Potential Impacts of Public Anger on Politics - Essay Example

? POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF PUBLIC ANGER ON POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND PUBLIC POLICY The Pew Research Center (PRC) for the press and the people is a non-partisan and an independent public opinion research institute that examines public opinions and attitudes towards politics, public policy issues and the press. On April 18th it debut a book titled, “Distrust, Discontent, Anger and Partisan Rancor”. It reported that Americans these days have less trust in government. In this paper the strategies laid by the Obama’s Administration and the Congress to reduce the public anger towards the government are discussed. The killing of Gifford in Arizona is also examined to predict the public’s attitudes in the future governments. In order to clearly understand this topic, the former major instances of public anger towards the United States’ government are discussed by focusing on their causes, long and short time impacts. This paper examines the origins, level of impact, and examples of the present and former public’s anger and attitudes towards the government, politics and public policies. As part of this paper, the influence of internet invention as a tool for gathering information on the public’s attitude and anger towards the government is also discussed. Potential Impacts of Public Anger on Politics, Government, and Public Policy In the current report published by PRC on 18th April, it is reported that, “By almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days” (Veith, Wilson &Fischer, 2009). The latest report also confirmed that the deteriorating economy that affected millions of citizens fueled distrust and lack of confidence in the congress and elected officials who betrayed them. The general public opts for a reformed government not an activist government but both the Democrats and the Republicans still draw anger. Other than the Viet Nam War, there has been growing anger in America presently more than any other time. Those who lived during the Viet Nam War witnessed street rioting that almost tore the country apart. The government did not bother to establish what the ire was directed to. Presently the Americans are angry again. They may have good reasons to be, but some may be as a result of their own actions. The normal American citizen was sold to a bill of goods that assured them of achieving the “American Dream”, but unfortunately they became the culprits of their own and corporate greed (Veith, Wilson &Fischer, 2009). Crash of the Wall Streets In the last two years, Americans have lost their dreams, savings and retirement. Presently, the high unemployment rates appear to be the worst cause of public anger towards the government. The accompanying domino effects and the shaking wall streets that have destabilized the economy, have caused the urge to realize the “American Dream” among the Americans to gradually diminish. Seemingly, the government is mainly interested in the Wall Streets more than the Main streets. The American administration appears to be detached from President Obama. Congress is at a stalemate. The formulation of the best solution to solve the unemployment problem is taking points among the respective political parties for their campaigns (Woolf, 2003). The once assured prosperous future now seems to be doomed and the general result of this is public’s anger towards all institution, specifically the government. Every American of sound mind should realize that the bill of goods that they were sold to was a fool’s gold. They bought the full package by putting their savings and hopes in the hands of corrupt investors and individuals, who promised them success in the Wall Streets. It should be made known that the 401K was not to replace peoples’ retirements but it was made to be part of the retirement (Woolf, 2003). Its main motive was to lure Americans that Wall Street was a good investment that would make more profit so as to drain you bank savings. Just like RPO predicted, its crash was witnessed in 2009. American Tea Party Movement The fundamental goal of the tea party is to protect the constitution. Presently, it is being used to introduce new Constitution Amendments that would abolish the 17th Amendment, thus repealing the power to elect senators and take it back to the government legislators (O’Hara, 2010). In addition, the new constitution amendments will also abolish the 16th Amendment, abolishing the federal income tax. It is with no doubt that the purpose of the Tea Party has been neglected and legislators want to use it as a tool to tear the Constitution apart. Their ire is directed to anything or anyone that is part of the state government. Tea Party members who are currently receiving Unemployment Benefits (social security or Medicare) should now settle any future payments if they want a peaceful and prosperous future (O’Hara, 2010). American Politics Americans are angry with the opposition party leaders and other individuals like Donald Trump who are constantly playing racial cards by questioning President Obama’s birth place. Apparently, the Republicans are not happy with the Obama’s Administration’s effort to improve the American Economy. Generally, it has been established that politics is the major constrain toward the nation’s prosperity. For example, the Democrats have failed to account for their administration’s efforts since they have remained disorganized and silent as usual. One of the biggest mistakes they did was to allocate too much time of almost a year addressing Health Care problem and failing to address the Unemployment problem (Gushee, 2008). Providing effective and adequate Health Care to the Americans was in deed a good Economic recovery strategy. However, this was not as important as creating employment opportunities for the average American who is under employed or unemployed. The Congress Party and the Bush Administration had earlier put the TARP into place and the Obama’s Administration could only administer something that was already in progress (Gushee, 2008). The government alone cannot create permanent jobs that are available to every American. The corporate America should therefore intervene. However, they have chosen to sit down, watch and wait to see what happens next (Gushee, 2008). The government has no other option but to get out of the present American Industry and begin investing in the green Economy if at all it wants to create more job opportunities for its citizens. Moreover, the government should subsidize the renovation of America’s infrastructures and buildings. Considering the 1937 Recession, we realize that too much of the deal was not a good idea. Every American has the right to be angry, but their anger should specifically be directed towards recovering from this repression not the corrupt leaders and individuals who got them into such mess. This includes the former Administrations tracing back up to 1980, corporate America and the Wall Street. Although this mandate still remains in the hands of the legislators, we Americans will be glad when our president comes out into the public during crisis and addresses this problem for a better future. Examples of the time the presidents came out during a crisis and addressed the public are as follows; in 1958 President Eisenhower warned the Americans of the threat of the “Military- Industrial Complex”( Gushee, 2008);President Carter during his “Crisis of Confidence” speech in 1979 warned of the “ self-indulgence and consumerism”( Gushee, 2008). The most outstanding speech which most Americans have forgotten is the Second Bill of Right that was laid out by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It promised Americans improved and better living standards which they failed to follow and thus, their current regrets and anger. Internet as an Information Gathering Tool I agree with the assertion, that internet somehow have contributed to the increase in the public anger towards the government. Internet is the media through which people can communicate freely all over the world. I know many will believe that America is one of the nations that have embraced the invention of internet technology. But surprisingly, even the United States government is getting reactively paranoid and arrogant with the internet. Many Americans are developing concerns over the idea that the secret government programs are secretly analyzing their personal information (Bowker Company, 2007). The congress wanted to gather more information on the privacy amplifications and operational aspects of the data-mining programs before such programs are allowed to go on. ADVICE program is one of the secret government programs and its main mandate is to extract correlations and relationships from a large volume of data in order to come out with actionable ideas on terrorists (Bowker Company, 2007). The present public knowledge on the existence of TIA project created a lot of public anger towards the government over the potentials for the attack of the privacy of the law-abiding citizens by the government. With the invention of internet, the general public is exposed to a lot of government’s information some of which should even remain secret. For example, the Asange’s Wiki leaks have revealed a lot of information on the past and future government’s plans within and outside America. Some of the plans have been embraced by the Americans while the majority of the plans, for example how the government is planning to deals with terrorist and Immigrants, have only angered them. Effects of Gifford’s Shooting on The Publics Reaction towards The Government After the Arizona shooting, the Tea Party leaders came out quickly to defend themselves from those who claimed their anti-government rhetoric were to be blamed for the shootings. Conservative activists and members of the Tea Party are now having hard times defending their movement from the general public, commentators, activists and politicians’ attacks (Woolf, 2003). Immediately after the murder, the whole nation was shocked but it later angered them. What angered the general public most was the blame game between the Republicans and the Tea Party. They involved themselves in public bickering and the use of violence references, inciting citizens to commit murder. Americans blame the legislators for assuming their human rights but only reducing them to rhetoric rights which are irresponsibly provocative. The government is not advocating for improved and better living standard but only for an “Armed revolution” (Woolf, 2003). In my own opinion the shooting of Gifford is the beginning of public anger towards the government since the Tea Party apparently is advocating for a violent revolution. Members of the Tea party are missing the key concepts that need to be addressed. Citizens are interested in quality work and adequate security which has not been realized (Woolf, 2003). Conclusion In conclusion, there has been an increasing public anger towards the government, politics and Public policy. These are caused by the failure of the government to address key development issues rather than politicking and bickering in the public. Currently, lack of employment is the main cause of public anger as government spends more time and funds in areas which are not urgent, like Health Care of which some under employed and unemployed citizens cannot afford. It is also established that racism, internet and murder are some key factors that lead to bad governance and mismanagement of recourses that angers the public as well. References Bowker Company R. R. (2007). The Software encyclopedia, Volume 2. New York: Bowker Co. Gushee D. P. (2008). The future of faith in American politics: the public witness of the evangelical center. Texas: Baylor University Press. O'Hara J.M. (2010). A New American Tea Party: The Counterrevolution Against Bailouts, Handouts, Reckless Spending, and More Taxes. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Veith, W. F. (2009). Omnibus IV. Paris: Veritas Press. Woolf A. (2003). The Wall Street Crash. London: Hodder Children's Division. Read More