Libertarian and Green Parties

Libertarian Party:

Supports:

Disposing the Social Security program and instead establishing a self-managed retirement system; privatizing government business; cutting taxes; halting industry bail out using tax money; replacing welfare; ending income tax; immigration (but also aware that it should not guarantee economic entitlements); strengthening of the U.S. economy in order to generate funds for investment abroad and for the pursuit of free trade policies; in favor of removing government's sovereign immunity; caring for the environment and wildlife; protecting victim's rights; ending drug prohibition; getting tough on real crime; protecting the right to self-defense; addressing the root causes of crime.

Opposes:

Foreign aid programs.

Green Party:

Supports:

Reduced military budget; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; single-payer national health insurance; Clean Water legislation; restricted global corporate power; Real Campaign Finance Reform & Publicly Financed Elections; electoral reforms and democracy; reforming the presidential debate commission; strict standards on GMOs (genetically modified organisms); increased accounting oversight.

Opposes:

Invasion and occupation of Iraq, and invasion of Afghanistan; death penalty; corporate agriculture; the drug war; telecommunications deregulations; bank deregulation; Plan Colombia; the bombing of Iraqi civilians; refusal to ban landmines; privatization of prisons and other public services and resources; severe penalties for marijuana; big corporate mergers and Wall Street bail-outs; forest logging giveaways; powerful agribusiness lobbies instead of family farms; uncontrolled bio-engineering; increased wiretaps and other surveillance; the Defense of Marriage Act.

Comparison and Contrast of Republican and Democratic Party Platforms on Select Issues

Abortion:
Republicans - Against all except life of mother.
Democrats - In favor except for third trimester.
Difference- Wide.

Farm Subsides:
Republicans - In favor but limited.
Democrats - In favor.
Difference - Nearly none.

Education:
Republicans- In favor of improving schools and ensuring that every childs receives excellent education.
Democrats - In favor of Improving school resources and offering world-class education, as well as improving educational oppurtunites for college.
Difference - Nearly none.

Taxes and Economy:
Republicans - In favor of job training to ensure employment and to stimulate economy; tax reform, limited and improved federal spending.
Democrats - In favor of expanding economic oppurtunity and job creation; balancing budgets and paying down national debt; opening markets abroad.
Difference - Significant.

War on Terrorism:
Republicans - In favor of strengthening military, deploying missle defence system, strengthening NATO, improving homeland security; in favor of attempting to gain complete victory in Iraq, which they view as central to the Global War on Terrorism.
Democrats - In favor of supporting Homeland Security and improving protections for sensitive facilities; programs for suppressing terrorist activities; strong national alliances to hinder threats from international terrorists and rogue states.
Difference - Significant.

Social Security:
Republicans - In favor of fixing Social Security and improving it for future generations.
Democrats - In favor of keeping Social Security for the people without accruing further national debt.
Difference - Nearly none.

Immigration:
Republicans - In favor of reforming immigration policy to halt illegal immigration.
Democrats - In favor of immigration reform in order to secure the borders of the nation.
Difference - Minute.

Health Care:
Republicans - In favor of improving health care for veterens.
Democrats - In favor of providing affordable, effective health care coverage; keeping government and insurance companies out of health care decisions that should be left to doctors and their patients.
Difference - Wide.

Energy Policy:
Republicans - [unable to be found]
Democrats - In favor of protecting environment and creating technologies to eliminate environmental pollution; supporting affordable and renewable energy for the future, and promoting conservation measures.
Difference - Wide.

Types of Interest Groups

1. Economic Interest Groups: Interests groups formed to promote economic interests.

a. Business Interest Groups - Trade and business organizations that attempt to influence government policies. Some groups target a single regulatory unit, whereas others try to effect major policy changes. Examples include the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Roundtable.

b. Agricultural Interest Groups - American farmers and their workers represent about 2 percent of the U.S. population. In spite of this, farmers' influence on legislation beneficial to their interests has been enormous. Farmers have succeeded in their aims because they have very strong interest groups. They are geographically dispersed and therefore have many representatives and senators to speak for them. Examples include the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers' Association (NSU).

c. Labor Interest Groups - Interest groups that represent the labor movement, which is, generally, the full range of economic and political expression of workin-class interests; and, politically, the organization of working-class interests. An example includes the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which has joined forces with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).

d. Public Employee Interest Groups - The degree of unionization in the private sector has declined since 1965, but this has been offset partially by growth in the unionization of public employees. Originally, the public employee unions started out as social and professional organizations. Over the years, they have become quite militant and are often involved in strikes. Many of these strikes are illegal, because certain public employees do not have the right to strike and essentially sign a contract so stating. Examples include the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, the American Federation of Teachers, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), and the National Education Association (NEA).

e. Interests Groups of Professionals - Numerous professional Organizations exist. Some professional groups, such as lawyers and doctors, are more influential than others due to their social status. Lawyers have a unique advantage - a large number of members of Congress share their profession. Examples include the American Bar Association, the Association of General Contractors of America, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Medical Association (AMA).

2. Environmental Groups: Groups that advocate the protection of the environment in general or unique ecological niches. The National Audubon Society attempts to protect the snowy egret from the commercial demand for hat decorations. The National Wildlife Federation has an emphasis on education. The Nature Conservancy seeks members' contributions so the organization can buy up threatened natural areas and either give them to state or local governments or manage them itself. Other groups exist, such as the radical Greenpeace Society and Earth First.

3. Public Interest Groups: It is almost impossible for one particular public policy to benefit everybody, which makes it practically impossible to define the public interest. Nonetheless, over the past few decades, a variety of law and lobbying organizations have been formed "in the public interest." Public interest is defined as the best interests of the collective, overall community, or the national good, rather than the narrow interests of a self-serving group. Examples include the Nader Organizations, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, the Consumer Federation of America, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

4. Special Interest Groups: These groups, being narrowly focused, may be able to call more attention to their respective causes because they have simple and straightforward goals and because their members tend to care intensely about the issues. Thus, such groups can easily motivate their members to contact legislators or to organize demonstrations in support of their policy goals. A number of interest groups focus on just one issue, such as abortion or gun control. Other groups represent particular groups of Americans who share a common characteristic, such as age or ethnicity. Such interest groups lobby for legislation that may benefit their members in terms of rights or just represent a viewpoint. Examples include groups such as Right to Life, the National Abortion Rights Action League, the National Rifle Association, the Right to Work Committee, the Hudson Valley PAC, and the AARP.

5. Foreign Governments: Home-grown interests are not the sole players in the game. Washington, D.C., is also the center for lobbying by foreign governments as well as private foreign interests. Large research and lobbying staffs are maintained by governments of the largest U.S. trading partners, such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, and the European Union (EU) countires. Smaller nations as well engage lobbyists when vital legislation affecting their trade interests is considered. Frequently, these foreign interests hire former representatives or former senators to promote their positions on Capitol Hill.

Incentives for Creating Or Joining an Interest Group

Solidary Incentives - Reasons or motives having to do with the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest or hobby. These incentives include companianship, a sense of belonging, and the pleasure of associating with others. Link - Pewter Report

Material Incentives - Reasons or motives having to do with economic benefits or opportunities. Link - National Farmers' Union (NFU)

Purposive Incentives - Reasons or motives having to do with ethical beliefs or ideological principles. Interest groups offer the opportunity for individuals to pursue political, economic, or social goals through joint action. Purposive incentives offer individuals the satisfaction of taking action for the sake of their beliefs or principles.
Link - National Right to Life

Pew Research Section Surveys - Iran a Growing Danger, Bush Gaining on Spy Issue, Part 5

These statistics deal with the public's concern about using force in Iraq, about what course of action to take next, and about the outcome of the U.S. effort to establish a stable democratic government. Last month the opinion about using force was almost evenly divided, with a bit more of the percentage leaning towards its disapproval. With respect to keeping the U.S. troops in Iraq, the opinion was equally split. However, most of the surveyed persons agreed that the U.S.'s effort to establish a stable democracy in Iraq will succeed. This month, the persons agreed in all three questions, approving the use of force, the continued stationing of troops in Iraq, and the success of a stable democratic government in Iraq.

Pew Research Section Surveys - Iran a Growing Danger, Bush Gaining on Spy Issue, Part 4

These statistics deal with the attitude of people with respect to America's dependence on oil presently and in the future. When asked if the United States is addicted to oil, a vast majority of all interviewed persons, including republicans, democrats, and independents as well, replied with an overwhelming yes. When asked the question if the United States can end its reliance on foreign oil in the next 20 years, most persons relied 'yes', The greater percentage of republicans and independents replied in accordance with this, but most of the democrats replied with a 'no', possibilty because they are deterred by the lasting effects of the Bush Administration, even if the democrats do in fact win the next national election (not to mention the pro-Bush supreme court and Congress).

Pew Research Section Surveys - Iran a Growing Danger, Bush Gaining on Spy Issue, Part 3

This question asks people for their approval or dissaproval on the Bush Administration's actions and policies on select political, social, and economic issues. The heading of the statistics chart states that doubts are growing with concern to the budget deficit and health care. The statistics themselves show that the approval for the policies of the Bush Administration, although it has dropped in almost all of the categories, has remained reasonably steady over the last year. This could mean that the nation's support of the Bush Administration is relavitively stagnate, but it is indeed showing signs of decline, since the administration's efficiency in all the issues has lost approval over the year.

Pew Research Section Surveys - Iran a Growing Danger, Bush Gaining on Spy Issue, Part 2

This question inquired people about the magnitude of the threat posed by certain select matters. According to these statistics, the majority of the nation heavily fears the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, which of course compromise the safety of the United States as well as its position as the word militaristic and political leader. A great percentage (47) of the nation agrees that China's emerging political, military, economic, and social power is becoming a major threat to the United States. However, few people are concerned with the threats presented by leftist leaders in Latin America and by Russian authoritarianism, since these to them seem weak and not a present danger.

Pew Research Section Surveys - Iran a Growing Danger, Bush Gaining on Spy Issue, Part 1

This question presented people with an inquiry about which country posed the greatest threat to the United States, between March of 1990 and February 2006. Following the cold war with the former USSR, in 1990, people feared the Soviet Union the most, probably cautious that it may come to power again and that communism may yet again challenge United States Democracy, among other things. Japan became the major contender in 1992, most likely due to heavy economic competition in the U.S. and world market. Iraq became a threat in 1993 due to the country's (with Hussein as dictator) political and military threat. In 2001, China became a threat, due to its thriving economy as well as political and military power. In 2005, Iraq was the U.S.'s
greatest danger according to the survey, due to the War on Terror and its aftermath. Presently, in 2006, as U.S. policy becomes more concentrated on Iran's nuclear program, this country is considered the greatest threat.

Political Cartoons

QUAGMIRE in IRAQ - This cartoon is implying that the during the actual combat status in Iraq, matters were relatively simple compared to the overwhelming obstacles that face the Bush administration in post-war Iraq. It also depicts President Bush as not being able to link power to the attempted democracy.
Related Link - U.S. Army Stretched Thin in Iraq
Commentary - Establishing a forced democracy in a country with no democratic tradition (not to mention a government substantiated by religious beliefs) is proving to be tedious and overwhelming indeed. Compared to this task, the war was basic: a superior military with superior technology ensured victory for the U.S. Now that the challenge is no longer concerned with exerting militaristic powers, but instead deals with radically altering the entire political and social culture of a nation, the burden upon the U.S. government has heavily increased. For the time being, certain resistance and struggle will ensue during the process to establish a democratic state in Iraq.

KING KONG - This cartoon depicts President Bush as a big ape, holding an average citizen, who is stating that the national government can do whatever is necessary, no matter how severe, in order to ensure that she (the entire population is most likely implied) will be safe.
Related Link - As citizens, we must guard our rights, and we should refuse to bow to fear
Commentary - This cartoon attempts to portray the true nature of people. If there is a real and present threat to the welfare of an individual, that individual will attempt (and agree with) whatever is necessary in order to prevent that compromisation. If a certain matter (e.g. NSA eavesdropping, confinement camps) does not adversly affect an individual directly, and the matter is for the immediate security of that indvidual, the said person will most likely show little to no resistance to that matter, merely for their own benefit. Thus, this cartoon portrays that the basic human fear for self preservation takes presedence to anything else, and by natural law, this makes logical sense.

2 Types of Causal Factors in Juvenile Crime

Poverty - Many underage children (22 percent of children under the age of 18) live in poverty. Figures show that children from lower socioeconomic status families tend to commit more crime than children from upper socioeconomic status families. Poverty leads to social isolation and economic stress, which can be detrimental to an individual youth. The poor also develop the idea that society is their enemy. Hence, poverty produces conditions that nurture crime.

It is certain that the idea of poverting contributing to crime is a pervasive idea, and it logically appears to be true. Due to the alienation from society that occurs because of poverty, individuals living in such a state do not connect with society, and hence they do not restrain themselves not to go against it. They will do whatever is necessary in order to survive and to satisfy themselves: they will steal, rob, commit acts of violence, and commit other violations, because they do not feel that they are part of the society. And children, having been exposed to this during their developing childhood, become accustomed to this way of life and hence develop a penchant for it.

Family Factors - The proportion of fatherless children tends to be one of the most reliable indicators of juvenile crime. Families impart moral values upon children, but marriage has been sharply declining, and the number of children being raised in single-parent homes has been increasing. This is mostly due to divorce. Children born out of wedlock has contributed to this also (and this number is high as well). There are also significant gender, race, and SES interaction effects on juvenile crime. Most research results are mixed, and no clear causal family factors have been discovered to explain the correlation between fatherlessness and crime, but it is certainly unjust to blame single mothers, their parenting skills, or their economic condition for what are obviously more complex social problems.

Family factors are a paramount influence on juvenile crime. Since most children develop and mature around their families, family factors have a vital impact on the lives of children. If, for instance, a male child grows up without a father, he may instinctly feel obligated to provide for his family by whatever means necessary, even if this results in criminal activity. Another example would be if a child comes from a family with a history of domestic abuse. The child would have been privy to this, most likely both directly and indirectly, and hence would be imprinted with these acts, which the mind of the child could force into physical recreation later on or for which it could develop an apathic tolerance. Thus, family factors, due to their profound impact on a child's development, have a severe effect upon juvenile crime.

Bilingual Education: Con

A negative aspect of bilingual education is that the primary focus would no longer be English, but it would be a combination of languages. If bilingual education became too prominent, English would not be as widely used, and hence its power and influence could decrease. This would result in deficiency of the mastery of the English language, and this would prove detrimental, since currently English is one of the (if the not the single most prominent) primary languages in the world. Thus, bilingual education would decrease the emphasis on English, and this would lead to a depreciation of the language.

Bilingual Education: Pro

One positive aspect of bilingual education is that it allows incoming foreign students to learn English in a much more logical manner: the language would be taught and explained to them in their foreign language so that not only would they retain their native tongue, but would much more thoroughly learn and have a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the novel English language. This would allow a higher mastery of the language than would a unilingual education, which would force foreign students to pick up English on their own, and this could be time-consuming and not as accurate, and since English would be required to comprehend all other subjects, these would, as well, most likely prove difficult for the students initially.

Immigration Policy: Con

A negative aspect of immigration is that it decreases job oppurtunities for the people already residing in the country. This puts the present residency at a disadvantaged, since immigrants are much more willing to work for a much lower pay than are the current residents. And, of course, employers will hire the immigrants, who are more financially beneficial to their businesses.

Immigration Policy: Pro

A postive aspect of immigration is that it allows the country to have a larger population, increasing human labor for a nation. If immigration into the country were outlawed, then the population growth rate would surely decline, while for other countries, in this case those from which the people would have emmigrated, the rate would increase. A large workforce increases competition, which increases work output in businesses, and generally, increases the productivity of a nation as a whole.

Abortion: Con

A negative aspect of abortion is that it destroys a future life. Under the Fourteenth Amendment, a person is considered any logically-thinking animal. Even though a fetus is not capable of this, it does develop into this definition over time. To undermine this would state that law is concerned with only matters occuring at the very present, without any concern for future developments, actions, and consequences. Hence, abortion is, in essence, a killing of a future person, and since time is not discussed in the Constitution, and since the Constitution was most likely based on Christian morality, this can be taken as meaning that any form of a human is considered a person, from after-development to pre-death.

Abortion: Pro

A positive aspect of abortion is that it allows a woman to handle her own actions and decisions, which she is entitled to as part of her civil liberties. If she chooses not to have a child, then it is her private matter and subject to her own actions. One could view any interruption of this by any unnecessary outside parties as an infringement upon her Constitutional rights, and hence unlawful. The arguement is that abortion is murder, but a murder is only valid when exercised upon a person, and under the Fourteenth Amendment, only a creature with capacity for logic is considered a person, which embodies all post-natal humans. Because a fetus, though alive, is not capable of logical thought, it is not yet a person, and hence cannot be lawfully murdered. To deny this would lead one to consider that cutting down a sapling is murder, for a tree is a living thing, lacking a thought-process.