Participation in Government

Find your seats &

Be Ready for a Top Ten

Top Ten Largest Cities in the U.S.10. San Jose, CA9. Dallas, TX8. San Diego, CA7. San Antonio, TX6. Philadelphia, PN5. Phoenix, AZ4. Houston, TX3. Chicago, IL2. Los Angeles, CA1. New York City, NY

Take A Stance

Use your Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Assembly to tell us How you feel on Issues

How do you feel?

• For each of the following issues, take a stance.

• Go to either side of the room.

Agree or Disagree ( You must take a stance, NO middle of the roaders)

• Discuss why you chose this position with those that think the way you do.

• Pick a rep. to argue your side.

People should have a background check and obtain a license before they can buy a gun

More Govt Regulations = Liberal

The US had every right to invade Iraq

More Military = Conservative

The new president should begin to bring home all US troops from Iraq immediately

Less Military = Liberal

The federal government should reduce income inequality

More Govt Involvement = Liberal

US law should obligate all companies to provide health care insurance for their workers More Govt Involvement = Liberal

The US should decrease its spending on defense

Less Military = Liberal

Using embryos for stem cell research is acceptable as it enables us to find cures for diseases

New Research-Life = Liberal

To prevent illegal immigration, the US should complete the fence along the entire Mexican border

More Protection = Conservative

To help keep medical costs/health insurance costs down the government should reduce medical fraud and frivolous lawsuits

The Good of the Whole = Conservative

All illegal immigrants without a criminal record should be given the right to stay in the US legally

Protecting Civil Liberties of Individuals = Liberal

Anti-terrorism legislation, such as the Patriot Act, unacceptably violates civil liberties

Protecting Civil Liberties of Individuals = Liberal

More government funding should go into public schools, not to education vouchers for private schools

More Govt Involvement = Liberal

All illegal immigrants should be deported to their countries of origin and enter the country through legal channels.

Good of the Whole = Conservative

Providing health care is not the responsibility of the government

People being Self Reliant = Conservative

The death penalty helps deter crime

Good of the Whole = Conservative

Creationism should be taught in science classes in school

Traditional Social Values = Conservative

Abortion, as is, should be legal.

Protecting Civil Liberties~Choice = Liberal

Some form of torture is acceptable if it can prevent terrorist attacks

Good of the Whole = Conservative

Prostitution should be legal.

Protecting Civil Liberties~Choice = Liberal

Same-sex couples should be able to enter into civil unions with the same rights as marriages.

Protecting Civil Liberties~Choice = Liberal

Single parents should be able to adopt children.

Protecting Civil Liberties~Choice = Liberal

I am a conservative

I am a liberal

Find your seats and your notebook.

What does that mean?

• Ideology:– a set of beliefs that

allow you to view public policy issues in a consistent manner; how a person views issues

– This tells others in general what your beliefs are and how you base your opinions.

Types of Ideologies• LIBERAL:

– A person who believes that govt should actively and peacefully promote social reform [change] within the existing system.

– a.k.a. lefties, left wings, bleeding hearts, doves

– Ex) The Clintons, Sen. Barrack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Michael Moore

Types of Ideologies• CONSERVATIVE:

– A person who is cautious about new policies and who generally feels that the gov’t should stay out of the affairs of private citizens & businesses.

– a.k.a. rightists, right wings, Neanderthals, & hawks

– Pres. Bush, C.J. John Roberts, Rush Limbaugh

TYPES OF IDEOLOGIES

• MODERATE:– A person whose

attitudes and opinions are somewhere between those of a liberal and a conservative.

– a.k.a. Middle-of-the-road, fence riders

– Sen. John McCain, Justice Stephen Breyer, Rudy Guiliani

MORE TYPES OF IDEOLOGIES

• RADICAL:– Someone who favors rapid,

fundamental change in the existing social, economic, or political order; willing to use physical force

• Ex) Black Panthers, Malcolm X, Aggressive Environmental Groups

• REACTIONARY:– Someone who actively pursues a

return to a previous gov’t or state of affairs; willing to go to extremes and use physical force

• Ex) KKK, Neo-Nazi Groups, Islamic Extremists

Spectrum of Ideology

LEFT RIGHT

MODERATES

LIBERALSCONSERVATIVES

RADICALSREACTIONARIES

Where do most Americans fall?

41.4% 17.3% 15% 3%12.3%9%2%

Spectrum of Ideology

LEFT RIGHT

MODERATES

LIBERALSCONSERVATIVES

RADICALSREACTIONARIES

Where do most Americans fall?

41.4% 17.3% 15% 3%12.3%9%2%

Issue Questions Behind Issue Liberal View Conservative View

Abortion Right to choose what to do with one’s body

Death Penalty

Life can be taken from those who take life

Gun Control

Gun ownership should be more restricted

Affirmative Action

Minorities & women deserve a fairer opportunity in the job & college interview process

Euthanasia Terminally ill patients have the right to take their own life, or have it physician-assisted

Same-Sex Marriages

Two people of the same gender should have the right to marriage

Pornography

A form of freedom of speech for consenting adults

Flag Burning

A form of freedom of speech, right to protest

Prayer in Schools

Public schools should include more prayer and reflective thought in schools

Issue Questions Behind Issue Liberal View

Conservative View