Linkage Institutions-a structure within society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority.

One of the most widespread linkage institutions involves social media, for it provides people with easy access to information and can many times sway peoples opinions based on what is being broadcasted. Political Party-an organization to gain political power. Political parties prove to be very influential in todays society, for the government is prone to extreme changes based on which political party gains control of its major sectors. After all, a partys number one goal is to influence public policy based on their beliefs, and the most effective way to accomplish that is through power. Political Socialization-the concept concerning the study of how people obtain their political beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes. While parents may prove to be the number one thing that influences ones political socialization, media has a great effect as well. In fact, the media is used in many occasions to encourage people to take on a certain political view.

Summary In Strange Bedfellows, Russell Peterson explains the use of politics in media such as Saturday Night Live and other shows that add comedy to real life events and problems, many of which pertain to our government. He explains that todays citizens are caught up in news about all the wrong things: the life of a celebrity or shows created for mere entertainment. From this, comedy news networks were born. Here, actors and comedians tell jokes about current political situations that America may be dealing with; however, these shows by no means are created to provide accurate information to the public. Peterson goes on to explain the basis for which this comedy comes from, and why it is so easy to joke about politics. No matter who wins the election, the American people lose. Each representative of each party has their flaws, and when combined with human nature, can destroy the democratic aspect of a functional government.

Analysis In this passage, Peterson reveals that political jokes often times reveal the unsettling truth behind government affairs and the politicians who control them. However, these criticisms are only human nature, as everyone has their flaws, and not everyone will be able to agree with one another, especially not when it comes to politics; there are just too many cards at hand. These jokes are simply personality jokes, much like those made about Miley Cyrus and her somewhat disturbing VMA performance that took place recently. And, while some comments may seem extreme or judgmental, they are not illegal in any way under the power of the first amendment as long as they do not provide any signs of a clear or present danger. It is emphasized what a fractured government we have when it is brought to light that a candidate cannot go wrong by running against Washington D.C., for he or she

would be running against all the current flaws in the government and claim to be able to fix them, when really, such a thing is impossible. For example, Obama became our president because he promised to fix the condition of the government and broken economy. However, there are always things he cannot fix, and may make worse. In the eyes of many Americans, Obama is seen in a negative light as a result of the situation with his health care bill which shut the government down. But, because it is impossible for a person to take two opposing sides on a viewpoint, they will always appeal to one political party or group of people more than another. Its interesting, however, to see that the way that the media portrays these problems often serves as a sort of reality check to those involved in the government. The several viewpoints that comedians or broadcasters are able to take on a subject reflect the feelings that several people could possibly have toward a situation, and therefore show the problems within the government from the peoples eyes. One example, however, of a time when this theory may prove false is if the speaker was from a party with little representation. In other words, few people would believe the same things about the government that the representative does, and therefore, any feedback being given about policies would be mostly inaccurate. In general, though, the above statement holds true and is applicable to the condition that the government is in today.