OUTCOME C: POLITICAL IDEOLOGY + ELECTIONS
ARE YOU A CONSERVATIVE OR LIBERAL? Read each of the following pairs of statements: Decide which statement you most agree with.
A. GUNS KILL PEOPLE. B. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE.
A. OUR STRENGTH IS OUR DIVERSITY B. OUR STRENGTH IS OUR UNITY
A. SEX EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS SHOULD EMPHASIZE SAFE SEX B. SEX EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS SHOULD EMPHASIZE ABSTINENCE.
A. ABORTION IS PERSONAL DECISION THAT IS UP TO THE GIRL. B. PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED BEFORE THEIR MINOR DAUGHTERS HAVE ABORTIONS.
A. ANY CHILD BORN IN THE UNITED STATES IS ENTITLED TO FULL CITIZENSHIP REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS BIRTH. B. ONLY CHILDREN BORN TO U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD GAIN AUTOMATIC CITIZENSHIP
A. MARRIAGE SHOULD BE LEGAL FOR SAME- SEX COUPLES. B. MARRIAGE PROPERLY JOINS ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN, AND SOCIETY HAS AN INTEREST IN UPHOLDING THAT STANDARD.
A. IT WAS A TERRIBLE MISTAKE TO GO TO WAR IN IRAQ WITHOUT UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL. B. THE UNITED STATES DID NOT NEED UN APPROVAL TO REMOVE DICTATORS (SADDAM HUSSEIN) FROM POWER.
A. THE DEATH PENALTY IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL. B. THE DEATH PENALTY IS A USEFUL TOOL TO DETER CRIME.
A. IT VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT FOR DISTRICT 202 TO BLOCK WIKIPEDIA, FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE FROM SCHOOL COMPUTERS. B. DISTRICT 202 OWNS THE BUILDING AND COMPUTERS SO THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BLOCK WIKIPEDIA, FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE FROM SCHOOL COMPUTERS.
IF YOUR LIST HAS MORE A S YOU LEAN TOWARDS THE LIBERAL SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM IF YOUR LIST HAS MORE B S YOU LEAN TOWARDS THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM
Political Spectrum Tend to be more conservative Believe government should provide only the necessary services George Bush, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln
POLITICAL PARTIES Political party group of people with common interests and ideologies who organize to win elections ideologies - basic beliefs about life and the role of government
POLITICAL PARTIES Parties supply candidates with financial support and a platform to follow Platform a statement of principles, beliefs and position on issues
POLITICAL PARTIES The two major political parties compete for control in national, state, and local elections. The two dominant parties today are the Democrats and the Republicans Control at all levels has shifted between these 2 parties
DEMOCRATIC PARTY (DONKEY) *Tend to be more liberal *Believe government can and should be a positive force in our lives (active nat l gov t) gov should CHANGE society
Democrats (Liberals) GENERALLY tend to believe the following statements: -We need more restrictions on business -The government should increase environmental protections -We should increase gun control -The government is responsible for providing access to health care for all citizens -Pro-choice -Open-border policy -Increased taxation on the wealthy -Marriage equality
Democrats (Liberals) GENERALLY appeal to the following people: -Women -Minorities -City-dwellers -Union Workers -Liberal-minded
EPUBLICAN PARTY (ELEPHANT)- GOP *Tend to be more conservative *Believe government should provide only the necessary services (limited nat l gov t) maintain current customs + laws
Republicans (Conservatives) GENERALLY tend to believe the following statements: -We need fewer restrictions on business -The government does not need to insist on additional environmental protections -We should lower restrictions on firearms -Citizens should be in charge of their own healthcare -Pro-Life -Tough border policy -Tax breaks for the wealthy + businesses -Marriage is between man + woman
Republicans (Conservatives) GENERALLY appeal to the following groups: -Wealthy -Suburban residents -Conservatives -Religious people
Democrats claim that government should be highly involved in the daily lives of the people, while Republicans claim the people can take care of themselves. -Gun control - World s Policeman -Public Aid -Gay Marriage -Abortion
THIRD PARTIES *Any party other than Democrats and Republicans. Third parties have always been a part of our political system *Third parties may organize around a single Issue Or may splinter from the major party Reform & Tea Party *When they get a lot of attention, one of the two major parties incorporates their ideals *Limitations: Fundraising, getting on the ballot, viewpoints
EARLY LIMITATIONS ON VOTING Some colonies allowed only white males who owned property Others excluded those who were not members of a certain religious group
EXTENDING THE VOTE The Constitution itself does not list the qualifications to vote this left it up to each state It took over 180 years before all men and women 18 years older could vote
AMENDMENT 15: 1870 MEN of any race can vote if they are citizens Passed in the wake of the Civil war First time federal government set rules for voting
AFRICAN AMERICAN SUFFRAGE States throughout the country set up a number of roadblocks designed to limit and discourage the participation of African American citizens These were called Jim Crow laws
LITERACY TEST Some sates required voters to pass a literacy test to qualify to vote Effected illiterate people of all races however, African American voters were often asked to do much more
Poll Tax The tax had to be paid before one could vote In 1964, 24 th amendment outlawed the Poll Tax
GRANDFATHER CLAUSE Only voters whose grandfathers had voted before 1867 were eligible to vote without paying a tax or passing a literacy test Declared unconstitutional in 1915
VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 Gave broadest protection of the right to vote Despite the elimination of these practices, African American voting in elections was still limited -Nat l Gov. Oversees elections laws of states to protect access to voting The Civil Rights movement of 1950 s/60 s called for Congress to act
WOMAN SUFFRAGE Fight for suffrage began in the mid 1850 s By 1914, they had won the right in 11 states, all west of the Mississippi River
AMENDMENT 19: SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN 1920 The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
18 TO VOTE Movement began in the 1960 s Old enough to die, old enough to vote
AMENDMENT 26: 18 TO VOTE 1971 The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age
REQUIREMENTS TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS 1. U.S. Citizen 2. At least 18 years old (If you are 17 you can vote in the primary IF you will be 18 on/before general election 3. Resident of the district where voting will take place for 30 days 4. Show TWO forms of ID Registration: DMV, county courthouse, library/school, county offices, etc. *27-day period prior to election, *OR* grace period
INFLUENCES ON VOTERS Five major factors influence voter decisions 1. Personal background - Age - Education - Socioeconomic Status - Religion - Ethnicity
INFLEUNCES ON VOTERS 2. Party Loyalty - majority consider themselves Dem s or Rep s - straight-party ticket voters who select candidates from only their party
INFLUENCES ON VOTERS 3. Campaign Issues - Some may let one or two issues guide their vote - immigration - environment - economy/jobs - taxes
INFLEUNCES ON VOTERS 4. Candidate s Image - Is he a good speaker? - Does he look like a President? - Is he a strong leader? Are you better off than you were four years ago
INFLEUNCES ON VOTERS 5. Propaganda - involves using ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion - commercials, posters, bill boards, cartoons - Presidential candidates will often spend more than 50 million http://harlotofthearts.org/issues/issu e_2/mccorkle/obamaposter/index.htm
8 Main ways candidates communicate their message
Glittering Generalities: Positive images meant to leave you with a good feeling about the candidate vague words and phrases that have a positive effect and appeal to a variety of viewers (Reagan kids)
Testimonial: endorsements from celebrities and other well-known people.
Bandwagon: Everyone s doing it so you should too! (Ford Peace)
Card Stacking: Use of statistics, often in a one-sided manner (Gore-Bejamins)
Contrast: positive images of one candidate with negative images of the opponent in the same ad. (Bush Rats)
Mudslinging: Attack Ads or Name Calling Create a negative impression of a candidate s opponent May backfire! (Bush Tank)
Plain Folks: An attempt by a candidate to appeal to the average voter as just one of the people. (Obama Country)
Transfer: Use of popular symbols to create a positive or negative impression of a candidate or their opponent
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE: WINNER-TAKE-ALL Electoral College group of individuals who elect the President, appointed by each states congress It s important to secure the states with large populations-ca, NY, TX, FL Framers thought it would insure that only a qualified person became president. At odds with popular sovereignty Another example of Checks and Balances: Check on the people
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE: WINNER-TAKE-ALL Number of rep s in the E. C. is determined by the total number of Senators and Representatives the state has I
What happens when there is a tie in the Electoral College? - House of Representatives votes directly for the winner
ACTIVE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Democracy requires citizens who are willing to participate People must use their vote as an opportunity to voice opinion and concerns
ACTIVE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION -Our government requires citizens to understand the issues culturally literate --Vote, run for office, read newspaper, campaign, perform jury duty