Description
Book SynopsisGet up to speed on the U.S. political system
Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? Politics For Dummies has everything you need to understand local, state, and national politics; how to communicate with your elected officials; and what your representatives can do for you.
You'll find out all about lobbying groups, sub-committees, the government branches, and how elections work. Also included is new information on how to use online tools and social media to find out what legislation is on the floor, what issues are before the Supreme Court, and when congress and the Supreme Court are in session.
- Understand the United States political system
- Learn more about the three branches of U.S. government
- Discover the differences in federal, state, and local operations
- Get need-to-know information for involvement
This book cuts through the political ja
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Politics and You 7
Chapter 1: It’s Politics, Baby! 9
Chapter 2: The Money-versus-Vote Analysis 19
Part 2: Making Your Voice Heard 29
Chapter 3: Be a Part of the Solution — Vote! 31
Chapter 4: Contributing Your Time or Money 43
Chapter 5: Telling Politicians What’s on Your Mind 55
Part 3: Politics is a Team Sport 67
Chapter 6: Partying with Politics 69
Chapter 7: Taking Sides 91
Chapter 8: Joining a Special Interest Group 103
Chapter 9: Getting Political Online 121
Part 4: It’s All Marketing 131
Chapter 10: Harry Handler Meets Carly Candidate 133
Chapter 11: Selling the Candidates, Warts and All 149
Chapter 12: Truth in Advertising 163
Chapter 13: Casting That Vote! 181
Part 5: Let the Campaigns Begin 189
Chapter 14: Who Says Talk Is Cheap? (Where Your Contribution Goes) 191
Chapter 15: For Whom the Campaign Polls 205
Chapter 16: Dodging the Issues: What You Can Do 215
Chapter 17: Campaigning for Your Vote 225
Chapter 18: Negative Campaigning: The Dark Side of Politics 235
Chapter 19: The Money Thing: Is Reform Possible? 253
Part 6: Presidential Politics 263
Chapter 20: Throwing Their Hats in the Ring 265
Chapter 21: Getting the Party Started: National Party Conventions 277
Chapter 22: The Electoral College and the 2000 and 2016 Presidential Elections 285
Chapter 23: Filling Some Really Big Shoes: Electing a President 295
Part 7: The Part of Tens 311
Chapter 24: The Ten Commandments of Modern Politics 313
Chapter 25: Ten Things to Teach Your Children About Politics 317
Chapter 26: Ten Common Political Mistakes 323
Chapter 27: Ten (or so) Quotable Quotes 327
Appendix: State ID Voting Requirements 331
Index 353
