Choose ONE topic from the list below:
1) Should Representatives make decisions on the basis of public opionion polls? What would be the positive and negative aspects of this basis for decision-making?
2) Which one of the "agents of socialization" do you think had the biggest impact on your political beliefs? How and why?
3) How would you classify yourself based on the descriptions in Chapter 6 of liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and populists? Why? (You might also look at Figure 6-3 for information about policy opinions of Republicans and Democrats.)
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On some subjects I am a liberal. I have liberal Spiritualist in my beliefs. I do believe in the Bible’s inerrancy or that it should be taken literally. I think anyone who says that they do hasn’t really given it much thought. I guess I would be classified as liberal when it comes to the Death Penalty, I think it should be abolished. I believe in a woman’s right to chose if her life is in danger or if she is a victim of a deviant sexual act. I believe that we should allow illegals to stay and become citizens eventually. I think Gays should have the same rights as that of married Americans. In short I believe in live and let live. I think everyone should have access to health care. In some other ways I would am classified as a conservative, such as in the area of National Defense. I am a big believer in a strong defense. I also have no problem with churches seeing to the needs of the poor and with government money to do so. But that should also apply to groups that are not affiliated with any church group. I am in other ways a libertarian as I believe that government intrudes to deeply into our lives the same way many fundamentalist organizations seek to govern what goes on in our bedrooms. I’m not interested in tradition I believe we are a fast past growing nation that should be nimble on our feet and not bogged down with useless traditions. If we need to change and it is for the betterment of most Americans then let us change. I don’t believe populist would fit anywhere except that maybe, that I believe in universal health care. Why not? I guess this would make me a freak.
Week 2 - Chapter 6
Growing up as a young child in a family where politics was a daily conversation as well as employment definitely has had the biggest impact on me as far as my political socialization is concerned. Hearing the talk, gossip or whatever the case may have been growing up in small Kentucky town has and is today very influential to me. A very close relative of mine held a public office as PVA for 29 years and being around him likely instilled values and beliefs in me that will last a lifetime. In addition to him, I have had two other relative that have been involved within the political setting, one being county coroner and another on the city council. Over the years, I have frequented their places of employment and been thoroughly involved with this so-called lifestyle of politics that I have been around all my life. I have always been involved with their campaigning, attended meetings and stood by my family members in what they strongly believe in when talking to fellow citizens. The beliefs of these three relatives obviously were talked about in front of me all of the time and what they believed in strongly is what I have grown up knowing. A few of my opinions or beliefs may have altered a little as I have grown up, but overall, what I have heard from them, learned from them and seen from them in how they cared for and still care for the citizens from my hometown is all that I have ever known.
How would I classify myself politically? I am a registered Democrat, only because my parents were and that was what I registered as, even though I tend to vote for the individual and not the party. After taking the “Liberty, Equality & Self-Government test, on page 200 in the text, I would say that I am a conservative, however, only in a few areas. I believe that the government should be cautious when it comes to government programs the individual should be responsible for their actions. In that, I believe that you should relay more on yourself and your family to get things accomplished. Do not relay on the government to help. Federal money should be better spent elsewhere like national defense, or improving the infrastructure of the country. I am for stricter gun control. I have lived in Japan, where there is strict gun control, and it was unheard of that there was someone shot with a gun and violent crimes are generally very low. I just felt that Japan seemed a safer country than the United States. I am for the death penalty and believe that prisoners have too many rights. I believe that a person convicted of murder should have NO rights and should be placed in solitary confinement with no chance for redemption. Economically, I believe that government should not interfere in the private sector and social welfare has created a generation that is unwilling to work. As for National Defense, I am supportive of a fully-funded strong military and I support the resumption of conscription (of both sexes) in that I believe our military is stretched to thin and the extra men and women could boost guarding our borders and serve in our fight against terror. In the end, my ideology is not strictly one type verses another. My beliefs are all over the board and I could preach on-and-on about my political positions, however, I feel that it is unnecessary to do so, unless someone asks me on a particular topic or issue.
I would classify myself as a liberal. I am not a hardcore liberal and I will vote on issues that I believe in and not just towards my political party. I like to keep an open mind to every situation. I believe that the government should be doing more to help people in its own country. I believe that I am a Democrat because my parents are and I was influenced in that way and further knowledge has reinforced this political party. I am also a huge supporter of protecting the environment and improving the education system. We only have one world and we need to protect it as much as possible, because once we run out of oil, minerals, animals, etc. we will not be able to get them back. The education system is starting to fail and the state is not supporting schools as much anymore. My dad is a teacher and there are a lot of classes and programs getting cut in his school district and the school is having a difficult time keeping teachers due to the lack of money. Education is so important and this is an issue that the government needs to buckle down on and reconstruct it stronger than ever. America is the land of opportunity, but we need educated individuals to make that possible. Other countries are starting to surpass the U.S. in terms of education. After President Bush’s term in office, I am more of a supporter of Democrats. I am not thrilled with President Bush to put it nicely. Again, I like to keep an open mind and I will not vote on a candidate just because it says, Democrat next to their name. I vote on policies and who I honestly believe will serve more effectively.
Darryl,
I agree with a lot of points you made! I am like you in the fact that I am a registered Democrat as well and I have different beliefs on things, or as you put it-“all over the board”. I really like the point you made about gun control. I know that we are allowed to carry guns due to the Amendments. I also believe that there needs to be stricter regulations and rules about owning a gun and purchasing one. There is so much violence in the news today involving guns. Anybody can obtain a gun and in most cases, will end up in the wrong hands (as seen in the Virginia Tech tragedy). That is so scary to me. I also agree with this generation not willing to work. There are so many lazy people that will not even look for a job. It is hard to find people who are willing to work hard and are committed.
Ditmerde,
I also agree with what you said about other countries surpassing the United States in education. My wife, who is Japanese, is vastly smarter than I am, and I do not mean since she has a doctorate (in Veterinary medicine), but that in the evenings, she tutors Japanese children who live here in the area so that their education does not fall further behind their peers back in Japan. The Japanese education system is one that the US can only wish to have. The problem that I see here in the US is that students are not responsible for their mistakes or shortcoming; it’s the school system that must be the problem. I noticed that in Japan, the schools place heavy stressors on all areas of education and if you’re not up to it, your family steps in and arranges tutors to see that you overcoming your learning problems. Here, I really think that families should be more proactive when it comes to their children’s education. Do not let the schools do it all.
Respone to Scott on schoolhouse religion under Chapter 4.
I don't believe representatives should make decisions on the basis of public opinion polls. I talked about this in week 1 chapter 2 blog. The representatives were elected to represent the society because citizens believe they know best for America. I understand everyone has their right to an opinion, but your opinion counted when you voted on the representative. I'm not saying that the representative shouldn't pay any attention to the public opinion polls. Hearing someone else’s opinion always makes you think about how you feel on the topic and ultimately figuring out were you stand. Like I said in week 1 chapter 2 blog, the representative is there for a reason. I know I wouldn’t question a cardiologist or a dentist on certain situations. So why do we have to question the representatives? Everyone makes mistakes but The United States is a powerhouse country for a reason. Representatives throughout our history have made decisions to put us in the position we’re in. Relating back to chapter 2, what would be the point in making representatives make decisions on public opinion polls, when we could just vote on everyday issues? If we voted on everyday issues there would be no point in representatives. Again, every citizen in The United States is subject to their own opinion, when the opinion matters. If a citizen didn’t vote for a representative then their opinion on everyday issues shouldn’t be taken into account. This is why I also believe representatives shouldn’t make decisions on the basis of public opinion polls.
Ditmerde & Darryl,
When you say there is too much violence involving guns ask yourself, do you think it’s the gun or the person? Anybody that uses a gun to kill someone would have killed the person regardless if they had access to a gun or not. If guns were taken away people like you two would be saying lets get rid of knives or anything that can be used as a weapon. I got in the same discussion with my wife after the Virginia Tech shooter. She said, if he didn’t have access to the guns that would have never happened. That’s ignorant, he was crazy and was going to kill the students regardless if he had a gun or not. He would have walked in with a stick of dynamite or locked the doors and caught the classroom building on fire. Then would you say we should do away with explosives or fire? Ever since mankind people have been violent and black powder warfare wasn’t invented until the 15th century. Again, it’s not the gun that kills; it’s the person who fires the gun who kills.
All my life the democratic views were forced upon me. Although I think that I should be able to vote however once I was 18 that was the first thing that my mother screamed you will be registered as a democrate. Now that I'm a little older I still am registered as a democrate I hae come to find out that is what best suited me mother did know what she was talking about maybe it was how I was raised. We were told that the democrates have a 6 pt plan that plan is honest leadership and open goverment all though with clinton and his personal life we somewhat did not get that. The 2nd is real sercurity and with P.Busch in we have not gotten that. The 3rd is energy independence. The 4th is Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence. the 5th is a health care system that works for everyone. The 6th is retirement sercurity and hell if a Republican stays in we'll keep on fighting in the war and retirement won't be an option we'll be dead.
So as you can see I'm a donkey lol
To darryl,
I agree the school systems here are not so good yet we dont need to blame it all on the school. Parents need to step it up.
I were to summarize my political views in four words or less it would be VERY VERY CONSERVITIVE! I believe tat h government it overly involved in EVERY way! If I had my way I would so away with social security, welfare, and much more. I believe that the privates sector can and would do it better I they had the opportunity. (If you don’t believe me, read WHO REALLY CARES). Aside from being an economic conservative, I am a social and moral conservative! I am pro-death penalty, anti-gun control and pro military. As a side note on the comments on VA tech shooting, if just one other student had been caring a gun that day it would have stopped there and if the shooter had know that 15 or 20 kids were caring guns he never would have tried it! Back to me, I am unsurprisingly a moral conservative! I and anti-abortion as one can get! I do not as sated earlier support same sex marriage or embryos being used in stem cell research. I am registered a republican but I wish that as a party they would buck up and be genuine conservatives instead of riding the fence. I wish that conservatives and liberals alike would become better researched and more learned in such important areas! In addition, this means finding you information in places other then the nightly news. I also believe that if one wants to know what real conservative think tanks believe they should dread great men such as Rustle Kirk (the father of Modern conservatism). I could explain my positions and back them up as need be but the time have to devote to this blogg is insufficient for what needs to be said!
Representatives are just that, representative. Should they make decisions based on public opinion polls? I would be worried if they did not. Representatives are not elected to front a personal agenda, but rather, the opinions of their voters. So, polls should be a major tool used by our representatives. However, representatives are ultimately elected to make the best decision for their constituency. This entails consistency and good judgment. For an extreme example, if some random poll shows that a large percentage of voters would like a hamburger and french-fry stand in every neighborhood, it would be appropriate for the particular representative to interpret the poll and make a decision. This decision must be based on the initial provision that the representative was elected to serve and protect their constituency, and in this case, there probably would not be a push for funds to establish hamburger stands. This, unfortunately, does lead to the possibility that in some cases, to improve their own well being, a representative will go ahead and uphold the views in the opinion polls. This is a risk that we must be willing to take to allow our representatives hear our ever-changing opinions. Another worry we have when it comes to opinion polls is accuracy. Only a small amount of people are polled and this might actually not represent the overall opinion of a representative’s constituency. Then, if the representative did in fact act upon the results of such a poll, voters could become troubled with the particular representative and disappointed by the system.
3) How would you classify yourself based on the descriptions in Chapter 6 of liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and populists? Why? (You might also look at Figure 6-3 for information about policy opinions of Republicans and Democrats.)
Through most of my high school and college career I was a decided Republican. But after several classes in morality and philosophy, I have come to the conclusion that I am a most definitely a libertarian. What also helped determine this is (don't laugh!!) a quiz on Facebook.com. I quote, "Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties." I totally agree. I think that government should stay out of everyone's business.
to ashley,
you can not be serious about other students at VT carrying guns! yes, this will solve our problems, let students carry guns onto college campuses. or maybe, we can also allow people to carry guns into government buildings, you know, in case someone came in to shoot someone there would be people in there carrying guns! should the students at columbine or heath have carried guns? (obviously they could not since you must be 21. that was rhetorical.) so maybe, teachers in schools should carry guns. do american parents want to send their kids to schools where their teachers carry guns? should parents feel comfortable sending their children to virginia tech where other students walk around on campus carrying guns? i know that i would not!!!
I will honestly say that I have no political party that I am either for or against. The truth is that I am not really involved with politics. My family talks a lot about it, and they are all liberals, but I really don't have an opinion. I don't know if I have just never really thought about it or if I really don't care. If I had to pick a side I guess I would have to be a liberal, because I was raised hearing all about them. I feel that I am conservative about some issues, such as gun control, gay marriage and abortion, but my views on the war in Iraq are different than those of my conservative friends. Right now I am a nothing, but hopefully soon I will know enough to be able to decide on a team to go with.
I am a conservative. There is no other way to describe my political beliefs. What bugs me though, is how some people like to pigeonhole conservative into Republicans and liberals into Democrats. If you examine the platforms of both parties from the 2004 Presidential election, you'll find that the viewpoints are essentially the same. Chapter 6 made a good point when it mentioned that political policy flows with public opinion. Either way it goes, I'm conservative. I believe that if something isn't broken, don't try to fix it. I believe that we should take the Constitution literally. I don't believe that the government should be in the business of providing for those that choose not to work. At the same time, I believe that my hard earned paycheck should belong to me. It is not the responsibility of our government to raise our children. By that, I mean we shouldn't be blowing tax dollars on school drug testing and more programs to provide for children whose parents will not work. Now I'll jump off my soapbox.
The "agent of socialization" that had the biggest impact on my political beliefs was my family. Though honestly that isnt fair to leave it that simply, because my family is so involved in religion that almost all of their political opinions were somehow religiously based. The majority of my family is Pentecostal, my grandfather is a part-time pastor and full time professor at Asbury College, an extremely conservative Christian college. As you can imagine, i grew up hearing the most conservative political opinions you can imagine. My grandparents wont ackknowledge Bill Clinton as their president, but cried their eyes out when Ronald Reagan died. So as a young teen in middle school and high school, my opinions on political issues were not only conservative as can possibly be, but close-minded. However, as i'v matured a little my opinions havent "changed", they just arent nearly as extreme, and i've learned to respect all viewpoints. I am a conservative republican, and that diretly stems from the influence of my family. However, the other "agents of socialization", such as my schooling, the media, my perrs, etc, allowed me to see things with an open mind, understand others point of views, and become much more tolerant of people with differing opinions.
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