Political Ideology Inventory U.S. Government

Directions Give your opinion for each statement. Here are the choices: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree N = No opinion/Do not understand D = Disagree SD = Strongly Disagree

The US should pass a Constitutional amendment that would make it illegal to discriminate in any situation solely on the basis of gender. There should be a new program of national health insurance to cover all Americans. The Supreme Court should declare it constitutional to say a prayer at the beginning of assemblies in public schools.

Persons should be allowed to join and serve in the military regardless of their sexual preference as long as their behavior meets strict military standards. A person should be able to use marijuana in the privacy of their own home with no legal consequences. When someone receives a death penalty, the execution should be carried out in a shorter time than currently is normal.

The Supreme Court should make it more difficult to have an abortion except in special cases. The US should require one year of military training for all qualified persons to prepare for the defense of our country if needed. Parents should be able to send their students to any school they choose and tax money should be used to support the schools that parents choose.

Police should be able to confiscate obscene or pornographic materials. The federal government should be required to have a balanced budget. Gun control would reduce crime and should be strictly enforced. Sex education classes should be a required part of the school curriculum. All public high school athletes should be required to submit to random drug tests.

As a world power, the U.S. should become involved in any international conflict that threatens world peace. Laws should be passed to make it legal for public employees such as the police, firemen, teachers, and garbage collectors to go on strike. Public schools should be required to teach biblical creationism in all classes that teach evolution theory.

The US should require temporary sterilization of all unmarried women on welfare if they have more than two illegitimate children. Birth control information and non-prescription contraceptive devices should be made available on high school campuses. Law enforcement officers should be able to use modern wiretapping and surveillance equipment to catch criminals.

Radical political groups are a serious threat to American society. Requirements for any military duty, including combat, should be based on physical, emotional, and intellectual abilities with no reference to gender. Citizens who are a part of society that has been discriminated against should be given preferential treatment to “catch up.” Certain literature should be banned from city libraries if it is determined to be improper or too controversial by the librarian or a review board.

Burning an American flag in protest should be a protected form of speech. Money currently used for national defense should be used for other priorities such as education and welfare. The US should impose economic sanctions on any nation with a history of human rights violations or racial discrimination. All persons planning to be married should have a mandatory AIDS test before obtaining a marriage certificate.

Spending on foreign aid should be reduced. The US should try to find energy alternatives to nuclear power and stop the construction and use of nuclear generating plants as soon as possible. All American families should be guaranteed a minimum annual income. Sexual harassment of women in the workplace is a serious problem and should be prosecuted.

The main function of prisons should be to rehabilitate criminals, not to punish them. The states should abolish criminal penalties for gambling, prostitution, and other victimless crimes. Local and state governments should handle many of the functions now handled by the federal government. The federal government must take strong steps to protect the environment even if it means the loss of some jobs.

Most adults on welfare are lazy and do not want to work. Profanity and sexually oriented material on television should be stopped or penalized by the government. The U.S. must stop the flow of immigrants, both documented and undocumented from Latin America and the Caribbean. High school students should have the right to hear speakers from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance without interference from school administrators.

Statement Number SA A N D SD +4 +2 -2 -4 6 7 9 10 11 14 15 17 18 20 6 7 9 10 11 14 15 17 18 20 24 28 29 35 37 38 39 +4 +2 -2 -4 2 4 12 13 19 22 25 26 30 31 33 34 40

Collecting Results Place your score on the board along the line. Use your initials & score.

Topic Categories Foreign Policy: 15, 27, 29, 39 Domestic Programs: 2, 8, 23, 31, 35, 37 Social Issues: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, 22, 28, 32, 33, 34 Civil Liberties: 3, 5, 10, 12, 14, 20, 21, 24, 25, 38, 40 Budget/Taxes: 11, 18, 26 Environment: 30, 36

Political Spectrum/Results +160 = extreme conservatism 0 = neutral -160 = extreme liberalism