Monday, March 17, 2014
Interest Groups
I chose the National Education Association (NEA), which is the nation's largest employee organization. It's primary goal is to advance public education. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to a public education to better there lives, future, and education. There website states, "NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. In pursuing its mission, NEA has determined that we will focus the energy and resources of our 3.2 million members on improving the quality of teaching, increasing student achievement and making schools safer, better places to learn." I whole-heartedly believe in this cause. I differ on the no child left behind stance in some way however, I feel like some students with special needs that need to be placed in a certain classroom so they can get the attention they need to learn. I know from experience that they still get left behind and it furthers others around them.
I found an interest group I really related to and it is the Gun Owners of America. They have been working since 1975 to preserve and defend the rights of the second amendment. I find there position on issues persuasive because I believe it's our right as Americans to be able to have a gun. Whether it is for protection, or if you just enjoy it for recreational use. People say guns kill people, I disagree with that statement. People kill people. Even if they are made illegal people with still be able to get them, just like drugs!
I don't think as a majority interest groups have to much power. In some cases i'm sure they do. I believe it's wonderful that people can join with a group of people they relate to on an issue and fight for the things they believe.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I commented on Carrie Davis, Maranda Tankersley,
ReplyDeleteI also chose to research the NEA because of their work to provide a quality education to children throughout the nation. I don't completely agree with the NCLB act, either, because some students need more care than others and I think it can hold some students back because teachers must slow down for them rather than having them in a separate class. I like the Gun Owners of America as well and I think the right to own a gun is a very important one for people to maintain.I think that some, but not all, interest groups hold entirely too much power in our government and its decisions- mainly by the use of money.
ReplyDeleteI think the NEA is a great organization! The gift of education is wonderful because it not only gives people the opportunity to better their lives, but it also creates self-worth in a person. I also think that the success of a student is rooted in the teacher, and that teachers should be protected and given the necessary tools to help their students succeed. So I think the greater part of the NEA's platform is for a good cause. The Gun Owners of America is a good organization that works towards preserving gun ownership rights and I like that you chose to write about them. My husband and I both have our carry permits and both support the second amendment and our right to own a gun.
ReplyDeleteI do think far too many times the voice of the people in this country is masked by the wallets of others. Interest groups give the people the opportunity to exercise their First Amendment, but the use of money to persuade an official to support your cause goes beyond the meaning of a democratic country.
I also agree with a majority of the issues covered by the NEA. I think education has went a long way, and in some ways it is a good change, and in others bad. I think it is fantastic that there is a group making sure children gets the proper nutrition in school because most do not get it at home. I also think it is great that they help children that can’t afford to go to school, even through college.
ReplyDeleteI also chose NEA. I believe that NEA is an excellent organization. It is also the largest professional organization and labor union in the United States.The NEA has often opposed measures such as merit pay, school vouchers, weakening of teacher tenure, certain curricular changes, the No Child Left Behind Act, and many accountability reforms. This organization is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I agree with your stance on gun ownership. I am only have a BB gun but I am a firm believer in the Constitution and I believe in protecting everything listed in the Bill of Rights, even if I choose not to use it. I know a lot of people who are against owning guns and it scares them that people can have guns in their home or on their person. At first the idea does sound kind of scarey but like you said if it were made illegal there would still be guns out on the street. It would just be that the only gun owners would be the cops and the bad guys. While it is nice to know we can call the police if we need them it is also equally as nice to know that we can own a gun to protect ourselves incase the cops are not right there when we need them. If more places allowed guns then we might see less tragic events such as these mass killings at schools. Of a person starts killing people then there would be someone there to stop them before too many lives were taken. Instead, this person is often the only one in the building with a gun and therefore is able to go on a killing spree. So, logically allowing for law abiding citizens to exercise their rights would most likely help save lives.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree more with you on your stand on gun rights! That group is very respectable and looks out for legal gun holders. It's nice hearing someone say the same things I believe too, instead of all the propaganda that is being pushed in the media about the "harm of guns". I am not a gun owner but one day I really would like to buy a small one for my own protection. If I am barred from having one and some thug breaks into my house, I have no protection and I'm a goner! The only people who will be left with guns will be the bad guys, just like you said.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have chose the NEA and I couldn't see why not. The NEA is a wonderful association and they are so helpful to all children and to help them succeed in life. I absolutely love that you chose your answer to the second question to be about gun rights. I couldn't agree with you more to protect the second amendment. I however don't own a gun but I believe we should be able to use them to protect ourselves from danger. I set and think while typing if someone was trying to rape someone and the victim had a gun, could that gun save her life? Of course because no one wants to get shot. I disagree with the thought that the groups don't have too much power. in most cases I believe they do. You shouldn't be able to buy your way into a government.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that people can join a group that they believe in and can fight for too! I think your comment about how people kill people is interesting in regards to owning a gun. I never thought of it that way!!! In regard to the NEA, I was upset when I discovered that at Kent State, how the sticker price for college is $24,120, but families with an income greater than $100,000 typically pay $21,918. That was discouraging and I am glad some of these interest groups exist to expose and help corporately confront these issues.
ReplyDeleteI like your opinion on gun protection, I believe the same and yes it is a great organization and group that has been around for awhile, and guns have been a huge part of our heritage and I feel the same on that the guns do not kill people the crazy people using them kills, and the way I see it is that if you take away guns, it will not take away the crazy out of some people and they will find another way to kill or just use guns anyway illegally. You can only stop so much. Besides, if you take the guns away, the crazy people will still have them and we will no longer have any protection to take care of us and our family. Another big thing I feel is that a lot of people still hunt for their food and that is a big part since some can not afford food always.
ReplyDelete