...identify mostly with liberal ideas and beliefs, while members of the Republican party identify mostly with conservative ideas and beliefs. Many of us fall somewhere along the political spectrum, but most of us can identify ourselves more clearly with one of these two parties. By definition liberal means; "believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change: relating to or supporting political liberalism". Liberals believe in larger government and higher taxes for the individual in an attempt to provide government funded programs and services to the community, such as welfare and universal healthcare services. On a social level, most the Democratic Party is socially progressive, and most feel strongly about fighting for and preserving rights for all citizens of the United States. By definition conservative means; "believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society: relating to or supporting political conservatism." Conservatives believe in smaller government, in fewer taxes, less government run programs and that responsibility of the individual is more beneficial to the community. On a social level, most of the Republican Party is less socially progressive, and believe in the preservation of more traditional values. I was raised with conservative beliefs, and while I still find myself moderate to conservative on some of the government regulated issues, I more clearly identify as a liberal now. Politics, to...
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...Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs Copyright 2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The argument is how to achieve them… Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems. Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. NOTE: The terms “left” and “right” define opposite ends of the political spectrum. In the United States, liberals are referred to as the left or left-wing and conservatives are referred to as the right or right-wing. On the U.S. political map, blue represents the Democratic Party (which generally upholds liberal principles) and red represents the Republican party (which generally upholds conservative principles). THE ISSUES: ...
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...How a Healthcare Bill Caused A Government Shutdown What to do about the rapid rise of healthcare costs has become a contentiously argued subject by the United States two major political parties. The finale of this debate sees us two weeks into a government shut down with a small but determined faction of ideologue republicans threatening to default on our nations debt unless President Obama scraps the biggest piece of legislation he’s gotten passed into law since his election in 2008, a healthcare bill, commonly referred to as Obamacare. The president, on the other hand, is saying he won’t pay a ransom to Congress in order for them to reopen the federal government. He’s making his case against his opponents in congress by siting his reelection as vindication that Americans overwhelmingly want this legislation to move forward. The two sides are using an overwhelming amount of social media to air their views and ideology to the American public. While the Republicans spread doubt and fear about the bill, the democrats, conversely, overselling the probable effectiveness of Obamacare. With all this information swirling around the national discussion it is difficult to know exactly what’s true about the bill and what isn’t. Perhaps the most important consequence of this political battle is that currently 500,000 government workers are out of work and not being paid while this shut down plays itself out. This furlough is not only hurting those workers and their families but also proving...
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...taking the quiz I was not aware of exactly where I stood on my political beliefs. Before taking this class I was not intune with my political side at all. I did know how ever that I shared views on certains things but did not know exactly where I stood on my views. After taking the quizzes they stated that I was more on the liberals side. The results were around what I expected especially after I started learning the definition of liberals and conservatives and the beliefs of one each one believes in. The results of each quiz that I took were very similar. I feel as if I am very unwavering in my beliefs and that is why the outcome of the test results were the same. I do agree with the outcome of the results from the test that I participated in. It was pretty accurate when I took into account and researched the beliefs and ideas of someone that considers thierselves a liberals. There are a few things that I found in my research that I did not agree completely with their ideas. A few of those were on topics dealing with healthcare and also topics that dealt with immigration. For the most part tho most of the ideas associated with the way that liberals think I was in agreement with. Quizzes like this I think are very useful tools especially to individuals like myself that are not for sure on what political catergories they fall under. Tools like this help give a better understanding and kinda puts everything into a better perspective. And as far as the question referencing...
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...Govt-2301-WS3 What makes us so different? Understanding Political Ideology through Partisanship People today think that it doesn’t matter how you vote, the outcome will always be the same because the Democratic and GOP parties are run by corporations. Some think that in order to break away from the special interests and influences, there should be a strong third party and that party with a different platform is the Libertarian Party. Historically the main two parties were not much different. In the beginning both parties believed that “men (not big government) was to rule them” (The Fundamental Differences Between Republican and Democrats). There was a mutual desire for individual freedom. Currently it seems that their fundamental beliefs have changed. The Democratic Party wants to increase government involvement in the lives of the American public, whereas the Republicans would like to see decreased national government and have each state govern themselves (The Fundamental Differences Between Republican and Democrats). The Libertarians seem to want to get back to what the founding fathers envisioned. Each party has very strong convictions on the topics that confront America today. The hottest topic facing the nation is Same Sex Marriage. Since the beginning the Democrats have defended Civil Rights and supported the expansion of opportunities for all. They fight to end all forms of discrimination, but this is an uphill battle. “We support marriage equality...
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...Abortion, Right or Wrong? To most people life is a gift. Some people live each day as if it were their last. Others take life for granted and assume that what they put off today they can do tomorrow. What about the life of the unborn child, the human being that is growing and developing inside its mother’s womb. Is it the right of the mother to say this child shall be born, or is it the right of the government? Does the developing fetus have a voice on this issue? These questions have been asked as far back as ancient times. Today, the question whether abortion is right or wrong still has many people on different sides of the issue. Abortions have been performed throughout history for many different reasons. Laws and their enforcement on the issue have fluctuations through many eras. Many of the methods used in early and primitive cultures were non-surgical. Common techniques were making the woman perform strenuous physical activities such as climbing, paddling, weightlifting, or diving. Women could also use irritant leaves, fasting, bloodletting, and pouring hot water onto the abdomen. Each culture had its own ways of dealing with unwanted pregnancies. For centuries, South Asia has practiced the technique of massage abortion, the application of pressure to the pregnant abdomen. During the nineteenth century in the United States, the use of candles and other objects, such as glass rods, penholders, curling irons, spoons, sticks, knives, and catheters...
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...patient overcomes whatever issue they are dealing with. An issue that can arise in a patient-doctor relationship is when the patient decides to refuse treatment. When a patient is not on board with the doctors regimen, it becomes difficukt to continue treating them. This confilct comes down to the classic debate between the physciains "oaths, expertise and professional responsibilites and the patients right to make decisins. If a person is not comfortable with the way their doctor is handling their case, or feels as if the doctor is wrong with the way they have been treated so far, the patient will and can refuse treatment of the doctor. Once a refusal is know, an array of issues arisses. The relationship between the patient and healthcare provider seems "technically simple and morally clear" (pg. 71). However, certain ideas and beliefs many simmer below the surface during treatment and complications start to arise. Values and cultures can start to clash and moral issues arise from these conflicts....
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...we got to Obamacare First Draft What to do about the rapidly rising cost of healthcare has been a hot button issue contentiously argued by the United States two major political parties. The culmination of the what to do about healthcare sees us two weeks into a government shut down with a small but determined faction of ideologue republicans threatening to default on our debt by not raising the debt ceiling unless President Barack Obama scraps the biggest piece of legislation he has gotten passed into law since his election in 2008, a bill, commonly referred to as Obamacare. The president, on the other hand, is saying he won’t pay a ransom for the federal government to open back up siting his reelection as vindication that Americans want this legislation to move forward. Social media is being used by both sides of the argument to spread doubt and fear or oversell the law so it is difficult to know exactly what is true and what isn’t. This paper is an attempt to summarize the major events in the healthcare debate that have brought us to this unprecedented point of government gridlock. The modern healthcare debate started in the early nineties with the presidential election of Bill Clinton. Then First Lady Hillary Clinton and the late Senator Ted Kennedy championed the movement. The belief held by the most liberal of democrats was that being an American citizen gave you a birth right to healthcare. Republicans conversely saw any government interference as a radical takeover of...
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...UNIT 3C: REPRESENTATIVE PROCESS IN THE USA SECTION 1: ELECTIONS & VOTING Primaries: * Election to select a parties candidacy for president * Open primary: A primary for any registered voter, democrat or republican. E.G. Texas * Closed: A primary for democrats and a primary for Republicans. (Separate one’s) * Invisible primary: candidates try to gain support and finance in the year before the primary * Proportional primary: awarded delegates in proportion to votes they get * Winner-takes-all: Win the most votes and you take all the states delegates Advantages: * Increased level of participation from ordinary votes (30% in 2008) * Increased interest from people * Increased choice of candidates (14 in 2008) * Removing power from party bosses Disadvantages: * Turnout is usually low * Voters are usually unrepresentative of normal voters (tend to be wealthier, old and better educated) * Process is far too long and expensive (Obama in 2008 announced his running 332 before the first primary * Fails to test presidential qualities Increased importance of primaries: * Really the only route to become a parties President Caucuses: * A meeting for the selection of a candidate * Usually held in states that are geographically large but thinly populated (Iowa, North Dakota, Nevada) * Turnout is usually pretty low, and usual favour ideological candidates National party conventions: Formal functions: ...
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...Is Racial Antipathy Increasing? The Polarizing Effect of Obama’s Presidency Abstract Previous research has shown that individuals who are highly conservative are more likely to hold negative perceptions of African-Americans and other minorities. Furthermore, racial antipathy affects the way individuals perceive Barack Obama. In light of recent trends, this study tested whether individuals who identify themselves as Republicans are substantially more likely to maintain negative racial attitudes. The study also investigated whether white Americans are more likely than other racial groups to harbor racial prejudices and disapprove of Barack Obama. Results from this study indicated that racial resentment plays a significant role in contemporary politics. Data from between-subjects ANOVA and correlational analysis suggested that the Democratic Party and Republican Party are polarized in regards to racial issues. Moreover, conservative whites are the most likely racial group to hold racial prejudices against African-Americans. Finally, disapproval of President Obama is highly associated with high levels of negative racial stereotypes. Keywords: race, antipathy, conservatism, prejudices, Obama Is Racial Antipathy Increasing? The Polarizing Effect of Obama’s Presidency In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to become President of the United States. His election marked a pivotal turning point in American politics. To millions, Obama’s election signaled...
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...democratically lacking. The members have a significant amount of power however are unelected and unable to be dismissed. The most significant issue with the Supreme Court’s power is its (lack of) accountability, this is largely caused by the appointment process. The Supreme court has had significant influence over public legislation since the Marbury vs Madison case of 1803 and increasingly so since Chief Justice Warren’s court who made controversial decisions regarding segregation (Brown vs Topeka) and Abortion (Roe vs Wade). This has continued to more recent court cases such as the 2012 Windsor vs USA which recognised gay marriage striking down DOMA (the 1996 Defence of Marriage Act) which stated that only heterosexual marriage would be federally recognised. This has led to the appointment process of Supreme Justices to come under scrutiny as it invokes unelected justices making decisions that will affect the whole of America and which in many cases supersede decisions made by the elected legislators (congressmen) and the executive (the President). For example firstly in 2012 the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Affordable Healthcare Act or ‘Obamacare’ arguing that it was a tax and not a mandate...
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...When will we see Change? A Critical look at Barack Obama and the democratic party. Charles Kerber POLS 202 9AM American Government Livingston This paper will take a critical look at the history of the democratic party, its most recent 2012 election, its current presidential candidate Barack Obama, and the latest platform. While the paper may read as being highly critical of President Obama, it should be caveated by the fact that this is an extremely trying time in the history of the United States, and the government is under considerable pressures from outside terrorism threats and international relations, to severe recession and domestic economic concerns. Nevertheless, one must look critically at President Obama, and answer has he really given us “change we can believe in”? Biography & history The Democratic party went through a number of iterations before it became the current democratic party. The party began as the anti federalists under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Thomas Jefferson a former secretary of state under George Washington's administration who had resigned to protest the fiscal policies of Alexander Hamilton. These two rivals would become the basis of the first two political parties of the United States. Alexander Hamilton favored the constitution, the creation of a national bank and repayment of the revolutionary war debt with federal funds. Under this philosophy they would name themselves Federalists, for their leaders support of ratifying the constitution...
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...have less children and have more time for education and job pursuit, medicine helped people to live longer added stages in life that people never had before like old age and middle age and childhood stages Psychological revolution – family relationships used to be functional (roles) now it is about love and support, increased education increased peoples marriages Conservative views – decline, pessimists, and their values were traditional Avoid talking about women’s rights, claim that America’s problems are a result of the breakdown of family values Liberal – diversity (variation), optimists, and values were changing Claims that women’s problems are a result of job discrimination Feminist – diversity, caring for each other, women’s roles, individualism over collectivism, free child and healthcare and raise minimum wages Coontz – ahistorical not typically historical says conservatives are ahistorical Static – concepts and ideas remain the same (opposite of dynamic) Family is not static because it is always changing Stop moralizing and start mobilizing mythmaking is not a solution Idealized past vs terrible present – saying that the past...
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...TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Overview…………………………………………………………….Page 1 The Country…………………………………………………………………………….Page 2 Government and Politics………………………………………………………………..Page 3 Economic Structure……………………………………………………………………..Page 4-8 National Culture………………………………………………………………………...Page 9-11 Management…………………………………………………………………………….Page 12-14 Comparison U.S. and Canada………………………………………….……………….Page 15 Interview……………………………………………………………………………….Page 16 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………Page 17 References………………………………………………………………………………Page 18-22 1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Introduction The purpose of this paper is for us, as a team, to learn more about the culture in Canada relating to a business atmosphere as well as a casual atmosphere. It is important to be knowledgeable of cultures in other countries, due to possible international business opportunities that may arise in the future. Overview In this paper, we discuss a little bit about the history and demographics of the country as a whole. We also talk about the government, economy, and culture of Canada on a more detailed level. Later, in the paper management in Canada as well as a comparison of the U.S. and Canada is covered. 2 CANADA- THE COUNTRY History The first group to come to Canada was the Aboriginal people who were later joined by the French and British to form the culture of Canada (Wikipedia, 2010). Canada has also been influenced by the United States relating to its...
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...The Velvet Divorce: An Economic Analysis of Cause and Effect In light of EU enlargement and discussion of the Eurozone, Czechoslovakia has emerged as a role model for comparison. The two central European countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia present an interesting case study on the optimum currency area and on political unification. Despite economic, social and demographical convergence as well as an overwhelming majority opinion in favor of unification, the two countries split less than five years of having political autonomy. Following their split, Slovakia and the Czech Republic took different approaches towards approaching a market-economy, yielding somewhat surprising results. This paper will analyze the viability of Czechoslovakia as an optimum currency area, recount its history in the context of economic and political differences, and then illustrate how differences in political philosophy affected their economies today. Unlike most other research this paper aims to prove that, while political differences may have been the deciding factor in dissolution, it was really economic differences between the two, originating from geographic differences and early history, that necessitated the divorce. Economic Analysis and the Optimum Currency Area When analyzing the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, and particular when searching for truth as to its cause, it’s important to note that it was in fact a two part split – first the political union and then the monetary...
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