Narrow Lead In Public Opinion Polls

Greek Socialists Hold Narrow Lead In Public Opinion Polls

In what ways does public opinion influence the formation of a democracy?

The idea of public opinion basically became what it is upon the start of our democracy.  Any type of government policy or action set in place hasn’t been done so by the power of one man or rules set from years ago, most of what happens is based on the opinions of the general public.  An example, take election time.  What are we voting on? We are voting on people that we, the public, have put in office as well as laws and other situations where the people have spoken their mind in hopes to see change.  It is simple to understand that the public needs and/or wants to take part in government activities.  The public has opinions and would like to see their ideas or be able to express them and see results.  Since the public is a majority, they have the ability to make things happen in large numbers by outvoting the smaller number.  Also, because the public is entitled to their own opinion, whether it be on an individual basis or in a group, the fact that their decisions influence how democracy is formed, ideally help to prevent coercion from more powerful government entities.  In other words, the government is created from people as a group rather than the already named higher authorities. However, since the public does have influence, their opinions are obviously for self-interest or benefit.  Where this is the case, if a majority, or mass media become involved with particular information, what does this do to the rest of the population?  It could take one person to bring up a random off the wall policy, then sugar coat to encourage the opinion to lean towards their views.  Perhaps this is why it’s important, that no matter how you feel about your own opinion or vote counting in anything, you do it anyway.  Stand up for what you believe and make sure you take a little time to know what you are getting into. 

How do government and the private sector intersect? How should it?

I had a difficult time with this question.  I guess I don’t fully understand what a public sector or private sector truly consists of.  Ultimately, the money we make goes to the government right?  Whether it is taxes from income, property tax or even sales tax, the government gets a good portion of what we earn in wages.  Interestingly enough, in a way we are in charge of our government.  Through our voting privileges, we can elect who is in office at a particular time.  So while the government seems to hold a certain amount of control over the private sector, does the intersection take place by setting them in a higher pay scale?  Is there an interaction that government workers will make more because private sector employees in privately owned business make less?  Or is it just coincidence?  Maybe the two should interact in a more productive way.  If the government can regulate certain aspects in the private sector, then why don’t they do so in a way that will earn the private sector more money?  If this is the case, both sides can economically be satisfied.   Also, if the government is relying on private sectors’ tax money, then shouldn’t it be less given the fact that they are already in a safer more controlled environment?  I feel as though jobs on the government side seem more secure as where the unemployment rates in the private sector seem to fluctuate substantially over certain periods of time.

Again, I wasn’t 100% clear on the question being asked, but from my take, we were supposed to give our reasoning as to how it should intersect, which means aside from the way it currently does. 

How Powerful Is This House of Representatives?

What role does power play in government, economy, and politics?

I would like to say power plays a motivational role in government, the economy and

politics.  If it wasn't for the idea of power, which by definition could mean "ability to

act or produce an effect" or political control or influence", the systems of the

government, economy, politics, etc. would run off individual units rather than one

established group, or authority.  For example, the group that holds power is group one

where the group that follows is group two.  Group one can accomplish more by

providing initiative for others to act.  Others as in, indecisive or softer temperamental

minded people who are considered followers.  This would be group two.  Group two

is a large population ready to rely on a leader with confidence and the clarity to any

system.  Group one could very well open a door or suggest an idea, or provide an

answer that group 2 may not have thought upon nor done so on their own as individual

units. 

There is another aspect that goes along with power, money.  While those who have

power may motivate others and steer them towards a particular decision, money will

also do the same.  It plays a huge role and leads to the question, "Who owns

America's private government?".  The answer seems almost obvious.  Those with

money and power, make decisions on behalf of others.  When doing so, it tends to

lead towards the resulting profit rather than "greatest good", as mentioned in our text,

The Politics of Power.  Ultimately, everyone wants money and some want it to come

with control, but it seems that in some situations, the rich get richer while the poor r

remain poor and almost go poorer. 


power. 2011. In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved Feb2, 2011, from

http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/power?show=0&t=1296695460

Katznelson, Ira, Mark Kesselman, and Alan Draper. The Politics of Power 5th ed.

Louisville:Transcontinental Printing, 2006. 35-49.