Muckrakers were known as journalist that would expose the corruption within businesses and politics. These journalist were able to expose corruption using different types of information. For instance, documents 2,5, and 6 used information to expose business corruption. Documents 1 and 4 used information to expose the corruption of city living conditions. Lastly, document 3 used information in order to expose political corruption.…
Corrupt Political Leader: Randy “Duke” Cunningham Many political leaders find themselves drowned in responsibilities and pressure from society. When encountering these factors, they usually become corrupt causing them to do whatever it takes to become successful even if it means being dishonest. In fact, this was the case for Randy Cunningham, commonly referred to as Duke Cunningham.. Duke Cunningham was a “decorated” naval pilot during the Vietnam War ("Randy").…
The Candidate With a look of existential crisis, Bill McKay utters, “What do we do now?”. The Candidate shows us that people with good intentions often lose their way during an election process. This 1972 classic encompasses how the media turns elections into propaganda that often changes candidates into the standard norm of a politician.…
Political Culture is when the US citizens expressed their opinions and thoughts about how the government and politics should operate. Americans will make sure the government prominence to have liberty, equality, and democracy. There are three political subcultures, Moralistic, Individualistic, and Traditionalistic Political Culture. Moralistic Political Culture is when people can see the government as a public service which is provided by a government to people to improve their living conditions. People will participate in politics to ensure the public good.…
During the screening of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, many ideas were presented that are vital to present day America. One idea that is particularly relevant to both the movement of the plot and modern day America is whistleblowing. Whistleblowing, or the disclosure of information by a person or agency that may be illegal, corrupt, or tarnish reputations, is directly related to democracy and freedom of speech (Whistleblowing). Additionally, whistleblowing plays a critical role in the film as well, introducing conflict throughout the film. While the film was created in the 1930s, the ideas presented remain both culturally and politically relevant to contemporary America (Mr. Smith).…
“I Am Not a Crook” Political leaders of the United States were once idolized. However, the publishing of the Pentagon Papers and the Vietnam War made the public wary of their government’s internal motives. In 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters, who were linked to President Richard M. Nixon. The public’s opinion of a corrupt government was solidified. Politics and journalism changed forever.…
Former governor Bob McDonnell and wife are found guilty in the trail for conspiracy, corruption and bribery. Bob McDonnell is the former governor for Virginia and has been accused of 11 different counts relating to the conspiracy charges. As for his wife, she was brought up on 8 of those 11 conspiracy charges, also one charge of obstruction of official proceeding. Bob McDonnell was also brought up on two counts of false statements on bank loans, and as for his wife she was brought up on one count of that. Neither of them were found guilty of it.…
Through the years, elections have become more and more important. Voting is where how some of our most important decisions are made. We decide on our elected officials both local, state, and federal. We can also vote for some laws to go into effect in our neighborhood. We believe our government to be honest and fair.…
Corruption within the system is a concerning force that holds people back from going to the polls. I didn't vote for a long time because of that very reason. It took some maturing on my end before I started to realize that regardless of what goes on inside the mechanics of politics, my vote still has a voice and it does make noise when I cast my ballot. Texas and the United States as a whole need to buckle down on the blatantly criminal acts allowed to be committed from the President's office all the way down to the School Board of Education and beyond. It seems as if it is an uncontrollable beast because the people who could actually do something to stop it either put on blinders or they are so deep into corruption…
“Corruption dominates the ballot box, the legislatures, the Congress and touches even the ermine of the bench... from the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes - tramps and millionaires.” ~The Populist Party. The Gilded Age was an era of political corruption, spanning from 1865-1896. Its main focus was improving America’s business and industrial power.…
In the movie, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, it talks about the pros and cons of the government. Some pros that were stated in the movie was the idea that the leaders elected represent the public’s opinion and interest. Also, the idea of popular sovereignty was presented in the film as well. The principle of popular sovereignty is represented on how Mr. Smith is viewed by his voting precinct, which is the people who voted for him to be the Senator. They voted for him because they trust him and believe in him that he could make the country better.…
The Gilded in America is the time period following after the civil war; the name, originates from the historical fiction book, “The Gilded Age”, written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner the book gives us a very good picture of the era of that time and how the thin covering represented all the great ideas and businesses (i.e. the railroad) was profitable but that what lay beneath it all was corrupt and a nation that desired materialism. What were some of the problems in the Gilded Age? In the book, American History, Stobaugh writes, “The Gilded Age was a period of obscene materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history. It was a time of massive industrialization and serious social problems.” With the title, The Gilded…
The words, witch hunts, are usually looked at as a joke or stupidity on the side of the humans. One of the most well-known witch hunts in history was in Massachusetts Salem. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, he discusses the seriousness and unjustness of the crucible. Major power often results in the abuse of power and corruption, is one of the things he said provoked the witch hunts in Salem. In act two, John Proctor was furious because Abigail accused his wife, Elizabeth, of witchcraft.…
There is a lot of controversy whether or not dirty hands are necessary for politics and brings a dilemma if one should partake in it or not. The “dirty hands” issue arises when a political leader is forced to make a choice in order to do something morally wrong in order to bring about a greater good of some sort. When someone is forced to choose between supporting an important moral principle or to avoid some sort of disaster there can be a lot of questions that may come up. This is why dirty hand politicians are necessary for some political decisions. In a paper written by Michael Walzer “Political Action: The Problem of Dirty Hands”, he describes an issue that occurs with dirty hands.…
The American political culture contains various concepts and values. Indeed, Americans share the same perspectives, the support in the ideals of individualism and liberty. The idea of individualism encompasses the idea that we as Americans have rights. For instance, we can make independent decisions, and we are responsible for our lives. We define liberty as having the freedom to do as we please with limits in the interest of having a stable society.…