BULLOCK

BULLETIN
VOTING: ARE YOU INFORMED?
By: Alissa Bullock

The majority of Americans enter into a

voting booth unaware of the effect that
they have on our countrys government.
They waltz up and cast their vote based

on what? America needs to become more

informed so that our government will help
us prosper as one united nation.

WHEREVER THE PEOPLE ARE

WELL INFORMED, THEY CAN BE
TRUSTED IN THEIR OWN
GOVERNMENT.
-Thomas
Jefferson

2012 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
Rational Voters
Rational Voters actively seek as much information as possible about all candidates,

The
number
of dollars
spent
theothers
2012personal
election
consider
thetotal
positives
and negatives,
and evaluate
themon
against
exceeded
interests.

the number of people on this planet. About $7

billion was spent by candidates, parties and outside
groups
the
2012
beating
the
Because you
learn soon
much
about
both election
sides, this strategy
is highlyeven
likely to
lead to a
expected total of $6 billion, according to
voteunprecedented
across party lines.
a review of campaign finance reports by the Federal
Election
Commission.
And
Weintraub
future
This strategy
also leads
away from incorrect
choices
picking asaid
candidate
who does
elections
could see even more spending. Its a lot of
not reflect
your views.
money. Every presidential election is the most expensive
ever. Elections dont get cheaper, she added. The
agency also found that despite the proliferation of super
PACs, traditional political action committees outspent
the new breed. Of the total spending by outside
committees, $1.2
billion
was spent
by traditional PACs
The
Campaign
Trail

Presidential campaigns are among

the most expensive part of the
United States budget. And are the
campaigns even effective? Is it
necessary for each candidate to
spend over a billion dollars just to
win over the hearts of Americans?
Okay, perhaps money does buy
votes in most cases, but should how
much money candidates spend
sway the opinion of the voters? No.
People should base their votes off of
who would do the best job of
running our country. By researching

the views of the different

presidential candidates, Americans
will be further educated about who
they trust as a leader of our nation.
Loyal historical figures are hardly
ever the ones who spend the most
money to get in the spotlight. They
are the ones who people can relate
to and trust. By becoming a rational
and well-educated voter, the yard
signs, billboards, commercials, tshirts and other advertisements will
not sway your vote!

Where do you belong?

The most important step in becoming a rational voter is to know which
party you support and belong to. Although there are many different
parties, there are two main groups that the majority of Americans are a
part of. Democrats vs. Republicans.

Democrats
Philosophy Liberal, left-leaning.
Minimum wages and
progressive taxation, i.e.,
higher tax rates for higher
Economic
income brackets. Born out of
Ideas
anti-federalist ideals but
evolved over time to favor
more government regulation.
Social and Based on community and social
human ideas responsibility
Stance on Decreased spending
Military
issues
Stance on Support (some Democrats
Gay Marriage disagree)

Republicans
Conservative, right-leaning.
Believe taxes shouldn't be
increased for anyone
(including the wealthy) and
that wages should be set by
the free market.

Based on individual rights

and justice
Increased spending

Oppose (some Republicans

disagree)

Should not be made illegal;

Stance on
support Roe v. Wade (some
Abortion
Democrats disagree)

Should not be legal; oppose

Roe v. Wade (some
Republicans disagree)

While support for the death

penalty is strong among
Stance on
Democrats, opponents of the
Death
death penalty are a substantial
Penalty
fraction of the Democratic
base.

A large majority of
Republicans support the
death penalty.

Progressive (high income

earners should be taxed at a
Stance on
higher rate). Generally not
Taxes
opposed to raising taxes to
fund government.

Tend to favor a "flat tax"

(same tax rate regardless of
income). Generally opposed
to raising taxes.

Stance on Government regulations are

Government needed to protect consumers.
Regulation

Government regulations
hinder free market
capitalism and job growth.

Support universal healthcare;

strong support of government
involvement in healthcare,
including Medicare and
Healthcare Medicaid. Generally support
Policy Obamacare.

Private companies can

provide healthcare services
more efficiently than
government-run programs.
Oppose Obamacare
provisions like (1)
requirement for individuals
to buy health insurance or
pay a fine, (2) required
coverage of contraceptives.

There is greater overall support

in the Democratic party for a
moratorium on deporting - or
offering a pathway to
Stance on citizenship to - certain
Immigration undocumented immigrants. e.g.
those with no criminal record,
who have lived in the U.S. for
5+ years.

Republicans are generally

against amnesty for any
undocumented immigrants.
They also oppose President
Obama's executive order
that put a moratorium on
deporting certain workers.
Republicans also fund
stronger enforcement
actions at the border.

Traditionally California, Massachusetts, New

strong in York
states

Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas

Symbol Donkey
Color Blue
Founded in 1824
Website www.democrats.org
Senate Harry Reid
Leader
Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Franklin Roosevelt (FDR), John
Famous F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton,
Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter,
Barack Obama

Elephant
Red
1854
www.gop.com
Mitch McConnell
Reince Priebus
Abraham Lincoln, Teddy
Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan,
George Bush, Richard Nixon

Seats in the 44/100

Senate

54/100

Seats in the 188/435

House of

245/435

Representati
ves
Governorship 18/50
s

31/50

Membership 43.1 million (as of 2012)

30.7 million (as of 2012)

When can you vote?

General Elections:
October 11, 2016: Last day to register to vote by mailing registration
form
October 25, 2016: Early voting begins
November 1, 2016: Last day to register to vote online at voter.utah.gov
November 3, 2016: Last day to request an absentee/mail ballot
November 4, 2016: Early voting ends
November 8, 2016: General Election day

Helpful Websites
http://www.gotoquiz.com/republican_or_democrat_1
http://www.shadowcitizens.com/democrat-orrepublican-test.html
http://science.time.com/2014/01/09/your-personalitymakes-your-politics/

http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/2Gaw7wh/Are-you-arepublican-or-democrat
http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/the-news-iq-quiz/