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

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

First, Individuals do not particularly influence the political process. Individuals have to join a party or group to make them stronger and more influential in their race. This also allows the group to be bigger which in return they will be able to collect and donate more money to their politician. This is a huge factor because if a candidate does not have money to campaign then they do not have a chance to compete with the other parties or groups.

Second, it is very important to remember that an individual that can make an influence has to have a lot of money and power. So, this eliminates majority of the working and poor class which makes up majority of the population in the United States. The book stated that the working class does not participate in politics or elections because they feel like they have no power or the candidates are not focused on the poor agendas and needs. 

The main back bone behind this topic to me is who supports each group the democratic and republican parties.  For the majority liberals support and back the democratic party and the conservatives support and back the republican party.  

Hello Bloggers, 

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

The public does play a huge factor on the formation of a democratic society. We as a public vote for the people and class that we want to be in power. But, the problem with this is the media. Most Americans do not have a great knowledge on politics or the politician that they are voting for, they use the media to base their votes on. The slander and miss representation in the media can have a great factor on who gets voted into office and who does not. So, yes the majority is going to have the most power but we do select who we want as the majority. 

That was what I posted in my discussion this week.  I love this week discussion because I think it reflects a lot on how people are elected into office to form the democratic society.  I absolutely hate election time and how the media gets involved in doing such.  I am a firm follower and believer in Dr. Ron Paul.  In the last presidential election Dr. Ron Paul raised more money and supporters than any other candidates. But, the problem was that he did not have the media support so he was lost in the race.  This is a huge factor when we are voting and the media is being biased and the viewers only hear the bad or nothing at all about the underdogs.  

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

Hello Bloggers,

This week we take a look at government and the private sector.  First, I must state that I am not a big fan of big government or any government control over any sector.  In my opinion the bigger the government gets the smaller we as people and a society gets. 

What is the private sector?  "In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state. By contrast, enterprises that are part of the state are part of the public sector; private, non-profit organizations are regarded as part of the voluntary sector."  

In my opinion free market is what makes United States of America such an amazing place to live.  I agree that government should have an overview of the private sector but cannot bail it out at any time or buy the stocks of a falling company.  The free market is a way to make great companies successful and unneeded companies to not exist.  This link here shows what can happen when the government steps in to bailout a bad company and bad leaders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_EExdmqwU.   

In conclusion I believe that government should only interact  with the private sector for tax and regulations issues.  I do not believe that government should be able to bailout or buy companies that are failing.  The company is failing because it is lacking a demand and proper leadership, in which the government can not fix by putting Americans in debt and loaning funds to bad businesses.  

The Political Broker,

Tyler Berg

References:

Bernanke testimony, part 3 (reps. kucinich & jordan opening statements) . (2009, August 01). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_EExdmqwU
  
Private sector. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_sector

Government. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government