Blog 2 Economy

 

While I’ve known how important voting is for the country and my future, throughout these projects I've learned that voting these elections play a crucial role in creating government, public policy and the everyday lives of citizens. I knew voting was essential before learning about this topic, but I didn’t know how many aspects of our society are affected by election results. Elections influence decisions on education, the economy, immigration and many other issues that effect people’s lives, from the local community to the federal government. Studying elections has helped me understand what it is to be a responsible citizen and why we should vote.

One of the first things I understood was the difference between state and local elections. In local elections leaders are chosen, like mayors, city council members, school board members, and county commissioners. Elected leaders make decisions that automatically impact communities such as public transportation, public safety, schools, local services. I discovered that although municipal elections might take a lower priority compared to presidential elections, they can have a major effect on our everyday lives since they deal with the issues we face every day.

I also learned about state elections and how powerful state governments are. Governors and state lawmakers decide on issues such as education, health care, transportation, the environment, and public safety. State governments are responsible for making and enforcing laws that affect residents’ lives. Before this issue I didn’t know how much state governments affect crucial legislation and how election outcomes can lead to variations between states.

While seeing group 1’s presentation of the voting process itself, I learnt that voting means a lot more than just showing up on election day. Citizens need to register to vote and be aware of election dates and the several ways to vote such as early voting, absentee voting and mail-in voting. Each state has its own rules and procedures, so voters should keep themselves informed. Learning about voting made me realize that becoming involved in elections takes preparation and awareness.

I learned about elections, and about the history of voting rights in the United States. This was the most intriguing topics as it highlighted the expansion of voting rights over the time. In the early days of the country, several groups could not vote. This included women and many racial minorities. Amendments to the Constitution , civil rights movements , and legislation slowly expanded the right to vote to more and more Americans . Learning about the battles people endured to earn the right to vote has made me realize how important it is to protect and exercise that freedom. It also reminded me that democracy has developed over the years and still relies on active citizen participation.

Another big lesson was the necessity of voter turnout. I discovered that voting is one of the most direct ways citizens may influence the decisions of government. People vote to choose leaders that represent their interests and values. If residents do not participate, their views are not heard in the critical decisions that affect their communities and their futures. The topic proved that voting is not just a right but a civic duty that helps in strengthening democracy.

Participation is related to the idea of voter turnout. Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who actually go out and vote in an election. I found that when voter turnout is high, it usually shows that people are more involved in the democratic process. Voter turnout can be influenced by many factors . These include voter education , political activity , access to polling sites and public confidence in government . Studying voter turnout helped me grasp the importance of trying to increase voting, especially among young people.

Watching group 2’s presentation of financial aid especially as a student intrigued me because of the impact elections have on higher education. Government officials decide where money goes for education, financial assistance programs, scholarships, grants, and student loans. I saw the election results and the implications on affordability and accessibility of higher education. Elected officials have influence over federal and state budgets , which are often sources of funding for financial aid programs . It made me realize that elections directly affect students’ academic responsibilities nd financial futures.

Another big topic I saw were the differences in election systems around the world. It gave me a bigger overview of democracy by looking at the United States in comparison to other countries. I found out that different countries have different ways of choosing leaders and encouraging people to participate. For example, Brazil and Australia have mandatory voting systems, in which citizens are required to vote. Some countries let citizens vote at a younger age than the United States does. Some allow inmates to vote under certain circumstances. For example, Canada and Denmark have extended voting rights to detained persons under certain circumstances. Learning about the US vs the world perspective made me realize that there is not one form of democracy and that countries can have diverse ways of approaching elections while still encouraging representation and political involvement.

Another thing I discovered is that elections have a big impact on the economy. Government leaders decide on taxes , government spending , labor policies and laws on economy . These decisions impact earnings, job prospects, and the total cost of living. Economic factors can effect college students’ tuition costs, housing expenses, job availability, and future career options. I also got to know about the housing market and how prices of properties and rent have risen over the years, causing problems for many people. I began to understand the link between elections and economic policies, and how political choices could affect financial stability and quality of life.

I also learned that the economy is based on the production of products and services. Economic growth is not just a business and people issue. Consumers also help the economy grow. The actions of government affect economic activity. Elected politicians have a say in economic policies. Thus, elections play an important role in determining economic policies and outcomes.

Another big thing I saw from group 4’s presentation was immigration policy. Immigration rules are about who comes into the country, how they get legal status, job and citizenship. I learned that immigration is a complicated issue with national security, economic need, humanitarian problems and legal processes. Florida’s diverse population and strong international ties make immigration especially important yet vulnerable to the state. Immigration policies impact schools, businesses, labor markets and families across the state.

To summarize, what I have learned from studying elections is that voting is about so much more than choosing political leaders. Elections have an effect on education, financial aid, economic policies, job prospects, housing, immigration restrictions, and a number of other factors in our society. I learned that local and state elections are just as important as national elections because they affect the communities and individual residents directly. Learning about voting rights history taught me that you have to participate in a democracy. Voter turnout taught me the value of participation in civic life. Most importantly I learnt that elections matter because they give the voters the power to influence the destiny of their communities, states and country. This knowledge allowed me to understand better the political process and the responsibility of being an informed voter.