Running head: MONEY IN ELECTION 1

ROLE OF MONEY IN ELECTION

Rupesh Puri

BUS 190 Critical thinking and Problem Solving

Professor: Tara Panthi, Prateek Lalwani

King’s College / Westcliff University

April 21, 2019

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Abstract

This paper discusses about the role of money in election and the reason why voter’s turnout is

decreasing. Further, it talks money is not only the thing changing the results of election, it’s the

voter who votes. So, many people have faith their vote doesn’t make any difference and they

don’t go for voting but that’s wrong because a single vote can help choosing good candidates.

This paper also shows some data and facts taken from credible sources which shows money only

can’t change election results.

Keywords: money, voter, turnout, election

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Analysis of Statement

The statement is about the number of people decreasing in local election. The statement says

money plays an important role in the outcome of the election results. The given statement is bias

because it only shows one side argument. The words such as many of them, growing numbers,

most people agree are vague words, they’re not specific. Bandwagon effect is used because the

statement concludes that many Americans doesn’t vote because they thought their vote won’t

make a difference. Here, this statement compels the other person to not to go for vote because

the mass is not in favor of voting in local elections. This shows bandwagon effect because the

other person would definitely go with the mass without proper reasoning that one vote could also

make difference. The words highest paid, highest quality are sources of confusion. The whole

paragraph is rhetoric because it is creating negative impact on people. The world “non

participation” is euphemism because it gives positive meaning. The credibility of the statement is

doubtful because it doesn’t show the name of author, date of publication or the source where it is

taken. This statement is wrong because it’s not credible we can say this is written without any

research on the data and facts. Since, the premises doesn’t contain data and facts it shows weak

deductive argument. The whole statement is downplayer because many politicians are of money

as they spent money to win elections which shows them as “so-called” politicians. These are

some fallacies and rhetoric device I found going through the paragraph.

Introduction

Voting is right as well responsibility as being a citizen of the nation. It is a basic process which

make governmental system work. Not giving a vote means you are giving up your voice. You

have the power to choose better candidates by voting and if you don’t someone would make
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decisions for you. You should vote because it’s your money, if you vote the tax is utilized over

different sectors such as health, education. It is the reflection of democratic system which is

formed with many difficulties. Your one vote can make a positive impact on the society or the

country and the ineligible people depends upon you[ CITATION Alt18 \l 1033 ]. So, voting is

necessary for overall development of nation but voters should not be biased. However, money

also plays an important role in election. For the seat of US Senate in Nevada millions of dollars

are spent only for candidate attack ad. According to Wall street Journal report, groups supporting

one party in election are supposed to spend a total of $600 million on the last two weeks of

election. Experts argue money is not only the way to win elections at last it depends on public

opinion polls[ CITATION USA10 \l 1033 ]. However, money is spent for election and the results

shows winning of candidates, the power is always in the hand of voters. So, just because of your

thinking that your vote wouldn’t make a difference really won’t make any difference in you

don’t go for voting. So, Keep voting as it is important aspect for development of the nation. The

position is well stated that thinking of election results without going for votes hampers the

people and they should be actively participating in every election. In 2016 president election

Hillary Clinton spent $1 billion compared to trump who raise $600 million but still she loses the

election.

Credibility- It simply means from which sources we take information; is the authority we take

information from is trustable or not. Or the fact that someone can be believed or trusted. Here,

people go on arguing that money play important role in elections that the candidates with highest

paid and highest quality media wins but how can we trust that. Is it proven by the database from

election committee, or some research has shown that money is important for election? Because

we have proof that in election of 2063 in Nepal, the least budget party, communist’s leader has
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got the majority in front of the parties with high paid money. However, money is important to

compete in election but it doesn’t ensure the victory of candidates unless the voters have trust in

candidate’s money can’t ensure victory. In election of 2016 in US, the average House Incumbent

spent more than other candidates and the loser spent 2.8M whereas winner spent

2.7M[ CITATION Suz18 \l 1033 ]. But in election of 2012 the winning candidates spent $2.3

million on average whereas loosing candidates spent $1.1 million on average. Jen Bush spent

$130 million for president run where $84 million spent on advertisement and $18.3 million to

campaign staffers and consultants but we all know the result he failed the victory over it and now

trump is the president. He failed to win a single republican primary[ CITATION Dan171 \l

1033 ]. This shows money can’t fully influence on the outcome of election. In some case, it

changes the results and, in some case, may not. The data and facts used here are credible because

it is cited from trustable authority.

Talking about the voter’s turnout in US, in 2016 61.4% voters voted which is similar to 2012

election but comparing of 2008 it was 63.6% which is higher than now. The Latino voter turn out

in 2016 is 47.6% whereas 48% in 2012, the naturalized voter increases from 9.3million to 10.8

million. The overall voter turnout has been decreased looking to the election held in 2016 and

2012[ CITATION JEN17 \l 1033 ]. Just because some people say voting doesn’t make

difference, we should not stop voting and yes definitely money plays an important role in

election but the facts shown above shows it is not only thing which change the results of election.

If all people vote compulsory then voters turnout increases which shows a democratic nation. If

you all vote compulsory then politicians need not to spend much money and you can have a

clean voting and can choose the right candidates. Whenever the voter’s turnout is low there is

risk of high political instability. If peoples vote on every election, they would have more
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curiosity on the candidates and they would research more on them and can get a better leader for

the nation. However, there are some cons of compulsory voting. It would be wrong to punish

those who wouldn’t vote it’s kind of violence to them. People who are not interested are also

compelled to vote which results is selection of wrong candidates[ CITATION Cry18 \l 1033 ].

Some religion may discourage their people not to take part in political events which may

disrespect the norms of that religion. Well, there should be freedom to vote and the government

should make such policies that people are keenly interested in voting because it is their

responsibility too. Every single vote makes a difference and your vote is much valuable for

choosing right candidates who can take an initiate to develop a nation. Above data shows money

plays a vital role in elections but it doesn’t change the output of election all the time. After all, at

the end it’s the people right to choose whom to vote and if all the citizens are conscious about

every voting money can’t change in results of election. So, people should go for voting and they

should be provided knowledge about the good as well bad aspect of not going for voting.

However, the money plays a vital role in elections we shouldn’t stop voting because our one vote

can make the ineligible person rule over the nation. If we vote in every election the money also

can’t change the results of election and the increasing in voter’s turnout means people are getting

well deserve candidates for the nation. The above facts and data prove that only money can’t win

the election but the statement seems to be true that voter’s turnout is decreasing and reason

behind it would be the thinking of people that their vote won’t changes anything.
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Topic Video Critical Thinking and Reasoning

I agree with the video that thinking is a lost art. He shared the story of his father’s dead which

shows that we should do the work on time. He didn’t get the other day to share his father that he

loved him very much, so he told thinking must be done before the time has gone. He also shared

the story of her daughter birthday where he wishes her normally but she then asked is this the

way to wish, let’s have some party and then he thinks of spending the day with family. So, this

instance makes us realize the change our thinking. If we are wishing someone birthday think of

making it grand and if you have to show love to the people don’t take time just start it from today

so that you have enough time. These are just instance to make you clear changing your thinking

accordingly. But the challenges in today’s world is thinking is dangerous, risky and difficult. It is

difficult to control. Do you know the difference between people of American and Nepal, the

difference is in thinking? We say we can’t do it; they look for better alternatives. We are far

behind than them in every sector just because of lack in our thinking.

Today thinking is more of fashion when you take time for thinking people would think either

you’re wasting your time or you’re odd. Ralph Waldo Emerson, one said if a man sits down to

think, he is asked if he has headache. Have we ever thought of why do we believe what we

believe? Off course, no and many people haven’t thought about that. People avoid it because the

result cause to act on it. Once Helen killer said, people don’t like to think and if they think they

reach conclusion and they are not always pleasant[ CITATION Joh17 \l 1033 ]. So, we should

critically think before the time passes which leads us to success.

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Current Event (ALA 1)

Current Event.pptx
 
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References

AltaMed. (2018, October 2). Retrieved from AltaMed: https://www.altamed.org/articles/5-

reasons-why-you-should-vote

Ayres, C. (2018, July 21). Retrieved from ConnectUs: https://connectusfund.org/13-strongest-

pros-and-cons-of-compulsory-voting

Backer, D. (2017, October 12). Retrieved from Commercial Appeal:

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/10/12/money-

doesnt-win-elections-votes-do/738923001/

Hickey, J. (2017, July 6). The Lost Art of Thinking. Retrieved from JohnPatrickhickey:

http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/lost-art-thinking/

JENS MANUEL KROGSTAD, M. H. (2017, May 12). Retrieved from PEW Research Center:

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/12/black-voter-turnout-fell-in-2016-

even-as-a-record-number-of-americans-cast-ballots/

Robbins, S. (2018, November 01). Retrieved from Theconversation:

https://theconversation.com/money-in-elections-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-it-does-

104452

USA. (2010, October 17). Retrieved from VoaNews: https://www.voanews.com/a/money-to-

play-key-role-in-us-election-campaign-105198019/174333.html
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