Congratulations to the Lady Cougars JV Volleyball team for being state runners-up! Your hard work and dedication have paid off with a successful season. This week's assignment is a little different - an opportunity to explore the national political frontier. As we study US history we have spent a great deal of time discussing the men who have served as president and the impact they have had. In just over a year the US will hold the next presidential election and the campaign to win your support and confidence is well under way.
While many people will run for president you are likely to hear of only two names that will be on the ballot - the Democratic and Republican party nominees. Because the Democrats have a candidate that is already president (called an incumbent candidate) they have been raising money and making plans to re-elect President Barack Obama. The Republicans, on the other hand, are preparing for a long set of "primary elections" and "caucuses" (which will begin in January in Iowa and New Hampshire) in which they will chose a candidate to oppose President Obama in November 2012. There are very few differences between "primaries" and "caucuses" - they are basically elections in which only Republicans may participate because the winner becomes the representative of the Republican party. Of course, any Democrat could have chosen to challenge President Obama in Democratic "primaries" but no one has because it is very unlikely that he or she could win.
In the early days of American democracy candidates did not campaign - no tours, speeches, commercials, baby-kissing (a strange political custom), etc. Nowadays running for president is basically a two-year commitment - one that will end in failure for most candidates. They are constantly in front of the cameras and travelling through the states that have early primaries in order to gain support. In recent years the use of the internet by presidential candidates has revolutionized the process. Candidates raise money and share their ideas in order to give voters an opportunity to know them better.
Your research assignment this week focuses on the candidates' websites. I want you to chose two candidates and visit their websites and report back on your findings. Answer these questions: What did you learn about the lives of the candidates? Why do they want to be president? What are their plans for America? You do not have to make any statement about your own sentiments or support/opposition to a candidate but you may do so IF you can do it in a mature and knowledgeable manner. (Failure to communicate respectfully can result in disciplinary action and a loss of credit on this assignment).
While this assignment is meant to encourage you to study candidates in order to make informed decisions it is also an opportunity for you to practice respectful dialogue. It is important to remember how valuable the opinions of others are and to state your own opinions in such a way that people will be inclined to listen to you rather than reject what you have to say. Remember that for full credit you must write 200 words and leave responses totaling at least 150 words regarding the essays of at least two other students.
Follow the link http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/ to a website that lists all the candidates (Republicans, Democrats, other parties and independents) and links to their official websites.
Herman Cain: Cain was raised in a middle-class home and is a devout Christian. He is, as he refers to himself, an ABC or American Black Conservative. He is running for the Republican nomination and is proving to be quite popular. He is a successful businessman, and, because of this fact, many people believe that he is one of the best choices to run this country. As far as the issues, Cain is pro-life, is against the war in Afghanistan, is against homosexual marriage, and is for creating new jobs. He is considered to be the “dark horse” of the 2012 election. After looking at all of the other candidates and if I were able to vote, I would likely choose Herman Cain for President of the United States of America.
ReplyDeleteJimmy McMillan: My first impression of Jimmy McMillan made me think, “He has some strange facial hair.” He was in the army and was awarded three bronze stars for his distinguished career. He takes his candidacy very seriously despite his exquisite beard. There are divided opinions over his candidacy. Some are pleased with the humor he brings to the race, while others are skeptical as to his position on the issues.
For my history essay this week and my last i choose to write about Stewert Alexander and Michele Bachmann. First i will talk about Michele Bachmann. Michele Bachmann was declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate. She spent around thirteen-million on her 2010 reelection campaign. She suffered a large set back after her speech in the lowans for tax relief, she was questionable on her facts involving slavery, the constitution and our founding fathers. But soon after the speech she gave another wear 11,000 Republicans attended, in Washington on Febuary 9. That without a doubt helped her very much and she will continue to be succsessful. Second I will write about Stewert Alexander. He was born into the average American citizen background. He was a cleaning company owner and a automobile sales consultant. He also served in the US Air Force. The first time he was involved in polotics was in non- Orwellian in 1984 when he campaigned for the Democratic presidental nominee. But his time spent as a host of a talk show on KTYM Radio in Los Angeles that gave him the final puch into compettitve politics. All in all these are my two people that I choose to write about.
ReplyDeleteThis week I decided to speak about Michele Bachmann. Michele is a 55-years-old-woman, and she is the only girl running to become the President of the United States; she's from the Repubblican Party. She was born on Friday April 6th,1956; her family was from Norway.In 2010 she did a very good job in found raising for her election campaign; she raised about $13 million.
ReplyDeleteHer first big speech was in Iowa for Tax Relief where she talked about slavery, the Costititution and of your founding fathers. Another big speech was to response to President Obam's State of the Union address; she spoked on the TV. She spoke other speeches and she resut really talenty in that. I think that a woman it could be able to raise ithis economy up; we told that she ìt's really good to found raising,so she's maybe able to cotract with other state to collaborate some money; that's what America needs, MONEY! From what she said in the economy speech she looks a very determinate woman ready to follow her plan for this Nation.
By Marta Civettini
The two candidates I picked are Ron Paul and Herman Cain. Ron Paul is a Republican and an eleven-term congressman from Texas. He attended Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Gettysburg College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology in 1957. He earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in 1961. He has two careers, a doctor (obstetrician and gynecologist) and his political career. He is a firm constitutionalist that believes in small government, non-expansionist foreign policy, gold backed currency, personal liberty and abolishing federal income tax. He is strongly pro-life. He believes that America should strive to get the country out of debt and never spend more than we take in; spending should be based on the Constitution, U.S. can’t afford the wars in the Middle East, and supports the Balanced Budget Amendment and on-budget accounting. Herman Cain is a conservative, devout Christian Republican. He grew up poor; his dad worked three jobs and his mom was a maid just to put him through school. He earned his degree in Mathematics from Morehouse College, and then obtained his MSc in Computer Science from Purdue while working for the US Navy. He believes in a small-government, gold standard, and free enterprise. He also is an ABC (American Black Conservative). Cain is also for pro-life. He advocates wholesale and decisive major cuts to bring our deficit back to more manageable levels.
ReplyDeleteFor my essay on the 2012 presidential race, I chose Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann. To begin I would like to talk about Georgia businessman Herman Cain. He is a devout Christian and considers himself an ABC (American Black Conservative.) He was born in 1945 to middle class family who worked a combined total of four jobs to their sons go to college. And he did. He graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in mathematics as well as an MSC in computer science from Purdue; he was also working in the Navy. Cain has conservative views and is considered a “dark horse” for the Republican nomination next year.
ReplyDeleteNext I would like to talk about candidate Michele Bachmann. She was born on April 6, 1956 in Waterloo, Iowa to Democrat Norwegian parents who divorced when she was a teenager. She obtained her law degree from Oral Roberts University and LL.M. from William and Mary. She is a tea party activist and has been seen as a very controversial candidate, but still remains a strong candidate in the race to be the nominee. If she is elected President, she would be the first female president of the United States.
Thank you,
Rebecca
The first candidate I have chosen is Michel Bachman from the Republican Party:
ReplyDeleteShe and her party lost a lot of votes, the last months, but when the Tea Party movement started, it was a big issue in the news. I would say, the Tea Party movement is an opposition the Occupy Wall Street movement. My opinion is, that both never have or had a real chance to be elected, but I think they changed politics a little bit. Now some facts about her: She was born on Friday April 6th, 1956 and is now 55 years old. She is against Abortion; she believes in the rights of the individuals, therefore she is for the right to bear arms; she thinks that the troops are leaving Iraq and Afghanistan to early; her biggest issue is probably to make the government smaller and let the people decide more.
My second candidate is Carl Person from the Libertarian Party:
He supports the personal freedom of person. He is going so far with this opinion, that he even wants to legalize the use of Marijuana, I think this is kind of funny, because we talked about this in class. He believes, that the deregulation of the education system will improve the number of good students. Like my first candidate he also supports less government. He also oppose the war and he says, that he is an anti-war person.
@ Patricia
ReplyDeleteI really think you did a very good job with this essay, you wrote down a lot of information about the two candidates without saying your opinion, I think that is very good, because so you avoided to offend anybody. I think it is good, that you gave us some background information about the candidates, so we now know what they did in their live. But you found a good balance between private live and their political opinions.
@ Marta
Marta, you did a very good job with your essay, you have very good information about Bachman. I also think it is very good, that you said your opinion, not everybody might agree, but that is the good thing in a democratic society there are always many opinions to take care of. But I think you can do some improvement at your essay, I think you were supposed to write about to candidates.
For this essay I chose to write about Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann. Herman Cain is a 65 year old republican and well obviously as any other candidate says “they want to help the country” and I can understand that but sometimes its hard to actually “change” America. Like Obama said he would change America and that really still hasn’t happened yet. Herman Cain is a devout Christian and was raised in a middle class home with his two parents. What he wants to do with America is: Strengthen national security; Reduce government spending; Secure borders and promote current path to citizenship; Release domestic energy sources; Ensure conditions that allow businesses to thrive; Repeal Obama's healthcare reform. And if he wins well we’ll see :D
ReplyDeleteMichele Bachmann is a Republican and also of the House of Representatives , representing Minnesota, a post she has held since 2007. She was a longtime member of Salem Lutheran Church. She and her husband canceled their attendance on June 21, 2011, just before she officially began her presidential campaign. I think Michele Bachmann would be a pretty good president (and a very good first woman president) But I think these candidates would do well in office
Tom Miller
ReplyDeleteHe want to become president because he had decided to stand up and public servant that will represent the will of the people. Tom Miller has no party and no political experiences. He does not want career politicians in his Cabinet, because his opinion is they bring the United States to the edge of financial bankruptcy. One of his promises is to allow free market incentives to bring the best products to market. That will make millions of jobs.
Tom Miller or Thomas J. Miller is one of six children and his father was in the Marine. The 46 old man is a single father and he has been a career flight attendant.
Andy Martin
Andy Martin or Anthony Robert Martin-Trigona was a leading corrution fighter in Illinois. He investigate and expose two corrupt judges on the Illinois Supreme Court. The Court retaliated against Andy by investigating him.
One of his promises is to solving America’s economic problems. His priority is the Jobs and he will stand up for Main Street.
In my opinion he is not a good candidate, because he attacked Obama and other candidates privately. Like Obama is not a neutral born citizen of the United States. In campaigns, it is very rude to say something like that about his opponents.
The first candidate I researched was Jimmy McMillan. Jimmy McMillan is a loud and proud sort of man. Many times he has scoffed our president, Obama, and has made rude remarks during interviews. McMillan has been a postman, a soldier (won three medals), and has his very own rap song. McMillan is a registered Republican, but he was a Democrat before he switched because he didn't want to go against Obama in the primary challenge. McMillan wants to be president because he believes he is good with media, good with money, and has good political vision. Jimmy McMillan has these views in mind for America: same-sex marriage, Christian influence on laws is okay, no cuts on education or for the elderly, and less rent and homeowners tax.
ReplyDeleteThe next candidate I chose was Herman Cain. He is a devout Christian and part of the ABC. He favors the return of gold standard, small government, and free enterprise. Herman Cain wants to be president because he can only keep on rising to the top. He has been called rags, but now he has riches. Cain has been noted for his great speaking skills.
Wikipedia
Fred Karger:
ReplyDeleteThis weeks assignment I find very interesting... If one takes the time to look over all candidates you will find some definitely more interesting than others. As I scrolled through the list a one quite interesting Fred Karger caught my attention when it was stated that the Republican candidate was openly homosexual. To be quite honest my mouth fell open! Although he is a Republican candidate and a lifelong republican in general he will be running on an independent ticket. Haha I find it hilarious in every way that he was locked out of the Carolina Republican Party Presidential Debate of May 5 with his low poll numbers being the excuse... my personal opinion is that they had arterial motives, but who knows.And to top it all off this dude is a Jew... I think it's safe to say that this guy is a "special" one... as I'm trying to bite my tongue, all I can say is this guy is somewhat of a disgrace to the Republican party! I believe he's been mislead his whole life and doesn't quite understand the very foundation of the political party which he apparently supports. He was smart to run on an independent ticket.
Jimmy McMillan:
This man is another that definitely struck my attention! But for very different reasons than my former subject of discussion. McMillan a former expert Karate instructor and a former supporter of the Democratic party but he declined it this time in exchange for becoming a Republican candidate. His decision driven by his very opinionated thoughts toward Obama in one statement he said "If you don’t do your job right, I am coming at you!" This candidate reminds me of a black Mr.Miyagi which makes me really happy! His over all look is just different and quite original, I love it. Honestly I think for once it's good to have a guy that's not afraid to speak his mind... at another point i his campaign he made a statement that topped it off for me and I will close with it :) “Obama is a good-looking young guy, and I’m a handsome old dude. So there’s gonna be some competition there.”
Oh and for the record in case you can't tell boys and girls, I'm straight up Republican :)
After reading over my SA I just wanted to make it clear that in no way am I against Jews... Just being a homosexual Jew just kind of contradicts itself a bit...
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
ReplyDeletehttp://2012.presidential-candidates.org/
Lydia,
ReplyDeleteI noticed you too wrote about McMillan... He's definitely an interesting one even though he's an undercover Democrat and I don't agree with everything he believes in (same-sex marriage)I do admire him for his straight forwardness, that's one quality many don't have. I can't say I'd vote for him but he was interesting change of political pace. Great job on your essay :)
Catelyn,
I really enjoyed your essay! Your comments about McMillan cracked me up and made my night! lol But seriously overall I really liked your essay... I have to agree with you by saying that Herman Cain seems to be the best option currently with his religious views and pretty much all of his political ones. I know it's hard to judge everything about someone on their religious views but in my opinion if they are true to their Christianity and what it stands for than they should do pretty okay with the decisions in Presidency. Great job :)
Christian, I really like your essay! It's well written and there are a lot of information in it! Your second candidate is a bit strange.. Legalize the use of Marijuana in like destroy part of the USA! I think that you did a really good job to descrive each person too! You share their opinion with us and this is awesome!Good job!
ReplyDeleteLydia, I really like your essay! You share with us all the problem of Jimmy McMillan and Herman Cain. I think that is good that both want to diffuse the Christianity and it's good that they want small governament that can controll better. Good job! :)
Katherina, I really like your essay! You chose a strange candidate, Tom Miller. He has not political party and no political experiences; it's difficult to controll a very big area as United States without a politican experience! Also because the president of the United Stas is the most important person in the World! But good job! :))
Randall Terry: This man interested me because he is a Democrat, but he is pro-life and anti-homosexuality. He is one of the rare people brave enough to challenge the sitting president in the party primary. Not only is Terry pro-life, he is probably one of the most pro-life candidates for the presidency. Some people might think that it is weird that someone so pro-life could be a Democrat, but they are many Democrats that are conservative, they just are not as many as there are liberal. The whole reason Terry is running is to prove that very point. Terry is definitely on the most interesting candidates running for president.
ReplyDeleteMichele Bachmann: As her own website says Michele Bachmann is, “a voice of constitutional conservatism, limited government, and a safe and secure America.” Bachmann is one of the most conservative candidates running for the presidency. She is also part of the Tea Party movement, a well-known movement that values small government and traditional values. Bachmann is completely pro-life. She is also a strong supporter of the second amendment. Another thing to point out is if she wins the nomination she will be the first woman to run for president in the general election
Sorces:
Wikipedia
michelebachmann.com
terryforpresident.com
2012.presidential-candidates.org/
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteGood essay, I think that both the candidates that you wrote about are very interesting. I like how you pointed out how Ron Paul has two careers, a doctor and a politician. I think Herman Cain was also a good choice.
Lydia,
I liked your essay. I think McMillan is an interesting candidate. I think it would be weird having such a “loud and proud” guy as president. I also thought Herman Cain was a great choice. I think he would make an interesting president.
Michelle Bachman was born Michelle Marie Amble. Her father was an engineer and they moved to Missouri. She became a straight “a” student and cheerleader at her school, but her happy life would come to a screeching halt when her parents file for divorce at age 14. She would then live with her mother who remarried three years later.
ReplyDeleteToday Michelle, a three termed congresswoman, is running for president and if elected she would be the first woman president ever elected in United States history. She is pro-life, which I believe we all believe at our school, she feels like our culture needs to go back where life was a sacred thing and not something we decide whether it should occur or not. She also believes that we should have major budget cuts, which I totally agree with because obviously we are spending way too much because we are something around thirteen trillion dollars in debt! She does believe that all Americans have the right to bear arms, which I agree with because without arms how would we be able to protect our families from harm. Also I have been raised in Kentucky so I guess I just like guns because its been such a big part of my childhood.
All together I agree with a lot of the positions she has on certain issues, but I am not sure if she would be my choice, but I definitely would consider it.
Mitt Romney:
ReplyDeleteHe was born in Detroit Michigan and is the youngest boy of George W. Romney.
He was the 70th governor of masachusetts from 2003 to 2007. And he is a 2012 Republican candidate for president of the United States of America. I choose him because of his big experience on the political aspect and in the business world. Aparently he is mad at Obama because all the things he had done recently, like the economy of USA dropped, the jobs have been lost etc.... It seems he would be a good president for this country and he is spending a lot of money to get there.
Jimmy McMillan
He is a democratic guy from Florida He said he wants to switch into Republican though. He has been a Vietnam war veteran, a karate expert, and a private investigator etc... He has run for of office for 6 times at least and failed all of them. He will allow same sex marriage, having fixed rate of low rent, writing off all taxes owed to the state and allowing laws to be influenced by christianity (which i think is good if you are a christian) He is also a christian guy of course.
I have to say that the first thing that called my attenttion to him it's his very nice beard.
One of the candidates that I am going to write about is Ron Paul. Not only is he the same party that I agree with but I think he is very educated. He was doctor, very smart, and very well mannered. Like, a media crew “attacked” him (little over reaction) but he stayed out of a way that may led to the wrong way. By reading a little bit about him I feel like that he would try to do his best and maybe be a good person to this country. The second candidate that I am going to write about is Herman Cain. He is a cancer survivor which breaks my heart that he would have to go through something like that but I am glad he has recovered. Going through cancer tells me that he has some will power and something to fight for and he would. He was in the Navy and was a mathematician which also tells me he is probably smart. I feel like he would deserve and expect respect. I wish all the candidates a great race and I hope God lets the one He feels we need for our country be the president.
ReplyDeleteLydia: I loved your essay and found it somewhat humorous. I am glad you wrote about someone who I have not heard much about because it not only lets me know more about that person but also lets me know what he knows. I am glad people are concerned our money and where it goes. Good job!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: I liked how you put your opinion in your essay and what you thought about our president and about the candidates. I noticed that you kind of compared a candidate with our president, which is different. I am happy that you don’t care to speak what you think. Good Job!
Christian: I am glad, just like Amanda, that you put your opinion. I know I get a little scared to put my opinion. I think it is so cool to see that you probably know more about American government and our candidates than most people. I am glad you care. Great Job!
Jessi:
ReplyDeleteWow, a homosexual Republican Jew. That is not something you here of everyday. I think what most shocked me is that he is a Republican homosexual, like you said that's very contradictory. I also wrote about Jimmy McMillan and I think you would agree that he gives his opinion willingly. Great job on your essay!
Megan:
Michele Bachmann seems to have a lot of cash and Stewert Alexander seems to be like the rest of us. It is cool to see completely different people on their way to get the same position. Hope you have a great time at your new school! Great job on your essay!
Catelyn:
Looks like great minds think alike, we both wrote on the same two people. I admire that Herman Cain promotes Christianity and I like that Jimmy McMillan can speak his opinion, even though sometimes I question his tactics. Great job on your essay!
Catelyn,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your essay. For one, I totally agree that Jimmy McMillan has some crazy facial hair and some crazy speeches. I also commend you on putting your opinion out there. Good job!
Patricia,
I enjoyed reading your essay because it was extremely factual and interesting to read. Good job!
Jessie,
I enjoyed your essay because it was interesting to learn about a homosexual republican running on the independent ticket. I think it will be interesting how many votes he gets because he seems to be a very ‘controversial’ candidate. Good job!
Katharina,
I enjoyed reading you’re essay because I think it’s interesting how a candidate has no political party. But, being without a party there is usually no funding and no “rules” which make it hard to run a country. I found it interesting though that Tom Miller is a single father. Good Job!
Thank you,
Rebecca
This week, I’ll talk about James Richard Perry and Michele Marie Bachmann.
ReplyDeleteJames Richard Perry is the longest serving Texan Governor in history, having served three elected terms and a single half term in office, after former President George Bush vacated his seat to assume the presidency in 2001. He is a republican; he is from Texas. Rick Perry declared, “One of the reasons that I’m running for president is I want to make sure that every young man and woman who puts on the uniform of the United States respects highly the president of the United States.” Gov. Perry concluded, “It’s time to end the over-regulation, excess litigation, and bureaucratic intimidation. Let’s get back to what works to get America working again: Make what Americans buy, buy what Americans make, and sell it to the world.”
Michele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. She is currently a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.[5] She previously served in the Minnesota State Senate and is the first Republican woman to represent the state in Congress.[6] Bachmann is a supporter of the Tea Party movement[7] and a founder of the House Tea Party Caucus.[8] She said she would stand for Abortion Education ,Environment, Federal spending, Health Care, Gay Marriage, Social Security, and Taxes.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/rick-perry-we-need-president-military-respects/
http://www.rickperry.org/news/gov-perry-energizing-american-jobs-and-security-plan-will-spark-1-2-million-jobs-reduce-dependence-on-hostile-foreign-oil/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Bachmann
Jessi:
ReplyDeleteA homosexual Republican Jew? I’ve never heard of this. It really surprised me that he is a Republican homosexual; like you said, it is very contradictory. It’s so interesting about your essay this week. I like it very much. You wrote about Jimmy McMillian that he said, “Obama is a good-looking young guy, and I’m a handsome old dude. So there’s going to be some competition there.” It is so funny. Great job on your essay!
Megan:
Michele Bachmann is very rich, and Stewart Alexander just likes us. Just like what Lydia said, it is really fun to look at those different people together; I think so too, don’t you think so? You did a great job. I like it very much.
Bethany,
I always like your essay, and this one, you talk about why you choose that person, the ideas, the way you write your essay, I really like it. Good job!
First, I began my research on republican candidate Rick Perry. Perry is Governer of Texas having served 3 full terms and one half term makes him the longest serving governor of Texas in history. Before becoming governor of Texas Perry was an Air Force captian. Although Perry grew up in a loving home; his family wasnt the richest people i town. He was amoung the first few members of his family to go on to college and make something of his life. He graduated from Texas A and M University. From there he joined the air force. after serving for a few years he was discharged with the rank of captain. He married and had 2 children. During this time he made his decision to run for governor ofTexas. He has done a fantastic job cotrolling exces spending and taxes. He has come up with a plan to create more jobs for the state. 40 percent of job creation in america come from Texas.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I chose to write about Mitt Romney. Romney, born in detroit was the son of an actress and carpenter. He married in 1969 and had 6 children together. He has struggled with his wife through many hardships such as her having MS and cancer. He has spent a large portion of his life in the private sector which gives him a large understanding of how the economy works. In 2002 he was elected as govenor of Massachusettes. The state was in terrible economic trouble but by the end of his term he had brought most of the major issues under control. He was a graduate of Harvard Law and Buisness school which has given him many idea of how to handle buisnesses in America.
Lydia: I really didnt know too much aboout Jimmy McMillen before reading your essay. He seems like an intresting character thats for sure! The combonation of his different views is very unusual in my opinion. I really liked that you added "He has been called rags but now he has riches." That statement seems perfect for Herman Cain. From the debats I have watched in participate in he seems like a very unusal candidate.
ReplyDeleteKathrina: I Like that you chose two candidtaes that happen to not be as well known as some of the others. I know I have been drwn to some of the more talked about candidtes and forgotten about some of the others. Tom Miller seems like a pretty decent candidate with his plan for creating jobs. It seems like thats what american needs righht now. I agree with what you wrote about it being rude for Andy Martin to say things like that about other opponents. Anyways, good job!