Science Leadership Academy @ Center City

Kim Bush goes to Vote...well to ask about it anyways

Posted by Kimberly Bush in American Government - Laufenberg on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 3:28 pm

When I went to my local church to do this assignment I saw many people going in and out. So I stopped one of them, a woman, and told her about this school assignment that many of our students are doing in the Philadelphia area. She replied delightedly and said that, being part of a school community, she would love to help.

What motivated you to come out to vote?
The State of the Union. I don't want people to speak for me. You have to make your voice known.

Did you learn about voting in school?
No. I learned from my family. From the age of 12 they would make me stand outside of this church to pass out ballots.

What would you like to see changed in our political system?
The concept of majority rules. I would like things to be brought back to the people, to the public. I wish that congress would get more opinions from the people instead of having us vote on people who we think might do something to better the political system. However, they could say they're for something, but not do anything about it when they are elected.

What was the most memorable campaign ad that you've encountered?
I got it in the mail and it was against Joe Sestak. It was just, petty and childish really. On it was a bottle full of oil and across it, it read Snake Oil. That's another thing about these campaign ads; instead of stating issues that need to be solved, they're more emotional. In reality, I think everyone's ready for it all to be over.

Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you go into the booth?
Yes. I spend plenty of time researching the people who are campaigning to see what they stand for instead of just going off the commercials on tv or the ads that I get in the mail.

What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?
The city. They should focus on employment and also on reducing taxes.

Do you think that your vote has an impact on this election?
I'm going to give you the real answer, the true answer. I hope. You just never know.

Election Day Assignment

Posted by Sinnea Douglas in American Government - Laufenberg on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 3:04 pm

I interviewed a young man from my neighborhood.

1. What motivated you to come out and vote?

“It just seems like the right thing to do. If I’m able to why not?”

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

“I’m not fully aware of all the issues but I just want to see someone who is real you know, someone who will keep their promises.”

3. Do you vote in every election? (How regularly do you vote?)

“I’m sort of a new voter, the first time I voted was in the Obama election. This is only my second time.”

4. Do you know why we vote on Tuesday?

“No, I’m sure I learned it in school before, but I can’t remember.”

5. Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, TV, print, internet, other.

“Probably the stuff they leave on the doorstep. They call my house too.”

6. What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered?

“I don’t even remember. I didn't pay attention to them that much.”

7. Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

“Well since this only my second time I’m not really sure how to answer that. I was sure I was voting for Obama my first time but this time I wasn’t really sure. I kinda just chose who my dad was always talking about. He knows more about this stuff than me, so I just use him.”

Voting Day Interview!

Posted by Anonymous in American Government - Laufenberg on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 2:56 pm

Tajh Jenkins

Science Leadership Academy

Voting Day Interview

For this voting day assignment, I conducted an interviewed with one of the barbers at a barbershop called "Hair Infatuation". The barbershop is a block away from me. The barber who I interviewed declined to be recorded.

The 5 Questions that I asked him were:

1.) What would you like to see changed in our political system? "I would like for our political system to have more by partisanship. I would also like for the government to direct more of its money towards improving our education systems. Another thing I would like to see change in our political system is less corporate power involved in politics."

2.) What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered?

"The most memorable campaign ad that I have encountered is when John Kerry was running for president against Bush. I was a supporter of John Kerry's campaign."

3.) Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today? "No I didn't learn about voting in school. They didn't expose us to voting while I was in school. My family members, specifically my uncles, influenced me to vote. As a kid I would go to the voting booths with them."

4.) Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating? "When I go to vote, I'm always sure of whom I'm voting for. I already have a game plan before I go into the booth."

5.) What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

"Well in Philadelphia I would like to see more effort into improving the streets/environments. I would also like for Philadelphia to put more money into our public schools and I would like to see the city make it more of a goal to improve the homelessness in throughout the city."

I think that my interview went very well today. There were a lot of insightful things that we discussed outside of him answering these questions. I learned that he really could get deep when it comes to talking about politics and the government.

Voting Day Interview!

Posted by Anonymous in American Government - Laufenberg on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 2:55 pm