Read the following article. What does the article say about the change in politics in relation to religion? What has changed? What has remained the same? What does that suggest about who governs in American politics? Why do you think the change is happening? Do you think the trend will continue? To what extent should a public official's religion matter?
23 Comments
Catherine White
9/19/2012 11:17:03 am
Overtime a lot has changed when it comes to politics and are the heads of our country. We used to always have protestants running the top political offices of our country, and having blacks, or women in the offices were just unheard of. Now days we have a black president, Barack Obama, we have people from Jewish and Catholic faiths, as well as three women justices for the first time ever in history. However, we still do have a few Protestants in office, there may not be as much as there used to be, but there is still a good mix of religious variety. When people are running for a position in the top political offices, they most often than not have people that are from Harvard or Yale. The religion of the particular person isn't as big of an issue anymore, the thing that people focus on is where you went to school and whether or not it was Ivy League. That suggests that the American Government has high expectations for someone to want to become a leader. You need someone that more than qualified to be apart of the leaders that run this nation. I believe that the change in this nation is happening for the good, that this country needs more than one type of religion or race running America. We need variety so that we can get all opinions on the table to create the best fitting country for everyone. I think that the trend of change will constantly continue in this country to make sure that we can continue trying to better the United States.
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Maria Vizcaino
9/19/2012 12:06:41 pm
The article "The End of WASP-Dominated Politics" emphasizes the change in the religon of our leaders. A majority of our leaders are no longer Protestant; the only WASP "white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant," is the senator of Kentucky, Mitch McConnell. This change is because of the change in the population in the US.Fifty years ago if one was a minority, as indicated by Joseph Epstein, then you couldn't even fantasize about being president. Look at as now: there is a variety of people that are justices on the Supreme Court that are Jewish, Cathlolic, Hispanic, Black and even women were accepted. Now according to the article the Court can't "boast" that they have a Protestant official. What has contributed to this change is the fact of more people being given a position by merit instead of being in the "right families." They are starting to come from Ivy League School mostly, Harvard and Yale. This makes sure that all our leaders are qualified and educated; and are people more open-minded and accepting. This is why I believe the trend will continue. Minorities are becoming more able to get an education, show their potential, regardless of their religion. They start becoming leaders; then those of the same minority come out and vote. This is why I believe the percentage of minorities voting increased 13% when Obama ran for office 4 years ago. Minorities will continue this trend as long as they have a person and reason to vote for.
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Maria Vizcaino
9/19/2012 12:22:43 pm
PS. "Why do you the change is happening?"-?
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Mr. Stitches
9/20/2012 05:49:29 am
fixed it. Thanks
Taylor Smith
9/19/2012 01:29:58 pm
As our nation progresses, new beliefs arise, bringing equality into the picture for many. Years ago, to be even considered for running for a political position, you had to be a WASP: white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. Since society changes over the decades, no one group can dominate forever, especially in present times where racism and sexism are frowned upon by a majority of the nation. We have become more accepting. All though we cannot confirm that all of our nation approves, I'd say that the majority of the United States have changed their outlook on racism and sexism. For example, look at our world now: we have minorities in political positions such as the supreme court and even the President, representing us as a country. This only furthers progression of generations, so expect to see many drastic changes such as these throughout future decades.
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white girl 1
9/20/2012 03:39:38 am
marvelous response tati
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white girl 2
9/20/2012 03:59:18 am
lol thanx chica #muchlove
Yecenia Sanchez
9/19/2012 02:22:59 pm
As more people become involved in taking action within our society things will change, just as things have been changing. It used to be common sense, and maybe even tradition that the people who we saw as superior and our national leaders were White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. However much has changed from the early 1900's. Religion used to play a key role in whether you would be eligible to be president or not. I believe most people have grown out of that state of mind. I think that's what makes this a very importantly historical election this year. We not only have our first African-American president fighting for his re-election, but we have a White Mormon who is fighting against him. However, even though religion isn't the key part in the election as much as it used to be, religion has become a very important discussion in this election. Which ultimately makes contraversies throughout our country, i believe this is also why more young people and minorities are getting involved, and taking into consideration that everyone has the right to believe what they want, so should our presidents. That said, i agree with Catherine because all these people are finally stepping up and making their voices and opinions heard, and that is a positive change. Our formar presidents have all been Harvard or Yale graduates, they are IB intellectual's, they're smart. And i don't think that any religion could ever change that, so i think that the only time that we as a public society should ever consider a leaders thought on religion is when it may harm us as a nation, and certain groups of people. This country was built on the idea of freedom, ''the land of the free" our leaders no longer have to be White, or Protestant, because them being from IB schools is enough, we are given rights, to study what we wish, and believe what we want. Our leaders deserve just that, the right to believe in what they want. The more people realize how important their voice is, the longer this trend is going to continue. Our government leaders must fulfill their duties in protecting us, and we as a society must give them that in return, not judging them on what religion they believe in, but in their character and they're ideas on how to make this a stronger, and better country.
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Jessy Davidson
9/19/2012 03:47:05 pm
In Alan Greenblatt's article, "The End of WASP-Dominated Politics," he discusses the past occurrences which paved the way to our nation's gradual acceptance of diversity. The government has allowed for such diversity to flourish by passing certain laws, and by having tweaked the Constitution. Any citizen--Black, white, Asian, you name it--now has the right to vote. However, the system is still a majority-rule, thus the majority is who's in charge. However, America is a very diverse nation, and the minorities are beginning to outweigh the WASPs. Hence, the US has a black president. This could have never been possible before the implementation of such laws as the 1965 Immigration Law or the Fourteenth Amendment. These populations will continue to grow and, who knows, perhaps become the new majority. This trend of granting growth and power to minorities will definitely advocate the expansion of their activity within politics. The US has now had both a Catholic president--a religion of which, when the nation was founded, was deemed the number one enemy--and a Black president--a race which was once considered sub-human. People tend to become more accepting of what's around them when it is considered normal.
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Kirsten Sherman
9/20/2012 04:19:29 am
“Fifty years ago, the military, foreign service and top political offices were all dominated by WASPs — white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants.” It is often said that the only constant thing in life is change. Over these past 50 years, religion – although it still remains as an important factor – is no longer defining in who our leaders will be. As our population grows, becomes educated, and creates new views of society, the premises of which we chose to base our vote on is also shifted. WASP, yes, once was a major factor in politics. Now, our only WASP congressional leader - Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is married to a woman of Asian descent. Change takes a decent amount of time. As the article states, the change for WASP didn’t really start to take off until the 1960’s – lifestyle of love and peace – really though, John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic president ever for the U.S. Kennedy helped the U.S. conquer many mile stones. “1965 immigration law ended quota systems that had for decades heavily favored immigrants from Western Europe,” and Americas civil rights laws gave black people more freedoms. Kennedy helped Americans see the decency and benefit of change to society. All these actions led Americans to be open minded towards our first African American president Barack Obama. Although this helped Obama a significant amount, it also is really helping Romney a significant amount. People of Protestant belief have also opened their minds to the idea of rulers being committed to a different faith. Since Kennedys reign, we have had “seven Catholics on national tickets.” Our voting systems have remained the same, along with the yearning for a leader with strong morals. Americans today are less concerned with the color of a person’s skin, what god they decide to worship, or how they were raised at home, and more concerned with their moral outlook on our country and the events they decide to concern themselves with. Personally I strongly believe that the trend of adapting to change will always continue in America. As far as religion is concerned, yes it does matter to an extent. Yet, a person can be considered Catholic and not attend their church or practice their belief systems. I believe strong morals will hold over religion in the minds of many Americans, not so much what our president grew up in, or how religious they were, rather we will focus on how their morals at a young age and throughout life affect their thoughts and actions in current times.
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9/20/2012 11:14:28 am
In the article, "The End of WASP-Dominated Politics" by Alan Greenblatt argues that times have changed, as well as politics. Only fifty years ago, candidates with the stereotype WASP white Anglo-Saxon protestant were in the top of policy making and government. However, for the first time in history, we have an African American president, Barack Obama. In addition, in the Supreme Court, there are no protestants, instead there are Jews, Catholics, Hispanic, and lack of women. Our government has a variety of religions and races and not one specific group is holding onto power. This is because society is becoming more educated, open-minded, and diverse. This change, the votes of minorities made the presidency of Barack Obama possible, but this can also help Mitt Romney. Protestants are voting for candidates from other faiths. The problem with Barack Obama is that and what scared some Americans is his background. He is different from all of our past presidents, he represents change and that terrifies many. Both candidates fit the profile and are capable to run the country because they have the same education.
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Brenda Vargas
9/20/2012 02:02:03 pm
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Marina Spadarotto
9/20/2012 03:59:24 pm
Over time, our country has shifted its original thinking pattern from strict to more lenient. Fifty years ago, WASP's dominated politics, education, and the military leader jobs, but now our country obtains a more culturally and religiously widespread arrangement of leaders. Religious affiliation played a huge role in the minds of voters fifty years ago, wanting strictly Protestant political officials, to now-a-days where voters are still curious about the candidates religion, but are more concerned about their educational background. Our current president, Barack Obama, broke the continuous chain of WASP's as president when he was honored as the first African American to take office. The article states that also in the Supreme court has a large percentage of non-WASP's which contain three women along with hispanics, blacks, Jews and Catholics. Although, all of the appointed justices contain a Ivy league background for college. This implies that educational background means more to voters than candidates religious affiliation. The idea to branch out and not judge people by their skin color or choice of religious practice may have come from previous presidents that were WASPs, such as Bush and Clinton, who proved a solid education is more important. Still there are white protestants who are in the Supreme Court as well as the military and educational systems, but the percentage of them is decreasing. I believe we will continue to see this throughout our lifetime because of the change we've wittnessed that has gone smoothly and given us great benefits. The US seems to not dwell on religion or color but education as a motive to trust them with what we cant do ourselves. We are already a melting pot, adding new cultures and religions daily so we should assume there will be a great change in the way our country is run and who it is run by. Political officials religion shouldn't matter to the voter as long as the official doesn't try to force their religious views upon the people. Political officials are there to do their job, not convert the country into their religion.
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Lauren Sanchez
9/21/2012 03:54:31 am
The article says that the relation to religion in politics doesn’t matter as much anymore because they don’t have to be a WASP. It’s not as important because we’ve had a Jewish president. Now that we have an African American president it has brought a new perspective to the way we look at religion and politics coming together. What has changed is that people don’t have to be protestant to be eligible to be President. The same is that they all have had a great education, but still view thing differently like the religion situation. It suggests that the people expect more from the governors in American politics to be greater leaders. The change is happening so that we can have a better nation with different views. I do think the trend will continue. A public official’s religion shouldn’t matter as much because they are not running the country based on their religion but on what is best for everyone. Not everyone believes in the same religion, so forcing someone to change religion would be difficult.
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Estefani Ramirez
9/21/2012 06:13:49 am
In the article by Alan Greenblatt, he says that “This reflects the fact that we are much more of an open society than we were previously...”. I agree with this because it is true; in today’s society we are an open society we don’t really care about their religion we care about how good of a leader they can be to our country and for them to be well educated. The religion has had a great impact in the past but this no longer affects who will and won’t become president. But what we will always be looking for and will remain the same is how good of leaders they can be in today’s society. As presidents they need to be well educated to be informed about what is current and what isn’t. But yet what will be different is that they will have different view in ruling today’s society. We will expect more from the person that will be the president of the United States because we want them to improve and make our country a better and safer place. There are higher standards for them as the rulers to our country. This is some of the qualities I would be looking for myself as a voter to see how well they are educated and how much they would know about my country to better serve as a leader and fix the mistakes that have been made in the past- not on what religion they are.
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Jeanette Vasquez
9/21/2012 08:56:59 am
The article "The End of WASP-Dominated Politics", written by Alan Greenblatt tells how back in the 60's minorities were getting more rights. Therefore, people were getting more educated and more accepted in society. In today's society, we tend to be more accepting towards polititions, and whether they are white, black, or any other kind of race. For example, we still have protestans in office. I believe change has happen more because of all immigrants coming into USA and showing other cultures to world, i also believe that the change will continue on because we have different backgrounds within government systems.
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Daniel Salzner
9/21/2012 08:58:44 am
The world as a whole has changed drastically. Only about 50 years ago there was major racism and hate spread all over. Now we as people have somewhat managed to come together. Religion used to be alot worse than it is now. In my opinion religion causes wars, and lately we've been able to keep that in control so I think religion has bettered itself. But now we have a new president. Who would've thought we would have a black president? Certainly not the people in the past centuries. But color isn't the only thing that has changed since then. Even Mitt Romney and Paul ryan are different since they dont fit the usual scheme which is WASP. White anglo saxon protestant. Back in the days WASP's used to have all the power in the united states, but now they seem to have less and less. Anyways, going back onto Obama. Many people obviously "hate" on him, but not just because he's black. There have been many white presidents that have been disliked. Now even some people question Obama because he is not the typical all american. His father is from kenya but nonetheless , obama got a degree in law from harvard. I think this change in positivity is happening because we are finally maturing as a society and we are making ends meet. I only see it going uphill from here.
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Jenna Ramos
9/21/2012 12:39:32 pm
Alan Greenblatt's article, "The End of WASP-Dominated Politics" reflects optimistically on a current trend in United States politics. Focusing on the declining role of white, anglo-saxon, protestant males in government, he argues that the importance of religion and race in voter decisions has slowly diminished over the past century. What has remained a primary value for voters, however, is a high level of education in the elected officials. While i strongly believe that the diversity of the American people will continue to be better represented in American government as society progresses, I also feel that the writer of the article is biased in that he neglects to cover the great deal of criticism Obama and other non-WASP political figures receive. He shrugs off the entire ordeal of Americans not believing Obama's background, adding that, "he does seem kind of otherly". It is true that we have come a long way and that we should recognize that, but there is still far too much religious and racial tension in America. The mere fact that Obama won the minority vote, and not the white vote, in 2008, shows that society is still more comfortable with their "own kind" and that while Ivy Leagues are looking at individuals for their true worth, the American people still have a ways to go. Nevertheless, I see politics becoming increasingly diverse in gender, religion, and race, in the future. Hopefully a better-educated society will weed out the prejudice that still remains in our culture.
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Fernando Segura
9/21/2012 01:05:23 pm
"The End of WASP-Dominated Politics", by Alan Greenbalt demonstrates how the nation has changed in its many years. I think the change occuring is a positive one, the nation is now moving on from only having WASPs in office to just about any religion. I believe that this change is happening mainly because of the population. The shift has caused a greater chance for non WASPs to gain power and has made WASPs loose their power. Even Romney and Ryan are different, but not as different as our African-American president, Barack Obama. Fifty years ago no one could have ever imagined how drastically everything would change, but I believe it has all been changing for the better. Religion is now seen less such a great factor when a new presidential candidate comes forward, they will all be hated on in one way or another. All in all the nation is improving and becoming more realistic that not everyone can fit into one, or four, standards.
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Elaine Verbera
9/21/2012 01:28:47 pm
America has always been a place subject to change, with people from all over immigrating here and bringing their culture and religion along with them. Gradually, their religion and culture becomes a piece of the puzzle that is America. Finally, this is evidently surfacing in American politics as people are open to try new things, like an African-American President. As writer Alan Greenblatt points out in his article, “The End of WASP-Dominated Politics,” more religions and ethnicities that were once, or are still, a minority, are popping up in high political positions and offices.
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Nadia Solano
9/21/2012 01:48:52 pm
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Nadia Solano
9/21/2012 01:55:47 pm
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Jonathan Wignall
9/21/2012 04:39:52 pm
In the present America politics has drastically moved away from its old traditions as a WASP dominated world. In the beginning of our nation, the population was purely white and protestant, and it stayed that way until about fifty years ago. Kennedy was a catholic and now Obama an african-American. Change seems to be only constant in time. With more educated people, people are able to see the wrongs of religious and racial stereotypes. Education now has become a large factor in the polls as more and more positions are being filled by ivy-leaguers. People want to make sure that an intelligent leader is in control. Education is an important asset and probably the most important. But this country was founded by religious men and many of its ideals are christian based. Religion has many positive affects on how a person acts and many negative. With the way science and education are progressing today, religion has been put to the side and will continue to do so until religious revivals happen, which they always do.
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