Left or Right? Caterpillar: “And what are you?” Alice: “ I…I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.” Lewis Caroll Alice In Wonderland

Political Party: The people that join a political party share a set of common ideas about the organization of government. A group that seeks to gain power in a political organization and/or government.

BIG IDEAS Republicans: LIMITED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, less welfare, and tough, interventionist foreign policy.

BIG IDEAS Democrats: MORE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, more social programs and more focus on internal affairs.

Democrats and Republicans A SLIDING SCALE DEMOCRATS MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHAT IS THE ISSUE(S) THAT WILL MAKE YOU DECIDE?

Tolerance vs. morality- Is tolerance of other lifestyles more important than a moral code of conduct in our society?

The government should do more to protect morality in society. REPUBLICAN It is the government’s responsibility to protect tolerance. DEMOCRAT

Individual security vs. a gun free society – Is a country without guns more important to you than a secure home?

The Founding Fathers assured me the right to protect my home in the second amendment. REPUBLICAN Laws need to be created that limit people’s ability to own a gun. DEMOCRAT

Prison vs. capital punishment – Do you favor imprisonment for life over capital punishment?

Capital Punishment is a final solution that does not allow for rehabilitation. DEMOCRAT Capital Punishment is a deterrent to future murders and takes convicted felons out of society for good. REPUBLICAN

Socialism vs. capitalism – Do you favor a society with a big social safety net over a society where people get to keep more of what they make for themselves?

The government should do more to help the needy, even if it means going into deeper debt. DEMOCRAT The government cannot help the needy anymore, it can’t afford to do so. REPUBLICAN

Poor people have it easy because they can get government benefits without having to do anything in return. REPUBLICAN Poor people struggle because government benefits do not go far enough to help them lead successful lives. DEMOCRAT

Do you think the government should regulate business or should it be left to regulate itself?

Government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public interest. Government regulation of business usually does more harm than good.

Too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few large companies and the government has responsibility to regulate business. DEMOCRAT The largest companies do NOT have to much power and the government should not regulate business. REPUBLICAN

Statesmanship vs. Unilateralism – Do you believe the U.S. should always work in concert with other countries instead of “ going it alone” if it needs to?

The best way to ensure peace is through military strength REPUBLICAN The best way to ensure peace is through good diplomacy. DEMOCRAT

It is best for the future of our country to be active in world affairs and spend money to act as the world police. REPUBLICAN We should pay less attention to problems overseas on concentrate on problems here at home and spend money on our own social policies. DEMOCRAT

Public vs. private education – Do you think the federal government should only fund public schools?

Vouchers create competition and make our schools better. REPUBLICAN Vouchers take money away from our school that we need to make our schools better. DEMOCRAT

Science advances – Do you think science should be allowed to advance unchecked by our moral code?

Science should be regulated so that it does not overstep the bounds of our moral code of conduct. REPUBLICAN Science should be allowed to move forward for the common good. DEMOCRAT

Environment vs. Business – Do you think the environment should be protected even if its harmful to business?

Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost to many jobs and hurt the economy. REPUBLICAN Stricter environmental laws are worth the cost to save our planet. DEMOCRAT

Immigration

The growing newcomers from other countries threatens American Society and injures our economy The growing number of newcomers strengthens American society and is needed to maintain our economy

It is best for the future of our country to be active in world affairs and spend money to act as the world police. We should pay less attention to problems overseas on concentrate on problems here at home and spend money on our own social policies.

The best way to ensure peace is through military strength REPUBLICAN The best way to ensure peace is through good diplomacy. DEMOCRAT

The growing newcomers from other countries injures our economy REPUBLICAN The growing number of newcomers strengthens and/or maintains our economy DEMOCRAT

Using overwhelming military force is the best way to defeat terrorism around the world. REPUBLICAN Relying to much on military force to defeat terrorism creates hatred that leads to more terrorism. DEMOCRAT

The government should do more to protect morality in society. REPUBLICAN It is not the government’s responsibility to protect morality in society. DEMOCRAT

Poor people have it easy because they can get government benefits without having to do anything in return. REPUBLICAN Poor people struggle because government benefits do not go far enough to help them lead successful lives. DEMOCRAT

We should all be willing to fight for our country, whether it is right or wrong. REPUBLICAN It is acceptable to refuse to fight in a war that you believe is morally wrong. DEMOCRAT

Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost to many jobs and hurt the economy. REPUBLICAN Stricter environmental laws are worth the cost to save our planet. DEMOCRAT

Too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few large companies. DEMOCRAT The largest companies do NOT have to much power. REPUBLICAN

Government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public interest. DEMOCRAT Government regulation of business usually does more harm than good. REPUBLICAN

Immigration

It is best for the future of our country to be active in world affairs and spend money to act as the world police. REPUBLICAN We should pay less attention to problems overseas on concentrate on problems here at home and spend money on our own social policies. DEMOCRAT