Reflection
Looking back on when I wrote this paper, and what I knew when I wrote it, it seems I have come a long way. After hearing many comments from my fellow students, I've come to realize that many are liberal. It would seem that many want change, and many are willing to act on that desire for change. From their answers to the questions on the first day of class, it seemed to me that many were not considerably out-going or goal-oriented. This is an assumption that I would take back. I have a general appreciation for all my fellow students and their political ambitions.
William Schneider
T/R @ 8:30am
POLS 1100 with Shari Sowards
Paper #2
Liberal or Conservative?
In my opinion, I would say that the views of these students would be on the conservative end of the spectrum. I say this for a few main reasons.
Five out of the ten questions were voted within 10 votes of a 50/50 split. None of the popular votes were for anything completely foreign or different. I guess I
would ask: implementing same-sex marriage, a universal system for health care, a more restrictive immigration policy, or allowing law abiding citizens to bear
arms; would these be "radical" changes? Removing troops from Iraq or Afghanistan, is that a "radical" change? Allowing terminally-ill patients to have physician
assisted suicide, is that "radical?" I would submit they are not "radical" changes, but rather, simple, small, and slight changes from what is already implemented.
A conservative view is one of subtle and small change. I feel that the answers given in our class would be very similar to the answers we'd received if we gave
this poll nationally. In my opinion, a "radical" change would be something that involved the people of the country to work harder, or have something implemented
that is mandatory of every citizen. Again, in my opinion, it would only be fair to increase what is required of every citizen, for the citizens to require more from the
government. Again, these are small passive changes, benefiting the lethargy of the nation, and increasing the weight on government shoulders. This is not how it
was meant to be.
We are the nation. We make the money. We call the shots. We choose where our money goes, and where we think it should go. This is the way it should
be. I feel that my views are very liberal, as I feel that everyone in the nation should be liberated from their lethargic mentality, and act in a more goal-accomplishing
manner. As children who don't want to keep rules are "forced" to keep them, so I feel those that are being nationally "childish" should be made to grow up. Is this
the future of our "free" country? Our people freely choosing to become apathetic, and drowning in debt? A very conservative view will keep us that way. Now I feel
that I'm giving too much of my opinion on our government to this paper.
In summary, I feel the class' answer to the first question speaks for the entirety of much of our stupidity. Majority vote would have the government take less
money from us, in order for us to have a stimulated economy, in hopes that we would spend more, and circulate. This, in all honesty would probably not stimulate
the economy, but give it a heart attack. The best way to stimulate our econmy is for us all to work more, and to spend wisely. Instead of buying useless things,
paying to our debts. The answer is as our 35th President, John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural speech: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you
can do for your country."
