Associational Life in America - Personal Statement Example

I personally agree with Tocqueville's observations about associational life in America. These associations are important in the health of democracy because they serve the common good of the individuals. I am a member of fitness group in my community. I find that trying to get physically fit by myself alone without the help of others usually leads to failure. I tried it several times in the past but there were times when I did not feel like exercising and eating the right food and so I often ended up trying and trying without succeeding. Now that I am in a group of fitness enthusiasts, I get more encouragement to do my drills and diet, compare progresses with them, and feel better and more confident about myself. As a group we invite others in the community to be health conscious and, more often than not, we get positive results. This group does not only help each of us to be physically fit but also to be more at peace with each other and be united for a common good. 1. c 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. c 6. c 7. b 8. d 9. d 10. a 11. c 12. d 13. b 14. c 15. d 16. a 17. b 18. c 19. a 20. d 21. b 22. a 23. Political Ideology is a coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of a government held by groups and individuals. The Conservatives believe that the government is best that governs least; big government can only infringe on individual, personal and economic rights; the Liberals, on the other hand, favor extensive governmental involvement in the economy and the provision of social services and take an activist role in protecting rights of women, elderly, minorities, and the environment; while the Libertarians favor a free-market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties. 24. Civil Society is a society where citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in open debate about public policy. This concept has taken on special importance in recent years in places like Iran and Afghanistan who have been ravaged by war and are in the status of rising again as nations freed from tyranny and dictatorship of their former leaders. 25. The increasingly diverse ethnic profile of the U.S. population threatens the future of the American system, some say, because it may affect the solidarity and democracy of the nation by bringing in their respective political and cultural orientations. I do not agree with this argument because I believe these people have come to the United States, first and foremost, because they are attracted to the freedom and liberty that the Americans are enjoying which is a contrast to their own countries aside from its economic condition. Chapter 8 and 24 I think George W. Bush is a "Successful" President because he is able to stay in his position until now and he has stood his ground on the decisions he has made regardless of the outcome, whether positive or negative and whether it made him celebrated or not. I consider a president successful if he has a strong commanding power and a will power to stand his ground against all odds. I do not mean a dictator here; I mean one who has the boldness and courage to honor his word even if he/she becomes unpopular in the end. I just admire somebody who mean what he/she says and follows his/her words with action. The decision regarding the U.S. intervention with Iraq is one example that Bush has proven himself a leader of boldness and strength. I believe all the presidential candidates for the 2008 elections are promising and possess the skills, traits, characteristics that will make for a successful president. Personally, I value integrity as a trait or character a president should possess. As a public servant, he/she should lead with transparency and fear of God. This quality has been seen in the past presidents who had led the United States successfully and had made a great impact and positive contribution to the country up to the present, the likes of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. 1. e 2. a 3. d 4. d 5. a 6. b 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. The process for impeaching the president follows eight stages namely: the Resolution; the Committee Vote; the House Vote; the Hearings; the Report; the House Vote; the Trial in the Senate; and the Senate Vote. First, there is an inquiry that is passed to the judiciary committee that examines the gravity of the evidence. The House will then decide to approve or disapprove of the committee's decision. If approved then extensive evidentiary hearings are held and a Report is made by the judiciary committee regarding the findings of the investigation. The House will then vote on the articles of impeachment and then send the articles to the Senate if approved by the majority of the House. The Senate will then proceed with the Trial after which the Senate will vote on the articles of impeachment. If there is a two-thirds vote in favor of the impeachment then the president is removed from office and the vice president assumes the position of the president. Chapters 24 & 9 "Vote of Women Propels Clinton in Nevada Caucus" With the presidential campaigns still in full swing for the 2008 presidential elections, I cannot help myself but wonder at how times have changed. This time, a woman is campaigning for the highest position in the American government. Gender biases have indeed been slowly fading away. Hilary Clinton has shown herself at par with her male opponents having been given the support of both men and women in Nevada. Women have now taken an active role in the government scene and if Clinton wins then America's adherence to gender equality would surely be tested. On the other hand, Barack Obama is another figure to watch. A Black American for a president is another "new" thing in American history. Racial discrimination would be proven a thing of the past if Obama wins, which is what the surveys show as of these campaign days. I am really excited at how things are going with the presidential campaign. The "impossible dreams" of our ancestors are simply just within reach. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/us/politics/20nevada.htmlhp 1. b 2. a 3. e 4. e 5. c 6. c 7. c 8. c 9. c 10. d 11. a 12. d 13. b 14. b 15. c 16. c 17. d 18. c 19. c 20. c Chapter 7 1. e 2. c 3. d 4. a 5. a 6. a 7. b 8. d 9. b 10. a 11. c 12. a 13. a 14. d 15. d 16. b 17. d 18. e 19. e 20. e 1. One feature in America's political landscape that I think can be found in other political systems is the bureaucracy with the three major branches of the government such as the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. Many countries have embraced this system just like how the United States practice it. 2. I believe the U.S. Constitution through time has been amended to suit the need of its constituents. Every aspect of America's population has been considered in every provision. In fact, the issues of racial and gender discrimination have been addressed and there is no better time in the lives of the Americans that democracy has been enjoyed by the majority than that of the present. 3. Political culture (1) I think some of the explanations for the differences in public policies between Texas and Vermont lie in the religious beliefs of the people and the geographic location of the state. Spending more for the prisons and prohibiting same sex marriages in Texas seem to be strongly affected by the moral values of the residents. They appear to be more puritans in the way they deal with criminals and "sinners." In contrast, the Vermont people look at the practical side of life, which is providing for the welfare of the people regardless of sexual preferences. (2) I think the church and the clergy have something to say in the policy-making environment in Texas. The way the gays and lesbians are treated seems to be conventional. (3) I believe, the policies regarding welfare should first be changed in Texas before there would be changes in policies regarding gay and lesbians. The people of Texas must first value the individual's welfare over their beliefs and convictions and then they will begin to see the lesbians and gays as normal beings who have the right to protection and the like. 4. I believe that the local government is closer to the people and is more accountable and responsible to the public. It is in this level that the specific issues are addressed and discussed. The problems that the citizens experience are seen face to face by the local government and are experienced first hand. For example, problems that require immediate action like emergency cases of life and death are dealt with by the local government. Victims of natural calamities like hurricanes, floods or fire need immediate attention that the local government must act on it right away without waiting for the higher levels of the government to decide on it. 5. I am more of a Populist Republican and least of a Liberal Democrat. My religious beliefs make me become pro-life and anti-gay. However, I am also pro-environmental and have a certain degree of trust on the government. After the quiz, I come out an Upbeat. This means I am not confined to any specific group. I think this is true of myself since even if I consider myself as religious, there are some gray areas that need to be considered and many factors must be taken into serious consideration even if they at times lie contrary to my religious affiliation. This might be because of my educational background and the kind of profession I am in. 3. List at least 3 adjectives that describe Orozco's narrator. What influences your evaluation of this narrator What would you say to someone who claims that the story is more about the narrator than about the office Orozco's narrator can be described as loquacious, opinionated and nosy. I presume that the narrator is a female because of the kind of work. Usually receptionists are females. I do not have a prejudice on women but she also sounds like a woman in the manner she describes and details the personal lives of her colleagues. Some men are also loquacious but they tend to hide it. This person seems to be unafraid to tell so much about other people's secrets, though she always warns the listener from time to time not to disclose what she told him/her. Aside from talking so much, she also outwardly expresses her opinions about other people. The way she delivers her thoughts and feelings about other people seems so natural as if she is stating facts. Finally, it is very obvious that she is nosy because she knows almost every colleagues secrets and negative traits without, of course, revealing her own personal skeletons in the closet. I can do no less than agree if someone would claim that the story is more about the narrator than about the office. If it is about the office, the narrator could have stated the rules and descriptions of the office as well as the duties of the new employee objectively and leave out the rest of the "stories" about the personal lives of the other employees. If her intention was to caution the new employee then she could have only hinted but not act like a gossip and bare all the negative things about other people's lives whether they are true or not. This narration reveals more the kind of person the narrator is than what the office is about. Read More