Liberal v. Conservative views

A quick breakdown of their positions on varying issues.

1. Affirmative action

·       Liberal:  Reverse discrimination is needed to correct the past wrongs against minority groups, because the majority is inherently better off now.

·       Conservative:  Same as liberal, but against some aspects of it, such as the quota requirement.  Conservatives are O.K. with minorities having an edge in applications, but not a guarantee of acceptance.

·       My Position:  Central.  I believe a quota requirement may be necessary to give certain races an equal chance of education, but only to an extent.  I would not make the quota very large.

2. Gun Control

·       Liberal:  Guns are an offensive tool of oppression.

·       Conservative:  Guns are a defensive tool of protection.

·       My Position:  Conservative.

3. Capital Punishment

·       Liberal:  Death penalty should be illegal, because the risk of killing an innocent person is too great.

·       Conservative:  Death penalty should be legal, because tougher penalties will deter more crime, and the possibility of a murderer being released back into society is too great.

·       My Position:  Liberal.

4. Food stamps

·       Liberal:  Poor people need more money to pay for food.

·       Conservative:  People should work, so they can afford to buy their own food.

·       My Position:  Central.  If a person is pursuing a job or employed, and they cannot afford to feed themselves, then they should get food stamps.  Everyone has the right to live.  However, a lazy unemployed person will have no incentive to find a job if he is receiving food stamps, and should therefore not be eligible.

5. Military Spending

·       Liberal:  Smaller military, more diplomacy. 

·       Conservative:  Bigger military.

·       My Position:  Liberal, although I believe in the phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick.”

6. Government Sponsored Healthcare

·       Liberal:  Government should provide healthcare, because some people can’t afford it.

·       Conservative:  Healthcare should be run by the private sector, because this result in a more competitive and effective healthcare system.

·       My Position:  Conservative.  Healthcare should be run by the private sector, but with some government regulations

7. Environmental Regulation

·       Liberal:  Global warming is caused by carbon emissions.  Tough environmental regulations should be enacted to protect the Earth’s atmosphere.

·       Conservative:  Global warming is a natural occurrence, and we can do nothing about it.  Environmental regulations have an unacceptable negative economic impact on the energy industry.

·       My Position:  Liberal.

8. Decriminalization of Marijuana

·       Liberal:  Marijuana is a harmless substance.  Marijuana should be legalized, because the individual should have the right to decide what to do with his body.

·       Conservative:  Marijuana is a harmful substance.  It should be illegal because it will lead to a higher consumption, causing more cancer.

·       My Position:  Liberal.  Comparing marijuana to tobacco and alcohol is like comparing a paper cut to a machete through your guts and brain.

9. School Prayer

·       Liberal:  Formal prayer in schools should be banned.

·       Conservative:  Formal prayers should be allowed in school.

·       My Position:  Liberal.  I am content with the ‘moment of silence’, which is a voluntary time for prayers.

10. Gay Rights

·       Liberal:  Homosexuals be able to serve in the military, because they will not adversely affect the military’s ability to function, and they deserve the same rights as everyone else.  Gays should be able to legally marry, because they are also citizens, and deserve the same rights as heterosexual marriages.

·       Conservative:  Gays in the military would adversely affect the ability of the military to carry out its duties, because a tense atmosphere would be created.   Marriage should only be between a man and woman, because a gay marriage represents eroding moral values.

·       My Position:  Liberal.