In Govt 170 and 180 classes we have talked about how California and the country for that matter listens to old people because the vote is mass amounts. Why doesn't Medicare or social security get cut or reshaped in any way? It's because when any elected official mentions it all the old people start moaning and groaning but the AARP lobby group moans and groans on a larger scale.
Voting is key and understanding what the options are is just as important. The idea that one vote doesn't make a difference is right when it is thought about in context of how much time it takes to learn about all the issues versus the actual effect on an individuals personal everyday life. If millions of people decide that their vote doesn't matter then turn out tends to be lower. In the California 2008 general election 60% of eligible voter turned out to vote for President compared to 1996 which was at 52%, according to Dr. Michael McDonald CA voter turnout results.
Voter turnout had not been that high in California since the 1960s. In California it is important to participate in voting because to pass anything of serious importance such as raising taxes the legislation needs 2/3 majority to pass in the state house and senate, something that is extremely hard to get. So the next step is to get it passes as an initiative and this is something that goes to the voters. In California's next state election cycles there might be a tax initiative on the ballot from Jerry Brown. Click here for a link to an article about a tax hike for education
The United State is voter driven and for the most part the voters opinions matter. In the Federalist #10, James Madison called it a fragmented national institution, which means that the government is broken into: the House, Senate, President and Supreme Court. The selection process of the House is selected by the people, the Senate by the legislature, President by the electoral college and the Supreme Court is appointed. So who is in office is important and it starts with the citizen voter.
This fragmented institution is also in place so no single office has a majority of the power. The terms are different so that passions of the moment and common impulse don't dictate. The House serves 2 years and unlimited terms, Senate is 6 years and unlimited terms, President serves 4 years and 2 term limit and the Supreme Court serves for life. The Senate also rotates election cycles every 2 years but only 1/3 of the chambers is up for election at one point.
Citizen's opinions do matter and they have the ability to let them be heard by casting a ballot.
In the wake of the Occupy movements we have witnessed that people are fed up with the status quo. They are gathering in parks and city squares all over the world and I hope they all line up to vote on election day. Teach-ins on the issues to inform the public about what is going on in their state. For those of us in California out state government is structured after the national government.
Recommended reading: Federalist Papers #10 and #51, Google them they are available online for free.
Voting is key and understanding what the options are is just as important. The idea that one vote doesn't make a difference is right when it is thought about in context of how much time it takes to learn about all the issues versus the actual effect on an individuals personal everyday life. If millions of people decide that their vote doesn't matter then turn out tends to be lower. In the California 2008 general election 60% of eligible voter turned out to vote for President compared to 1996 which was at 52%, according to Dr. Michael McDonald CA voter turnout results.
Voter turnout had not been that high in California since the 1960s. In California it is important to participate in voting because to pass anything of serious importance such as raising taxes the legislation needs 2/3 majority to pass in the state house and senate, something that is extremely hard to get. So the next step is to get it passes as an initiative and this is something that goes to the voters. In California's next state election cycles there might be a tax initiative on the ballot from Jerry Brown. Click here for a link to an article about a tax hike for education
The United State is voter driven and for the most part the voters opinions matter. In the Federalist #10, James Madison called it a fragmented national institution, which means that the government is broken into: the House, Senate, President and Supreme Court. The selection process of the House is selected by the people, the Senate by the legislature, President by the electoral college and the Supreme Court is appointed. So who is in office is important and it starts with the citizen voter.
This fragmented institution is also in place so no single office has a majority of the power. The terms are different so that passions of the moment and common impulse don't dictate. The House serves 2 years and unlimited terms, Senate is 6 years and unlimited terms, President serves 4 years and 2 term limit and the Supreme Court serves for life. The Senate also rotates election cycles every 2 years but only 1/3 of the chambers is up for election at one point.
Citizen's opinions do matter and they have the ability to let them be heard by casting a ballot.
In the wake of the Occupy movements we have witnessed that people are fed up with the status quo. They are gathering in parks and city squares all over the world and I hope they all line up to vote on election day. Teach-ins on the issues to inform the public about what is going on in their state. For those of us in California out state government is structured after the national government.
Recommended reading: Federalist Papers #10 and #51, Google them they are available online for free.
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