Political Party Ice Breaker Where do you stand

Political Party Ice Breaker

Where do you stand? �Examine each of the categories around the room. On the Political Party Icebreaker Worksheet - write down if you agree more with view A or B. Then assign a number value to your position indicating your level of agreement with each category. � 3 – Mostly Agree � 2 – Moderately Agree � 1 – Somewhat Agree

The Economy and Taxes A B � In favor a progressive tax system � In favor of a smaller government � Generally for free market in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor � Against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions � Believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed � Make laws to protect American businesses from international competition agreements with other countries, like NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement. � Vehemently against raising taxes even if it means a budget deficit � Believe in global trade and don’t tend to protect US businesses from international competition

National Defense and Security A B �Tend to cut the military � Believe in a strong budget �Generally want to avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations �Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war military and are willing to pay for it with government money � Believe in confronting American enemies with or without UN support � Believe in using military intervention when American interests or security is threatened

Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care A � Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps, social security) for the poor and others. � Government policies help the common good and are compassionate B �Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor. �believe that private businesses and nonprofit charities can provide the same services.

Crime and Punishment A B �Focus on rehabilitation �Prison sentences as a programs [long prison sentences for convicted criminals] �Against the death penalty �Focus on rights of the accused deterrent to crime �Support the death penalty �Strict penalties for convicted criminals

Environmental Protection A �Strict Gov’t regulations on businesses to protect the environment �Global warming is a real threat B �Fewer Gov’t restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental �Global warming is not a real threat

Abortion and Stem Cell Research A B �Pro-choice [a woman �Pro-life [do not believe should always have the right to choose to have an abortion] �Favor stem-cell research that women have a right to have an abortion] – considered to be murder �Against stem-cell research

Energy Policy A B �Focus on researching �Focus on securing alternative energy sources for the future existing energy sources for the present and future

Same Sex Marriage & Civil Rights Laws �A �B �Tend to support the right �Tend to oppose the right for same-sex couples to marry

Education �A �B �Oppose using tax money �Favor using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

Immigration A B �Favor looser immigration �Favor stricter laws �Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country immigration laws �Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country