Get up to speed on the U.S. political system

Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics For Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you.

You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. Also included is new information on how to use online tools and social media to find out what legislation is on the floor, what issues are before the Supreme Court, and when congress and the Supreme Court are in session.

• Understand the United States political system

• Learn more about the three branches of U.S. government

• Discover the differences in federal, state, and local operations

• Get need-to-know information for involvement

  This book cuts through the political jargon and provides clear, up-to-date details about everything from legislation to polls to presidential elections in the United States--and explains how you can become a political player yourself.

  Autorentext

Ann M. DeLaney is currently a Standing Trustee in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for the Southern District of Indiana. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of a major political party in Indiana and the first woman nominated by a major party as a candidate for Indiana Lieutenant Governor. She has been a delegate to state and national party conventions.

Klappentext

• Make sense of political jargon
• Discover how U.S. government works at every level

• Understand political parties and elections Here's what you need to know about American government and politics Confused by caucuses? Puzzled by primaries? Frustrated by how messy politics can be? Then this book is exactly what you need to make sense of it all. Because, like it or not, politics determines how our society functions. This guide explains what you probably never learned in school, exploring how the system works, what lobbying is, the importance of all three branches of national government, how today's digital environment affects politics, ways to learn about the candidates, how you can get involved, and why you should. Inside...

• Politics versus government
• Yes, your vote DOES count
• Choosing a candidate
• Are you being manipulated?
• How candidates are marketed
• What about the money thing?
• Electoral college pros and cons

• How politics affects your life

  Zusammenfassung
  Get up to speed on the U.S. political system

  Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics For Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you.

  You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. Also included is new information on how to use online tools and social media to find out what legislation is on the floor, what issues are before the Supreme Court, and when congress and the Supreme Court are in session.

• Understand the United States political system
• Learn more about the three branches of U.S. government
• Discover the differences in federal, state, and local operations

• Get need-to-know information for involvement
  This book cuts through the political jargon and provides clear, up-to-date details about everything from legislation to polls to presidential elections in the United Statesand explains how you can become a political player yourself.

  Inhalt

Introduction 1

What is Politics? 1

Why You Need This Book 3

How to Use This Book 4

How This Book is Organized 4

Part 1: Politics and You 4

Part 2: Making Your Voice Heard 4

Part 3: Politics is a Team Sport 5

Part 4: It's All Marketing 5

Part 5: Let the Campaigns Begin! 5

Part 6: Presidential Politics 5

Part 7: The Part of Tens 5

Icons Used in This Book 6

Where to Go from Here 6

Part 1: Politics and You 7

Chapter 1: It's Politics, Baby! 9

Elected Politicians a Quick Look 9

Federal officials 10

State officials 12

Local officials 13

Politics versus Government 14

Politics has spin doctors 14

The government has spokespeople 15

What Do You Want from Your Elected Officials? 17

Chapter 2: The Money-versus-Vote Analysis 19

The Factors behind Any Political Stance 19

Weighing public opinion 20

Counting the money 21

Money Makes the World Go 'Round 23

Fundraising 23

Leverage and money 23

Senate money 24

Hatred is a Greater Motivator than Love 25

Evil versus good 25

But who is the bad guy? 25

Your Stake in the Election 26

Is the legislation good for you? 26

Does the legislation touch your life? 28

Part 2: Making Your Voice Heard 29

Chapter 3: Be a Part of the Solution Vote! 31

Should You Register to Vote? 32

Upsides and downsides of registering 32

Why Vote in Primaries? 36

Taking your chance to choose the candidate 36

Declaring your party affiliation 37

Do Elected Officials Care What You Think? 38

Your opinions are worth real money 38

Giving voters what they say they want 40

Chapter 4: Contributing Your Time or Money 43

Donating Your Time 43

Finding your niche 44

Spending your time well 46

Money Talks 47

Deciding who should get your money 48

Putting your wallet away 49

Knowing what to expect 49

Which Kind of Contributor Are You? 50

Party backers 50

Ideological givers 51

Kingmakers (and queenmakers) 53

Special interest groups 54

Chapter 5: Telling Politicians What's on Your Mind 55

Reaching Out and Touching Your Representatives 56

Town Meetings 58

Putting It in Writing 59

More sometimes means less 60

Multiplying your opinion 60

Teamwork is the Name of the Game 62

Other officials 62

Recognized organizations 63

The media 63

Part 3: Politics is a Team Sport 67

Chapter 6: Partying with Politics 69

Why We Have Only Two Parties 69

The big-tent theory 70

Third parties 72

Independent candidates 73

Departing from the party 73

Voters value independence 74

Legislation requires cooperation 74

Those Were the Days 75

Television and the decline of party power 76

The cost of campaigning 76

Contributors gain the upper hand 76

Voters can be duped 77

Straight-Ticket Voting versus Ticket Splitting 78

Political Parties Serve a Purpose 79

Ensuring a fair election 79

Getting out the vote 81

Providing information 83

Amplifying your voice 84

Choosing the Candidates 85

Party nominees 85

Primaries 87

Conventions 88 The role of ideology in candida...