Right or Left, But No Wrong

Through classroom examination of election issues and candidates, I have learned many things. I have learned that liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. I have learned that conservatives believe more in personal responsibility with limited government action. Also, when people refer to left-wing, they mean liberal, and right-wing refers to conservative. Through the classroom activities, I learned that I am not fully right or left; however, I am more toward the left.

I found that I agreed with the liberal view more often than conservative on most issues, like on the death penalty issue, I feel it should be abolished, because I believe it is inhumane. Another issue I am liberal on is global warming/climate change. I feel we need laws to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. Healthcare is another issue where I have a more liberal view. I think all people should have the right to affordable healthcare. I realize this could cost the government money, which is a problem, but health is a priority for all people.

Though my views tend to align with Hillary Clinton’s and Jill Stein’s, I can see Donald Trump’s perspective also and can understand that the issues the candidates are faced with are all tough issues because there may not be a right or wrong, clear-cut answer to these problems, even though they may think there is. Putting their plans into actions will tell if something works out or not, long term.  

I feel that a few of the most significant issues that the United States has to deal with are illegal immigration, Syrian refugees, gun control, and ISIS. I believe illegal immigration is wrong and we need to protect our borders and have a process for all immigrants to follow to come into the country. With this view, I align more with Trump. I believe we live in a world where we just don’t know people well enough, and a thorough process should be done. I align with Hillary Clinton’s view on Syrian refugees. I feel we should allow them in, as our country is helpful and we want these people safe. We need to do thorough checks on them also, however, before allowing them in, and we should be careful about overpopulation. For gun control, I also align more with Clinton. Though I do believe our Constitution gives people the right to bear arms, I think our times have changed. We often see guns getting into the hands of insane people, or terrorists, or even kids. We need more regulations. I even think possibly just outlawing guns totally, except for military and law enforcement, might be best. We need to reduce the violent attacks and the ease of getting a gun. I don’t think we should declare war on ISIS. Again, my views tend to align with Clinton more. I feel our country and our troops would be more endangered if we did this. I think until we get really good intelligence on ISIS, we should just supply Iraq with helpful advice and armor and equipment and do the best we can from outside rather than going in and fighting. My view on this may change but for now, that’s what it is.

During this activity, I also had learned that there are more than two candidates running for President.  I had never heard of Jill Stein or Gary Johnson prior to this. I did not even know there was a “Green” party. Also, through these in class exercises, I have learned that some candidates agree on some issues and disagree on some. In the end, though, the people’s vote will count and that will determine the next President of the United States.
Before this in class activity, I really hadn’t thought about these issues or about our candidates very much, since I’m only 12 years old. I learned so many things about the real world and the problems we face as a country. In closing, I found that doing this was a great learning experience.

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