Voting in America

By now you have finished the political ideology quiz and you are certainly wondering what it all means...well before you find out your results I want you to do the following:

1. Investigate the following ideological terms (look them up, read about them, think about them, draw a picture describing them, whatever you need to do so you clearly understand them)

• liberal, conservative, libertarian, and populist.

2. After you have a clear understanding of them, I want you to self select what % of each you think you are ideologically. The numbers must add up to 100%. For example I could be 50% Populist, 15% Conservative, 15% Liberal, 20% Libertarian.

3. Comment on why you chose those numbers for yourself.

I miss all of you but I am having a great time making fun of kids with saggy pants and lip rings. Hope to see many of you at the game Thursday!

The Price of Federalism

Author Paul Peterson, in The Price of Federalism describes advantages and disadvantages to the system of federalism. Using textual support from the article, convince me of whether or not you think a federal system meets the needs of Americans today? In answering, be sure to state whether you believe the national government has too much power, too little power, or just the right amount.

You should post an original response by Friday 10/3/2008 at 11:59 pm. Then, you should thoughtfully comment on two of your compatriots by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden

Just for fun...

Follow this link to play a fun game! You just might find out which (of the two major) presidential candidates you most agree with, based on several key issues...then comment on what you think of the outcome. Which issues were very important to you? Which ones were not?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/candidate-match-game.htm

What do you think?

In the United States, eligibility to vote is left up to each individual state. Federal law/the Constitution prohibits states from discriminating on the basis of race, sex, age (18 years old and older), or ability to pay a poll tax.

Most states do not allow people convicted of a felony to vote, whether in prison or even after they have been released from prison. Do you agree with this policy? Why/Why not?

ORIGINAL POST DUE BY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17 at 11:59 pm.
TWO PEER RESPONSES DUE BY 3:00 pm SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21.

Of the People, By the People Post

Simon Goldhill's article presents two very different views on how a government should be run. Which argument do you agree with...Athenian Democracy or Plato's expert government? In your response, choose only one side and defend your argument with both a reference from the article as well as an historical or contemporary event to further illustrate your point.

Original Post Due Sunday by 3 p.m. Please feel free to comment on each others posts as well...if they are good, I might find some extra credit for you!

******ATTENTION*****

Daniel Schorr, a nationally acclaimed reporter, will be speaking this Thursday, September 11 at 7 pm, at the University of Maryland, Parkway (UNLV). The event is free, open to the public, and begins at 7 pm in Artemus Ham Hall at the North end of campus. There are no tickets required, however, seating is first come. So...bring your family, friends, neighbors, and your SAFMEDs early and make sure you get a good seat!

The Athenian in you would go just because it is a great opportunity, but the Plato in you will be allowed to count your attendance in place of one article for your current event notebook. If you can't make it, don't worry there will be others like this.

If you would like to know more about Mr. Schorr, follow this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101143