The USA

Why do many people want to live in the USA?

The attractions (pull factors) of the USA are

• Freedom to follow your own choice of religion
• The oportunity to work in your own business, or for a company
• The chance to make a good income
• A democratic political system
• A well developed educational system

The problems (push factors) of the country of origin may include

• War
• Famine
• Poverty
• Lack of political freedom
• Lack of religious freedom
• Natural Disasters

How are the rights of US citizens protected by the constitution?

• The constitution is a document which was written at the founding of the United States that lists the rights US citizens are entitled to receive
• These rights are protected by the legal system
• These rights include
  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of the press
  • Freedom to protest
  • The right to own guns
  • The right to vote
  • The right to a free and open trial
• The original constitution has been changed down the years in a series of "amendments". These are also protected by the legal system

What are the responsibilities of US citizens?

• Freedom of speech brings the responsibility to not slander (lie) or make sexist, racist, or ageist remarks
• Freedom of the press brings responsibility to respect individuals right to privacy
• Freedom to protest brings the responsibility not to use violence or intimidation
• The right to own guns brings the responsibility to only use them in self-defence

How can US citizens participate in politics?

• By voting in Federal, State and County (local) elections
• By standing for election
• By joining a political party, and helping them during election campaigns
• By contacting (e.g. by telephone, letter, internet) their elected representatives
• By contributing to party funds. The two main parties are the Republicans and the Democrats

How can US citizens participate in elections?

• They can vote in elections to the Federal Government. This controls national and international affairs. Political candidates are elected to the Congress, which is roughly the US equivalent of the UK Westminster parliament. The Congress is made up of the Senate (100 Senators) and the House of Representatives (435 Congressmen/women)
• They can vote for the President. This is a separate vote from the Congress so that the President can come from a different party than that of the house majority
• They can vote in State Elections to elect a State Governor, Senate and House of Representatives
• They can vote in County elections for example Sheriff, Tax Collector, Judge, District Attorney and even Dog Catcher

Why is the participation of US voters low?

• There are so many elections it can put people off
• Citizens have to register before they can vote and some don't bother
• The voting paper can be complicated and difficult to complete
• Some voters do not see much difference between the parties and therefore don't see the point

Apart from participating in elections, how else can US citizens influence their government?

• As in the UK people can join pressure groups - these are know as interest groups in the USA
• An example of an interest group in the National Rifle Association (NRA), which is a pro gun ownership organisation
• Writing letters, lobbying politicians, petitions, demonstrating and advertising your cause

Why do fewer members of ethnic minority groups participate in elections?

The largest minority groups are Blacks (increasingly known as African Americans) and Hispanics (more frequently called Latinos)

• Fewer role models in politics
• Less Blacks and Hispanics register to vote
• Sometimes there will be language problems
• Some members of these groups are disenchanted with a system they feel discriminates against them
• The cost of standing for election is a barrier to more Blacks and Hispanics than other ethnic groups
• Some US citizens will not vote for candidates from other ethnic groups

Why has the level of participation of ethnic minority groups increased in recent times?

• The emergence of black role models such as Colin Powell, Condelleza Rice and Barak Obama
• Grass roots campaigns, such as the "Southwest Voter Registration Education Project," to encourage Hispanics to register to vote, and then participate in elections
• The growth, in some areas, of a ethnic minority "middle class", who have traditionally taken a bigger part in politics and elections
• Some members of these groups are disenchanted with a system they feel discriminates against them
• The cost of standing for election is a barrier to more Blacks and Hispanics than other ethnic groups
• Some US citizens will not vote for candidates from other ethnic groups

Why do many people believe the economic system of the US works well?

The USA has a capitalist economic system. This means for example

• People can run their own businesses
• There is competition between companies, which is good for consumers
• Companies and individuals aim to make profits

People in favour of capitalism argue it brings benefits

• Good housing
• High ownership of consumer goods
• Extra disposable income (more money to spend)
• People are rewarded with wealth for hard work e.g. successful businesses make good profits
• The government does not interfere too much with the individual, and therefore taxes are kept low

Why do some US citizens have higher living standards than others?

• Some people do not have the same level of opportunities as others
• Some people are not able to get high quality education
• Some people suffer prejudice and suffer discrimination
• Some areas are richer than others and offer better levels of employment and higher pay
• Working hard does not guarantee successful business or high pay

Why are Black and Hispanic citizens less likely to achieve social and economic success?

Many Blacks and Hispanics live in run-down, inner city areas (the ghetto). Problems found in the ghetto include

• Poor quality housing
• Poor health e.g. higher infant mortality and lower life expectancy
• Higher levels of crime
• Higher unemployment
• Higher levels of problem drug use
• Poor levels of educational attainment (fewer people get qualifications)
• Greater poverty

Other disadvantage include

• Discrimination
• Language (Spanish is the first language of Hispanics)
• Some Hispanics are illegal immigrants

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