CaliforniaBride

If you were to discuss the ideas, concepts & processes that were important to understanding American politics, what would you say?

Wintersong

I'd start off with "brainwashed" and it would probably all go downhill from there.

Best I stay out of this one, I think

Elvira

What a loaded question! I guess a brief perusal of Al Franken, Molly Ivins vs Ann Coulter and Brit Hume might serve to define the two extremes

Okay, I think I'm going for a swim now

LeedsGirl

Also staying out of this one, had a great weekend and don't want to ruin it

CaliforniaBride

Really wasn't meant to be controversial. I was just looking for a shopping list of ideas, concepts and processes.

Fact is I'm doing a political science class because I wanted to learn about the American political system. And thats basically my first question.

My response would be that I don't know which ideas, concepts and processes that are important to know about in order to understand how things get done in American politics. That's what I'm there to learn!!!

AAArrrrggghhhhhhh!

Lord Lionheart

Declaration of Independence, the Bill of rights, the Constitution and subsequent amendments are probably a good place to start ?

AdobePinon

That's because $$$$ is not an idea, but is the spirit of the concept, and the goal of the process.

Dimsie

Californis Bride - Hi:

I had no idea about this, but it sounds interesting so I asked my US husband.

Hmmmm - I've tried to do a precis of what he thinks about it:-

The American system of government, in theory should provide an ideal model of government. 3 levels - Legislative (Senate and House of Reps), Executive and Judicial. All elected apart from Supreme Court Judges.
However, (he thinks) the trouble is that instead of concentrating on making plans and passing laws which will make the country work better, they spend at least half their elected terms planning how to get re-elected and working with only THAT goal in mind. This creates Special Interest Groups, political favouritism and many other ills - most connected with $$$$$$


Not sure if that's the kind of thing you meant??

fatbrit

Checks and balances -- but monkey boy's masters are quickly getting rid of those.

gruffbrown

Great concept, great constitution, the rest of it.....

CaliforniaBride

That's pretty much where I went with it!

Thanks everyone for their input. Bloody thing is we don't even get a grade, he just wants to know 'where we are'. Well I started with 'no taxation without representation', a lot of spilt tea and a mad king. Then a war, a flag still flying at daybreak, a declaration a constitution then liberty and justice for all. Supposedly.....