Citizens United is a conservative, non-profit organization in the United States. Four years ago, the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision allowed unlimited political spending by corporations and unions, creating an explosion of money outside of the elections. Citizens United paved the way for direct corporate spending and the creation of super PACs, which allow unlimited contributions form corporations, unions, and individuals. Thanks to Citizens United, spendings in the 2014 cycle is already three times as much as it was at this time in the 2010 election. Business leaders like the Koch Brothers have already spent 100 million in the 2014 cycle on television advertisements and fundings. Because of Citizens United, billionaires like the Koch Brothers were able to make impacts on the elections and gain support for the Republicans.
Tea Party Origins Started at April 15, 2009 and backed by numerous wealthy conservative donors, the Tea Party quickly rise to power. Supporters Mostly conservatives and Republican supporters, Tea Party members are 79% white, 40% 55 or older, 61% men, and 44% identified as “born-again Christians”. Goals Sharp reductions in federal spending. Lowering national debt and decrease in federal taxes. Reduction in the size and scope of government. Aims to create a national economy without government oversight. Tactics Create anti-Obama television ads. Continuously pressure the Republican Congress members. Successes and failures Helped the Republicans take over the House of Representatives in the 2010 elections. Tea Party’s position contributed to a congressional deadlock that almost put the U.S. government into default of its debt. Occupy Wall Street Origins Started at 2011 as a single encampment in New York City’s Zuccotti Park. Within a few weeks, the movement quickly spread all around the country. The OWS was angry at the government’s bailout of the financial industry and its failure to hold the people accountable for their role in the country’s financial crisis. Supporters The average age of supporters is 33, 81.2% were White, 6.8% were Hispanic, 2.8% were Asian, 1.6% were Black. 50% were employed full-time, 13% were unemployed. 27.3% called themselves Democrats and 2.4% called themselves Republicans. Goals Aimed to curb the political influence of large donors and to rescind the Bush-era tax policies that benefitted the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. Reduction in the influence of corporations on politics. More balanced distribution of income. More and better jobs. Forgiveness of student loan debt or other relief for indebted students. Tactics Directing public attention toward the widening gap between rich and poor in America by creating slogan such as “We are the 99%”, which is widely regarded as one of the most successful slogans. Successes and failures Americans were not very comfortable with movements that pit protesters against the police. The momentum slowed when local officials began to disband OWS encampments, citing safety, convenience, and health concerns. When some protesters clashed with police, the headlines shifted from the issue of wealth to public order situations. Occupy Wall Street movement had more to learn from the Tea Party because it’s not as successful. Occupy Wall Street chose the wrong tactics, didn’t have a focused campaign, didn’t get much financial support, and was more disorganized compared to Tea Party. Also, during the occupying protests, some protesters got into conflict with the police forces, which totally took the focus from economic issues to these conflicts. So in general, OWS was a failure and Tea Party was successful. |
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