Presidential Election Essay

Dessa Reed       

Professor Braverman

WGS 220-03

31 October 2016

Presidential Election Essay

From the very start, it is evident how this year’s presidential debate represents a mere television series rather than a professional and serious discussion. Today’s culture has become obsessed with public images, and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each present an image that has been characterized by our culture’s need for drama in all three debates. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump dramatically impresses me because both of them have brought their own baggage into this year’s election. However, Hillary Clinton’s background illuminates how she is more qualified to be America’s next president. Overall, I align with many of her views regarding her position on the economy, women’s rights, and immigration, which is why I will be voting for her in this year’s presidential election.

Ideally, I stand with Hillary Clinton’s economic viewpoint because she comes from a middle class background which I can relate to. In contrast, Donald Trump comes from a background where his “small loan” was a million dollars- money which many Americans will never see nor can relate to having. Not only this, he did not earn this money; it was simply given to him from his father. Clinton carries over her background to the first debate which positively reflects her family oriented image. She mentions how she will focus on “small business because most of the new jobs will come from small business” (Clinton, Debate 1). I completely agree with this statement; in the second debate, she also states, “we’ve got to provide additional help to small businesses so that they can afford to provide health insurance” (Clinton, Debate 2). She turns her attention to a variety of aspects of how a small business will thrive and provide more jobs. I think Trump’s economic standpoint is reiterated and reflects lack of research which is why he loses my vote in the polls. Trump should go into further detail with how he will stop companies from fleeing our country. Hilary Clinton has a good mindset regarding where jobs will come from, and I have faith that under her presidency America’s economy will prosper.

As discussed in the first debate, Clinton intends on raising taxes on the wealthy; I believe this is a solid plan, for it has many benefits and will help to relieve college debt. This aligns with my perspective as a college student because I am helping pay an immense amount of money for an education. It is unfair to my hard working middle class family to help me pay such a high amount of money for my college education. Not only this, but Clinton mentions how “independent experts [say that Trump’s tax plan] would blow up the debt by over five trillion dollars” (Clinton, Debate 1). I believe the experts have done their research, and I will not take a chance on going into debt under Trump’s presidency.

Along with small business and the economy, Clinton also incorporates women’s rights and what she will do for women in America. In the first debate, Clinton focuses on equal pay for women’s work and raising the minimum wage. In addition to this, Clinton mentions how “women can’t be charged more than men for our health insurance, which is the way it used to be before the Affordable Care Act” (Clinton, Debate 2). As a female in America, Clinton’s focus on women’s rights is significant because it will make a dramatic change in America’s culture. The impact Clinton will make for women is exemplified when she mentions how America needs a “Supreme Court that will stand up on behalf of women's rights” (Clinton, Debate 3). Contrasting with Hillary Clinton is Donald Trump, who only seems to mention his respect for women. His respect will not get women in America very far, nor will it help societal views of women in America’s culture. Personally, it is difficult to believe his respect for women after the video was released of Trump degrading females, which was discussed in the second debate. This video further illustrates how his personality and actions do not fit into the position of president.

Both candidates have very different viewpoints when it comes to immigration. Hillary Clinton proudly states, “I want to be the president for all Americans, regardless of your political beliefs, where you come from, what you look like, your religion. I want us to heal our country and bring it together because that is the best way for us to get the future that our children and our grandchildren deserve” (Clinton, Debate 2). Clinton incorporates family into much of her statements which I like and can identify with. It later ties in with her view on immigration when she states, “I don’t want to rip families apart…I don’t want to see the deportation force that Donald has talked about in action in our country” (Clinton, Debate 3). I agree with Clinton and think that if America was to follow through with the deportation force, it would have a negative impact on many American families. Donald Trump mentions, “we have no country if we have no border” (Trump, Debate 3). This statement is weak because I believe our country is what it is today because of the cultures that have become threaded into America. As a country, we are diverse and it is what makes our country unique. Americans prosper because of diversity and our acceptance to other cultures.

Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have come far in this year’s Presidential election. I have seen all three debates and have done a significant amount of research with this year’s election. From what I have seen, it is evident that Hillary Clinton will make a significant impact on America. I believe she will strengthen America’s economy, dramatically change the lives of females in our country, and keep families together in regards to immigration. Clinton has dedicated the majority of her life to politics, and she has demonstrated she is well qualified to be president. 

"The playmate and the rabbi: unlikely bedfellows fighting internet porn" Article Summary

The article, "The playmate and the rabbi: unlikely bedfellows fighting internet porn," speaks volumes in terms of what porn has escalated to today. Porn is a sensitive subject to talk about for many people. The effects of it are prominent in our culture and it is vital that we become aware of it. Pamela Anderson, a playboy model, would appear to be the least likely to talk about the negative effects of porn, being a Playboy model. However, the article discusses how Anderson refuses to consider that Playboy is pornographic considering the dark porn that surrounds our culture today.

 It is interesting seeing Anderson's perspective on this matter with her background. Even so, I have a great amount of respect for her because she discusses serious issues with porn today. Along with Anderson comes Rabbi Shmuley's perspective. The two discuss the negative effects porn has on marriages, families and careers. Porn ultimately damages relationships between males and females because it puts women in a negative light. The article mentions how porn enables men to view women as objects rather than human beings. The article states,"women are there to stimulate men for sexual climax." This is not the case. Porn enables men to disregard intimacy; men turn to sex for other motives.

 Not only this, but the graphic images of porn lead to violence against women. There is a major lack of intimacy in today's culture and porn is a the center of it. Anderson's goal is all about "having better sex, better loving relationships and more respect for women."By reading this article, I now see Anderson from a much different perspective. She is a mother with two teenage boys. From her experience, she knows just how damaging these images can be. Anderson and the Rabbi want to change this, and I feel passionately about doing the same. 

Gender and The Military

Military wives and husbands differ dramatically. When I think of someone in the military’s spouse, I often think of a wife. This is simply because our culture has portrayed men as strong and powerful. Our culture associates men with weapons and violence, not women. However, women are becoming more and more powerful in today’s society. They are now capable of fighting in the military. Still, there is a huge contrast between men and women and their spouses. In my opinion, I think men fear for their wives when in the military because there are so many other dangerous factors for women in the military. For instance, women in the military are more likely to be sexually assaulted. It is vital that our culture raises awareness to these dramatic differences so that women can be seen just as powerful in the military.

The article, "Pentagon issues handbook on sex change in the ranks" was interesting to read. It shows how the military does not raise awareness to gender conformity. For instance, the article mentions how the military has a "don't ask, don't tell" policy for transgenders. However, in another article, it mentions how this policy ended in 2011. This additional article I read mentions that "the decision comes as the military has witnessed major changes in the role of women and the inclusion of gays, lesbians and bisexual service members in recent years."The military is becoming more diverse which is a positive aspect of the military because males, females, and transgenders bring different qualities that help the military to succeed.

Intelligence vs. Icon

Society today has enabled women to value their bodies over their intellect. Many women are increasingly becoming more valued for their appearance rather than their mind. Marilyn Monroe is a popular representation of a successful woman valued by her appearance. However, she hid her intelligence which partly led to her success. Discussed in the article, "Not just a dumb blonde," Marilyn may have hid her intelligence to exemplify her beauty. Marilyn mentions, "They were obviously loving somebody I wasn’t." This demonstrates how society enabled her to fit into a character with no intellect, and they thrived off of it. 

A celebrity today that may be hiding part of their intellect to secure greater success is Natalie Portman. Portman has a degree from Harvard, however, she is known for being in movies like No Strings Attached. Natalie Portman is evidently chosen for her looks and appearance rather than her intellect for the majority of these movies. I believe Portman does not try to hide her intellect, society rather enables it. She even mentions in her Harvard commencement speech,  "I felt like there had been some mistake, that I wasn’t smart enough to be in this company, and that every time I opened my mouth I would have to prove that I wasn’t just a dumb actress." 

Actors and actresses are commonly stereotyped as "dumb" because viewers are often limited to seeing only their appearance rather than how they have achieved their role. Natalie Portman is a primary example of this because she exhibits nothing but success. Even so, when watching movies, many people do not know she has obtained a Harvard degree. Not only this, but they do not know she has EARNED and worked for her degree at Harvard. They simply think she got in because of her fame. Natalie Portman has become a success because of her intellect, but America's culture vales her appearance first hand. It is sad to think that many will think about Portman's looks and body rather than thinking about her greatest attributes: hard work and intellect. 

Language of Persuasion

Basic

The Pantene ad uses the association technique. This ad does this with the statement, "Strong is beautiful." This is implying that if you use this Pantene product, you will have strong, undamaged hair. Strong is then associated with beauty which targets an audience to want strong hair. If they obtain strong hair, the ad basically says they will obtain the beauty that comes with it because the two are associated with one another in the ad.

The Maybelline ad is utilizing the bandwagon technique. In the bottom right corner of the ad, it states, "Individuality? We're all for it." The "all" in this statement implies that everyone is buying this product to express their own individuality. This is ironic because if everyone is buying Maybelline products, they are not separating themselves from what everyone is doing. The bandwagon technique uses the key word "all" in their products mainly to attract an audience that wants to fit in with a crowd.

The majority of the ads in this Marie Claire magazine depicts the beautiful people technique.  The Nine West eye wear ad stands out with this technique because glasses are stereotyped to make someone look like a nerd. The woman used in this ad looks like anything but a nerd. Her beauty is a major aspect of this ad. By using her beauty, the ad attracts a specific audience that is willing to spend a lot of money so that they look beautiful in glasses like the model in this advertisement.

The Land's End ad stood out to me because they used a well known celebrity, Emma Roberts. This ad uses the celebrity technique because Emma Roberts attracts an audience with her popularity. She is a very well known actress and by using her as a model, people will want to buy Land's End products to look like her and have the same style as her. Furthermore, there are no words on this product which makes Emma and her popularity the center of this ad.

Intermediate

The Secret Deodorant ad exhibits the flattery technique. In their "stress test," they provide an image of a press agent clearly under stress. They try to reach their audience by complimenting them through what this agent is doing. The ad mentions, "because you're pretty." This complement serves to flatter buyers through what the agent is going through and connecting them to her story with a compliment of being pretty. Another ad that does this is the Loreal ad. They mention, "Because you're worth it." In their ad. These compliments go a long way in the advertising world.

In this current magazine, many of the articles had new products which used the new technique. The new Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel was an ad that demonstrated this technique. The advertisers state, "No wonder women have made this the best selling new product in the skin care world." The best selling correlates to the new product and implies that because it is new, it is the best skin product out there which is why is doing well in the markets.

The Tampax ad uses the rhetorical question technique in order to spark a thought about their product. This ad asks, "what does life look like during your period?" This rhetorical question is brought up mainly to imply that during a woman's period, life is not all that great. The ad answers this question by stating, "Life looks great with Tampax Pearl." It even provides a hashtag, "#LooksLikeThis" and a visual image of a woman on a bike near the ocean. Therefore, this ad reels buyers in by stating Tampax Pearl will provide the best protection and give a good life during your period.

The Prevage anti-aging daily serum advertisement uses the scientific evidence technique by providing percentages throughout their ad. The ad states, "96% improvement in skin texture," "89% improvement in radiance," and "65% improvement in skin tone." These percentages help sell the product because each of these percentages are over 50. The scientific evidence helps to give feedback and data from those who have previously used the product so that those who have not used it will see and want these same results.

Advanced

The Viper Room advertisement definitely exhibits the card stacking technique. This whole advertisement tries to sell animal based products and even uses a python in their slogan to sell their product by mentioning, "python charms its way onto boots high and low." These advertisers are only giving buyers part of the story. They do not show how the process of how the snake skin gets onto the product. They do not show the graphic images either. Instead, they are only showing the favorable evidence, which is the shoe, to attract its buyers.

The StriVectin ad uses the cause vs. correlation technique with the statement at the bottom. The ad states, "Today, there's a new challenge: Tech neck- the effect of repeatedly looking down at your phone. #FightTechNeck with StriVectin." This ad suggests that looking down at your phone causes wrinkles. This attracts buyers because the majority of people look down at their phone which the ad claims will cause wrinkles. This has noting to do with the cause of causing wrinkles, bu the correlation between the two reels people in to buy the product.

The Shoes First ad uses the diversion technique. While the shoes are gorgeous, the ad strays away from the price. The advertisement's main attraction is the use of gold colors and the gold standard. The ad mentions that the pairs of shoes are "worth owning," however, it diverts the attention away from the price. If you look closely at the ad, the price is in a much smaller font. On the bottom right, the shoes are $2,390. This obscene price was diverted from the attention by being in a small font and also being off centered.

The timing technique is used in the Bearpaw ad. "Fall into fashion" is a way of selling fall products and trendsetting a new style for the fall weather. This message is delivered at the perfect time because these furry boots are needed for warmth in the cold fall weather. The fall colors help to stimulate a desire to buy this product as well.

Bad Ad #1
The Miu Miu is a bad ad in my opinion because it makes no sense to me. Perfume is supposed to be a clean and nice scent. Incorporating a cat into this picture does not make me think of the nice and clean scent that comes with perfume. In fact, when I see the cat in this ad, I think of bad odor. While I love animals, they do tend to smell and they could very well be the reason why perfume is needed in the first place. The kitten in this ad only add playfulness; however, perfume is not playful. I think the ad could have done very well and made more sense without the kitten.

Bad Ad #2
The Feline By Voluminous Loreal is a bad ad for a few reasons. Personally, I think the woman's make-up in this ad does not look good. I think her makeup, her expression, and her dark surroundings enable the ad to come across eerie. Her eyeliner look is something that would be done on Halloween rather than wearing it on a daily basis. People are more attracted to makeup that is natural and glamorous rather than dark and eerie like the image depicted in this ad.