Campaign ads! I know we are all sick of them, but let's use this opportunity to analyze, question, and break them down. Above is a particularly aggressive ad attacking President Obama for 'attacking success'. While it does use a speech President Obama gave, it takes it completely out of context. Is this fair? Here's your opportunity-find an ad, analyze what it has to say, and dig into some research and report on the validity, or lack thereof, of your particular ad.

 

This Tuesday, September 18th, the League of Women Voters of Door County is hosting a screening of the movie Patriocracy at the Door County auditorium at 7 p.m. The League's website says this about the film:

 

"Documentary film "Patriocracy" offers a "non-partisan examination of the Washington dysfunction and hyper-partisanship undermining America's ability to tackle its most serious problems. Whether it's the national debt, healthcare reform, the war on terror or illegal immigration, Americans are shouting at each other instead of listening to each other. Patriocracy brings an all-star cast of Senators, Congressmen/women, top Washington journalists, pundits and academia to the screen; giving their candid and comprehensive insights into the factors behind extreme polarization. It offers a detailed examination of how Americans have become so polarized over the past decade. Patriocracy is produced and directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Brian Malone and is Executive Produced by well-known producer, Stephen Nemeth."

 

Attend the movie and reply with your reactions to it. What did you learn? How does it make you feel about our current political system and political culture? Can anything be done to fix the issues exposed in the film?

 

As we begin our study of the Constitution, one of the more curious topics we cover is the Electoral College. Questions always arise about why it was created, why it hasn't been abolished, and how it's possible to win the presidential election without receiving a majority of the total votes cast. Consider this extra credit opportunity a scavenger-hunt of sorts. Research and report on any, or all, of the following questions:

• why did the 'founding fathers' create the Electoral College? What were they hoping to prevent?
• why has the Electoral College never been abolished? In other words, why do we still have it?
• has the Electoral College ever gotten it wrong? Have there been any elections in which the winning candidate actually received less total votes than the losing candidate? What is your reaction to your findings?
• lastly, do you think the Electoral College is the best way to elect a president in the United States? Why or why not? How do your feelings connect to the intent of the founding fathers in created this electoral process? If you think there is a better way, explain how your ideas would work.