April Rogers

PS101OL

September 14, 2012

Voting and the Two Party System

Sung to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb

 

In November you need your coat – need your coat – need your coat!

In November you need your coat

When going out to cast your vote!

All votes count for every state – every state – every state

All votes count for every state – as you elect a candidate

Cau-cus-es and Primaries – Primaries – Primaries

General Elections and Primaries

Make our system fair

Democrat or Tea Party – Tea Party – Tea Party

Republican – Libertarian – We share democra-cy

The swing states bring suspense for us – suspense for us – suspense for us

The swing states bring suspense for us – we’re not sure who will win

Electorals or the popular vote – popular vote – popular vote

Electoral or the popular vote - the debate goes on and on

 

 

April Rogers

PS101OL

September 8, 2012

Sung to the tune of “Oh Christmas Tree”

Oh Media –

Oh Media –

When do you tell the truth to me?

Oh Media –

Oh Media –

The First Amendment set you free –

I read

I hear

I watch TV

In an election year – you baffle me –

Oh Media –

Oh Media –

When do you tell the truth to me?

You lean right …. You lean left

Which leads to public knowledge theft

Oh Media –

Oh Media –

Just give it to me straightly –

Oh Media –

Don’t bias me –

 

Pew Research Reflection

According to our reading, Americans still don't realize what is going on with US national and international relations.  We are in a techno-age now that staggers the imagination from when I was a teenager in the '80's - I couldn't dream of all the information that is now at my fingertips.  The statistics noted in the Pews article and research numbers were surprising and sad.  I can say that most of my friends do not watch the morning or evening news and prefer "reality tv" to current events.  Interesting too that education is the single best indicator of knowledge - I believe that.  And I understand why men & the older folks knew more - most women of childbearing age through our 50's are juggling by working full time jobs, caring for children and/or aging parents, balancing the checkbook, grocery-ing, laundry-ing, dishwash-ing ... not that some men do those things, but mostly it's women who don't have time to watch the news while preparing breakfast & dinner.  It also stands to reason that those more affluent have more time to devote to national and world knowledge because they also know where their next meal is coming from - the less fortunate have basic survival on their minds.  I agree that news-hunger individuals visit several news sources for their information.  I am one of those - I watch the local morning news while making coffee, letting the dogs out, preparing breakfast while catching Good Morning America over my shoulder - then CNN and MSN online after the kids are off to school - then the local evening and world news during dinner which irritates my husband and children as I say I'm trying to make sure they are aware of what is going on in their world.  I'm irritating for that - huh - interesting.

April Rogers
PS101OL