Maxfield 1

Jesse Maxfield
Professor Gold
December 10, 2015
E-portfolio Reflection Polls 1100
How might this assignment [and/or course] have contributed to your knowledge, desire, and/or
willingness to engage in civil society? Describe and explain?
I don't know if there is a subject that is more applicable to each and every student, living in
America, as much as US Government and Politics. It is something, whether we like it or not, that
affects the way we live. Since it is something that affects each and everyone of our lives, it is
something that we all need to take a part in, and have willingness to engage in the matters that affect
our lives. This Summary/Critique assignment is not only applicable to the reading we chose, but can
be an effective skill we can use for the rest of our lives. Being able to understand the main points of a
issue and then be able to scrutinize them is key. When issues or policies arise, we cant just accept
them as they are, we need to understand them and if there is something that we don't agree with we
should be able stand up and explain why we don't agree. We cant just sit back and let others
determine the way that we should live our lives.
From studying this course, and the article of my choice, it is apparent that things are often not
the way they seem. When we begin to look into subjects, we can see the underlining things that
influence them. For example, when we look in to the Presidential candidate financing, we can see
who is influencing the candidate by large campaign donations. Does the average person understand
that wealthy donors can sway the view of a candidate because of large donations? Seeing the
underlining powers that contribute to the way we are governed, gives me a greater desire to
understand and then participate and stand up for the things that I believe, because I don't want

Maxfield 2
someone to push their self-interest forward just because they have wealth, when ultimately the people
should decide.