Emily Bolanos

Yesterday Jan 16 at 11:19pm

American Political Culture 

·
Why do only 45% of Americans take part in the political process OR VOTE?

There are many reasons behind voting being at a steady 45%. Americans generally don’t have an interest or general education in civil literacy or politics. There’s been a lot of distrust lately in politicians and the government. Even down to people thinking their vote wouldn’t make a difference or matter. According to “ On The Sidelines Of Democracy: Exploring Why So Many Americans Don’t Vote”, “Among the other 4 in 10 who did not vote was Megan Davis. The 31-year-old massage therapist in Rhode Island never votes, and she’s proud of her record.

“I feel like my voice doesn’t matter,” she said on a recent evening at a park in East Providence, R.I. “People who suck still are in office, so it doesn’t make a difference.” Many reasons as to why the voter turnout is low! 

2.
If we are the leading figure on Democracy in the world, why do so many Americans distrust our Political Process?

I think there’s a lot of reasons why Americans distrust the Political Process. Lately America has been divided and tensions have been on the rise. Mainly due to the spread of misinformation and opinions, political candidates false promises, many Americans are wanting change and certain issues dealt with, as well as the uncertainty of economic problems. According to, “Trust and Distrust in America”, “The new survey of 10,618 U.S. adults, conducted Nov. 27-Dec. 10, 2018, using the Center’s nationally representative American Trends Panel, covers a wide range of trust-related issues and adds context to debates about the state of trust and distrust in the nation. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.” As the growing distrust grows in the country I believe it’s going to further divide Americans as the new election comes up. 

US Constitution and Bill of Rights 

·
Did the Constitution provide us with a Strong Central Government in DC? or did it provide us with a Dictatorship style. E.g., D.C. now controlling Education (No Child Left Behind)

I think the constitution provided us with a good balance, we don’t have a dictatorship but we also don’t have a strong central government. We have a federalist system, which gives power to the states while the federal government holds certain powers. 

·
Would the Foundering Fathers be happy with the way the Constitution is interpreted today?

I think that the Founders would view today’s America with a mixture of horror, and amazement.

The Founders weren’t sure that their new country was even going to make it at all, None of them would have predicted that the US would become the only global superpower that they are now. I think they would be horrified by the extremes of religions, politics, and social media, but would also be simply proud of the amount of territory and people the US has to cover. It’s kind of easy to forget that the Founders built a framework for a relatively small country. What we have now is anything but small. According to, “Historians reflect on Founding Fathers and America Today” , “RON CHERNOW: Well, I think the founders would be very pleased by the power and the prosperity of the country. I think that they would be somewhat dismayed by the nature of political discourse. These were men who had rich political visions that they passionately and extensively argued. I think that they would be dismayed by a world of politicians who are governed by pollsters and focus groups who express themselves through 60-second ads, rather than through speeches and papers and pamphlets, and these were men who didn’t have dispositions, but they had philosophies.” I agree with Ron Chernow, I think the fathers would be kind of embarrassed with the way politicians present themselves and present our country and laws. 

Civil Rights – Answer all questions for this topic.

·
What is the purpose of sit-ins?

The purpose of sit-ins is direct action to protest involving multiple people whether it’s for social, political, or economic change. During the Civil rights movement, sit-ins were held to protest racial segregation and inequality. The main goal was to show the unfair treatment African Americans faced and to fight for change. 

·
Do you think student activism was important to the civil rights movement?

Yes I strongly believe student’s participation in those protests is what sparked a flame within the Civil rights movement. A lot of college students, and young people were a part of the sit-ins and marchers. 

·
What are some examples of contemporary student activism?

Some examples of Contemporary student activism are March for our Lives. Which the students founded here In Florida after the stoneman douglas high school shooting. In March 2018, about one million students took part in March for Our Lives, a USA-wide demonstration calling for stricter gun control laws after a school shooting in Florida. Students gave speeches about how gun violence had impacted their lives, while protesters demanded more thorough background checks for gun sales. March for Our Lives was one of the biggest protests in the history of the USA, demonstrating that younger generations want change.

·
How dangerous is it to stage a civil rights protest today in comparison to the 1960s?

Compared to the 1960s, I definitely think that today’s protests are less violent and radical due to some more laws and definitely more groups being vigilant and careful. 

Collapse Subdiscussion


Barbara Deleoni

Friday Jan 12 at 4:06pm

Why do only 45% of Americans take part in the political process OR VOTE?

The reasons behind the political participation or voting of only 45% of Americans are not readily apparent. Because they believe their involvement will have little to no impact, many people either do not care about politics or find the process tedious. Another reason fewer people care about politics is that, due to scandals and a general lack of accountability, people no longer trust politicians and governmental institutions. Certain groups are more affected than others by practical issues, such as young people and minorities, which include stringent voting regulations and transportation challenges to polling centers. People do not vote for various reasons, including a lack of civics education, disinterest in politics, and bad campaigning. Many people find it more challenging to become involved in politics due to more severe problems, such as biased news and corruption, which affect public opinion even more. Improving civic education, removing barriers to voting, and boosting trust in the political system are all necessary to

If we are the leading figure on Democracy in the world, why do so many Americans distrust our Political Process?

Many Americans do not trust the U.S. political system because of things that happened in the past, growing political division, worries about the role of money in politics, problems with the fairness of elections, the way the media influences public opinion, social and economic inequality, a lack of trust in the government, problems with civic education, worries about foreign interference, and a belief that important problems are not being dealt with properly. People think the system favors the wealthy because of scandals, division, and the power of money. Problems like electoral fraud and voter intimidation make people question whether or not elections are fair. People are skeptical about the honesty of the political system because the media molds stories, and there needs to be more openness and responsibility. To deal with these problems, we must rebuild trust in the U.S. government system by strengthening democratic institutions, promoting openness, and improving civic education.

US Constitution and Bill of Rights 

Did the Constitution provide us with a Strong Central Government in DC? or did it provide us with a Dictatorship style. E.g., D.C. now controlling Education (No Child Left Behind)

American constitutionalists sought a middle ground between a weak federal government and the independence of individual states in order to prevent either a weak confederation or a totalitarian regime. Each arm of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—has a distinct role in the federal system that the founders envisioned. The Tenth Amendment establishes that the states or the people retain all other powers, whereas the Constitution confers particular authorities upon the federal government. Historically, education has been a domain of state and local governments. When the federal government becomes involved, as in No Child Left Behind, it’s usually because it wants to be involved financially rather than because it wants to exert direct control. One example of the constant struggle to strike a balance within the framework of the United States Constitution is the conflict between federal and state powers concerning education policy.

Are we still a free country under the Constitution (Bill of Rights) or has our government taken away our rights? e.g. Patriot Act.

A free nation guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is an open subject, with recent laws like the USA PATRIOT Act casting doubt on this long-held belief. Some feel that the increased government surveillance powers brought forth by these security measures have taken away people’s freedoms. The possibility for violations of the rights to free speech, due process, increased access to personal records, secret searches, and enhanced intelligence capabilities has prompted worries about regulations that allow these changes. For as long as anyone can remember, whether or not the United States can be considered a free nation is central to the discussion, which centers on balancing protecting fundamental liberties and meeting national security requirements.

Civil Rights – Answer all questions for this topic.

What is the purpose of sit-ins?

To protest racial segregation and inequality, people held sit-ins, especially during the civil rights movement. In order to protest unfair laws and practices, participants—often African Americans—would take over seats or other areas marked as “whites only.” The goal of these peaceful protests was to draw attention to the institutional racism that African Americans encounter in many public and private institutions in the hopes of influencing policy change.

Do you think student activism was important to the civil rights movement?

An important part of the success of the civil rights struggle was the involvement of students. Some of the most prominent protesters, sit-in organizers, and marchers were young people, especially college students. Having them on board gave the movement new life, enthusiasm, and focus. Events like the Freedom Rides and the Greensboro sit-ins, which students organized, were crucial in gaining support for the civil rights movement as a whole.

What are some examples of contemporary student activism?

A potent force for social change, modern student activism is here to stay. Some examples of such movements are those fighting for gender equality, racial justice, climate change, and gun control. Patrisse Cullors is a well-known member of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. As a co-founder of BLM, she has been a significant force in promoting racial justice and equality. In 2013, Cullors and other activists began the movement to combat police brutality and structural racism in Black neighborhoods. Many people became aware of and supported the Black Lives Matter movement, which led to protests, conversations, and calls for change.

How dangerous is it to stage a civil rights protest today in comparison to the 1960s?

There are still some problems with holding a civil rights protest today, but it is usually not as dangerous as it was in the 1960s. Even though systematic racism still exists, conditions for protestors have improved thanks to legal protections and heightened awareness of civil rights. Still, there are risks, and recent incidents of police brutality and aggression toward protesters show how important it is to stay alert and protect the right to peaceful gatherings. Politics and public opinion are complex, and how people react to protests can depend on where they happen, what they are protesting for, and the more significant political and social situation.

Sunday Jan 14 at 1:15pm

Why do only 45% of Americans take part in the political process OR VOTE?

Many factors contribute to why many Americans do not participate in the political process. Many Americans believe that their voice does not matter and feel candidates do no represents their views. Political knowledge is another reason why people do not vote. People do not take interest in learning about politics, and they do not know which candidates to side with, so they opt out of voting. Disinformation, not trusting the government and its candidates are reasons why voting turn-out is low. There are barriers that prevent many people from voting such as age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and transportation. Elections are held on Tuesday, and many citizens cannot get the time off from work to stand in long lines to vote. Increasing political knowledge and adding additional resources so voters can vote online or over the weekend would increase voter turn-out. 

Combating terrorism has entailed restrictions on civil liberties. How can we reconcile civil liberty and national security? Are we better off opting for more liberty or more security? Are the two goals mutually exclusive? Have Americans become less supportive of the limitations on liberty put into place after the terror attacks in 2001, or do they still perceive that it makes sense to give up some liberties in order to feel more secure?

The issues regarding civil liberties and national security are complex. Civil liberties are necessary because they protect citizens from improper government action (Ginsberg et al., 2023, p.200). They are also a fundamental right as mentioned in the Bill of Rights. National security is necessary to protect citizens from threats. To reconcile liberties and security the government must propose measures that are specific to the threat. They must refrain from broad ideas that will intrude on people’s rights. The goal of civil liberties and national security is not mutually exclusive, and it may be difficult to separate the two but it is possible to find an equilibrium that protects the people and safeguards their rights. Americas perception about civil liberties and national security depend on current threats that are happening. After 9/11 support for national security was high because everyone was looking to the government for protection. According to Doherty (2013) “Since 9/11, Americans value protection from terrorism over civil liberties”. People are willing to give up some civil liberties in order to feel protected. At the same time government has to have checks and balances to prevent abuse.

Would the Foundering Fathers be happy with the way the Constitution is interpreted today?

Yes and not the founding fathers would be happy with how the constitution was interpreted. They would be proud that the United States is a superpower and that the Constitution they placed is still going strong after 200 years. They would have never thought the country stretches from coast to coast. The US is one of the world’s largest importers and exporters of goods and services. Trade being essential to our economy and wealth. Some of the founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton would be thrilled that slavey is gone.

The founding father would not be happy that there is too much government involvement and that many Americans do not vote. They would disapprove all the liberties given to women and minority groups. They would be appalled with same-sex marriage rights, and they would be disapproving of abortion. Overall, I think the founding fathers would think they succeeded.

In light of the recent NSA spying on Americans. Do you believe that government has a right to do so or is Security more important than our constitutional right?

The argument for security versus constitutional rights is valid on both sides. The government has the responsibility of protecting its citizens against threats and they will use any means necessary. This includes monitoring people physically and electronically, but at some point, the boundaries may be crossed, and it infringes upon a person’s right to privacy. The government has a Constitutional right to protect the privacy of its citizens as stated in the fourth amendment “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects” (Ginsberg et al., 2023, p.239). A level of surveillance is necessary for security but measures to prevent too much surveillance and abuse must be put in place. Transparency about who and what is being monitored and charging fines for not obeying rules and regulations will curtail unnecessary surveillance. The reality is the government is not worried about normal everyday citizens talking on their phones, they are concerned with groups that threaten society. The government does not have the right to spy on Americans, but they have and will continue to do so for “security”.

What is the purpose of sit-ins?

The purpose of sit-ins was to protest against segregation in public places. The movement entailed African Americans sit in white only establishments. They would be met with violence from the other side. By demonstrating an uprising against segregation many establishments in the South integrated the races.

Do you think student activism was important to the civil rights movement?

Student activism was essential for the civil rights movements. Many of the movement’s leaders were from the younger generation. They led marches, voter-registration drives, and demonstrations. Ruby Nell Bridges made history by being the first African American to integrate in an elementary school in the South in 1960 (Michals, D, 2015). 

What are some examples of contemporary student activism?

Students have led many of histories greatest protest. With access to the internet and social media students can organize in mass against causes they feel are injustice. Activism has taken on topics related to racism and LGBTQ rights. In 2018 Greta Thunberg led a protest in Switzerland that gained international attention. She demanded action to be taken to address climate change and end the use of fossil fuels. Global Climate Strikes are held in September every year.

How dangerous is it to stage a civil rights protest today in comparison to the 1960s?

Staging a civil rights protest can be dangerous in any era, but it was more violent in the 1960’s that it is today. For example, the Selma to Montgomery Marches during 1965. Nonviolent participants walked along the 54-mile road from Selma to the state capitol in Montgomery. However, they were violently interrupted by Alabama state troopers, who teargassed and beat the marchers with batons and clubs (Ginsberg et al., 2023, p.266). Protesting today still has its risk but with the protection of the police people are safer. There have been instances where a protest has turned into a riot and people have been run over by angry activist from the opposing side. People must learn to peacefully protest so their voices are heard.