Fundamental Beliefs 9/23/15
I placed myself in the upper left hand corner of the politics chart because I believe a strong federal government has the power to give power to the people and in turn the people give power to the government. When the federal government nationalizes programs like health care and makes education accessible to all walks of life, society comes up as a whole. I'm more opposed to states rights because often a certain states bias can come heavily into play creating unjust policy for all members of that states society. For example, if it were up to the states, many southern gay couples could not marry. If it were up to the states, many poor women in republican states could not receive the proper health care they needed because planned parenthood would be de-funded. I see a strong federal government as a way to weigh each states opinions and create a law that is a compromise of all opinions while continuing to take into account whats best for society as a whole. This idea hinges heavily on equity.
Seminar Reflection 9/22/15
The seminar today was illuminated my peers opinions on government and Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism. One of the things that struck me most was Nick Turco's opinions on education. He said he believes states should control their Ed. system because they would be able to customize it more. This idea really made me think deeply about my own opinion on the federal government's roll in education. I think my ideas on education since yesterdays handout may have swayed more towards state rule rather than federal.
9/15/15 Constitution Reading
I found it interesting to see the similarities and differences between the federalists and anti-federalists and the modern day republicans and democrats. It shows the bipartisan compromise is not impossible. Even with massive idealistic differences, compromise can be achieved and both sides can be satisfied and effectively bring about change.
Entry Ticket 9/8/15
Power is the extent to which one can conjure their own will and desires into reality. Often power is the ability to sway other people, but can also be ones ability to manipulate their own life or the physical world.
Four Faces of Power
Controlling Outcome
Controlling Choices
Manipulation of preferences, norms, expectations- It's interesting how the media and even one's neighbors and the commercials we see on tv control our social norms. There has been an American Standard set that almost everyone in our country judges themselves against. This in turn creates a paradigm.
Controlling the paradigm- When a paradigm has been set, it takes immense power to sway the general public away from it.
Four Faces of Power
Controlling Outcome
Controlling Choices
Manipulation of preferences, norms, expectations- It's interesting how the media and even one's neighbors and the commercials we see on tv control our social norms. There has been an American Standard set that almost everyone in our country judges themselves against. This in turn creates a paradigm.
Controlling the paradigm- When a paradigm has been set, it takes immense power to sway the general public away from it.
Thoughts on Market and Polis
Thoughts on Market and Polis Discussion
- Money is an idea
- People are heavily opposed to limiting their freedom
- Government regulation is important because people are inherently motivated by self interest
- The community is greater than the sum of its parts
- Polis makes laws based upon community goals whereas the market functions off self interest
Senior Writing Goals
This year I want to work on all aspects of my writing. The way I see it, the more writing the better I will become. In particular I want to focus on my organization, writing fiction and my typing skills. Organization has not always been one of my strong suites because I used to just start the essay and then plan once I got to the next paragraph (not the most effective method). Writing fiction has always been a passion of mine, it lets your imagination run free to times and lands completely unique to your own imagination. I would love to get better at this style of writing and maybe even try to put together a larger novel type collection. As far as typing goes, it is an essential skill to have in this day and age. Without be able to type quickly it is like a foreigner trying to speak english, ineffective and slow.
Who Made America a More Perfect Union?
Edward Abbey played a roll in making America a more perfect union by bringing the conservation effort of our public lands into the public eye. His effort in stopping major development in our countries southwestern wilderness have preserved its timeless beauty for countless generations to come.
How do I see myself making America a more perfect union
The way I see it, the most pressing issue to my generation is the potentially human race ending global warming trend. The contribution I will try to make is to develop a cheap and low impact photovoltaic solar panel. If successful, this would make America a more perfect union by increasing our energy independence and becoming a driving force for a global energy revolution in the direction of clean energy.
If that project is too complex for my current situation, I could draft a petition or attempt to organize a lobby group pushing a carbon tax to be passed by congress. A carbon tax would in turn become a catalyst for America’s union investing heavily in renewable energy and my original goal would be reached the long way ‘round.
It is clear to me that the way I want to make America a more perfect union is, by one means or another, cutting or carbon emissions.
If that project is too complex for my current situation, I could draft a petition or attempt to organize a lobby group pushing a carbon tax to be passed by congress. A carbon tax would in turn become a catalyst for America’s union investing heavily in renewable energy and my original goal would be reached the long way ‘round.
It is clear to me that the way I want to make America a more perfect union is, by one means or another, cutting or carbon emissions.