Power point presentation

1. Participation
in Politics

2. Introduction
Presentation by: Sydney Dawes
Engineering Major

3. Motivation to Participate
 I want to participate in voting because it is my opportunity to have a voice in our
government. Even if I support the never winning green party it is still important that I
vote because if I didn’t then I would be contributing to the problem of
misrepresentation of the American peoples’ concerns.
 I believe it would be beneficial to change our criminal system because I personally
believe that it is suppressing many decent people & allowing undeniably criminal
people to remain free. Why can Hillary Clinton risk our national security and not ever
see a day in jail but a man who guns down a burglar in his own home is instantly taken
into custody because he hadn’t gotten the chance to register his weapon before
having to use it?
 I think one thing we are doing right and doesn’t need to be changed is nothing.
America should be constantly learning, growing, and improving. If we are still following
the same set of standards for a hundred years ago we are probably doing something
wrong because the world is ever evolving.

4. Gained Knowledge
What did you not
know?
I didn’t know that there was any
difference between civil liberties and
civil rights. I always thought of them
as synonyms. However, I’m now
aware that civil rights are guarantees
of being treated with equality while
civil liberties are what keep are
government from taking our
freedoms. Previously I viewed our
gun regulations as a civil right, but
now see it as a civil liberty that can
be limited but not fully confiscated
like some want.
What do you want to
know more about?
I want to know more about the
presidency. I’m positive it is
absolutely impossible for him to fulfil
all of his duties. So who are the
people behind the scenes doing all
that needs to be done by the
president? I believe they need to be
brought into the spotlight a little
more.
What information
surprised you?
Something that surprised me was the
fact that interest groups lobbyist
have to register themselves at the
state or federal level. I never paid
much attention to these groups and
thought they were just out here
trying to get their message heard,
but really there’s tons of money
being floated around in the causes
that I never considered before.

5. Major Political Issue
My major political issue is the amount of
debt we are continuously acquiring as a
nation. We are completely out of control of
our deficit. We are constantly spending
more and more on pointless programs and
unnecessary conflict. The government is
always coming up with new ways to make
money or to save it. The best thing to do is
to just stop doing either. When I have
children and get ready to send them to
school what is our public education going
to be like? The only way to save money is
to stop doing all of this. Cut the Congress’
salary, quit giving out tax breaks and make
tax increases. (For everyone not just the rich
or poor) We are going to force ourselves
into a worse and worse situation to where
there will be no option to pay for better
schools or roads. We will be forced into
lower living standards in the future because
our debt is too high to function effectively.

6. The First Amendment
 To me the most important amendment to the constitution is the first. There is a
reason it is the first one on the list. This is the one that defines our most important
basic rights. In it we are guaranteed the ability to worship whatever religion we
please, we are given the freedom of speech, the right to public publishing of our
opinions or concerns, the option to petition for the cause of our choice, and to
hold a peaceful assembly. All of these are put in place because we didn’t want to
be suppressed like we were back in England. This is the most important because
it’s how we keep our government informed on what we are concerned or care
about so they can listen and make the appropriate changes.

7. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.”
─ Amendment 1 of the Constitution

8. Lessons Learned
 One thing we see in the media every day is
how Trump is out of line or doing something
preposterous in our government. This
semester I have realized that there have
been a lot of controversial presidencies and
legislation that have happened over the
years. There have been arguments over if
Trump is qualified or having the right
intentions, but I’ve noticed a pattern of
questionable presidencies having a positive
affect in the long run during this course. This
is one thing I will carry with me and continue
to keep in mind while our government is
growing and changing.
 Another lesson I believe is important is
everything I’ve learned about bureaucracy
and the people who compose it. I’ve never
realized how fundamental they are to the
growth and development of our society.
Bureaucrats are one of the most important
parts of our government that no one
recognizes as significant. In reality are where
the government and the people interact on a
personal and ground level. I have a new
found respect and appreciation for our civil
service men after this semester.