Informing the Public

“Ignorance of the Law is NO excuse”

Ways Citizens can Stay Informed A.Public Forums: meet & exchange views on public issues and problems 1.Town Meetings: meet and vote w/majority 2.Public Hearings: meet for public to express views

Ways Citizens can Stay Informed B.Mass Media 1.intended to reach a large audience 2.radio, tv, magazines, Internet 3.Receive their information through a press release - sent to the media by govt, organization, or individual and then the media can use this to write a news article 4.Newsgroup: on-line source where citizens can exchange information (similar to a blog)

Ways Citizens can Stay Informed C.Franking privilege 1.Grants an elected official the right to send mail to constituents for free 2.Helps keep constituents informed about new laws

Ways Citizens can Stay Informed D.Political Debate 1.Way to inform citizens about candidates’ stances on issues. 2.Format: Moderator runs the debate a.Question asked. b.Candidate has 2 minutes to answer. c.Opponent has 1 minute to rebuttal. d.Moderator CAN extend discussion by offering each candidate an additional 30 seconds.

Ways Citizens can Stay Informed E.Consumer Protection 1.Requires companies to inform consumers of defective products or products that may be harmful 2.Example: Warning labels on cigarettes and alcohol.

Taking Action

A. The Role of Citizens in Public Policy and Government Action 1.Voting is most common way to voice opinion on issues a.Vote for candidates b.Recall to remove officials if dissatisfied with officials performance 2.Local Initiative- people sign a petition to force a vote on an issue (get it on the ballot) 3.Local Referendum- entire community vote on a proposal (ex. Local Sales Tax increase) 4.Bond Issues- government submits to the voters to get funds for specific needs (borrow money to build a park) Money must be paid back by a specific date

B. The Role of Politics in Public Policy and Government Action 1.Political parties and politicians use conflict and controversial issues to gain specific results a.War-current pressing issue in presidential campaign b.Education-debate the issue of Tuition Vouchers which allow for students to attend private schools with the help of public funding c.Economy-loss of jobs, inflation, bankruptcy

C. Starting Special Interest Groups in Public Policy and Government Action 1.These groups advocate (support) one side of an issue 2.Purpose is to influence public policy, they want passage of laws and election of candidates

3. Interest Groups a.Types of Interest Groups: 1)Economic interests groups: groups based on economic interests. Examples: Chamber of Commerce, Tobacco Institute, AFL-CIO 2)People organize to promote ethnic group, age group, religious group, or gender. Examples: NAACP, NOW 3)Other groups organize for special causes. Examples: a)Sierra Club: protects nature b)National Rifle Association: protects interests of gun owners 4)Public Interest Groups: support causes that affect the public. Example: League of Women Voters b.Interest groups try to influence public policy, support certain candidates, bring cases to court, and lobby the government.

D. Lobbyists 1.Contact government officials directly 2.Operate at all levels of government 3.Most effective lobbyists can supply politicians with information 4.Sometimes they prepare their own drafts of bills for law makers to consider 5.Work to see that laws are enforced and upheld in court

E. Regulating Interest Groups & Lobbyists 1. Pros a.Make government more responsive b.Provide necessary and important services by communicating the people’s wishes to their representatives c.Allow people to organize and participate in the political system d.Pressure government to follow polices they want 2. Cons a.Have too much say in government b.Contributions give improper influence over office holders