Chapter 6 Blog

Personally, I do think that American news media is very reliant on polls, which can be helpful and harmful at the same time. Because we are all individuals with different opinions as well as feelings about politics, sometimes I question the validity of polls. Those who believe politics are very vital to American society will whole-heartedly participate but others who are less interested in politics may not take a poll as seriously. I think polls can be useful but only if those who are being polled are interested and educated on the subject, only then should statistics be drawn from them. If not done correctly, I think polls would do more harm than help because it would be displaying false information that most Americans take in and use as a basis for voting. Who wants to vote for someone or something that is misrepresented?

Categorizing myself as belonging to a specific political party is semi important to me but it doesn’t make me rule out candidates just because they aren’t labeled as “Democratic or Republican.” I more so believe voting for the person who will do the best for our country rather than my basis solely being a label. I think party identification is more important to my parents and grandparents than my friends for the most part. I think that mostly has to do with the difference in generations. It seems younger generations are less concerned with politics than older ones, especially because these are prime years of change for young adults and most of them are just starting to develop a sense of individualism.  

I think my opinion of politics does get swayed a bit by social issues because it is so easy to get wrapped up in it; although, I would like for it to have a more economic basis after this class. I’m not quite as educated on the subject of economic issues as I would like to be therefore it’s hard for me to develop a completely solid opinion or stance about the things going on.