Interest Groups by Olson ( Week 15)

“Notice that the interests that all of these diverse types of organizations are expected to further are for the most part common interests: the union members' common interest in higher wages, the farmers' common interest in favorable legislation, the cartel members' common interest in higher prices, the stockholders' common interest in higher dividends and stock prices, the citizens' common interest in good government. It is not an accident that the diverse types of organizations listed are all supposed to work primarily for the common interests of their members” by Olson

        Groups interest are organizations with the same purpose and interest. Olson defines that groups interest seek for their own benefits and privileges. This passage suggests that citizens look for their own interest of having a good government who provides benefits. Also, big companies seek to benefit their own member from citizens. Every organization seeks a common interest of money. It can also be related to humans; every person has a common interest of getting money. There’s not organization without an interest. Organizations use strategies to accomplish the interest of their members.  Every member in an organization has the same interest. We can see this when companies promote their products trying to call citizens’ attention. This is seen a lot in politics when candidates give their speeches and promises to convince voters.

I chose this passage because the concept of group interest helps me identify how business work today. All organizations and people seek their own benefits. Organizations analyze how they can get what they want from citizens. Also, citizens want better opportunities, jobs, money and benefits from the government.  I can visualize this concept from two different point of views.  On one hand, it’s good because it promotes unity and help us achieve our goals. It makes me understand that a group of people with the same idea and purpose can achieve whatever they want. On the other hand, it helps me realize that we’re living in an egoistic society where everyone seeks for their own interest and advantage. Companies seek to get money from citizens and citizens seek better job opportunities and get money as well. This is reality we are living in a world in which everyone seeks their own goal and interest no matter what.

The Judiciary (Week 14)

  Loving v. Virginia, Case 

“In June, 1958, two residents of Virginia, Mildred Jeter, a Negro woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, were married in the District of Columbia pursuant to its laws. Shortly after their marriage, the Lovings returned to Virginia and established their marital abode in Caroline County. At the October Term, 1958, of the Circuit Court of Caroline County, a grand jury issued an indictment charging the Lovings with violating Virginia's ban on interracial marriages. On January 6, 199, the Lovings pleaded guilty to the charge, and were sentenced to one year in jail; however, the trial judge suspended the sentence for a period of 25 years on the condition that the Lovings leave the State and not return to Virginia together for 25 years. He stated in an opinion that: "Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And, but for the interference with his arrangement, there would be no cause for such marriage. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix." Loving v. Virginia

            This case shows racism and segregation between blacks and whites.  In the past, blacks were considered inferior than whites. Everything was segregated including bathrooms, schools, resources, communities and parks. The law prohibited marriage between whites and blacks. The court suggests that a white and a black can’t get married because it would influence family genes and race. They separated the couple for twenty-five years because of their anti-miscegenation law.  Something that called my attention is when one of the judges said that God separated races in different continents with the intended purpose of keeping races separate. In my opinion every human is free to choose who they want to marry, that’s something very personal and not law should interfere on that. The couple pointed out that the anti-miscegenation law goes against the fourteenth amendment. The fourteenth amendment protects citizens’ right of liberty, but judges said that the amendment doesn’t specifically talk about mixture of races. Judges decided that if any white and black person get married will be incarcerated for 1 year and up to five years.  

This case caught my attention because it reminds me segregation times, and how blessed we are today for not living under those laws. It’s sad how blacks were treated and how citizens ‘rights were invaded just because of imposed laws by racists. This couple deserved to choose what they want, to have children and live together. It’s sad how enforced laws and beliefs by powered people can deprive us and make our lives miserable. I think that this case is important because this make us feel grateful of the time we are living today. In the past there was a lot suffering, racial deprivation, injustice and no freedom. Today every human is free to marry who they want and everyone has the freedom to obtain what they want. However, I think that some people may show racism and angriness because of the racism history.

The Presidency, John F. Kennedy ( Week 13)

“To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man” (John F Kennedy).

            Kennedy is considered the 35th president of the United States. He became president in 1960. This quote reflects his first speech as a president. The way he talks in this speech reflects honesty and kindness.  In this quote he is basically demanding peace and unity in the nation. He believed in freedom and generosity. He is proposing to help the poor at any time. He believed in citizens’ rights and freedom of speech. He is proposing a nation in which all can work together to make a better country. I like his speech because he seems honest and compassionate with citizens. I like when he says ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man”. I think that unity is power and working together is the key to succeed for a nation. He wanted citizens to be unified to fight for their rights and freedom. Finally, Kennedy was assassin in 1963 by a former marine.

I chose this passage because I like his kindness and generosity. All presidents usually make promises that don’t accomplish, but Kennedy seems sincere and caring.  When he says, “ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country”, I agree because usually citizens expect to receive from their country. Also, we usually expect everything to be good in nation, but how can it be good if we are the ones who destroy it?  For instance, littering on the floor, damaging buses, communities and doing crimes. If all citizens take care and behave appropriately, there would be a better and unified nation.

Congress and Gerrymandering ( Week 12)

“What does all this mean? It means states can actually control the extent of gerrymandering. Take New York, for example. It's the one state among the eight that has shown a meaningful decrease in the level of gerrymandering across multiple congressional terms. New York also has also set up an independent advisory commission that recommends congressional and state redistricting plans to the state legislature. This commission was set up in 1978, and shortly thereafter the level of gerrymandering in the state peaked and has been declining ever since” by (Christopher Ingraham).

             According to the Washington post website, this passage describes the concept of gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is when a political party has more districts according to the population on each state to benefit a party.  The representation of parties involves districts on each state. These districts are divided into parties which some of them have less people than the opposite party. Gerrymandering is seen because districts are divided up according to states population.  This means that those bigger states higher in population have the voice over other states. This is seen when electing a president or a candidate. Smaller states are in risk because their districts have lower population and their voice don’t count. Bigger states have higher votes because their party receive more seats than others. For instance, Texas is one of the highest in population. Its districts have a high republican population, which plays a big influence in the democratic party and other states.

            I chose this quote because it reminds me the 2016 election day. I usually work on election days as a translator. I was sure that Hillary Clinton would win because every time I assisted a person he or she voted for Hillary. I was so surprised when Trump won because most people in New York wanted Hillary. However, few people didn’t want Hillary because of abortion and same sex marriage. Although I don’t agree with same sex marriage, I think wanting trump because of banning these laws doesn’t make sense because same sex marriage is already legal. it’s not that easy ban that law because homosexuality always is going to be seen. Anyhow, this is a real example that New York is losing power because of those states that have a higher population and districts. It also shows that they could take control over New York because of the low population.  

Equal Rights by Marshall ( Week 11)

“The civil element is composed of the rights necessary for individual freedom. By the political element I mean the right to participate in the exercise of political power, as a member of a body invested with political authority or as an elector of the members of such a body. The corresponding institutions are parliament and councils of local government. By the social element I mean the whole range from the right to a modicum of economic welfare and security to the right to share to the full in the social heritage and live the life of a civilized being according to the standard prevailing in the society. The institutions most closely connected with it are the educational system and the social services” By Marshall

 Marshall describes that citizenship is divided in three elements which are civil rights, political rights and social rights. In this quote he explains the meanings of each right. The civil rights which means citizen’s freedom of speech, religion, justice, liberty, right to own property and equality. Political rights which means the right to become president, the right to run as an elector member and the right of political power.  Social rights which means right of education, welfare, social services, security and the right to enjoy ourselves. Marshall fought for citizen’s rights and their liberty. He believed in justice and equality.

I like this quote because Marshall proclaims citizens’ rights. We have the right to speak, the right to follow any religion, the right of owning houses and businesses, the right to vote. This quote called my attention because it reflects freedom and liberty. We humans have rights that we should be aware of. It called my attention because there are rights that the government can’t not interfere such as citizens’ freedom of speech and liberty.  However, social rights like education and social services, insurance is in danger since the government can do what he wants. I think that social rights are not rights at all because not all citizens can have access to them for economic reasons or rules. Marshall is defining that we should have access to all these rights without prevention from  the government.  

Declaration of Sentiments ( Week 10 )

“The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives and foreigners. Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides. He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns” (Stanton).

            This quote emphasizes citizens’ rights and proclaims equality. In this quote Stanton is fighting for women’s rights. In the past, women didn’t have the right to vote and they were not allowed to go to school. There were specifics jobs for women, for instance, seamstress. If they were employed, they were not allowed to save their wages, they had to give it to their husbands. If divorced, they had not rights to keep their children.  Their voice did not count. Their husbands had the right of property. Women were only to take care of their children, clean the house and obey their husbands.  Their husbands deprived them and maltreated them because they had not rights, even to talk or defend themselves.  In this quote Stanton suggests that men and women deserve equal rights. All citizens deserve, education, independence and right to vote. The topics of civil liberty and civil rights relates to the declaration of sentiment since the imposition of the government’s laws didn’t promote equality and freedom.

            This quote caught my attention because it reminds me the history of women. Thanks to the women’s rights movement, men and women have equal rights. Women are strong, and able to achieve their goals. They are independent and able to take their own decisions. There ‘re laws that protect women from violence and deprivation. Now, women can become a president, leaders, lawyers, polices. There are not prohibitions in what woman can or can’t do.  However, some men still believe that women are to take care of their  children and attend the house. Also, mostly men receive higher salary than women in the same job position. Anyhow, there has been a lot of changes from past time to now. Thanks to those leaders who fought for citizens’ rights, women are free to achieve what they want. Now women’s voice and vote count.

The Seventh of March Speech (March 7, 1850) Week 8

         “Now, Sir, upon the general nature and influence of slavery there exists a wide difference of opinion between the northern portion of this country and the southern. It is said on the one side, that, although not the subject of any injunction or direct prohibition in the New Testament, slavery is a wrong; that it is founded merely in the right of the strongest; and that is an oppression, like unjust wars, like all those conflicts by which a powerful nation subjects a weaker to its will; and that, in its nature, whatever may be said of it in the modifications which have taken place, it is not according to the meek spirit of the Gospel. It is not "kindly affectioned"; it does not "seek another's, and not its own"; it does not "let the oppressed go free". These are the sentiments that are cherished, and of late with greatly augmented force, among the people of the Northern States” (Daniel Webster).

This quote reflects the time when African Americans were slaves, and treated as not humans being.  This is a speech written by Daniel Webster supporting slaves. In his speech he is directing to the president and senates to abolish slavery. This quote also suggests a union nation. Webster states that, although slavery wasn’t considered wrong in laws, it’s considered oppression and discrimination against individuals. It reflects war and conflict between the North and the South. African Americans were killed and burned. When he says, “it is not according to the meek spirit of the Gospel”. I think he means that these attitudes of discrimination, oppression and conflict are not within God statutes. Christianity represents love, friendship, equality, kindness and peace. Furthermore, Slaves were from the south, and Webster wanted to stop conflicts between the south and the north.

This quote caught my attention because it reminds me slavery history. It’s so sad how African Americans were treated, like they were no humans. They had no rights to decide for their own lives. They were treated like an object that you can buy.  Likewise, they had no rights to learn to read and write. After slavery was abolished by Abraham Lincoln, discrimination stilled exist. After it was abolished, there were not slaves, but there was segregation involved. Everything was separated for whites and blacks, for example parks, schools, busses, houses, neighborhoods. These all were segregated for whites and blacks. Today in 2017, the constitution of U.S. says “all men are created equal”, but discrimination still exist. We can see segregation in different neighborhoods like Manhattan, Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. These boroughs are divided by different ethnic groups.  For instance, white Americans mostly reside in downtown Manhattan.  Finally, A lot people today still practice discriminatory beliefs. I think that discrimination and oppression still exist today in U.S. toward minorities, immigrants and people of color.