Civics_Ch8_web-parties

Give your opinion on some of the issues surrounding our political parties today.
 * Political Parties Survey**


 * __National Debt__:** the debt is over $17 trillion and growing; each year the government spends more money than it brings in; the biggest areas of spending are on Medicare, Social Security, and welfare entitlements.
 * 1) The government needs to make cuts. The majority of the spending is on entitlements such as Medicare, Social Security, and welfare benefits. These programs might be good ideas, but the government can't afford it because each year we're running up more debt. The age to get on Medicare and Social Security needs to increase since people are living longer than when these programs were set up. Also, there are more citizens on welfare than any time in history, therefore there needs to be stricter limits on who receives welfare and for how long and how much they get. In addition, the federal government should adopt a policy to never again spend more money than it brings in.
 * 2) An increase in taxes would be the better way to cut into the debt and keep Medicare, Social Security, and welfare exactly how it is. Taxes would have to increase for everyone though and would have to increase on goods that we buy in order to bring in enough money to cover our debts (just taxing the wealthy won't be able to bring in enough money). In terms of the yearly budget, it's okay to spend more money than we bring in if it keeps programs (such as the ones mentioned) working the same way.


 * __Illegal Immigration__:** border security has become a major issue.
 * 1) The problem with illegal immigration is that coming across the border illegally is against the law. Nations have borders and for the security of everyone inside the nation legally, we have to secure our border. The major problem is drugs coming across the border by illegal drug smugglers who sneak the drugs into our country. In addition, it could be possible for terrorists to sneak into our nation (if other illegals are coming across). Therefore, the first step in dealing with the border should be to put the National Guard along our southern border to keep it secure.
 * 2) All immigrants contribute to the economy in terms of working, earning money, and then buying goods, which also helps business. Therefore, the way to solve the problem is by first allowing the illegal immigrants to stay and grant them amnesty (which would make them legal) and also punish any business that is found to hire illegals.


 * __Middle East__:** You're probably aware of the fact that ever since September 11, 2001 we've been involved in a war against terrorism. Terror groups exist in numerous Middle East countries. Their goal is simple: they are in Jihad (Muslim holy war) until all are followers of Islam (you can probably figure out how they try to accomplish this goal and it's not trying to convert non-Muslims).
 * 1) Muslim terror groups are attempting to unite all Muslim extremists in the Middle East to form a caliphate - an Islamic empire. Their aim would be to wipe out Israel (a nation of mostly Jews and Christians who value freedom and equality like the U.S.) and also wipe out the U.S. (they call us the "Great Satan"). Our policy should be to continue fighting the terrorists to keep them from taking control of the entire Middle East region because they attacked us on 9/11 and have attempted several times since then and are looking to wipe out us and Israel (our only true friend in the Middle East). It's impossible to negotiate with an enemy that wants to wipe you out.
 * 2) The best thing to do in the Middle East is to negotiate with the groups in the Middle East and get all groups to compromise on their goals and bring peace. The policy of the U.S. should be to get nations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to agree on our principles of freedom and equality. Through negotiating the Muslim world may better understand us and we may better understand them.


 * __Jobs__:** The economy is always a major issue. Cutting the unemployment rate is certainly a goal of both parties. How to do it is where there is disagreement.
 * 1) The tax rate on corporations in the U.S. is higher than most other industrialized nations in the world especially China, which is while big corporations that makes goods all over the world often relocate to China. Also, small business are the majority of all businesses in America (small businesses are ones like Goga's, Knapp's, Sunshine Cafe). If taxes were lower for big businesses and small businesses, then these businesses would be able to expand and hire more people. The goal of a business is to make money (if you can't make money owning a business then why bother going into business?). When the government uses tax dollars to create jobs, it's only temporary. However, when businesses have to pay less in taxes, then they can expand their business and try to find new ways to make money and therefore hire more people.
 * 2) When there is high unemployment, the government should increase taxes on corporations and use that money to hire workers to do work the government wants done, like building bridges, improving roads, or other work that the government wants to undertake. Yes taxes would have to increase, but the increase in tax money coming in could be used to put people to work.


 * __Energy__:** Both parties have the goal of getting off of foreign oil (we get a large amount of our oil from the Middle East). They differ in the how category though.
 * 1) We should drill for oil in Alaska and shallow water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and off of our Pacific and Atlantic coasts. We wouldn't need any foreign oil if the government allowed drilling in these areas. At the same time, the government or private businesses could look for alternative sources of energy so we would have to rely on oil forever. Wind energy and solar energy though have proven not to be near as good as coal and oil. The American methods of drilling are safer and cleaner than any other nation that drills and does less harm to the environment than other nations that drill.
 * 2) Oil and coal are dirty and cause carbon emissions that can hurt the environment, therefore there should be higher taxes on coal and oil (which includes gas) so that people use less of it...when the price goes up, people will use less. We should not drill for oil in America for environmental reasons.


 * __Abortion__:** This should be an issue you know about.
 * 1) Pro-life. The fetus is an unborn baby and has DNA like all born babies and adults have. Abortion is murder and should be illegal.
 * 2) Pro-choice. It should be up to the woman whether or not to have the child.


 * __Poverty__:** What is the best way to help those in poverty?
 * 1) Private charities are the best way to help those in need, such as food pantries, soup kitches, Salvation Armies, churches, or any other charitable organization. Private charities are better than the government because charities in each area know who truly has a need and who is abusing the system and doesn't truly have a need whereas the government is too big to see individual needs. Also, if more money could be made through getting a job than could be made on welfare, there would be much more incentive to find work. There should be tax breaks for those who donate to charity. Higher taxes merely punish those who work hard and earn money. Government should encourage giving to charity.
 * 2) There should be higher taxes on those who make most of the money in the country and the tax dollars collected should be used to help those who need. The government is the way to go to help those in need, not private charities.

__**Who should make personal decisions?**__
 * 1) There should be less government involvement in the lives of the people. Citizens should have more personal liberty in terms of deciding what to buy, eat, wear, or any other daily decisions. If individuals are free to make their own decisions then individuals can learn from mistakes. For example, when you go to McDonalds you know the food isn't the healthiest. They sell apple slices and fries. You should be able to decide for yourself which to buy. Overall, people should rely on themselves.
 * 2) People often make bad decisions. Therefore, the government should help people make the "right" decision. For example, fast food can be unhealthy, therefore if the government forces McDonalds to sell apple slices rather than fries, citizens will be able to eat more healthy when they go to McDonalds. Overall, people should rely on the government.

You've completed the survey. Count how many times you agreed with the 1st statement and how many times you agreed with the 2nd statement.

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The 1st statements listed under each category are Republican Party stances on the issue. The 2nd statements listed under each category are Democrat Party stances. Overall, the Democrat Party favors bigger and more government whereas the Republican Party favors smaller and less government to give people more individual liberty. Most of the issues listed have ways that both parties compromise and get a little bit of what each want.

Questions to answer:
 * (1)** Which political party do you associate with more? Why?
 * (2)** Which issue was the biggest issue for you? Why?
 * (3)** What role do political parties play?

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