Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to our government. The more an individual knows about how our government works, the more an individual citizen can come to realize that he or she does matter in the grand scheme of our democracy. In learning about our government, I have learned the power of special interest groups and how much power “We the People” do have. I have come to learn about the players in our government, the roles they play, and how much public opinion matters to them.
I served in the military and many people asked why I did it. I had a family, I had a decent job; so why do it? I told them that it was an honor for me to be in the shoes of our foundering fathers - in a woman’s body . I really didn’t realize until taking this class how many freedoms we really do enjoy and, more often than not, take for granted. I have come to appreciate that our court system is there to protect those rights. I have come to change my opinion about special interest groups, especially since I am a member of several Profession groups. I am not going to say I like this country being run by the special interest groups and lobbyists, but these groups have their place. We rely on our elected representatives to make the right decisions about the legislation that is presented before them. One of the power tools that I have as well as all of us is freedom of speech. We have the right to write our congressmen if we have a concern. We have the right to rally others together and protest our government. Large groups are not easily ignored.
We have a well established system of checks and balances. I know our system is not perfect and not for everyone in the world, but it works here so well that many have endured extreme hardship seeking our system. I have gotten a taste of government serving as a delegate for the Hilary Campaign. I serve as treasurer for my HOA. Government is everywhere and for everyone and sometimes you don’t have to seek it.
The seeds that have been planted while taking this government class give me a sense of awareness that I did not have before. I can be more assertive in conversations and can establish my position on the issues. At times I was like several others in our country, wondering if it matters what I think, what I do and who I vote for if the government is going to do whatever it wants and take whatever it wants from whoever it wants. This was my ignorance. I hope to pass along what I have learned to others.
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I feel that my classmate and I are on the same page on what we have learned from this government class. I truly appreciate knowing that one of my classmate’s opinions regarding what we have gained from this government class is positive and grateful. Reading Viola’s commentary which is titled Blog VII made me realize that now when I sit at the break room table at work with all of my co-workers talking about politics, or my family or whoever I come across that wants to talk about it. I have an opinion to state because I understand about what is going on. I have the right and a place as an American citizen to speak my mind because I have the liberty of freedom of speech that I took for granted just as well as I took voting for granted.
ReplyDeleteViola states that “knowledge is power when it comes to our government.” I could not agree with her more. The more you know about the history of our government and the way it works. The more you want to become involved because you understand the founding and establishment of it, and what it represents. It gives you motivation to hold it true to what it does represent. Viola mentions that she has realized how important Special Interests groups are and how much difference you can make in our country by participating and being apart of such organizations.
Serving as a delegate for the Hilary Campaign, and treasurer of her HOA, she realizes government is everywhere. I believe she is correct, I work in a Pharmacy and even in a pharmacy there are government influenced laws that the pharmacy has to abide by such as the FDA as well as Texas State Board of Pharmacy policies. I have realized that many of the laws are influenced by federal laws and learning what I have from this class gave me the opportunity to understand these laws more properly and the reason for their implementation. I also agree with Viola when she states that we have a well established system of checks and balances within our government. We both believe that it has worked so well for the U.S. that many have endured hardship trying to seek it.
In conclusion the use of her statement “The seeds that have been planted while taking this government class give me a sense of awareness that I did not have before” nailed it for me. I definitely want to be involved more in politics as an American citizen because my knowledge of American government is broad now, and I have confidence that my voice of opinion can make a difference when before my ignorance allowed me to believe it really didn’t matter. I believe the Texas law that these government classes are a requirement to obtaining your degree is vital, and whoever proposed them and implemented them knew what they were doing when they passed it. I hope too to pass my knowledge gained from this class on to others that may not have the chance to learn what I have learned.