The Moderate Road

Daniel Valverde Gov. 2301 March 11, 2012

Though several Ideological spectrum's have formed in our nations history, two of the most strongest groups are Liberals and Conservatives. Liberalism has the meaning of the state or quality of being Liberal; Liberal views and policies, esp. in regard to social or political questions. Its view is the belief of Liberty and equal rights which support ideas as to Constitutional freedoms, the right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism at best focuses on limiting the power of the government and believes that the people can rationalize and think of how to resolve disputes and obtain a compromise resolution without government intervention. Liberals established various social and political reforms that separates church and state and the implementation of public education. In the 20th century many changes in the Liberal Ideology occurred, but more so during the Great Depression when Modern Liberalism began to blossom. This Ideology encouraged that the state invest and intervene during hard economic times. Opposite to this is the Conservatives, which advocates the value of traditional institutions and its practices. Conservatism is defined as the disposition in politics to maintain the existing order and to resist or oppose change. It favors traditional values and views to maintain stability. Conservatives view, that the government was created to serve the people and not itself. They believe that humans can be morally through political and social changes. Conservatives view certain social programs a burden, that destroys the economy. In light of the many political Ideologies which have been established and have some similarities and yet differ in views of governmental control. Its difficult to select where oneself can either be of one particular Ideology or of another. It is my my belief that I best resemble more of a Moderate Ideologist, meaning that I would possibly describe myself as either a Liberal or a Conservative. In a Liberal view, the concept of political and liberty equality, which supports those changes within the social, political, and economic structure for the well-being of its people. However, in a Conservative aspect, traditional values and economic rights which stabilizes society also reflects some strong interest. I do believe that the government should have some limitation in regards to the rights of its people, so that constitutional rights are not infringed. On the other side of the coin I do believe that the people should maintain their constitutional rights, so that the government does not have

control over individuals daily life. The government should have the responsibility to protect the rights, of its people, but establishing laws and rules to maintain order and stability so that neither the people or the government dominate one another. Liberalism also urges that the church and state political views or values be separated from one another, but promotes political movement for the subjugated. Modern Liberals encourage government involvement in economic affairs, such as the social welfare programs which include social security, medicaid, and medicare; regulations governing the conditions in the businesses and workplace. Conservatives realize the importance of maintaining tradition, the status quo, or leaving things just the way they are currently. Much like the Liberals, Conservatives stress on a community and family base structure. It views in limiting government authority and emphasizes the rule of law. Therefore, my belief is more of a moderate Ideology, than that of a total Conservative or Liberal. A Moderate by its definition within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme, not violent; mild, of medium or average quantity, quality, or extent; opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, esp. in politics and religion. One who holds Moderate views or opinions. Liberal Conservatism supports tax cuts, privatizations, deregulation's, and limiting growth in the public sector, however it supports most of the social benefits introduced in the 1930's. The Moderate party emphasizes action against violent sex crimes and violent crimes, as well as promoting the value of working and better quality within the system of education. It is a nondiscriminatory concept in supporting some government intervention in the economic structure. Though its role plays actively in protecting political equality and economic opportunities, it supports the government in becoming involved in economic affairs and social programs, with government regulations in place.

I do agree with these two Ideologies but only to an extent. My beliefs lie in-between these categories to where I find myself to being a Moderate. The bases of my beliefs stem from parental influence. Though both are of opposite political parties, both have interlocking views. I believe, as they believe when it comes to the issues of voting. My parents believe that voting is important and have always told me when I become of age, to get a little more involved with our government politics so that I would understand why it is important for everyone in this country to vote. Voting is a way to formally express my views, opinions, and values during electoral process. My family values, religious beliefs, education, and the rule of law extend mostly from my father. As a child 10 years of age, my father has been the primary influence as well as my religious up bring. My father a retired U.S. Marine Corp person, has strong beliefs in government intervention to a degree which is based from his experiences from his travels to other parts of the world. His views has established a base line of my development in the political aspects that lie on several issues as to church and state, work ethics and conditions, education, capitalism, immigrations, and criminal and civil law. As a Vietnam veteran and currently in law enforcement my father beliefs that without rules of law with in the government and in the social structure, this nation would collapse. Both my parents differ in political party affiliation, however agree in many issues. My father is Hispanic, born and raised in South Texas. My mother is Anglo, born in New York, raised in North Carolina. Regardless of their political parties or origin, religion and family values was very important to my up bringing. They both vote, but never discuss how they voted, except for those issues that they may both agree on. Both my parents have strong religious values within the catholic faith in which I also practice. My parents do believe that church and state should be separate in politics, much like keeping politics out of conflicts that military operations are involved in. Both my parents believe that freedom is not free and democracy is always in a struggle. Religion plays a major part in my Ideology, but more so in my parents views and values.

My opinions in being a Moderate Ideology are and can be similar to what other Ideologies view. One of the issues of what Liberals and Conservatives talk about is education. The Liberals believe that public schools are the best way to educate a student. Vouchers or (financial assistance) just take money away from those schools. Government should pay more attention to having more funds on every public school, to raise the teachers pay grade, and making class sizes smaller. On the Conservative side, they think that school vouchers can create competition so that it may encourage other schools can better there performance. Parents should have the right to choose which school is the better choice for their child rather if the parents can afford their children to go to a private school or not. In my opinion I agree more on the Conservative side. All parents should have the right to choose what school their children should go to because they have their legal rights to that child, so that also gives them the right to cloth them, feed them, discipline them, and to give them a good education. The only thing I agree from the Liberal side, is that teachers salary should be raised and appreciated more. The reason why I say this is that I personally want to be a teacher someday and I have always respected them as individuals, even though they don't complain about their salary and that they do it because they love to teach. I still think that teachers should be appreciated by being paid more, they deserve it because without teachers in this world to give the young generation the proper education, people would not be doing what they do now or would not know how to do it properly. Another issue that is discussed is immigration. Liberals argue that immigrants should have the same right as every legal citizen here in the United State and that they should be given the same equal benefits as every American citizen because to them it is not fare that citizens should be paid more and have more benefits than illegal immigrants. Conservatives say they have nothing against illegal immigrants, but they do not agree that these immigrants should have the same equal rights as legal immigrants or U.S. citizens and that the borders need to be secured and protected before taking the illegal immigrants back to the country where they came from. My views on the situation is that I do rule in favor of the Conservatives, because they are right, illegal immigrants do not have the same rights as citizens, so that can not be paid the same

hourly wage or have any benefits such as health insurance, and financial aid, and that if caught they would be kicked out of this country and back into their own. I think in a sense it is unfair that these immigrants should be sent back to a country probably where they were suffering and came to America for a reason. If it were me in a position like this and I noticed that there was an illegal immigrant, really I would just ignore it, because as long as he is not causing any trouble I will mind my own business that is what I would do. I am not one to go telling on other people to so that anyone can get themselves into trouble. It is my way of being generous. One last issue that is also brought up is United Nations (UN). Liberals think that the United States should not act independent or on its own but should share its interest with the rest of the world. That the U.S. Should fall under UN command and to discuss about keeping peace and security. Conservatives have a different point of view. They think that the United States should not have to submit to UN control. That the U.S. Should leave the UN, because of proof that the United Nations has failed many times to keep world peace, and that the U.S. Is the symbol of freedom, prosperity, and tolerance. I personally appreciated that the Liberals try to make such actions to keep world peace. However, I still must agree with the Conservatives, because the United States has been doing its part for many years in keeping peace and order. Why should it be the responsibility of the United States to be apart of UN army and council to remind other countries about peace when no one else will do their part. It does not in anyway look fare for the United States to be held responsible. Therefore, I believe that the UN should not really existed. From what I hear about it, the UN sound pointless not just to me but I am sure to other people as well. They're plenty of other issues I could discuss and not all issues from either Ideology, especially on Conservatism, I will not always agree with. This is to just give an idea to anyone of what kind of Ideology I may be. What I just discussed will give you a hint that I must be more Conservative than Liberal, that I intend to agree more with their beliefs than I do with others. That maybe true, but I still am different because I agree on some of what the Liberals aspects are. Either way I am not on anyone's side nor am I offending anyone's beliefs that I just so happen to disagree with. I am just a neutral person or the man in the middle.

My Ideology and the issues that I have discussed has been reflected to where I seem to be more Republican than a Democrat. However, I have not discussed all the issues that both Liberals and Conservatives argue about so no one can start assuming that I am Republican. I am Democrat by political party, but I am a Moderate Democrat. Just like my father, I do not vote for one person, in one political party to become the next president of the United States. I can vote for either a Democrat or Republican when it comes to presidential elections. Depending on what promises either candidate will make when they get elected into office and they keep that promise and it happens to be a great commitment after when that person is put in office. It can be commitments such as cheaper prices on health insurance, taxes, or house bills. That is the person I will vote in office regardless if he is in my political party or not. I will not just vote for anyone. Its got to be someone who has what it takes to be the leader of this nation. A person who I can say is worthy to be president and not just some guy I choice to be elected in office because he is a Democrat and that I just so happen to be from that area also. No! With me, that is not the way it works. I have always called myself an Independent for along time because it always seemed to be more easier that way. Why should I be apart of only one political party when I can be right in the middle of both. Why only have certain opinions and believes within one Ideology when I have so much more than that. I do have some beliefs in common with other Ideologies so why not explore them. Though I have not completely experienced the political spectrum of our government, I feel that my beliefs will be exposed as I develop knowledge within the scope of government.

Bibliography/Work Cited
Houghton Mifflin Company (1982). Boston. ISBN-0-395-32943-4 The American Heritage Dictionary (Second College Edition) The McGraw-Hill Company (2011) ISBN-13:978-0-07-753441-7 American Democracy Now (Texas Edition) StudentNewsDaily.com (2005) revised 2010 Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs. Retrieved March 15, 2012 http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/