It is clear that pressure groups do gain influence over election results as there are concerns that pressure groups play a too significant role in elections, potentially making politicians more responsive to their agenda than to the concerns of the voters. This concern has transpired due to a pressure group tactic that helps gain influence with those elected that monitors a politicians’ response to a pressure groups’ agenda. The tactic involves pressure groups issuing “reports cards,” on how much support their agenda has received, those with the highest grades can expect considerable support in their campaigns. This tactic allows pressure groups to constantly influence election results as politicians know the consequences of their actions if they go against the pressure groups agenda. For example in 2006 Republican Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio received a grade F from the NRA with the group vowing to punish him in the 2006 election and contributed to his defeat.
Referenda allow for a more responsive government. It forces them to listen to public opinion between elections. The public can express their opinions on a particular issue which is hard to achieve from elections, especially if parties have similar policies. It stops the government from becoming almost a dictatorship where they decided everything. It allows people to have their say which could affect them personally, for example the referendum which will determine whether Scotland become an independent state next year.
Political participation through pressure groups holds the government to account, preventing an elected dictatorship and an accumulation of power. An example of a pressure group that truly focuses on political participation is 38 degrees - empowering the people. Pressure groups act as a representation function, as they represent the interests of the people to those that govern them, even if these are interests are not represented by a party in the House of Commons; interests being promoted by pressure groups is known as, functional representation.
That is your right in this great nation we live in. As for me, I would like to take this opportunity to present you with the reasons why I am passionately a supporter of making English the official language of the United States. In this paper you will learn about some vital arguments for and against making English the official language. This paper will show you the affect not having an official language has on taxpayers, how it affects logistics within our nation and how the lack of a standardized language in the conduct of business has a significant impact on our nation that can not be ignored any longer. I feel we need an official language placed into law now!
Political parties are a crucial link between people and their government. Parties inform the people, and inspire and activate their public interest in affairs, using multiple techniques. They drive the campaign for their candidates, take stand on issues and point out cons of voting for the opposing candidates that the public may or may not have realized. Both political parties ( Republican and Democratic ) have very different stands on how they approach issues. This affects how each party chooses to inform the public, wanting people to agree with their point of view instead of the opposing party.
One train of thought suggests that our government should have limited terms to inject new blood into the government. The other train of thought suggests that experienced politicians know how to move political processes forward and limiting their time in office limits this ability. Our government was established by free thinkers that wanted to break away from the tyrannical structure of England. To ensure that our nation does not fall into the same structure, limitations were placed on government positions but not on the overall length of time an official can hold an office overall other than our presidency. This was established to ensure that our representatives could be renewed as often as needed to reflect the public’s beliefs.
Welfare fraud appears to have been conduct for the purpose of maintaining a balance in the bank of government funding without supply this balance to the income assisted persons of society. From a legal standpoint the proposal that all persons are capable of obtaining and maintaining a working occupation that supplies a wage, this purpose makes perfect sense. However, the law does not make the allowances for the circumstances that have given rise to the reason these persons on welfare assistance which in turn creates a cycle for the victimization of poverty stricken families and persons residing in society. Social Welfare to Neo-Liberalism With the Federal legislation of the Canada Health and Safety Transfer (CHST) being a “block fund for
One of the main concerns of elections is the requirement of voters having the specified identification before they can cast their vote. Hans A. Von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, believes that voter ID laws are essential because they “protect the integrity of our democracy”. On the other hand, Wendy Weiser, director of a democracy program, argues that these laws are designed to keep Americans from voting. Each side has valid points concerning voter ID requirements but in the end, more states are passing law in favor of supporters of voter ID laws.
It's an insult to native-born taxpayers and taxpayers who took the time and effort to come here legally. We must be responsible, both fiscally and legally.” (ProCon.org) In the same way, in a 61-53 vote in the Illinois House, an Illinois version of the DREAM Act (SB2185) has been passed in late May, 2011, and will be signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn. The Illinois DREAM Act will provide free money for the children of illegal immigrants to go to state colleges and universities. (“The Illinois Dream”) The law is an insult to American families who have worked tirelessly up the economic and social ladders to be able to give their children a formal and proper education. Not only will the DREAM Act encourage more illegals, but also it will reward them for violating American laws at the taxpayers’
The right to vote has long been considered the most important right granted to U.S. citizens: “Voting is the most fundamental expression of citizenship. The expansion of the franchise to include all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity, or sex; is one of the great successes in the evolution of American democracy. Breaking down barriers to citizen voter participation from literacy tests to the poll tax has been a constant battle for those of us who believe that every citizen should be able to exercise their right to vote. (prisonpolicy.org p.7) In the 2008 election, over 131 million Americans voted, with 206 million eligible and 146 million registered. Regardless of how or if they voted, Americans take pride in the fact that they have