Liberals, Conservatives, and the “in-between” Political Ideology Liberals, Conservatives, and the “in-between”

From where do influences on your opinion come? Opinion Formation From where do influences on your opinion come? Opinions on... school funding gun control gay marriage death penalty flag desecration discrimination fiscal discipline AND MANY OTHERS!

What issues are important to you?

Questions for you... On a scale, respond to the following: strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5 1. Representative democracy works well; it's the best form of government.

Questions.... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   2. Government affects my everyday life, so I need to stay informed.

Questions... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   3. Most elected officials are everyday people who commit themselves to public service.

Questions... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   4. People disagree on most issues except at a general level, and legislators must resolve the clash of values and interests.

Questions.... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   5. Legislators care what people in their districts think and try to reflect those opinions in their decisions.

Questions... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   6. The number and diversity of special interest groups ensure that all sides of an issue are heard.

Questions... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   7. Debate, disagreement and compromise are a natural part of the legislative process.

Questions...last one... strongly agree =1 agree=2 neutral=3 disagree=4 strongly disagree=5   8. The basis of representative democracy is public involvement and participation.

Results! Add your points together. If your total adds up to: 8-13--you appreciate and are trustful of representative democracy 14-20--You have a few questions, but mostly feel the system works for you. 21-27--You lack confidence that elected officials act in your best interest 28-34--Your trust in representative democracy  seems shaken 35-40--You have difficulty trusting our system of representative democracy. source: Your Ideas Count! Representative Democracy and You from the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2003

Our opinions group us into a philosophy Political philosophies are on a spectrum. Most people say "left" or "right" Liberal or Conservative What does a liberal, conservative, moderate or other believe?

Liberals Government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens. Call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system. Reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are

Conservatives Favor keeping things the way they are, or maintaining the status quo Usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism. They feel that the less government there is, the better.

Political Parties Political parties are loosely formed around these broad political ideologies.

Political Parties REPUBLICANS generally seen as conservative because they advocate a reduction in government DEMOCRATS generally seen as liberal because they support government regulation of the economy

Political Parties Within parties, there are people who hold a variety of opinions on social and economic issues that fall along the spectrum of political ideologies Examples are liberal Democrats, moderate Democrats, moderate Republicans, and conservative Republicans

Current Issues LEFT RIGHT Pro Gun Control Anti-Gun Control Pro-Choice (Abortion) No Censorship Prisons should Rehabilitate Pro-Privacy Equal Funding for Education Democratic Party Platform RIGHT Anti-Gun Control Pro-Life (Abortion) Anti-Flag Burning Prisons Should Punish Prayer in Schools School Vouchers Republican Party Platform

LEFT RIGHT Taxes are acceptable. It is important for the government to have revenue to fund programs, which benefit society. Graduated taxes are preferred over flat rate taxes. It is only fair that the rich should pay more than those who are less fortunate. RIGHT Taxes are seen as infringements on personal freedom. Taxes intervene with the free market system. Taxes penalize those who are successful. Taxes should not punish profit. Prefers a flat rate and/or consumption tax.

Political Rights RIGHT LEFT The power of the central government should be diminished. Most issues are best dealt with on the state and local level. Preferred values (family, faith, patriotism and love of family) and beliefs are seen as originating in the past and are rooted in Christian traditions and practices. Is acceptable to censor obscure ideas which unnecessarily shake up the status quo. LEFT The left side is passionate about extending civil rights to minority groups: students, prisoners, homosexuals and the poor. Tolerant of those not in the status quo. Seeks to protect individual rights: free speech, pro-choice, anti-capital punishment, and privacy.

Distribution of Wealth LEFT The disparity between the rich and poor is not acceptable. Taxes represent a mechanism to equally distribute wealth. The government should be involved in providing more equal opportunities in areas of education, health care, childcare, and aid to the elderly. Government funding of public projects (pump priming) will stimulate the economy and help the common man. RIGHT Business has right to make as much profit as they possibly can. Profits represent an incentive to work hard. It is reward for hard work and should not be punished by taxing it. The disparity between the rich and the poor is explained in part by the economic choices people make. Some people choose to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, and business executives. Others choose less profitable careers. Income disparity is a result of poor choices. Those who are prosperous should not be penalized by being forced to help those who have made poor decisions.

Foreign Policy LEFT RIGHT The government should be primarily focused on spreading democracy and protecting human rights in the world Strong support for the united nations. RIGHT The governments primary role is to protect u.s. business and economic interests in foreign countries. Our country needs to be in order before we look elsewhere. Supports tariffs.

Government RIGHT LEFT Government should be downsized. Large governments, both federal and state, have the power to control business interests and therefore potentially infringe on the freedoms of individuals. Government programs tend to provide unnecessary services that go beyond the scope of the constitution. LEFT The government should serve as the equalizers in society and establishes a basic standard of living, a minimum wage is an acceptable tool of government intervention. The left is accepts government control and regulation of business, and an active government that protects political rights.