Assignment 6: Class Discussion

DUE DATE: You should use the e-mail link below to make at least one response to the discussion question below. You should make your responses no later than the due date. You are invited to send in additional responses to what other students have written. Please post your comments as early as you can to promote a better class discussion.

Class Discussion Question:

Much of the chapter is about the differences in the two parties and how people use party id to help them in making voting decisions, despite the fact that most people complain about political parties and all the bickering and fighting that they have. For most people party id acts as a psychological filter that colors how they see the world. For example, if one is a Republican, the person will interpret things said by Republicans, like President Bush, in a favorable way. If one is a Democrat, the person will tend to see whatever President Bush says or does in a more negative light.

One of the challenges of education is the ability to step outside of yourself and be able to understand yourself. I challenge you to do that now. One of the most controversial issues in American politics, and in the November 2006 mid-term elections, was the ongoing war in Iraq. It is already shaping up as an important issue for next year’s presidential race. How do you think your own party identification has affected your feelings about the war? If you do not have a party identification, how do you think some close friend or relation of yours has been affected in their views on the war by their party identification? Are there other factors that are more important in determining positions on this particular war?

Click on the e-mail address below to compose and send your response to the above question. Make sure that you type "Class Discussion 6 -- your name" (e.g. Class Discussion 6 -- Carol B) in the subject box, and put you first name and last initial at the end of your comments, e.g. Carol B.

Class Discussion Responses