What do you know about the relationship between citizens and your CP?
My community partner is the Ecumenical Hunger Program. This is a great program that provided necessities to families. Ecumenical Hunger Program dedicates it's existence to assist local families and individuals who are experiencing economic and/or personal hardship. They do this by providing clothes, clothing, household essentials, support, and advocacy to our neighbors to help them survive through difficult times so eventually they will be independent again. The Ecumenical Hunger Program serves working families, seniors, and people with limited incomes and those who have both emergency and on-going needs in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, as well as surrounding areas.
I know that the citizens rely heavily on this service to get them through hard times. From some testimonials I've read online, I can see that this program has helped people when they really needed it. This program was there for them when they had no one else to turn to. Ecumenical Hunger Program really made it possible for people to be at their lowest and have them work towards their independence again. Also, I noticed that a majority of the testimonials showed that after the people were out of their funk, they returned and volunteered and contributed to the program. A lot of people who needed his assistance prior really want to give someone else the opportunity they had. I think that is great. It really shows how appreciative they are.
On what levels do they interact?
One major way the citizens interact with this program is volunteerism. As mentioned earlier, volunteers assist people in need. Some of those volunteers have been in the same spot as the current people in need, and that is the exact reason they are volunteering. In addition, the program embraces volunteers and encourages people to join their mission to help as many people as they can.
How can citizen participation affect your CP?
According to table 4.1, voice is a major necessity to keep this program going strong. Donations and volunteering is great, but sometimes it's not always enough. We need to speak up and broadcast all the good does for the community and surrounding communities. Maybe if the government knows all the good that it does, they will be tempted to help out in any way they can. Another helpful actions is loyalty and showing support for the community by attending functions as well as spreading the word of their great works. If the citizens participate on a regular basis and spread the word, this program would get a lot more attention as well as volunteers excited to help. The more attention this program gets, the better it is for them. Who knows, it could get so big that the government would love to jump in and help any way they can!
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Blog Topic #2
Why is there tension between the state and local levels of government?
The relationship between state and local governments is strained because state governments give local governments life although the states government hasn't always treated their local governments nicely. State governments tend to see local governments just as special interest groups. The State government needs to stop belittling them and start embracing them as partners in our federal system. Local governments want their states to provide them with adequate funding in order to accomplish what they need to. One major issue is power. State governments have the power to regulate financials, personnel, structure, processes, functioning, and service standards. Although some local governments have the power to decide some of these things from them selves, most of the time the State government makes these decisions which I feel is infuriating. The state has so much power yet they don't truly know what each individual government has to deal with. Money seems to be a big problem between these two since the State controls it and the local governments have to pretty much hope they get enough. Local governments have to deal with the rising expenditure demands from their residents. Personally, I think the main source of tension is power. I think Local governments get tired of state's government deciding what's best for them when they don't know the everyday struggles or needs of their residents.
In what ways is this tension healthy for our political system overall?
I think the tension between the state and local governments is healthy for our political system overall. It creates an environment where local governments need to really get to know their residents and what they need/require from the government. If they know what the residents really want/need, then they would fight for it from the states. Also, this tension enables them to find resolution that keeps everyone happy. I think the tension is a great way for these governments to communicate and to try and fight for what's best for their residents.
The relationship between state and local governments is strained because state governments give local governments life although the states government hasn't always treated their local governments nicely. State governments tend to see local governments just as special interest groups. The State government needs to stop belittling them and start embracing them as partners in our federal system. Local governments want their states to provide them with adequate funding in order to accomplish what they need to. One major issue is power. State governments have the power to regulate financials, personnel, structure, processes, functioning, and service standards. Although some local governments have the power to decide some of these things from them selves, most of the time the State government makes these decisions which I feel is infuriating. The state has so much power yet they don't truly know what each individual government has to deal with. Money seems to be a big problem between these two since the State controls it and the local governments have to pretty much hope they get enough. Local governments have to deal with the rising expenditure demands from their residents. Personally, I think the main source of tension is power. I think Local governments get tired of state's government deciding what's best for them when they don't know the everyday struggles or needs of their residents.
In what ways is this tension healthy for our political system overall?
I think the tension between the state and local governments is healthy for our political system overall. It creates an environment where local governments need to really get to know their residents and what they need/require from the government. If they know what the residents really want/need, then they would fight for it from the states. Also, this tension enables them to find resolution that keeps everyone happy. I think the tension is a great way for these governments to communicate and to try and fight for what's best for their residents.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
January 21, 2016
Alyssa Padilla
Andrews
State & Local Government
January 21, 2016
Post #1
My first choice was to intern with the senator. I wanted to intern with him because later on in life, like in my 50's, I want to go into politics. This position arose from local citizens needing a voice and someone to voice their opinion to people in higher governmental positions so the changes they want have a chance of coming to life. I don't think local governments didn't fill this adequately, they just need more people to help on their mission to try and please everyone. My choice is definitely affected by public policies and federal policies. Some desires of citizens may not be able to be resolved since it violates certain policies. My CP is accountable to its citizens.
Andrews
State & Local Government
January 21, 2016
Post #1
My first choice was to intern with the senator. I wanted to intern with him because later on in life, like in my 50's, I want to go into politics. This position arose from local citizens needing a voice and someone to voice their opinion to people in higher governmental positions so the changes they want have a chance of coming to life. I don't think local governments didn't fill this adequately, they just need more people to help on their mission to try and please everyone. My choice is definitely affected by public policies and federal policies. Some desires of citizens may not be able to be resolved since it violates certain policies. My CP is accountable to its citizens.
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