Elections- Blog Post #5

Elections influence an individual’s beliefs by helping them find a platform that they conform with, which they can then use to vote for a representative who will uphold similar political beliefs. During an election, those who are running build a campaign based around their political party, and establish the platform in which they are choosing to run on. For example, in the 2016 House of Representative elections, the winner of the 17th District of California, Ro Khanna, appealed to the people by creating a platform which was highly based off of protecting individuals and stopping the corruption in our government. He ran against incumbent Congressman Mike Honda, who is also a liberal, but is more focused on providing funding for projects. Because each candidate has a slightly different platform, individuals are able to vote for the candidate that best fits their political beliefs. Elections are the most influential linkage institution, because the most direct way to get your voice heard is to elect someone who would have the power to represent you. In recent elections, it is evident that people have begun to have even more solidified views and beliefs, which causes contrasts between parties. The most obvious instance of this was the 2016 Presidential Election, where there were multiple parties running, including Third Parties, which all had their own platforms. This caused a lot of tension inter-party, because Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians would fiercely defend their own beliefs, and have disregard for contrasting ones.

Source #1: Ro Khanna: For the rest of us:

This source is a video advertisement from YouTube, which was posted by the Ro Khanna Campaign in April of 2016. In this video, the narrator talks about the problem of corruption in the federal government, and how Ro Khanna is the solution. The video then talks about the different ways that Ro Khanna is going to improve the quality of living and government for individuals by advocating for things such as: higher quality of education, an economy that will benefit all classes, and removing the wage gap between men and women. The point of view of this source is that electing Ro Khanna as our District Representative will abolish all of the current corruption in our government. Similarly, one of the ways that they appeal to voters is by stating that Khanna, "won't take a penny from special interests," meaning that his views and actions are not influenced by money from people who are pushing a political agenda. This use of ethos gives Khanna credibility and trustworthiness, meaning that voters are likely to want him in office. This statement also works in his favor because it strengthens his platform of eliminating corruption. The previously mentioned goals that Ro Khanna included in his campaign advertisement reflect the current beliefs of Democratic Liberals. As a Democrat, Ro Khanna wants to be elected into office so that he can create social change, and make America more equitable. By giving women equal pay, and making the economy beneficial to people in the middle and lower classes, more equity in America could be achieved, and the only way for Democrats to leave this impression on government is by electing Khanna, who is the "solution" that Congress needs in order to become more progressive.

Source #2: Mike Honda TV Ad- Finish Line: 

This ad, posted by the YouTube channel CongressmanHonda in October of 2016 highlights all of the past successes that Honda had as a Congressman, and how voting for him would only lead to more success. Towards the beginning of the video, Honda says that "There is no finish line," implying that their is no end to what he hopes to acheive, and that he will constantly strive to make change. He then talks about many of the successes that he has had in previous terms as congressman, to show how he has been successful, and electing him again will allow him to continue to do so. For example, he mentions a success he had in 2010, when he was able to get "900 million for Bart," which created, "13,000 new jobs." This point of view of Honda, which is backed up by logos appeal, shows that Honda has been very successful in the past, and that he is still passionate about fostering change. The idea of having no "finish line" in politics in both helpful to Honda, and appealing to Democrats. As an intercumbant candidate, it is important for Honda to show that he is driven to create even more change, and by claiming that he sees "no finish line," people who want more changes will vote for him. This concept reflects the views of Democrats because in society, people are learning to be more accepting of diversity and change, and this party is very supportive of social change. By electing someone who also belives that social change and progressive beliefs in our society, these political ideals will be represented in government, where the desired changes can actually be made.