What is democracy in America about, and how does it affect the everyday person like me? That is what I'm trying to figure out right now. What I can and can't do in this great country of ours. I am a person that does not like politics, and all of the advertising on television. There are many things about our government that are helpful and some that aren't. Politics are a pain, so of course I'll definitly take a look at the thing that bothers me, the economy right now isn't working, and also what exactly is democracy in America.
How often have you wanted to do something fun, but found out it was illegal because someone did it before you and was then banned? It seems like we can't live with laws, but then again we can't live without them. Laws help the different agencies like the police an other enforcement agencies decide what is right and what is wrong. Laws protect the common person(like me) from the people who commit crimes and are sent to jail, and the government from supperssing our voices. I like everyone else likes to share their opinion to help make certain things better. That is what voting is all about. We elect different people from different political parties each term that we feel is best suited for the problem at hand and knows what the people want. Sometimes they even have different laws up for vote at the voting machines in November. Some people think that their vote doesn't count that much, but it does matter in any type situation. If you're one person standing up for one small thing, then yes, you may not be heard as well. The reason I don't like politics is that it seems like every President promises the same thing and change, but without Congress the President is not very effective. If all of the politicians could work together, imagine what they could accomplish.
Gain and loss is a daily occurance in our economy right now. As the economy slows and the big and strong businesses file for bankruptcy, many people are let to wonder what is next. With AIG having problem the government is stepping in with relief programs like buying back all of the bad motrgages and such. The governments plans seem to be working for now with the large gains in the market. Also many analysists are saying that Americans are going to be buying less in the up coming holiday season. With prices rising and the economy failing, people are going to be looking for bargains, like cheaper gas. Cupons and rebates are what people are going to be using to find greater discounts, along with competition among businesses in the free market. Another great thing about the American government is the free market. Allowing businesses to compete helps drive down prices for the common person. Even in a time of loss there is some good to be gained.
Democracy in America is many different things, and means something differnet for each person. For some it's being able to vote, and for other is having certain rights that can not be taken away. The American Heritage dictionary says that democracy is majority rule and that the common people are considered the primary source of political power. Many people like their right of being able to vote who controls the country and what that person should and should not do. Then there is also the ammendments to the constitution, which help tell the government what they can and can't do. They also allow for all people to be equal. My right of freedom of speech is allowing me to be able to talk about the government and it's policies.Democracy is better than some form of governments in some areas but worse in other areas.
Democracy does affect the everyday person in many ways. Without democracy there would be chaos in how much power the government should have and people wanting to voice their complaints. There are so many aspects to government and economics that one cannot possibly cover them all, but this is a good outline for how I think the government works for the common person and what our government does.
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5 comments:
I have never tried to do something fun only to find out it was illegal. I must live a boring life. I would really like to know of an example. Do you mean you tried to buy cigarettes? Smoking is not so much fun. I'm stumped.
With the failure of the bail out bill, I wonder how long it will take things to recover. Just wait until you are older and see this economy directly affect your savings!
I like your point about the President lacking power without congress. It would seem that the government argues to the point that they get nothing done instead of looking out for what is right for the people.
Many people of your generation do not read a newspaper and we find the constant political advertisements on television to be annoying. Do you have a suggestion of a better way for a politican to get his message out?
To vote is a real privilege which people of some countries will never have. I feel a person who does not vote gives up his or her right to complain about the way government is run. Do you agree? Even though our one little vote feels as though it might not count for much, it gives me a great sense of participation in the process. And every vote does count in the great picture.
People who don't like politics may very easily find themselves waking up in a country where political choice no longer exists. How quickly could the President and the two congressional leaders impose martial law if they really wanted to? Probably faster than we'd like to imagine. If that happened would a court order really be enough to change things? Freedom and democracy teeter daily on the edge of extinction. To take them for granted is a travesty.
There were so many areas that could be discussed in this little essay, that one could go on for pages. I will try to be brief.
Now that the Election of 2008 is over it is interesting to reflect back on exactly what happened. Both candidates worked hard, really hard. Sometimes I think that the Presidential race is more of an endurance test than anything else. Just think, 2 years of hard campaigning, traveling all over this country, meeting people, attending gatherings, and in all case always being at your very best. Why, most of us citizens would never last a month doing that let alone 2 years. And even if elected, there is no real vacation because you need to hit the road running. You wonder why anyone would put themselves through this battle.
But they do. And the final candidates are examined to the n-th degree. Every word they have ever said, written, or association they have had is held up for public examination. Let me tell you, there are very few of us who could undergo such an examination.
Sometimes the bad comes out all too strongly. On the Monday before election day, the Conservative radio talking heads were beside themselves. They were saying things that were not only acts of bearing false witness, but in some cases seemed to be designed to scare the electorate. I have numerous robo-phone calls that day, with similar messages. This is where politics starts to get a bad name. Yet, the candidates themselves are not to be blamed for these actions. A lot of people with "vested" interests in one party or the other winning, will be desparate to do anything to win the election their way. Candidates can't control everyone who purports to support them. This is a free country afterall, and with that freedom sometimes comes unfortunate results.
Anyway, the election is over. The people have spoken. I had hoped that it would be decisive, one way or the other. And it was. Candidate McCain I am told (I didn't have a chance to hear it yet) gave one of the most statesman-like concession speaches ever. No whining, No over the top congradulations. Just I concede and now as our CINC-elect a pledge to support him as the President.
Now that is an example of what America is all about. Statesmanship of the highest level.
I am glad its over, but I am also glad we have this system. It may not be the best, but it sure beats everything else in governing that has been tried up to now.
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