I chose to write about
the article concerning America's view on governmental power.
As
I read this article I could not help but see the irony in the quote I chose to
incorporate in my blog. The American people were very happy with the amount of
governmental involvement while we were going through a very difficult time in
our history. As it is with all countries and cultures when things are going
okay we want to be left alone to govern and rule ourselves. However as things
get difficult we immediately need and want someone to get involved, take
control, or take over. “Americans were least likely to be concerned about the
government's power in the years immediately after 9/11, but half or more since
2005 have said it has too much power”.
As the article states most people want a less intrusive
government, however as we can see in the article after the terrorist attacks of
the world trade center, and the Pentagon Americans were very eager and happy to
have the government take charge and agreed with the aggressive form of involvement
that was taking place in our country. The government had put certain laws in
place that most agreed with due to the circumstances but as time went on many
opinions have changed. Americans were very happy to support the president when
he decided to send our young men and women and our country to war but as time
went on they began to protest the same war they had fully supported. They
supported tough community policing until it began to affect them personally.
Although the view
on the of amount power by the government is extremely partisan, meaning most commonly
the opinion depends on which of the parties is in power. If my party is in power then
the amount of power is adequate, however if the opposite party is in control
then the power is too much. Once again we can see that our opinion on the way political
power or the execution of this power by the government is greatly influenced by
how it affects the individual at the time he or she is being questioned.
The amount of power that the government has is very subjective. Most people want the perfect balance. We want the government present only when needed, but we also want to be left alone.
I enjoy reading your post. What grabs my attention is when you say "most people want the perfect balance" and that is so funny because it is oh so true. Of course we want what's best for us, but most of the time when we get 'what's best for us' we then in return go against it when it does not work in our favor any longer. The perfect balance rarely exist because as you state in your post, we support police in our tough community but when they affect us personally we no longer support them. My question to all of this is: is there really a perfect balance? and can the government really help the country remain in this perfect balance state or does the onus fall on "the people"?
ReplyDeleteThe perfect balance, the Utopian society that we all want. I feel this is a balance that is not achievable as we the people will always bring our imperfections. An imperfect people cannot produce a perfect society, so we will continue to strive for that perfect balance of freedom and power which we cannot receive because of our own wants, needs and faults.
DeleteI'm sorry I replied to this blog before creating one myself. You are absolutely correct. How can an imperfect people want to create something perfect when we don't even know what it takes to be that way. What we can do to strive for excellence and pray that everyone have the same mindset or is willing to meet half way. It is when we put ourselves aside and start to put the bigger picture as priority that we will reach at some kind of level. I love this topic. There is so much to think about. keep it going.
DeleteThe polls gathered from pleased Americans after 9/11 was a result of scare tactics. They were able to use the media to manipulate citizens into entrusting the government. That they have our best interest at heart and have the ability to make us feel safe again. Once they are able to control our opinion, they have power. It is also interesting how Republicans are appalled during certain times, and Democrats at others. Goes to show you where the classes true concerns lie.
ReplyDeleteThis whole topic of power in our government is very interesting.
Media has always been an instrument used by politicians in order to maintain a certain level of control 911 is no exception after the towers went down politics took a new form in which the people were willing to give up certain freedoms in ordr to get"protection from the terrorists". This type of governing will always exist as long as media is partisan.
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