Money and Politics

Important Connections

• Topics –– Social relationships– Science and technology– Customs and traditions

• Learner Profile –– Thinker– Reflector

• TOK –– What’s the effect of money on (U.S.) politics? Should it have any

effect at all?

Think about it

“MONEY IS THE MOTHER’SMILK OF POLITICS”~JESSE M. UNRUH

• Who pays for political campaigns? How do candidates raise money to run for office?

• Can individuals, corporations, special interest groups, and labor unions give unlimited amounts of money to candidates?

• Do you think money unfairly buys influence in our political system? Should there be limits on the amount of money individuals, corporations, special interest groups, and labor unions can give to candidates running for office? Why or why not?

What do you know?

Take a STAND!

Marriage is an outdatedsocial custom

School uniforms aregood for us

Healthcare should be free foreveryone

Military service should be mandatory for men aged18-25 (directly after HS)

Money talks louder than actions

(Money = Speech)

How much does it cost to run for President? (2008)

Barack Obama (D) $730 millionJohn McCain (R) $333 million

Total spending by the candidates = $1.759 billion

$84 million in public financing (from taxes)

Rejected public financing (accepted private donations)

Washington on the “customary means of winning votes”

• 28 gallons of rum• 50 gallons of rum punch• 34 gallons of wine• 46 gallons of beer• 2 gallons of cider royal

• Total = 160 gallons (approx. 727 liters)

There were only 391 eligible votes in his district!

Does money buy elections?

Should politicians be disclosed like NASCAR sponsorships?

Has money corrupted our electoral process?

• What does money have to do with democracy?– It gives wealthy people and

groups an unfair advantage in influencing the election outcome

– It affects who votes and how they vote

– It becomes a condition for who runs for office and who does not

– It affects public perceptions of how the system is working and whether it is fair

Questions to think about…

• How does Jon Stewart transition from the Middle East to money in politics?

• What did the Citizens United ruling allow?

• Why are no politicians willing to solve the problem of money influencing politics?

Individual Writing Practice

• Based on the following stimulus, give a response and justify it. Choose any text type you have studied (this year or last year). Word count = 200-300 words.– In today’s world, it is easy to see the role of money

in global politics. “Money is the mother’s milk of politics”.

– HAND IN AT THE END OF CLASS

Homework

1. Poll Report – Due Friday 11/30/12