- How do you identify yourself politically (or what group(s) do you personally identify with)?
- How has this affected your conception of the role of government or your relationship with the government?
- Who or what has affected your personal views about politics specifically or social or moral issues in general (people, institutions, media, personal experiences, etc...)?
- Why do you do feel the way you do about various political groups (both similar and different from you)?
- How does the time and place in which you live impact your political views?
Gaining a more critical understanding of what you feel and how you have developed these views will help us as we look at the social and historical construction of American political culture in general.
Remember: Your responses should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs and no more (around 150 words). No research is necessary but think carefully about what you want to write and respond to the ideas presented on the blog, not the people. The goal is to use these prompts to start a dialogue that can evolve through the week. This week's blog is more of a self reflection than those coming up. Ideally you should comment on and relate your comments to others in the class as much as possible. You should post your comment(s) by 8pm on Wednesday. Everyone should skim the discussion before class on Thursday.
Remember: Your responses should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs and no more (around 150 words). No research is necessary but think carefully about what you want to write and respond to the ideas presented on the blog, not the people. The goal is to use these prompts to start a dialogue that can evolve through the week. This week's blog is more of a self reflection than those coming up. Ideally you should comment on and relate your comments to others in the class as much as possible. You should post your comment(s) by 8pm on Wednesday. Everyone should skim the discussion before class on Thursday.
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ReplyDeletePolitically, I identify as an intersectional feminist and an ally for communities like the LBGTQIA+ and individuals of color. I would consider myself a social progressive and fairly economically liberal. Overall, I would say I subscribe to many of the beliefs of the democratic party, although I am not quite sure where I fall on the spectrum of moderate to socialist which seems to be the current debate. These factors have made me believe in the power of big government and social welfare programming. Being an economics major has made me especially interested in economic policy and taxation. Despite my concerns with the current state of our government and administration, I still believe in the potential of government to do good and right by its people— whether or not it will reach that potential, I am not as assured. The 2016 election was a disheartening taste of democracy but I still take civic duty very seriously. I believe there have been many factors in my life that have helped in cultivating these political beliefs; most chiefly, I would say that growing up with a single mom and also in the suburbs of Chicago have been incredibly formative. I judge various political groups of their overall tolerance and inclusivity. Those different than my own often frustrate me with their general ignorance and/or prejudice. The time in which I live in seems to make every issue important, as the internet and social media have allowed information to flow instantaneously. I see this as a benefit to my political life as I can constantly be learning and thinking about what my government is doing and how it can be improved. Having always been near or in Chicago as well has been a privilege in giving me access to political activism and work, which has opened my eyes to a lot more of the inner workings of elections and government in general.
ReplyDeleteI identify as a liberal feminist. Personally, I believe every single person should be a feminist, especially every woman, due to the fact that the simple definition of feminism is just wanting equal rights for people of all genders. I have voted democrat in every election I have been eligible for; however, I prefer to see myself as an ideology other than a party. I belong to the Democratic party, but I am liberal through and through. The past few years have been very eye opening for me. I was always taught to respect the decisions of others, but it has become increasingly difficult to view Trump supporters as loving, intelligent individuals who are looking out for the well-being of every American. My mother was my primary caregiver growing up, and not a day went by that she didn’t tell me that the reason I was placed on this earth was to support others and do everything I can to make the lives of others just a little bit brighter. That had a huge impact on my ideological identification. I believe the Democratic party is the party that truly cares about those who are not seen: people of color, LGBTQ-identifying Americans, immigrants, etc. Due to the extremely polarized time we live in, it is very difficult not to judge someone based on their political beliefs. However, I still believe in the American government and the principles we were founded on. The government is not lost or sinking. Yet it is not in the right hands. My civic duty is to do all I can to participate in politics and try to shape the world in a way that can be useful. Growing up in Indiana, I was constantly surrounded by conservative individuals who furthered my liberal mindset. The more I was opposed, the stronger my views became. Living in a culture dominated by social media and technology, politics seem more like a reality show than actual government work. My hope for the future is that politicians are no longer seen as a joke, but are instead seen as hardworking individuals striving to make the world a better place.
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ReplyDeleteAs I often say when I’m asked these sorts of questions in Political Science courses, I’m just about as liberal as they come. I’m a fervent proponent of democratic socialism and believe deeply in the concept of universal human rights. I hold that governments all over the world should do a great deal more to support their citizens. There is no excuse for continued “-isms” or “-phobias” (ie. racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia etc.) in this country or anywhere, and since these things have always been and unfortunately still remain very active in America, I would say that my relationship with the government is one of criticism. To me, patriotism is fighting for positive change in one’s country and government so that all of it’s peoples are represented and protected, rather than just accepting things as they are in the name of unity or pride. In this way, I identify as extremely patriotic, though there are some who might not agree with such a qualification. The biggest thing that has influenced my beliefs would be history, I think. The Civil Rights Movement caught my interest when I was in elementary school, and has driven every choice I’ve made regarding politics and morality ever since. I genuinely don’t think the time or place in which I live has made a deep impact on my political views. I’ve always been pretty confident that no matter where or when I’d been born, I would have turned out this way. Because I’ve always been so set in my ways, I find it difficult to find common ground, or, I will admit, even respect for those who employ those “-isms” or “-phobias” I mentioned above. Human rights and social justice are, to me, absolutely non-negotiable values, and I don’t really have any close relationships with people who differ from me ideologically. There are people in my family who are at the opposite end of the political spectrum, but my cousins and I have never shied away from getting into it with them during the holidays. That being said, I do truly believe that people (and their belief systems) can change with genuine dialogue, effort, and time, so I try to think of this in my interactions with people who I disagree with on political issues.
ReplyDeletePolitically, I identify as a liberal Democrat. There are other identities that stem from being a liberal Democrat for me, such as a feminist, ally, supporter of welfare and progressive policy, Catholic, and more. It is really interesting to think about how although many people may be registered to a certain political party, their expectations of the government and their participation in society varies by the individual. No person has the same beliefs. My political identity is a result of my environment growing up, which was in a historically Democratic family, a mostly liberal city, and an all-girls high school. These environments helped me develop values that mostly aligned with a liberal, progressive political ideology. Even though I consider my hometown fairly liberal, it is in a very conservative state, so it was common to be in a mixed ideological pool. However, in Chicago, especially at an institution like DePaul, I find that there is an overwhelming presence of liberalism and progressiveness, even a large socialist presence. I agree with what Ally wrote above, saying that human rights and social justice are non-negotiable values, and my political identity is a reflection of that. At the end of the day, I find it difficult to form relationships with people who disagree with my core values, regardless of their political party.
ReplyDeleteI identify as a liberal ecofeminist. It has affected my conception of the role of the government through the lens of an oppressor but most certainly through a lens of how can the government come into a relationship with the world and women. Especially since the constitution is constructed with the pronouns “He/Him” It has made me think differently about the idea of what it means to have a “Democracy” and whether we actually live in one or not. The people in my community are the ones who have shifted my personal views about politics. I feel the way I do about various political groups because some of them attack or offend my people. Which part takes my political views due to the time and place in which I am currently living in- having a president who targets my Latinx community. Thus, is why I stick to a liberal political view since that is where my voice matters and is mostly heard in.
ReplyDeleteThis is Julissa Martinez-Rosales
DeleteHow does the time and place in which you live impact your political views?
ReplyDeleteFor myself, the Theatre is a place full of democratic ideals, providing sanctuary for a variety of inclusive topics, and safe spaces to all. The only topic not allowed in these areas, is any sort of conservative ideals. While the theatre community may say that they're open-minded and open to all ideas and beliefs, this isn't entirely true. I find that if I do bring up controversial conversation in theatre atmosphere, it's met with basic rhetorical terms being hurled at either side without a real discussion or discourse being had. My voice, a moderate right identifying, doesn't have a place in the theatre world due to discrimination and prejudice against anything deemed as "right". While there is creation of art that may mock the right, or challenge the ideals of conservatism, conversation around the subject is pretty small in Theatre.
I identify as a liberal leaning democrat on many social and economic issues, but also with a historical and academic perspective on politics. I support public welfare efforts and human rights advocates that push for equal social and legal opportunity. My concern for social justice has allowed me to see government as an agent for change and for positive freedom, but my often academic and historical perspective on politics has allowed me to view government through a big picture lens, as an ever-changing product of history. Although my parents have deeply influenced my views on moral issues, my political views have been immensely influenced by education and personal experience. I am more likely to follow a certain political ideology if it aims to help me or it involves an issue that I feel a particular moral obligation to. On the other hand, political ideologies and groups that oppose my moral standings, though I acknowledge that everyone has their own morals and experiences, are groups that I don’t feel a desire to be a part of. Living in Chicago impacts my political views in that it is a diverse, ever-changing city often at the center of political debate and activism. To be constantly surrounded by diversity, by adversity and progress, allows me to view politics in the most realistic, hands on way as opposed to through media or secondary experience.
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ReplyDeleteMy political views value freedom as my core belief, which is why I am in favor of a small government. The role of government should primarily be to keep us safe and a big government encroaches our our ability of free choice and economic liberty. When I was younger my personal views about politics were mainly influenced by my parents and home life but as I grew older my education opened my mind to different views on politics, social issues, and moral issues. I try not to be personally influenced by the media because certain networks can push their own biases in the news. Therefore I consider both democractic and conservative voices in constructing my own beliefs. For this reason, I strongly disagree with Claire about Trump supporters not being intelligent and compassionate to the wellbeing of Americans. Even if you may disagree with someone's political views the great thing about living in America, founded on liberty, is the ability to openly disagree with the government and freely express one's political beliefs without fear of persecution.
I agree with Elann. To add on, a wave of anti-free speech has emerged for conservative students on college campuses stemming from hardcore liberal indignation. Extreme liberal groups tend to protest and shun the voices of students who have just as much of a place to vocalize their views as anyone. I am not saying that I agree with all conservative angles but this country's core principles rest on the freedom of speech laid out in the first amendment, even if it comes off offense to certain groups. Political polarization has bred a new era of college students who either conform and join the alpha political ideology (in this case, liberalism) or repress their political sentiments because it does not follow the paradigm of though instilled by the institutional status quo. -Olivia Piotrowski
Delete*thought -OP
DeleteI would identify myself as a democratic socialist, along the ideological lines of figures like Bernie Sanders. Because I consider myself a democratic socialist, I believe that the government should serve the people and has a moral obligation to protect the people it governs, whether this means helping eradicate social prejudices or eliminating social inequalities that exist today. With this being said, it is easy for me to be cynical about the political process. But as a democratic socialist, I believe that if we empower and mobilize everyday people—and recognize that all of our struggles are mutual—then we can create a more equitable society. As a Catholic, I believe that all of us—regardless of our political affiliation—have a moral obligation to help those who are less fortunate. Although I grew up in a primarily conservative, white Catholic community, I think my liberal views stemmed from an early age. Despite being biracial, I have experienced racism because of my Chinese heritage and homophobia as a member of the LGBTQ community. It has always baffled me how those who claimed to be pious people of the Catholic Church yet somehow reconciled being mindfully prejudiced. Since the 2016 election, I have held a disdain for both major parties, and I typically cite the election as to why I have a sense of animosity for both major parties. Indeed, this has made it more difficult for me to reconcile political differences with other people, especially as I attend a left-leaning university community at DePaul in an extremely left-leaning city like Chicago.
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ReplyDeleteI would identify as liberal leaning and although the democratic party does not always align with my own beliefs entirely, I would say that democratic socialism is the closest political identity to the way I vote and think about policy. Like Claire, I don’t know if I’d identify myself with a party perfectly. However, as someone who identifies most closely to democratic socialism I see that many of the institutions and frameworks in which policy derives from have led up to the neoliberal state we live in today. As a first generation student and daughter of immigrants many of the factors that played into my political identity came from awareness I did not obtain from textbooks, rather, this awareness came from lived experience that became clearer when speaking to professors and peers. What has shaped my political identity the most is living in a majority Latinx community for most of my childhood and later moving to a majority white community in high school. This move changed the way I thought about government and the systematic ways in which resources are distributed. I am not sure if I would see issues such as climate change, healthcare, and immigration as intersectional as I do today if I had grown up in a different time or with a different background, however, I do believe that human rights and social justice would still be non-negotiables as Audrey and Ally highlighted.
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ReplyDeleteI have come to identify myself as a progressive liberal. Personally, I believe that the government should provide universal health care as it will help millions of Americans receive the proper health treatment that everyone rightfully deserves. It is unfair that our country with the biggest economy and most well-funded military is making low income families go into debt due to high expensive medical treatment. I’m also a proponent of providing citizenship to the thousands of undocumented DACA recipients. These are young adults that have grown up their entire life in the U.S. The U.S. government must also seek a way to provide amnesty to undocumented immigrants, since they contributing to our economy and culture. The majority of undocumented immigrants are fleeing oppression and economic failures from their home country are not a threat to our society. My political beliefs have been influenced by my community and my family that I have grown up living in. Seeing the hardships my neighbors and family members going through due to some of them being low income undocumented that unable to afford or receive proper healthcare and find proper work has influenced the way I see the role of government. These are issues that they cannot solve by themselves instead they need the U.S. government to provide them with the proper support. I tend to listen to people that hold opposite political views to mine since I believe dialogue is important in order to make some sort of progress in our society.
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ReplyDeleteI identify myself as a liberal Democrat, hold progressive views and identify with the Democratic party. Like Ally, I believe that the government should work to improve people’s lives, promote human rights and strive to establish social justice. I think that only through participating in the democratic process and voting for leaders who will pursue the will of the people, change and progress can be achieved. Furthermore, living in a Hispanic community allowed me to see politics through a different lens and I saw how United States immigration policy unfairly rewarded and punished family and friends. Seeing this alienated me from the Republican party’s current stance on immigration among other issues. I support the Democratic party because I believe that the Democratic party in comparison with the Republican party, through legislation, has more effectively supported women, minorities and LGBTQ+ rights. However, because I have a belief that everybody deserves to have their voice heard, one of my biggest challenges lately has been to understand and have conversation with those that have different political views than me. Moreover, I believe that due to the times that we live in simply ignoring politics is no longer an option and that we, as a society, must engage in dialogue and understand each other with the hope of effectively moving forward in this polarized environment.
ReplyDeleteI identify as a democratic socialist. I am a democratic socialist because I see this political alignment as the most effective and comprehensive identity that addresses the root problems in several different aspects of American society. Economic liberation, to me, is the single most important social political issue, because most social justice issues can be traced back to economic inequality. Democratic socialism to me does not wish to expand the government’s role in people’s lives, but shift the focus away from some things (such as our military budget that enforces dangerous neoliberal hegemony abroad), to things like healthcare, affordable or free education etc. Bernie Sanders is the obvious contemporary figure who has influenced my politics, but also the ideas and writings of Malcolm X, Angela Davis, and Karl Marx have had a significant influence on me.
ReplyDeleteSomeone of any political ideology can call themselves a feminist, but that identity itself does not have a movement or platform behind it that has a plan to address the issues pressing to modern feminism. Additionally, liberalism and progressivism are not solid political movements with platforms and representatives in congress, but words with various meanings. The Democratic party to me represents somewhat of a contradiction. What is the point of someone respecting our identities if we do not have economic liberation? Tech CEOs are happy to slap rainbow flags on their products or recognize the gender spectrum as long as we continue to allow them to mine our data and profit billions, while the poorest Americans live in squalor. The time and place we live in has greatly affected my political views because climate change and economic inequality are inescapable issues that the status quo has completely failed to address and actually exacerbates.
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ReplyDeleteI would consider myself a socially conservative. For those who are not aware of the meaning, it simply means having family values. In other words, a political philosophy that supports what its adherents believe to be traditional morality. From a young age, I have been taught principles of respecting family values and traditions. Family is a place where one should never be afraid. Rather, I consider my family as my safe haven. I know that each of my family members are looking out for me. In the same matter, that I am looking out for them. I believe that families are a great resource both to build a noble character and to learn to be a productive member of society. The reason why I focus so much on families is because everyone has a family. Families are the first resource that children and teenagers in all the aspects. I understood that some may disagree and that is totally respectable. Each person is entitled to such thoughts. However, I always welcome a conservation with other perspectives to learn from each other. Personally, being a socially conservative was because my parents are socially conservative as well. This has affected my conception that family is the principal aspect of our nation. I say this because within a family there are children, a marriage, and obligations that correlate with our social issues. My views are affected by my parents and my surrounding. Without a doubt, I prefer my political group. Yet, that does not mean I solely believe my group is the only one. I understand that there are other groups with different ideas.
Politically I identify myself as a liberal. Although I am from a country that is a “melting pot”, as a middle class citizen as well as a minority, discrimination is part of my daily life. I have always been interested in politics because of the inequality within the system. I personally feel that republicans are on the other side of this. Unfortunately as of now republicans are the typical upper class white man whose concerns are not for the people, but for corporations and business within our country. Although our government as a whole is supposed to have the best interest for us Americans, republicans seem to still hold the idea that minorities are still “hyphenated Americans”. The government's main role within society is supposed to be to protect the people residing within their borders of governing. As a country we are very polarized which is why I stand with the democratic party, because it is a party of individuals who look at us as humans and not at our skin color, beliefs or sexual orientation.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I can recall thinking critically about what it means to be an American was in my high school English course. We spent a few weeks studying the “American Dream” and came to a grim conclusion that it’s not attainable for many folks (I am obviously omitting some details here). I remember being surprised at how little the general ideal relates to me and my family, even as we of course considered ourselves Americans. This is why I find it troubling to equate immigration, struggle, and eventual success with some sense of American-ness, because that simply isn’t the case for many Americans- and is also not a pattern unique to the United States. Our discussion today left me intrigued about how much education relates to a shared sense of national identity- or lack thereof. Are our own opinions about the founding of the country and its history really so volatile as to be majorly affected by the way our elementary and high school teachers choose to teach it to us?
ReplyDeleteI believe there are various ways I could politically identify myself. To be brief, I am a progressive, liberal feminist and an ally to those belonging to marginalized groups (people of color, LGBTQIA+, lower-class, women, etc.) As goes for other political parties with which I do not identify, I applaud any and all people who identify with a party for being involved in politics, especially today in such a substantial time in history. I could never feel one certain way about one party or group particularly because I believe that if one desires to make actual change, all must work together. Division is no way to make change; it does just the opposite. Today, I would say that the media is a large contributing factor in the way that modern day people are politically influenced. The power of media today is immense and essential. Personally, my experiences have shaped my beliefs. I believe in equality and liberty. I believe in respect. I believe that this country has a lot more potential than we have shown, and there is still time to make change. I feel the way I do about politics because I have experienced inequality and perceived flaws in this country first-hand. I have lived a life as a woman in the workplace. I have experienced marginalization and microaggressions against myself for looking a certain way or simply being who I am. Most of all, I believe that this is the time for change and because of the place I am fortunate enough to live, I have the opportunity to make that change.
ReplyDeleteAlso I go by Jane but my Google account is set up as Valerie so just ignore that haha
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ReplyDeleteI have a liberal political ideology and belong to the Democratic party. I view the government as the instituion(s) that protects and serves the people in the U.S. I think that government’s main role is to service its citizens. I’ve formed these ideas because of my family. I’ve grown up with my parents ideologies being impressed upon me.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am a product of my family’s political affiliations, I think that’s caused me to have more “positive” feelings/connotations towards the left wing of government. Media that I was exposed to when I was younger also justified these ideas for me. However, now that I’m a political science student, I’d like to believe that I think more objectively about party politics and don’t let emotions form my political opinions. Beyond that, I believe that living in Chicago has also manipulated my political identity in some ways. Even though my parents are Democrats, my hometown is predominantly conservative. Now that I’m in Chicago, I feel that I can express more of my political opinions and can even explore what my political identity truly means to me.
I identify as a liberal Democrat because I focus more on many social and economic issues that are currently happening in the US. With that being said, this relates to the middle east, the place I was born and rise then immigrated to this country. The U.S government protects and serves its own people which in my own view makes America a better place for people to live in. In my own opinion, The people of this country whether citizens or not have to change the way America I became. From time to time politics, social issues, and moral issues often change the way Americans live in this country. When I was younger, I would always listen to my parents and being on their political side wherefore now, I have my own views and opinion on the political issue. I became more engaged in political social life and see where I came from to where I'm at right now as an activist US citizen.
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ReplyDeleteMy beliefs are the most aligned with democratic socialism. I believe the only way to ease the many inequalities in America is through a larger government presence. Along with that, I think a major reconstruction of institutions is required for any change to actually happen. The economic, judicial, and electoral systems need to be reshaped to better benefit the majority of the people. Growing up in a liberal family, I’ve always considered myself to be on the left. However, I’ve found that as I’ve gotten older, and I’ve learned and experienced more, my ideals have gotten pushed farther to the left. In this era of technology I’m able to see what happens around the country and the world, and I can keep myself informed. Living in Chicago for the past year has exposed me to more things, and with what I know I just find it difficult to defend our current systems when I know they’ve failed so many. I want to make it clear though, despite my far-left politics I always make the best effort to understand and be respectful of other people’s politics. Of course there is a certain line to be drawn, but we’re all a product of our environments, and it’s important to at least understand the views of others.
ReplyDeleteMy beliefs are extremely aligned with the idealism of Democratic socialism. I was inspired by Senator Bernie Sanders and how he passionately addressed the current issues and epidemics the American society faces and how his solutions are for the people and not the wealthy. He made me realize that there are more issues that would impact me other than immigration. This questioned the idea of democracy in the United States and how the wealthy 1% basically lives above the law and received more attention/care than the bottom 99% (the hard working class of this country). Who affected my political beliefs are Bernie Sanders, Jeremy Corbyn, being a Chicagoan, Susana Mendoza and immigrants as I am a DACA recipient and my parent's journey to this country and how they love this country more than their "homeland" inspired me to be active in politics. My determination to see change that will benefit the 99% is a striving factor in my pursuit of a political future. I believe strongly in respecting people regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, gender and political views, however when I see people ignorantly defend an arrogant/bluntly hurtful political position with disregard of the other perspective such as how someone could defend the racist rhetoric towards immigration without being open-minded and hear out why they came or what they do today. The current time I see is an extremely toxic political atmosphere for people who are immigrants, Muslims, women, Hispanic, or a minority group to be living in the United States. They face harsh criticisms and tougher opposition from an administration that fuels the rhetoric they fear. This administration made me feel more proud to be an immigrant and fueled my political ambitions to commit to creating change and a helpful and open-minded environment for the minorities that call this country home and also to hold those who have cheated/abused the working class to justice
ReplyDeleteI identify as a liberal Democrat. I agree with the way Musa compares the two main parties and I believe the Democrats focuses more on equality compared to Republicans. The idea of treating everyone equally is important to me because I went to school with a diverse student population, so I learned respect everyone. I grew up attending a very conservative church, and while I disagree with many of their values, I am open to hearing other people’s views. Being involved with the government is a newer idea for me, since the people I grew up around (my friends and family) did not talk about politics or the state of the government. I am glad I now recognize the importance and urgency of having an understanding of the government and how it works and am working on figuring out what my specific role can be. I think that right now, people are very divided and polarized with their opinions, which is understandable but at the same time discouraging when trying to figure out solutions that can appease both sides.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I identify as a democratic socialist with liberal and progressive views. I strongly believe that in order for America to start to dismantle structural systems of oppression that are baked into our political, social, and economic climates, the United States needs to implement socialist ideas. It is of the utmost importance for the government to work to serve all of its people, not just particular subgroups within the society. I believe that one of the biggest factors that has influenced by personal views about political and social issues has been moving to Chicago and becoming very involved with DePaul’s community. Due to the fact that the city of Chicago and DePaul are both very liberal environments, I have had the ability to gain a deep understanding of liberal and socialist values. The more conversations I had and the more knowledge I obtained, the more I found myself identifying and supporting the values. Often times, I find myself making quick judgments about both political parties I oppose, as well as, my own. I believe this is a result of the deep political polarization that plagues our society. Each time I find myself doing this, I remind myself that it is very important to keep an open mind and to learn more about opinions that may counter your own. I believe that the current social justice issues that are ripping our country apart impacts my political views immensely. I find myself strongly opposing any political party of group of individuals that are denying, not fighting for, or staying neutral on all of the social issues that are affecting this country.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough at times I have trouble identifying where I stand based off of my political ideologies, I’d say I am just outside the center, towards the left, as a Liberal Democrat. My conception of the government honestly varies. There are some things that I agree with and some things that I do not. But I do believe the current state of America and the White House is not what I want it to be at all. Being Assyrian and coming from a family of immigrants has influenced my personal, social, and moral views. My political views are influenced from what I experience as of right now being a full-time college student, coming from a low-income family, and my cultural background. I feel that I hold similar beliefs with Liberals and Conservatives because I am willing to understand and hear other opinions and still hold my own. As a Liberal, I do believe that the government should expand intervention on affordable health care and minimum wage. I also believe in taking gun control measures and abortion rights. Then again, I have other Conservative beliefs. I support less taxes, so to tax the rich less and tax everyone similarly. Personally, at the moment I am below middle class but eventually when I’m older and have my career I plan on having a wealthy income and I’d hate to be taxed hard. I feel that I go to school and get a degree for a reason and that is to be successful. I also have the Conservative view to decrease foreign aid. I feel that the U.S. gets involved in too many countries and often does more damage than good. I also firmly support the death penalty. These are just some beliefs from both political parties that I am willing to share, while the others I prefer to keep to myself. The era that we live in today and in Illinois positively impacts my political views. Illinois is usually a democratically dominated state. An example of a view that I share and appreaciate is that we have rights that support abortion unlike other states where that is not the case. Being a college student, I feel that many of us have become more aware of politics and how important it is to fight for what you believe in and speak up. I think my generation is full of people that genuinely want to change America to be a country of peace, not one where you cannot go to a concert or school without the fear of being shot at. I can understand what Alyssa in regards to learning to respect everyone. I also went to a very diverse high school with different races and religions and you learn to accept one another through education.
ReplyDeleteI identify myself on the political spectrum as a Moderate Democrat. When it comes to social policy reforms, I agree with granting more rights to the LGBTQ community and humanizing immigrants. Respectively, I lean to the left and appreciate progressive policies in order to thwart unequal standards (such as the wage gap which still exists for females). However, I do not condone Democratic socialist policies (such as Bernie Sander’s platform) because of my family’s past experiences with socialist programs overseas. Both my parents grew up in a Marxist-Lennoninst regime during the 1970s in Poland and struggled immensely with making a steady income for themselves, let alone their families. My mother came to the United States under Reagan’s first term and felt liberated from a life of governmental subjugation. In this sense, I align with a fiscally economic conservative approach by advocating the mitigation of large government in everyday lives because of the impact it had on my mother. Albeit, American politics represent a larger scale of distinct people rather than my mother’s case centered around enthocentric Europeans. Despite that, her influence weights heavily on my perspective highlighting the government’s role in our lives. Therefore, I respect the private sector and view fewer regulations as more favorable to the rights of business owners and companies. However, it becomes difficult to share my views because I have many culturally diverse friends who have extreme leftist idealogies. The political climate of 2019 lacks any sense of professionalism, especially since the President does not properly emblematize the conservative platform. Nevertheless, as it stands, because of the unscrupulous environment encompassing the Republican party, I feel very reluctant in expressioning my opinions because of getting ridiculed, misunderstood, or simply ignored. I hope that proper pragmatism will take hold in the forseabale future to fix the stain Trump has left on the GOP.
ReplyDelete^ This is Olivia Piotrowski by the way
DeleteConsidering that I already have a plan to eliminate partisan primaries, it should come as no surprise to all of you that I have a distaste for the two-party system. While I am a liberal democrat (lowercase d), I would argue that my beliefs regarding the role of government would align me closer to something akin to socialism. I have defined my political identity as such because of these beliefs, rather than through any partisan loyalty. My experience working in municipal government, and with public, has only served to further cement my opinion that the government’s purpose is to provide social services and protect civil liberties. I realize that this is an incredibly idealistic, maybe naïve, view of government that puts me in opposition to the vast majority of Americans. I think that part of this perspective is a result of my family’s attitude toward government. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs surrounded by Democrats and social liberals, and an environment where if I was dissatisfied with something, I was encouraged to take action to change it.
ReplyDeletePolitically I identify as a liberal democrat and feminist which stemmed from my upbringing. Growing up in a primarily conservative family while living in a progressive city; I was able to understand a variety of political views. As I got older, my personal experiences and education helped shape the way I identify myself through various political identifications. I believe liberal politics is a crucial means to achieve legal, social, and economic equality, and that is why I choose to identify myself as such. The time in which I live impacts my political views in many ways. With the Trump Administration, national politics can feel like a complete disappointment. My relationship with the government has become more critical because I disagree with a lot of the decisions and policy put forth. These feelings of disappointment and frustration help my political views grow stronger because it reminds me of the change that needs to be addressed. In order to bridge the gap between actual change and politics, I believe we must be willing to hear and understand all political views.
ReplyDeleteI call myself a centrist. However, in modern politics I think that both parties have swung further right so I guess some could call me a progressive, or liberal. I would say my parents influenced my opinion a lot on the role of government with one being a moderate conservative and the other extremely liberal. I don’t necessarily think the government should play a large role in a person’s daily life, but I think citizens should feel connected to their government in a meaningful way. I may have these leanings about citizens giving back to the land they call home because of serving in the Air Force. I think the government should open more service opportunities to people, as to give people a greater since of investment into the country. I think labeling oneself into political groups is also a slight trap to thinking less rational about issues of substance. I think we are living in the most entertaining time to be learning about politics.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am asked to define my political ideology, I generally say that I identify as a liberal. However, I tend to have a hard time assigning myself labels because, as I am sure most people do, I strongly identify with some aspects of that label and other aspects I feel little association to. Additionally, I am concerned about the nature of tribalism that can come with strong association with political groups. For example, I agree that some socialist policies would be very beneficial for our country, however, I would not venture to call myself a Socialist or even a Democratic-Socialist. Thus, rather than feeling that my political identity affects my conception of the role of the government, I feel that my understanding of the role of government defines my political identity. I believe that the government has an obligation to enforce, create, and interpret that law in order to better the lives of all people. I believe that governments should represent all of their people. I believe that personal wealth should have absolutely no effect on access to resources that aid in the winning of elections. What I believe the government should do is my political identity.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to politics, I identify as a fairly conservative Republican. Though over the past few years, I have taken a more libretarian view to many social issues. To simplify, I best categorize myself as a “conservative with a conscience.” I tend to favor a limited federal government in many senses while I believe that there is a need for more government involvement in education and as it may be expected in defense. I believe the government should not be involved in healthcare and should take a very limited role in taxes and the economy. My parents were Indian immigrants and came to this country to live the American Dream. When I first became interested in politics, I set out to associate with the party that would keep the American Dream prosperous and I found that the Republican Party was going to keep the American Dream alive. I take a good portion of influence from these two public servants. There is a misconception that because I identify as a Republican, I dislike people who identify as Democrat. This simply is not true, I believe that all politically involved individuals want to make the country better and we agree on the need to get better, we simply disagree on how to get there. For this reason, I have tremendous respect for all people who care enough to be involved. The time we live in is tremendously interesting. I believe the Republican Party is going through a transition and an identity crisis.
ReplyDeleteI am a registered Democrat and have identified with more liberal Democratic policies and ideologies for a while. I think the government should be responsible for making sure that citizens are taken care of and I believe that there should be more government funding for social programs such as healthcare, education, etc, although I understand and recognize the difficulties of achieving these goals within the constraints of our political system. Even though I don’t think the government should be involved in every aspect of citizens lives, and am conflicted on issues like socialized medicine and education, I do align more with liberal economic policy. I grew up in a Democratic household and a fairly liberal neighborhood, although I am from Kansas which is a fairly conservative state (it went for Ted Cruz in the 2016 primary, for example). My grandma watches MSNBC every night and in my household, I’m able to freely discuss politics, even though I might disagree with some of the views my parents have. I think a lot of times, very left-wing liberals tend to think the country is “broken” and that no one is trying to do anything to fix it, which I disagree with. I think no matter the party, as long as someone is trying to make the United States better, I can respect that. I might disagree with the ways they might want to do that, but at the very end, we have the same goal.
ReplyDeletePolitically, I would identify as someone that is considered a liberal, though someone more leaning towards the center. Many of my views in regards to economic policies and environmental policies align with that of the Democratic Party. While views on other subjects might differ. Generally speaking, this alignment of my views has lead me to believe that the government should be taking a greater role in policy in regards to those areas, the economy and environment. In large part, my family and the environment I have grown up in have shaped my views. I’ve lived Cook County almost all of my life, and as such my views are reflective in many areas because of that. This being that many of my views are views that the Democratic Party has as part of their core policies. I think how I was raised, and the places in which I live is a large part of why I feel the way I do about various political groups.
ReplyDeleteI think that the time and place in which you live has a big impact on what you prioritize in terms of your political views. For example, if you grew up in a recession, issues regarding the economy would be big for you. Or for example if you lived near where an environmental disaster occurred, then the environment might be a priority for you.
Politically, I identify as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I always think when it comes to social issues and private life, it is up to the individual person what they do, and no one should interfere with that. As far as my finances, I believe in a more capitalist way of life, where they government has little involvement outside of taxes. My ideals have made me view the government as being too involved in general. I don’t think it is appropriate that the government can be getting involved in women’s bodies issues for instance. It just feels so abnormal and unnecessary. The current political climate is responsible for making me feel this way because it seems like in some crooked way, the government is trying to take over and control the way we live, what we do and what we have access to. When I think of extreme lefts or extreme rights, the only true emotion I feel is fear. I can’t understand why certain people feel threated by what other people are doing in their personal lives. Living in a big city during this crazy time of BLM, The me too movement, same sex marriage, rising taxes, political scandals and so many other issues; it’s hard to not be concerned about the way our society is going and if there’s any redemption in the future.
ReplyDeleteComing from a different country, political identity is hard to construct due to a different political setting I was raised in, therefore it constantly changes. However, I would like to think that, politically I'm centrist and conservative. I have found myself strongly disagreeing with both parties with some of their policies. I think the government should take a more active role in constructing their policies and make sure that they are actually implemented. I feel as if both Democrats and Republicans are fixed on conflicting each other and not taking action. There are numerous examples; they always talk about Flint Michigan water but nothing is done, and yes the remarks made by the president on Baltimore were disgusting but again to resolve the issue, nothing was done. My political views have been shaped by being born in a different country where politics is different.
ReplyDeleteTime and place definitely affect the way you view your politics. When I first came to America, I wasn't always centrist. I had a different view on politics but being in a different environment, listening to other people's views changed that.
I identify myself politically as a progressive, mostly because the only direction I’m interested in going is forward. I’ve been involved in politics as far back as I can remember. When I was 9, my parents took me to listen to a senator from Illinois give a speech at the local baseball diamond. His name was Barack Obama and he gave his My Brothers Keeper Speech. He said we have a responsibility to those around us, we have a duty to live lives in service of greater ideals than our own interests. It changed my life and has become the foundation of my ideology and ethical code. I’ve worked in activism and nonprofits for most of my life, I worked for the DNC and superPACs and discovered where I don’t like to work. I like working for causes and movements. I also marched in Ferguson after Michael Brown was murdered. I work for March For Our Lives now and that has further proved this to me. People being empowered, even by tragedy, to claim their agency and engage in their political process: that is what inspires me. I think that’s what unites Americans above all else: adversity. In struggle, we find unity. Franklin D. Roosevelt said it better than I can “Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race and ancestry. A good American is one who is loyal to this country and to our creed of liberty and democracy” (10). We don’t have divergent struggles, there’s always common ground somewhere. It’s not this us vs. them mentality that’s really tribalism, that fears diversity and craves homogeneity. It’s the opportunity to prove ourselves that we seek. Every American wants to be a hero. But as chapter 2 of the E Pluribus Unum essay discussed, we are “a nation based on an idea.” But Ideas get better over time. They get better the more they are considered and the longer they are gazed at from different vantages. We cannot stick to antiquated ideas, we cannot leave an 18th century idea — no matter how great — alone. We should be bettering them as we grow too. If America can grow, we can survive, but I don’t think we can continue without reckoning with the dark parts of our history.
ReplyDeletePolitically, I identify as a conservative. However, my beliefs do not align with a modern conception of conservatism or what the Republican Party represents. My general political philosophy is that individuals should be free to to think, say, and do whatever they choose so long as they do not harm anyone else. This means I am pro small government and against government intervention in nearly every situation. While most people conflate conservatism with conservatism with the Republican party, I hold many beliefs that align with the Democratic Party, such as being pro choice, pro marijuana legalization and pro immigration. I believe my views come from growing up in a heavily Christian community. Growing up, I felt extremely religiously oppressed as a Buddhist and from this grew a strong desire to be able to do and believe whatever I wished. Additionally, I have had many experiences in life where I have been reprimanded for choices which I believe I should have been free to make. I have strong frustrations towards both sides of the political spectrum. Both Republicans and Democrats today try to push a certain set of ideals that each consider to be morally acceptable, with little toleration for the other side. I wish to live under a government that promotes free thought and expression no matter which side of the political spectrum you might fall on.
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