1. The First Amendment stablishes the basic freedoms for all Americans and Residents: FREEDOM OF RELIGION FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREEDOM OF THE PRESS FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY FREEDOM OF PETITION THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS (Second Amendment) "NO-QUARTERING" RIGHT (Third Amendment) THE RIGHT TO EQUAL JUSTICE (Amendments Five, Six, Seven, and Eight) THE RIGHT TO OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY (The Fifth Amendment) THE RIGHT TO ENJOY MANY OTHER FREEDOMS (Ninth Amendment) The rights and freedoms of all Americans

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3. Predominant political ideologies in America 3

4. The two major political ideals in the US are liberal and conservative. These two opposed ideologies are strongly represented in every branch of the government. Presidents, members of congress and even judges tend to defend either one of those two ideologies 4

5. Liberalism in the United States is a broad political philosophy centered on the unalienable rights of the individual. The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion for all belief systems, and the separation of church and state, right to due process and equality under the law are widely accepted as a common foundation across the spectrum of liberal thought. Modern liberalism in the United States includes issues such as voting rights for all adult citizens, equal rights, protection of the environment, and the provision by the government of social services, such as: equal education opportunities, access to health care, transportation infrastructure, basic food for the hungry and basic shelter for the homeless. 5

6. The American Civil Liberties Union Americans United for the Separation of Church and State The Human Rights Campaign Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders The National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce Some know American liberal organizations are: 6

7. The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country These rights include: Your First Amendment rights Your right to equal protection under the law Your right to due process Your right to privacy The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities. Defending Targets of Discrimination 7

8. American conservatism This ideology stands for the respect for tradition, support of republicanism, "the rule of law and the Christian religion," and a defense of "Western civilization from the challenges of modernist culture and totalitarian governments.“ Tradition Republicanism is based on Rule of law Limited government Free market Family Christian values 8

9. The American Conservative Union American Family Association Citizens United The Conservative Caucus The Tea Party Some know American Conservative organizations are: 9

10. "Tea Party" is a term that has become synonymous with "protest." The name is derived from the protest in 1773, in which Boston colonists protested the British government's Tea Act by boarding a ship bound for England and pitching crates of its taxed tea cargo into Boston Harbor. The colonists' complaint was that they were being unduly taxed without any representation in British parliament. Tea Party claims to represent the voice of the true owners of the United States: WE THE PEOPLE. These days, the Tea Party is a grassroots movement that calls awareness to any issue which challenges the security, sovereignty, or domestic tranquility of our beloved nation, the United States of America. 10

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13. How independent groups influence political groups and law makers? Lobbying This is the process of influencing public and government policy at all levels: federal, state, and local. Lobbying involves the advocacy of an interest that is affected, actually or potentially, by the decisions of government leaders. Individuals and interest groups alike can lobby governments, and governments can even lobby each other. The practice of lobbying is considered so essential to the proper functioning of the U.S. government that it is specifically protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people peaceably … to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 13

14. Political parties in the U.S. 14

15.  The United States has a multiple political party system, but the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are by far the two main American political parties.  The Democratic Party in the United States was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1792. It was known as the common man's party,  The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), was founded in 1854 by people opposed to the continuation of slavery. 15

16. Democrats “Democrats believe that we're greater together than we are on our own—that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their fair share, when everyone plays by the same rules. Our party, led by President Obama, is focused on building an economy that lasts—an economy that lifts up all Americans. That's why Democrats are working to advance issues like job creation, education, health care, and clean energy” - Democratic party website Promotes a socially liberal and progressive platform It is composed of progressives, liberals, and centrists. 16

17. What this means? Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems. 17

18. Republicans The party's philosophy is based on conservatism and opposes political ideology of liberalism We are the party of maximum economic freedom and the prosperity freedom makes possible. Prosperity is the product of self-discipline, work, savings, and investment by individual Americans, but it is not an end in itself. Prosperity provides the means by which individuals and families can maintain their independence from government, raise their children by their own values, practice their faith, and build communities of self-reliant neighbors - GOP website- 18

19. What this means? Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. 19

20. Republicans Vs. Democrats IssuesDemocratsRepublicans TaxesProgressive taxationEqual taxes for everyone Gun controlIn favorAgainst AbortionPro choicePro life HealthcareSocialNot the government responsibility Gay rightsIn favorAgainst Death penalty(mostly) In favorIn favor Military issuesLess expendingMore expending EconomyGovernment interventionFree market ImmigrationProposed immigration reformsClose borders EducationMore expendingLess expending WelfareMore expendingNo government intervention 20

21. Liberal view: A woman has the right to decide what happens with her body. A fetus is not a human life, so it does not have separate individual rights. The government should provide taxpayer funded abortions for women who cannot afford them. The decision to have an abortion is a personal choice of a woman regarding her own body and the government must protect this right. Women have the right to affordable, safe and legal abortions, including partial birth abortion Abortion 21

22. Conservative view: Human life begins at conception. Abortion is the murder of a human being. An unborn baby, as a living human being, has separate rights from those of the mother. Oppose taxpayer-funded abortion. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for the government to provide abortions. 22

23. Republicans tend to have a strong voice on abortion issues like legal abortions in the case of rape and incest 23

24. Is the practice of improving the educational and job opportunities of members of groups that have not been treated fairly in the past because of their race, sex, etc. Affirmative Action 24

25. Conservative view Individuals should be admitted to schools and hired for jobs based on their ability. It is unfair to use race as a factor in the selection process. Reverse-discrimination is not a solution for racism. Some individuals in society are racist, but American society as a whole is not. Preferential treatment of certain races through affirmative action is wrong. Liberal view Due to prevalent racism in the past, minorities were deprived of the same education and employment opportunities as whites. The government must work to make up for that. America is still a racist society, therefore a federal affirmative action law is necessary. Due to unequal opportunity, minorities still lag behind whites in all statistical measurements of success. Affirmative Action 25

26. Liberal The death penalty should be abolished. It is inhumane and is ‘cruel and unusual' punishment. Imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for murder. Every execution risks killing an innocent person. Conservative The death penalty is a punishment that fits the crime of murder; it is neither ‘cruel' nor ‘unusual.' Executing a murderer is the appropriate punishment for taking an innocent life. Death Penalty 26

27. Liberal The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia. Individuals do not need guns for protection. Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence. More guns mean more violence. Gun Control Conservative The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Individuals have the right to defend themselves. There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates. What is needed is enforcement of current laws. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns. More guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens mean less crime. 27

28. Liberal Public schools are the best way to educate students. Vouchers take money away from public schools. Government should focus additional funds on existing public schools, raising teacher salaries and reducing class size. Education Conservative School vouchers create competition and therefore encourage schools to improve performance. Vouchers will give all parents the right to choose good schools for their children, not just those who can afford private schools. 28

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30. Liberal Support free or low-cost government controlled health care. There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right. Every American has a right to affordable health care. The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay. Health Care reform Healthcare 30

31. Conservative Support competitive, free market health care system. All Americans have access to health care. The debate is about who should pay for it. Free and low-cost government-run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-quality health care. Health care should remain privatized. The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare. Healthcare 31

32. Liberal Support legal immigration. Support amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illegally. Also believe that undocumented immigrants have a right to: -- all educational and health benefits that citizens receive (financial aid, welfare, social security and health care). In other words, same rights for all Immigration Conservative Support (limited) legal immigration only. Oppose amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illigaly. Those who break the law by entering the U.S. illegally do not have the same rights as those who obey the law and enter legally. The borders should be secured before addressing the problem of the illegal immigrants currently in the country. 32

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34. Liberal A market system in which government regulates the economy is best. Government must protect citizens from the greed of big business. Unlike the private sector, the government is motivated by public interest. Government regulation in all areas of the economy is needed to level the playing field. Conservative The free market system, competitive capitalism, and private enterprise create the greatest opportunity and the highest standard of living for all. Free markets produce more economic growth, more jobs and higher standards of living than those systems burdened by excessive government regulation. Economy 34

35. Liberal Higher taxes (primarily for the wealthy and big corporations) and a larger government are necessary to address inequity/injustice in society (government should help the poor and needy using tax dollars from the rich and the corporations). Taxes enable the government to create jobs and provide welfare programs for those in need. Taxes Conservative Lower taxes to everybody and a smaller government with limited power will improve the standard of living for all. Lower taxes create more incentive for people to work, save, invest, and engage in entrepreneurial endeavors. Money is best spent by those who earn it, not the government. Government programs encourage people to become dependent and lazy, rather than encouraging work and independence. 35

36. Liberal Support welfare, including long-term welfare. Welfare is a safety net which provides for the needs of the poor. Welfare is necessary to bring fairness to American economic life. It is a device for protecting the poor.. Welfare Conservative Oppose long-term welfare. Opportunities should be provided to make it possible for those in need to become self-reliant. It is far more compassionate and effective to encourage people to become self-reliant, rather than allowing them to remain dependent on the government for provisions 36