Inequality Matters
In chapter “Of the few, by the few, for the few” Moyers says that the reason why one of us can’t go have lunch with our senator or reach a politician to voice our concerns is simply because of money. Money makes politicians available to those helping then financially with their campaign, other politicians or simply a rich old guy with power, before they make time for anybody else. Politicians are more interested in pleasing corporations than pleasing citizens. Why? Money again. How far could I really get if I try to reach a state senator to voice a concern that young people in Tucson might have? I have no money to give to their campaign, don’t belong to a political party so really I’m not in their priority list. Millions of dollars are spent on political campaigns as well as on propositions that want to pass in each state. In order to get that money politicians must make friends with those in big corporation and promise a reward or a “get out of jail free” card to the companies aiding them financially. So why would any of us have any chance at being on the appointment book of Jon Kyl?
I believe that the disengagement of politicians with the real people of their city, state or even of their country drives young Americans to tune out of the political world. Because politicians do not make an effort to reach a middle-class college student, the same college student will make no effort to engage in the news and what is going on in the political world. NPR did a series on economic inequality last week and one of the points made in the reports was that while some things have gotten better (women's average pay compare to men's) other have gotten worse (health care availability and help from the government for those who don't have it) so there really is a lot to be done in order to reach a more equal society.
Do you agree that the influence money has on politicians and the political world in general have pushed young people to tune out of political news even more?
I believe that the disengagement of politicians with the real people of their city, state or even of their country drives young Americans to tune out of the political world. Because politicians do not make an effort to reach a middle-class college student, the same college student will make no effort to engage in the news and what is going on in the political world. NPR did a series on economic inequality last week and one of the points made in the reports was that while some things have gotten better (women's average pay compare to men's) other have gotten worse (health care availability and help from the government for those who don't have it) so there really is a lot to be done in order to reach a more equal society.
Do you agree that the influence money has on politicians and the political world in general have pushed young people to tune out of political news even more?
posted by Fernanda Echavarri at 11:04 PM
7 Comments:
I am undecided about the matter. I feel as though if young people want to tune in and learn more about politics, then they would watch the political news and debates. On the other hand, people are always more interested in something, no matter what it is, when they have come in contact with the person. That is why upperclass citizens are more interested. Most of them have either come in contact with politicians, or have heard about them through friends. I am almost positive that if more politicians went around to places like schools, and offices, more people would want to tune in. It doesn't always have to be about money, but in the world we live in, that is all some people care about.
I half agree with Fernanda. I do think money rules and the whole nine she was saying, but when you talk about politics, especially politicians people have to consider the vote factor. Yes, some politicians do ignore the poorer sides of town, but that’s because people on that side of town don’t vote. So, a politician isn’t going to waste his time.
As for the reading, in Inequality Matters I think the authors hit it on the head. I do think poorer people do get crapped on in the medical area. Take AIDS or HIV these days the cocktail will let you live longer, but what about the people who can’t afford it. They’ll die a lot faster. Magic Johnson was diagnosed with AIDS (or HIV) a long time ago, yet his still alive. Now I’m sure (I don’t have any numbers) that other poorer people diagnosed at the same time have die.
First of all, some politicians might care what their citizens think. I know they are at least somewhat interested in being re-elected. They have to listen and make time for their people's concerns and questions. If they don't give any attention to registered voters, then they won't get re-elected. I did a story my first semester in the department on a bill proposed by the Arizona legislature. I called a few of the primary sponsors of the bill, a few senators and a member of the House, and although I did not speak with them when I called, I left a message for Senator Jack Harper and he returned my call that day. He talked with me for about 15 minutes and answered every question I asked, even the ones that were on controversial topics. I do think that money is important and that there are a lot of crooked politicians but I don't think that they won't talk with you if you don't have money.
All great comments again! To set the record straight, regarding C. H2os (Waters)'s comment about the upcoming presidential race. It is expected to be the most expensive in U.S. history, topping one billion dollars...yes, that's billion with a capital (get it) "B".
I think it is interesting that this is going to be the most expensive presidential race, but I do not wholly understand why. If only roughly fifty percent of the population is voting, why does it cost so much to get those people to vote for a candidate. It is not ironic though that as less people vote or care about the system the more politicians have to pay to get their attention and vote for them. In the Inequality Matters book, the author says that people do not participate in the process because politicians ignore their concerns and politicians ignore their concerns because they don’t participate. So instead of listening to the people and their concerns and making real changes they just spend more money on campaigns to win the peoples vote.
I believe that it starts at a young age when you care enouh to voice your opinion. I have a friend who's father is on a committe board and he is always watching the news, or talking with his daughter on political views. So she goes out and informs all her friends about the political parties. Most of us walk away, but a selected few will listen or change the subject.
As for the politicians, I think that it is ridiculus how money is spent like Disney bucks at Disney Land. Or the corruption of contributions, for instance Sen. John Edwards campaign for presidency.
I do think that money's influence has something to do with the younger generation politically tuning out, but I don't think it is as harsh nor as drastic as Fernanda makes it sound. In regards to a senator "reaching out" to have lunch with a student, I don't think that has anything to do with money. The main issues there revolve more around time and safety then anything else. Senators, like other members of the government, are busy people that don't necessarily have time to sit in their offices and wait for people to call them to make lunch dates. They also don't have the freewill to go have lunch with any Joe Shmoe for the fear that Joe Shmoe is an ex-convict murderer waiting to give Joe Shmoe a piece of his mind about his campaign. Also, with the developments in technology over the years, I believe more and more politicians are trying to get in touch with everyday members of society via the internet, blogs, email, etc. So from this angle, I would say that politicians are making more of an effort to get people to be tuned in and not tuned out.
Post a Comment
<< Home