OVERVIEW
Generally there are several key positions voters focus on when selecting a presidential candidate. Whether they release it or not, macroeconomics take a key in their thoughts by defining candidates based on positions of unemployment, income, and inflation. Many believe that voter support is based on differentiating viewpoints of past, present, and future economic conditions. For the most part, voters position themselves on one side or the other of the same coin. There is one side of the coin that is largely concerned with what the incumbent will personally do for them; the other side focuses on what the future president will do for the country. Donald R. Kinder and D. Roderick Kiewiet refer to the first group as pocketbook
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However, it can be assumed that the interrelationship between both voter groups can and may collectively contribute to the majority vote this presidential election.
A recent Gallup pole reflects two top voter issues reflective of sociotropic citizens; currently they are the economy and how the government operates (Newport, 2015). Those seeking election must not only understand the major concerns of Americans but also demonstrate how they plan to correct the issues. For the most part there are two schools of thought when it comes to government and economic policies, each being contended by Democrats or Republicans. So what are these thoughts and was is the best course of action? To figure this out we must understand the ramifications of each method. Lets take a look at who the candidates are and what their positions are.
MARCO RUBIO
Marco Rubio’s fiscal proposals follow that of sociotropic voters and classical economists. His political ideals resound among constituents who believe a prosperous nation is one with little to no government intervention. Further, his positions on taxes follow that of “The Father of Supply-Side Economics”, Arthur Laffer (The Laffer Curve, 2011). Laffer’s theory points out that a government would not collect any revenue if tax rates were at 0% and 100% (Laffer, 2011). His reasoning is that taxes have
People Get Ready proved itself to be a quick, thought-provoking read. Of the three books we have read this semester, this one has probably done the most to make me think about and re-evaluate my own views of our political system. I found it at some points to be frightening because of the direction America seems to be heading in. However, I was very impressed by the authors’ portrayal of the situation as important enough to call attention to the crisis but not so bleak as to give the idea that we are doomed. The central idea of Robert McChesney and John Nichols’ book, People Get Ready, is that the only way to enact economic change in America is through political change. The United States as a democratic country is somewhat of a paradox. The idea of democracy implies equal opportunity for all citizens but the social diversity that we value often takes opportunities away from minority groups, creating inequality.
In the United States, we encounter quite a bit of obstacles that we can’t seem to get rid of completely. We as a nation deal with inflation, unemployment, stagflation, recessions, depressions, and so much more. Reading these three articles opened my eyes to the world of economics, and even made me question the society we live in. I’ve learned that sometimes questions can’t be answered, and I learned that once we solve one issue, there is always another issue on its way. These articles made me analyze, and think about the future of economics, and what I can do to try and help the economy. These authors of these three articles make it very clear that there are issues in the United States, and they do an amazing job
History informs us about the first method the parties developed in order to pick their presidential candidates. This method was the congressional caucus. The framer’s method in 1787 was that each elector would cast two electoral votes, each for a different person for president. The person who received the majority of the electoral votes would win the presidential election and the person who received the second most amount of electoral votes won the vice presidential election. However, the rise of political parties and the election of 1800 made a great change to the system. During this time the electors cast their two votes for two different
For many years since 1879 citizens of the United States wait in line to vote for the next great president who will help the country stand tall for another four years. But the mistake doesn’t lie in who you vote for, but what you are voting for and supporting. We sometimes ask ourselves, “what does each party do?” or “what are their beliefs for our country?”
The American government has struggled with the issue of taxes and the budget for over a hundred years. Class conflict, adversarial political parties, and convoluted economic philosophies have resulted in a never-ending debate over taxation. The New York Times newspaper article, “Senate Panel Vote Backs Budget Plan”, from June 1993, discusses the current feelings of the time in regards to the budget and taxation. Moreover, the article mentions factors such as democrat-republican debate, trickle down economics, and high verse low taxes for the middle class. The issues discussed in this 1993 article differ only slightly from the taxation conversation of today. However, now in 2011, we face a budget crisis that threatens the American economy
The purpose of this paper is intended to summarize my views on what has influenced my understanding of politics and government prior to taking this class, and how my understanding is now since completing this course.
My essay challenges how each political party feels in regard to the middle class. I presented viewpoints from various sources that were able to engage in a conversation. Many Americans believe very strongly in favor of one political party, but in my essay I presented points that support and oppose each political party. This challenges the idea that a person can only support one political party when their interests can support another.
After research-filled, highly targeted, and negative campaigns, the results of the 2016 Presidential Election stunned the world. But were these results really all that surprising? America was prepared for a change in policy and election projections were incorrect due to the fact that there existed many “under cover Trumpers”, whom voted their conscience but were not willing to openly admit their political beliefs for fear of condemnation. The 2016 Presidential Election results open many areas for research into the legitimacy of the Electoral College, civic engagement, and campaign strategies as well as raises concerns over the fear American people possessed in defending their political values.
As the 2016 US Presidential Election rapidly approaches, Americans continue to stand divided by party lines, with the moderates being tugged on both sides, with hopes that swaying them will put a candidate in office. However, in this critical moment that recurs every 4 years in the nation’s history, the dichotomy is drawn even deeper between the Republican and Democratic parties, with candidates on either side suggesting radically different solutions to the nation’s problems. Paul Krugman, a famous American economist, would support Hillary Clinton for the 2016 National Democratic Primary and the 2016 Presidential Election due to the unrealistic growth expectations Republicans are promising, the healthy economic policy liberals support, and
Many Americans are aware of the polarization that exists within them and within the government. However, people do not realize the extent of the polarization and the effect that it has on government functions. Susan Page, author of “Divided We Now Stand” explains that many Americans are aware of the increasing polarization, when a political party influences the stance of a person, and that citizens believe that polarization influence politicians more than it influence them. However, Page argues that voters are to blame as well. She uses a survey to illustrate the choices that Americans make on a certain policy. The results of the survey show that Democrats and Republicans choose the stance of their political party, regardless of their own personal opinions on the actual policy (Page). Page’s point proves that politicians are not the only ones that contribute to the government’s dysfunction, and that voters might want to re-evaluate how they process their information and their choices if they wish to see a change.
As the sun rose on the beautiful American Heartland the soft tone of a narrator quietly said that is was, “morning again in America” (Morgado). The ad’s soft subtle music would go on to describe the growing prosperous nation. Lines like, “more men and women will go to work than ever before in our country’s history” and “inflation is at half it was 4 years ago” (Morgado) the ad spoke of a booming country. The ad “Morning in America” echoes the overall message Ronald Reagan’s campaign attempted to create in the 1984 presidential election against Walter Mondale. The country under Reagan had dug itself out of high inflation, and the “malaise” era, and was back on track thanks to the leadership of our president. This message seemed to work, Reagan would go on to win a historical landslide against Walter Mondale, winning 525 electoral votes to Mondale’s 13 (Pomper 65). Mondale would only win his home state of Minnesota and the District of Columbia (Pomper 65). The purpose this paper is to examine the effect the economy played in securing Reagan’s reelection. To effectively discuss this the candidates, and main issues will be discussed before a analysis voter data will occur.
Political and economic crisis can help candidates get elected if they present their stance on the issues at hand where the majority of voters agree
Many political science researchers study the forces that drive the vote. One of the earliest, and most well known, books about election studies is The American Voter. Written in 1960, the book tries to explain a model that describes what drives Americans to vote the way they do. The model suggests that social factors determine ones party identification, which determines one's issue positions and evaluation of candidate's characteristics. These forces all work together to determine how one will vote. This model may or may not still hold true today, as political researchers are not in agreement as to what exactly drives the vote. One thing that does remain true, however, is that factors such as social groups, party identification, issues,
There are various factors that influence how a voter will cast their choice in the U.S. elections. Party identification is the most top factor in a person's voting choice. Some voters are members of either the two majors political parties; the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. These party affiliations are usually determined by a person's influences from family, peers, media and the assessment of the candidates and the issues. Independents who are not affiliated with either party does not have a particular loyalty to any party. They vote mainly on the issues (Schmidt, Shelley, Bardes, 2011, p.193).
My opinion of the political issues facing the United States as proposed by the candidates