How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process?

How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process? The political process is an enormous and very broad subject. We all believe that we know and understand how the political processes work. Someone or group has an idea, the idea is made known, other people agree or disagree, the idea is voted upon, and perhaps that idea is made into a law. Although, these steps are part of the process, there is a lot more to effecting change. In recent years there have been several groups and activists trying to accomplish and effect change on subjects such as gay marriage and the recognition of Wicca as a religion in the United States military. Some states have voted upon gay marriage and did pass legislation so that gay or lesbian couples could get married within certain states. As of       , Wicca was recognized as a religion which enabled soldiers to practice their beliefs and to have the Wiccan symbol put on soldiers graves.

Have you ever wondered what exactly it takes to get your ideas or perhaps a group of people's ideas heard by your community, or perhaps your own government? Just recently, I really wanted to understand exactly how this is done. Have you ever signed a petition at a grocery store, or on an email, or perhaps someone came to your office.

The Marin Institute discusses how to organize a community, get involved, and how to take action. A few of the steps that are discussed within this article are:

"1. Assessing the community, figure out how many people care about the issue you are discussing. What does your issue affect. Who is involved? What people are needed to help resolve the problem or issue that is being addressed.
2. Create an action plan, what type of backing do you or your group need to help get your ideas heard and addressed.  Can you talk to corporations, business persons, elected officials, etc.
3. Develop an action plan-what ideas or resolutions need to happen to effect the change.
4. Mobilize to action, getting your voices heard, putting up signs, getting the law enforcement involved if necessary, write letters, talk to individuals, etc.
5. Implement- Put your plan of action to work.
6. Evaluate-Is your plan working, does it need to change. Do you need others involved? (http://www.marininstitute.org/print/action_packs/community_org.htm)"

These are just a few steps that I have found that individuals and groups need to follow to try to affect change in the political process. I am sure that there is much more that needs to be done. Things like petitions, getting others on  your side, having money and the time to commit, or perhaps getting the courts involved, perhaps even debates, or advertisements are necessary. The list is probably endless.

In what ways does public opinion influence the formation of a democratic society?

Democracy, is America really democratic. What influences the decision of democracy, can public opinion? Well the answer to that is yes! Sadly enough public opinion can influence the formation of democracy more than anyone can really imagine. Recently, there have been several political issues that have made the majority of the United States become extremely opinionated. Opinions are not bad, that is what makes us free. We as Americans have the ability to use our opinions to shape the future of the United States. However, we quite frequently don't realize that though we are free to have opinions it is not right to force our opinions on others.

For many years the gay and lesbian community have been petitioning the government to obtain the right to marry. Laws have passed and then been overturned because of public opinion.  In an article written on August 4, 2010 by Jim Christie a federal judge ruled that the gay marriage ban in California was unconstitutional. In my opinion this ruling was right on. (http:///www.reuters.com/assets/print?aid=USTRE6735X120100804) Why, may you ask? America was founded on many ideals. These ideals were founded upon freedom from persecution and rights that allow us to be free of tyranny. Is it really the right of any American or anyone else for that matter to give or take away the freedom to choose whom a person wants to marry. Religions may be against gay marriage, but again Americans have the right to not suffer from religious persecution.

Another highly opinionated and very controversial issue is that of illegal immigration. America was founded by immigrants from all over Europe. Hundreds of years ago what are now considered American citizens have come from such countries as Ireland, England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and yes even Russia. We were founded by immigration. Is it right that these people are here illegally? Well the answer to that question in my opinion has absolutely not. But, why can't we make it simpler for these people to become legal citizens? All these people want is what every American has, a chance to make things better. Public opinion has caused laws to be passed that are discriminatory in nature. They are causing what is called ratial profiling?

I hope that through this blog that people will really open their minds and decide that though we are strong, our wills cannot be put upon others. Public opinions can help shape our future but we need to watch and be careful of how we shape the future.

Egypt is undergoing an enormous change and they want to be free from tyranny. Public opinion if used in the correct way can help form a democratic government.  It can also cause or create one that will never be free.

Politics and Power

Power and Politics is in our everyday lives; the media, government, jobs, at church, at school, and yes even in our personal lives. Whoever has the money has the power! Let me rephrase that, whoever has money, assets, products that people want, etc. have the power. Everyday we see the power and the politics advertised in commercials, shown in movies and in the news, when we go to work and we don't get that specific promotion that we were looking for, because the other person has more seniority then you.

In this case I want to talk about the power in our government. Where does it come from? Why do certain people have the power and certain people don't? Who gives these people the power?

Throughout history money has been the secret to power in politics. According to Professor G. William Domhoff, from the Sociology Department University of California at Santa Cruz in an article produced in April 2005 "Who Rules America?"(http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.html) George Washington was a prominent land owner, and several other presidents from the 19th century had railroad interests, the Bush administration was associated with agribusiness.

Throughout history men and women of power have always been associated with money. The money might have come from owning land, big business, stocks, or perhaps from family that is from the upper social classes that have perhaps one or even more of these items.

The large corporations, the Fortune 500 companies have the power. They alone have the money and the ability to create the power and get their voices heard by lobbying, making political contributions,  and getting the votes they need. Power is associated with money, those who have it have the power. Who gives this power? Our capitalistic society gives these people the power.