1. BY TERESA CHATEL ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS 3.1 AND 3.2

2. AG 01 There are many ways people can participate in the political process. One major way is by voting, or paying money for campaign advertisements. On a good day for voting, such as when electing a new president which happens every four years, only half of Americans actually vote. On election day when we are not voting for a new president only one-third of Americans vote. Some citizens may not vote because they are not registered, it is against their religion, or they believe that no matter what, their daily lives will not be affected by their vote. Others may choose to participate in public policy process because they are strongly for a political party. The electoral college encourages people to vote, because when people vote, their votes do not directly go to the president. Each state has an electoral college based on the population of the state, whichever party has the most popular votes for that state, automatically gets all the votes for the electoral college.

3. AG 02 Political parties play a role in politics by setting up groups in which people can choose to be apart of, depending on their beliefs. The two main parties people know of are democrats and republicans. Democrats are liberal and Republicans have conservative beliefs. Although those are the main parties, there are a lot more to be aware of such as: Independent, Christian Liberty, Libertarian and many more. In America political some take more part in supporting different parties more than other countries, but others do not. On a good voting day for the country, only half of the nations casts a vote, while other countries people are risking their lives in riots and protests, just to have some say in the government. Major parties in the US don’t really compare to minor parties. In the history of our country, presidents have only been apart of the two major parties, Democrat or Republican. They play some role, but nothing significant. Interest groups play a big role in politics, they create influential advertisements for campaigners running for office. For example the movie “Wag the Dog” is all about how certain advertisements can change peoples opinions in a matter of hours.

4. AG 02 CONTINUED Political parties are groups that have strong feelings about how our country should be run, where interest groups are creating advertisements to influence people to be more active in the political process. Both groups want more people play a role in government, to try to make our country to be the best it can be. People can affect government actions by coming together and demanding a change. We as a country have a democracy where people have a say in our government, and with that there is power in numbers, and we can make a change by doing so, if necessary. People can impeach (kick out) the president if they wish to do so. There are groups that can overpower one another’s decisions if they feel that is what must be done. Media plays a huge role in peoples opinions, advertisements could be all over the media when nearing election day for some states, while other states could have no political talk on the media because that state could be either for sure democrat/republican, and there would be no point in campaigning there because it will not make a difference. For example when Kennedy and Nixon were running against each other in the first televised debate, people could see the body language between the two where Kennedy looked more confident, while others listening to the radio thought Nixon had won, from comparison of the answers. Media could encourage civic participation because some ads could stretch the truth and make one candidate sound worse than another. For example in “Wag the Dog” the president was accused of sexually touching a girl scout, whether this was true or not didn’t matter.

5. AG O2 CONTINUED People believe the first thing they hear, if they believe he touched a girl scout in an inappropriate way, they are going to cast a vote, and do everything they can to ensure that man does not become the leader of their country. But when news of him ending a war, and returning soldiers back to safety hit the news, people saw him as a hero and voted for him again, it didn’t matter what the truth was.

6. AG 03 A lot of information can be obtained from public records. People can look up the crime history of a person, and any other record you put on public internet. The hospitals however can not disclose any patient information. Public opinion can be shaped through media, friends and family. Public opinion matters in decision making for the government because the people are the voice of the country and they have a say in who runs it.

7. AG04 Arguments supported by data and evidence are stronger than those supported by belief because any one can say anything, but it actually means something and people remember it when there are results. For example a lawyer can say whatever he wants, but in order for someone to be accused and found guilty there needs to be evidence to persuade a jury how they find a person either innocent or guilty. Compromise and consensus are important because there is no way you can please everyone, so you must meet in the middle, in order to get what you want, you may have to give something up also. In order to have a solid argument there needs to be evidence and facts to persuade the audience. You need to be able to back up your ideas, and be prepared for the opponent to beat down your argument. The more facts you have the better your chances are in winning the argument.