Discussion and Essay

Student 1 post: All politics is always struggle for power. The definition of politics states; the actions related with the government of a country in discussion or struggles among individuals or groups of similar qualities hoping to achieve power. Since this country is a democracy were the population or all the eligible members of a state develop a system of government, control is not absolute by one individual. Politics through discussion and persuasion is of upmost importance. In power to gain power to make laws, decisions, and policies, politics come in to play to achieve power to do so. Politicians argue, negotiate, and struggle to convince the majority that a law, decision, or policy is worth passing.

            The issue in today’s government is that parties have been more concerned with gaining power within the different branches of government that they forget the people they are serving. The struggle for power is a reason why this country is facing the issues that it is facing in the political climate. While the Democrats and Republicans continuously fight to undo the work of the other party, important issues such as healthcare, the economy, immigration, and everything else remains deadlocked. With the struggle for power occurring, this country’s future remains in idle as no changes are made to better this country.

            Politics will always be a struggle for power to pass the beliefs, agenda, and needs of a particular group. With so many different people in this country and the lack of compromise between the people of this country, the struggle for power is getting harder and harder to attain. All the while this country's citizens stand by as time passes by, the rest of the world is going to catch up and pass us by.

Student 2 post:

The initial thought that popped into my head when reading this, was 'no.' Politics is not all power. Some of it is who you know, some of it is how much money you have, while some is just how hard you work. People in politics are not always power-hungry. Power is not the be-all-end-all of everything in politics, and that is a firm belief. However, when it really boils down to it, power is the ultimate goal. Who you know, gets you into a position that you want to have what? Power. The money that you have buys you a position to obtain what? Power... Even when speaking of those who worked hard to get to their positions, and know what it was like to get be at the bottom, work hard so that they can get power. Even if an individual may not purposely, or even consciously, make decisions that get them in power-positions; they still make them. People have goals or aspirations that involve them making a difference, either in their own lives or others. 

But in order for someone to make a difference, to put a new law in place, to build an after-school program, to become chief of surgery, you need to have some sort of authority. To make improvements and better lives, one needs to be in a position to make decisions; to help people. Therefore, even if someone did not want to be in a position simply for the power, the only way that they can make a difference is by having some.