Name:______Date:______Per:___
Political Standing Self-Test
Circle 1-4 depending on how strongly you agree (1) or disagree (4) with the following statements:
- Guns: Gun control laws should not be made because every citizen has the right to bear arms (guns, weapons) as protected by the 2nd Amendment.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Gay Marriage: Marriage should be defined ONLY between a man and a woman.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Abortion: In most cases, a pregnant woman should NOT have the right to choose to have an abortion.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Terrorists: Holding detainees, classified as terrorists, at Guantanamo Bay, Cubato make America safer.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Economic bailouts: The government should not help “bail out” failed banking, car manufacturing and insurance companies. Capitalism: government should not be involved in business and certainly not bailouts.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Capital Punishment: A person convicted of 1st degree murder should receive the death penalty.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Euthanasia/Right to Die: Terminally ill patients should NOT have the right to choose to die, to end suffering.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Environment: Increasing environmental lawsrestricting companies in the U.S. will lead to outsourcing (transfer of work outside U.S.to other countries) of more jobs at a time when the economy is already suffering.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Health care: government should not force citizens to purchase health insurance.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Affirmative Action:companies should decide who to hire and not be forced to hire a certain number of minorities (blacks, Latinos, etc.) to make up for past discrimination.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Minimum Wage: keep minimum wage where it is—businesses cannot afford to pay more.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Immigration: the U.S. needs strict laws cracking down on illegal immigrants.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Taxes: wealthy people should not be punished by having to pay more taxes
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Corporate taxes: Corporations making a lot of money should not be punished by having to pay more taxes
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Military: Military spending should be increased.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Budget + Debt: Make laws restricting and controlling the federal government’s budget, spending and debt because they are out of control (too much gov. spending).
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Medical marijuana: Illegal drugs should stay illegal; people should not be using marijuana.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
- Energy: America needs even more sources of fuels so we should start drilling for more oil and natural gas in lands owned by the U.S.
1=Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3= Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
WHAT YOUR SCORE MEANS
Scored 18-28 points: Ultra-Conservative
- Strongly agree with the Republican Party Platform
- Generally have strong beliefs regarding issues based on religious and ethical values.
- Believe that the Federal Government should be limited in power, and the Sanctity of the U.S. Constitution should be upheld as it was intended by the Founding Fathers.
- Generally believe that people should be allowed to manage their own finance, and receive tax cuts to help stimulate the economy.
- Tough Foreign policy and military-preparedness viewed as very important to protect the nation, role of government primarily to protect its citizens
Scored 29-39 points: Moderate Conservative
- Lean toward the Republican Party Platform
- Most beliefs based on strong ethical principles
- Believe that the U.S. Constitution has room for interpretation and that laws should reflect the changing views of society by majority, with ethical basis for decisions.
- Community and humanitarian services are the province of philanthropic individuals and organizations, not the job of government.
Scored 40-51 points: Moderate
- Generally believe that laws should be changed to allow all citizens equal rights.
- The environment and domestic policies are important.
- Not inclined to vote strictly by party in any election.
- Believe that a third party challenges the two-party system and allows democracy to fully be executed.
- Tend to look at individual issues rather than follow strict party lines
- More likely to be critical of either party
Scored 52-62 points: Liberal
- Lean toward the Democratic Party.
- Domestic issues generally deemed most important
- Believe government has responsibility to help middleclass/poor, help with community service and create organizations that improve the situation for those with less in society.
- Generally believe that all citizens have the right to choose to live their life the way they want, as long as it does not impose on another’s freedom.
- Want corporate responsibility and believe in checks on capitalistic enterprises to ensure the protection of workers and consumers
- Foreign policy stance generally includes focus on peacekeeping, negotiation and use of diplomacy before the use of force
Scored 63-72 points: Ultra-Liberal
- Heavily lean toward the Democratic Party, possibly also Green Party or other third party candidates.
- Believe in government responsibility to all citizens in the form of aid, services, protections and freedoms
- Domestic policy seen as paramount
- Distrustful of government policies to check the rights of citizens, regardless of reasons (security for example)
- Strongly believe US Constitution should be changed to ensure rights and protections for all citizens as fundamental to fabric of society
Total Points = ____