Samuel Levinson Talking Politics Politics shape the world we live in.

Beginning as our thoughts and ideas, moving through the Democratic process, our ideology becomes policy. In this essay, I will discuss my own personal eelings towards politics in the !nited States o "merica. "s a member o the voting public, my ideas may be translated into law, i a candidate or a political o ice is elected. This is not con ined to individuals that have political power, as even important issues are brought to the ore ront by the public. #or e$ample, in a local election the public will have the opportunity to vote or or against a ta$ increase or a speci ic cause. This paper will e$plain my views on the political realm, ocusing on political a iliation, my overall eelings towards politics, and my %uestions about political communication. The ma&ority o "mericans in this country are a iliated with one o two political parties. " percentage consider themselves Democrats, and another percentage identi ies as 'epublican. (ven within these two political parties, there is a wide range o ideas. In the 'epublican Party, there is a separate branch o ideology that is known as the )Tea Party.* There ore, i one identi ies as a 'epublican or a Democrat, this does not necessarily imply that they share the e$act eelings o another individual who is a iliated with the same party. "s or my own political a iliation, I consider mysel an independent. I sometimes identi y with one o the parties. +ith the 'epublicans and the Democrats as the two ma&or parties, I eel that it is important to identi y on at least a basic level with one o the parties. The reason or this, is because as a voter, I only have the option o voting 'epublican or Democrat. I reali,e that there are other parties, but they do not have

the support that the two main parties have. Perhaps this will change in the uture. I want my vote to count, and I eel that i I were to vote or a candidate outside o the 'epublicans and the Democrats, that my choice would not actor into the process. "s an independent voter, I o ten consider both sides o a political issue. #or e$ample, I will listen to the position o the democrat and then to that o the republican. +hen I am watching a political debate among two individuals o di erent parties, I try not to orm a party bias. -owever, it may be impossible to not have a slight bias towards one candidate, as everyone has their own eelings towards social and political issues. (ach individual may be inclined to vote in the way that would advance their own ideals. I believe that it is important or everyone to consider what is best or the country. It is understandable that many individuals want to advance their cause, but when voting I eel that the country as a whole should be considered irst. I one votes or a candidate, it is important to think o what the candidate will do once he or she is in o ice. I do not believe there is a per ect candidate, there ore one must vote or the individuals that are elt to represent the best social and political values. I eel that the social issues in our culture have a ma&or role in shaping our country. I our values decline, then there may not be a strong structure to uphold the country. I respect the opinions o other "mericans. I a political candidate shares my values, I am more inclined to vote or him or her. The main actor that has prevented me rom strongly a iliating mysel with the Democrats or 'epublicans, is that every political individual is di erent. .ot all o the 'epublicans believe the same, nor do the Democrats. I respect those that do have strong political a iliations, I would &ust hope that when making decisions one would not vote or a candidate only because they are a member o a

particular party. /ur political system is ar too important to be treated like a sporting event. It seems that some individuals align themselves with a political party, the same as one that is a an o a speci ic sports team. 0urrently, I am interested in politics. I want to always stay current, and to know about the issues and events that are taking place in my country. 1y interest is held by the constant changing world o politics, with new elections held at the local level, as well as other elections, such as the presidency, held at the national level. " president may only hold o ice or less than a decade, with an election every our years, there ore there is always a vibrant political realm to ocus on. The politics o this country may work to build an "merica that is even better than today. I highly doubt that I will lose interest in politics. I usually do not discuss politics with my riends, although politics is o ten a conversation with amily members. I have taken political classes in the past, and I en&oy e$pressing my political thoughts, reading the opinions o others, and considering the political ideas o other individuals. +hen engaged in a political conversation, sometimes my opinions are changed on issues or candidates. There are also times when I persuade someone to change their political ideas. 1ostly my amily and I are in agreement on the topic o political issues. +e discuss current events, policies, and most recently the 'epublican presidential debates are a topic that is o ten mentioned. 1y amily and I have watched some o these 'epublican debates, as they air live on television channels. It is interesting to watch the evolution o the candidates, and to see their rise and all in the polls. Particularly notable, is .ewt 2ingrich3s sudden increase in popularity. I remember listening to &ournalists last year, as they stated that .ewt 2ingrich did not have a chance

in wining the nomination. It was also interesting to watch -erman 0ain3s surge in popularity last year. The political discussions between mysel and my amily usually take place at my home, a ter a newscast. +hen discussing politics, it is important or everyone to be respect ul o the other person3s opinions. I have o ten seen political commentary on 0able news networks, in which a riendly conversation between &ournalists soon trans orms into yelling, as well as interrupting the other speaker. The %uestions in my mind about political communication that I would like to have answered involve political debate, and communication when discussing politics. I would like to know the best strategies when talking about politics. These would include how I can be persuasive when discussing political issues with other individuals. I believe that by using reason and logical thinking, that one can communicate success ully, however I would like to learn more and e$pand my knowledge o politics.