Corporations role in Politics

Super PACs (Political Action Committees) are made up of an independent private group who raise and spend money to elect their favored candidates and defeat those they oppose. These super PAC’s can raise and spend as much money as they like on advertising campaigns for their favored election candidates from television and radio ads to signs and billboards. These groups don’t just focus on donating moneys and funding advertising campaigns, they are also known to put out messages that the candidates themselves cannot control and are armed with pollsters, phone banks, direct mail and surrogate spinmeisters in an attempt to make direct contact with voters. According to the United States Supreme Court’s 2012 Citizens United ruling these independent third party men and women are have a “constitutional right to raise and spend as much as they choose on political Ads”; this ruling opened the door for corporations and wealthy men and women to now spend unlimited funds on political advertising, all under the guise of freedom of speech.  

Conservatives believes that super PAC’s can increase transparency and help even the playing field, which serve to ensure a stronger balance in elections between competitors. Super PAC’s also serve to inform voters; conservatives’ believes that the main focus of these Super PAC’s is one that’s at the heart of democracy, to spread information and arguments which voters may find helpful when it comes t casting their votes. Voters are free to choose whomever they feel is the best candidate because their votes are not influenced by these super PAC’s. They’re not being bribed to vote for any one candidate. Super PAC’s serve as a reminder of how corrupt the system of democracy really is; conservatives believe that “our democracy was sold to the highest bidder a long time ago” (Ari Berman, Huffington Post), and now due to the eighty percent of monies raised by donors, the public can now see the inequality that exist within our political system, which is good for democracy. These conservatives believe that their opponents are trying to silence any voice they view to be hostile to their views and that Super PAC’s affords them the right to freedom of political speech. conservatives believe that corporations should be given the same rights as the people when it comes to free speech. They believe that these corporations are people and should e given the same rights as people and that they should be able to spend however much they want on ads in support of their candidates. 

Liberals believe that big monies should have no place in politics; they believe giant corporations who own newspapers, television stations, and other media sources as well as those independently wealthy should be banned from using their monies and influence in ad campaigns. As a result of the Citizens United Act, opening the door for corporations and the wealthy to freely use their monies and influence on election campaigns, Liberals believe that if one of these candidates become elected the way they carry out business while in office as well as their perspective on issues can be greatly influenced by the personal views of their supporters which is not in the best interest of the people or best way to run a country and can greatly damage democracy. Even though wealthy citizens and corporations are barred from coordinating directly with their favored candidates, Liberals believe that as a result of corporations new found right to free speech and unlimited spending on political advertising, these men and women now have gained more freedom to launch their own personal attacks and lies against their opponents while at the same time providing deniability to their favored candidates.

Too often super PAC's use their money to negatively portray opponents of their views in a negative light. They hope to cast doubts in the people so that they’ll start questioning their candidates. Negative ad campaigns are geared towards creating a dent in the opponents’ popularity among the people and with the hopes of gaining the votes of those swing voters. It can also be used as a tactic to take the spotlight of their candidates and cast it on their opponent. The article Four ways super PAC’s are good for Democracy tells us that “Super PAC's inform voters”, that they provide information to voters they may find useful when it comes to casting their vote. I disagree, I think super PAC's try to influence voters with half truths and innuendo, they know that most Americans don’t have the time, and/or resources to verify the facts as well that most Americans will not take the time to research if what these ads are saying is fact, fiction or somewhere in between before forming their opinion. They believe that in order for their candidates to win that they somehow have to corrupt the system. They may not actively go out and bribe voters but they use the media, radios, billboards, etc to paint them in a negative light so voters start questioning their trustworthiness and believability. They muddle their opponent’s messages in an attempt to create doubt in their supporters. Since Apr 2, 2012, 97 different super PACs and other outside groups spent “$288,645,507 to oppose the Obama campaign” which is more than doubled what Obama supports spent ($87,188,919) in opposition of Romney. This is a tremendous amount of money, and it makes it very hard to believe that politicians are not biased or that their decision making is not influenced by their supporters’ personal agendas. I believe that everyone should have a voice when it comes to choosing who we want to rule our country, but I oppose corporations influencing elections and the way people vote. , this mudslinging taints the political process, so that our elected officials no longer work for the people but the corporations leaving the people immersed in a debate of truth versus the super PACs message.  I believe that the US Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling that corporations are people and as such has the right to raise and spend as much monies as they like on ads, has now limited citizens rights, making it harder for their voices to be heard, regular people don’t have the resources that corporations has which now makes it a lot tougher for their opinions and voices to be heard.

 FACTS:

·         “A total of 97 Super PACs and outside groups have spent $288,645,507 to oppose Obama since April 2, 2012” (Outside Spending Shapes 2012 Election)

·         “Super PACs inform voters” (4 ways super PACs are good for America) 

·      “Independent third parties have a constitutional right to raise and spend as much as they choose on political ads”.  

Political Identity: An interview with Sherry Cournoyer a 3rd grade teacher and friend of my grandmothers

Sherry is a 3^rd grade teacher with over 30 years experience as an educator. Her political identity was influenced by a number of people and factors. Growing up most of her views was shaped by her parents. She admits that as a teen she didn't really take politics seriously and it wasn't until she entered the workforce and experienced the struggles women faced that she start to take her political rights seriously and started to take an interest in the issues she felt were important to her.  It was then that she started to pay attention to current events and tried to judge the different candidates on their actions and less on the things they were saying and as a result supports the person she feels would be best suited to lead the country and whose actions aligns with her values and beliefs.  He vote is based on mot just the candidate but the views of the party, the person’s likeability and believability and on her beliefs in their views and the changes that they are willing to implement. She admits that she does tend to vote for the person she feels more strongly support equal rights of women (work, pay, education, etc), and that tends to be more the Democrats than Republicans. When asked who she would be voting for in the next election she admits she has no idea in which direction she is going to vote. 

Sherry’s views herself more as a liberal. She admits that even though she personally don’t have anything against homosexuals she is trying to adapt with the changing environment and accept gay marriages but because she comes from a culture where marriage is considered to be between a man and woman she admits that her acceptance to this new way of life has been slow. She believes in a woman’s right to contraceptives and abortions, she does not believes that women have a right to do whatever they want with their bodies, and that women of rape should not be forced to carry that child to term, and that when it comes to teen pregnancy many teens may end up committing bodily harm to themselves in an effort to terminate the pregnancy. She does believe in the death penalty for those who commit crimes against children and other violent offenders and that the government has a right to protect citizens against big business and corporate greed. She believes terminally ill patients should have a right to say when they want to end their pain and suffering because no one should have to suffer on a daily basis. When asked who she voted for in the last election she said that she was not happy with either candidate but ultimately decided to stick with what she knew rather than borrow trouble. For the future she wants stricter gun control laws which would make it tougher for people to own guns and she wants psychological testing for applicants. She wants lower taxes, and better protection for the elderly when it comes to health insurance, social security, disability, etc., and she wants more funding for education because children are the future and they deserve to have as much opportunity open to them from art and music to sports.She also said that she is tired of working hard so the government can take her money that she can use to spoil her grand kids to give to those on food stamps so that they can eat better than her. 

My political views were influenced by both my parents and outside factors. Once I moved to the United States I started to view the world from a completely new light. I often feel like growing up in the Caribbean is like living in another time. Although people are more relaxed and friendly there, a lot of the issues that I am now exposed to are not openly discussed at home like abortion which is illegal and homosexuality a term I’d never heard until I moved here.  In a lot of ways I grew up in a very conservative culture where religion is very important and can impact ones political beliefs on those social issues of abortion, divorce, etc., but since living here I've found most of my beliefs have been influenced by relatives, friends, the media, my community, etc. and because of these different experiences I feel as though I have established a balance in my political beliefs. I feel like my views are more in line with the independents. There are usually views I agree with on both sides, such as the women’s and gay rights while at the same time I believe people have a right to protect themselves but I think we need better gun control laws.  When it comes to choosing a leader I vote for the candidate I believe is the best person for the job, and whose ideas are more along the lines of my own. I look for a leader that can hold himself accountable, someone who is fair, is confident, knowledgeable and can adapt to the changing environment. This person has to be compassionate and of good moral character, he has to have integrity because it’s hard to vote for someone you don’t believe you can trust to act in the nation’s best interest.

This experience taught me that one’s political beliefs can be influenced by many different factors from family and religion to the media, gender and even race and that we’re all entitled to our beliefs. It’s shown me the importance of voting which gives us the platform to voice our opinion by allowing us to vote on the issues that we believe in and care about. It allows us to have a voice in how we want our country to run and also lets the candidates know that we support their points. We have a responsible to vote for those officials we believe will make a difference in our country. Ever since I became eligible to vote, I have voted. Many of us feel that as individuals we can’t make a difference, but we need to remember that our vote is just as important as everyone else in our state and that collectively we can make a difference. The more people that share your views the louder your voice becomes. This experience has confirmed my views; I think we have a duty to vote even if the candidate we voted for didn't win. By not voting we give up the right to complain about what happens in our country. When it comes to voting conservative or liberal people exercise their rights in support of the issues they strongly believe in from social issues of abortion, gay marriage, or the right to bear arms to economic issues of government regulations on taxes, unemployment and health regulations, spending, etc. They’re advocating for their beliefs.  Many voters based their interests on spending, foreign policies, threat of a terrorist attack, educational policies, public policies such as health reform for the sick and vulnerable, social security, etc. People are less likely to go out and vote if they have no faith in the candidates.

 Interview Questions Asked:

• How did you vote in the last election?  Why?
• Do you consider yourself a liberal, conservative, or independent?
• What life experiences have shaped your political values?
• What key issues are most important to you, when it comes to US policy?
• Who will you likely vote for in the future?  Are you happy with your party? 
• What are your views when it comes to the right to bear arms, abortion and gay marriage?
• Does negative advertising by candidate’s influence or change your views and the way in which you vote?
• What do you think the main role of government should be? (Inalienable rights, protection from foreign and domestic threats, etc)
• What qualities do you look for in a political candidate?
• What role should government play in fostering improvements in education and health care system

My name is Tracy and I live in Millville, Ma. I am the mother of a nine month old daughter. Becoming a parent has absolutely changed my life for the better. Today when I get the urge to do anything stupid, I think of my daughter. Motherhood has definitely driven me to succeed and become a better person. As a parent you become more aware that now you have a little fragile life that’s fully dependent on you. Your life no longer becomes just about you instead all your priorities changes.

I’m from a loud and boisterous culture.  I grew up on a little island in the Caribbean called Grenada. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and if you meet someone you didn't know, then you could bet that someone you know would know who that person was.  If I happened to get into trouble at school, you could bet by the time I got home my family would have already heard about it, and everyone will be sitting around the table waiting for me, so we can discuss why I happened to do what I did. Grenadians are big on tradition, they believe in respecting ones elders. We’re very big on privacy and minding one’s own business. We place great value on family and friendship. We’re always cheerful, if you happen to pass someone on the street its polite to nod or say hello in greeting.

It has taken me a while to figure out just what it is that I want to do with my life, but I've recently come to the realization that I want to be a nurse. I chose nursing after my grandfather was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and had to be placed in a nursing home. After visiting him a few times I realized that many of these patients don’t get any visitors. Many are placed them in these places by their family members who essentially forget about them; I see how hard my grandfather tries to hold onto his fading memories, he has notes all over his room with names, dates and reminders of things he want to say or ask. It made me realize how hard it must be for someone who’s used to doing things on their own to suddenly find themselves in a place where they feel they have lost their independence. It’s made me realize how much more they deserve our love and respect because they’re not in these places by choice but by the circumstances of their age. It’s made me want to take care of them and show they that they’re still appreciated even if they don’t remember me five minutes later.

                I can still picture myself here