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Get up to speed on the U.S. political system
Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics For Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you.
You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. Also included is new information on how to use online tools and social media to find out what legislation is on the floor, what issues are before the Supreme Court, and when congress and the Supreme Court are in session.
Understand the United States political system
Learn more about the three branches of U.S. government
Discover the differences in federal, state, and local operations
Get need-to-know information for involvement
This book cuts through the political jargon and provides clear, up-to-date details about everything from legislation to polls to presidential elections in the United States--and explains how you can become a political player yourself.
Auteur
Ann M. DeLaney is currently a Standing Trustee in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for the Southern District of Indiana. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of a major political party in Indiana and the first woman nominated by a major party as a candidate for Indiana Lieutenant Governor. She has been a delegate to state and national party conventions.
Texte du rabat
Understand political parties and elections Here's what you need to know about American government and politics Confused by caucuses? Puzzled by primaries? Frustrated by how messy politics can be? Then this book is exactly what you need to make sense of it all. Because, like it or not, politics determines how our society functions. This guide explains what you probably never learned in school, exploring how the system works, what lobbying is, the importance of all three branches of national government, how today's digital environment affects politics, ways to learn about the candidates, how you can get involved, and why you should. Inside...
Résumé
Get up to speed on the U.S. political system
Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics For Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you.
You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. Also included is new information on how to use online tools and social media to find out what legislation is on the floor, what issues are before the Supreme Court, and when congress and the Supreme Court are in session.
Contenu
Introduction 1
What is Politics? 1
Why You Need This Book 3
How to Use This Book 4
How This Book is Organized 4
Part 1: Politics and You 4
Part 2: Making Your Voice Heard 4
Part 3: Politics is a Team Sport 5
Part 4: It's All Marketing 5
Part 5: Let the Campaigns Begin! 5
Part 6: Presidential Politics 5
Part 7: The Part of Tens 5
Icons Used in This Book 6
Where to Go from Here 6
Part 1: Politics and You 7
Chapter 1: It's Politics, Baby! 9
Elected Politicians a Quick Look 9
Federal officials 10
State officials 12
Local officials 13
Politics versus Government 14
Politics has spin doctors 14
The government has spokespeople 15
What Do You Want from Your Elected Officials? 17
Chapter 2: The Money-versus-Vote Analysis 19
The Factors behind Any Political Stance 19
Weighing public opinion 20
Counting the money 21
Money Makes the World Go 'Round 23
Fundraising 23
Leverage and money 23
Senate money 24
Hatred is a Greater Motivator than Love 25
Evil versus good 25
But who is the bad guy? 25
Your Stake in the Election 26
Is the legislation good for you? 26
Does the legislation touch your life? 28
Part 2: Making Your Voice Heard 29
Chapter 3: Be a Part of the Solution Vote! 31
Should You Register to Vote? 32
Upsides and downsides of registering 32
Why Vote in Primaries? 36
Taking your chance to choose the candidate 36
Declaring your party affiliation 37
Do Elected Officials Care What You Think? 38
Your opinions are worth real money 38
Giving voters what they say they want 40
Chapter 4: Contributing Your Time or Money 43
Donating Your Time 43
Finding your niche 44
Spending your time well 46
Money Talks 47
Deciding who should get your money 48
Putting your wallet away 49
Knowing what to expect 49
Which Kind of Contributor Are You? 50
Party backers 50
Ideological givers 51
Kingmakers (and queenmakers) 53
Special interest groups 54
Chapter 5: Telling Politicians What's on Your Mind 55
Reaching Out and Touching Your Representatives 56
Town Meetings 58
Putting It in Writing 59
More sometimes means less 60
Multiplying your opinion 60
Teamwork is the Name of the Game 62
Other officials 62
Recognized organizations 63
The media 63
Part 3: Politics is a Team Sport 67
Chapter 6: Partying with Politics 69
Why We Have Only Two Parties 69
The big-tent theory 70
Third parties 72
Independent candidates 73
Departing from the party 73
Voters value independence 74
Legislation requires cooperation 74
Those Were the Days 75
Television and the decline of party power 76
The cost of campaigning 76
Contributors gain the upper hand 76
Voters can be duped 77
Straight-Ticket Voting versus Ticket Splitting 78
Political Parties Serve a Purpose 79
Ensuring a fair election 79
Getting out the vote 81
Providing information 83
Amplifying your voice 84
Choosing the Candidates 85
Party nominees 85
Primaries 87
Conventions 88 The role of ideology in candida...