Political Stereotypes: A Comparative Analysis
Typically one’s experiences in life gage one’s beliefs about government and its role in daily life. Those distant in generations often differ in beliefs greatly rather than those who are more similar in age. Like one’s experiences and hardships shape their outlooks on life, political ideology is often shaped by events that occur in federal and state government. World War II, the Great Depression, and the recession of 2008 are all events that may have affected individuals in different aspects. Even those from different regions may hold different views from one’s own region. In contrast, families tend to hold the same political beliefs and outlooks on government involvement. In addition, those who share the same ethnic background may also
…show more content…
share the same government outlooks. However, there are always those exceptions to the rule that negate orthodox norms. Like John Locke’s theory on human nature, all individuals are born with a blank slate that is eventually affected by one’s surroundings.
My grandfather is a man of sixty-eight years of age who has lived through many impactful events that occurred in America and are currently being studied in schools today. Having been born in the midst of World War II, my grandfather was witness to events that affected his beliefs greatly. The hearings against Adolf Eichmann, he says, impacted him greatly as a child. He says that even at that young age he could not fathom how individuals could purposefully detriment another human being. He emphasized his belief in complete equality for all. In his words, everyone is created equal and should have equal opportunities; no group, whether they are the majority or minority, should have the upperhand. In conjunction, the persecution of the Jewish people was difficult to understand for my grandfather for these reasons. Further, he mentioned that his insight on the civil rights also greatly affected his political views. As a child, my grandfather never understood why there had to be a movement for one’s rights that granted civil rights legislation when the constitution stated that all men were created equal. As opposed to his father, my grandfather did not advocate for the separate but equal view on segregation. These differing political ideologies created moments of contention in his household. He recalled there being separate water fountains for white and colored people as a child. As a result, having a first hand look at segregation, my grandfather was deeply touched and developed views opposite of those who were for Jim Crow laws.
In addition, the constitution, in his eyes, embodies his wholehearted belief of government and democracy. He highly regards the ninth and tenth amendments for several reasons. According to my grandfather, federal government’s sole purposes are to serve as a pillar for protection of its country and provide infrastructure. Further, all other responsibilities are to be granted to the states as long as it's in line with the constitution. Essentially, there should be limited federal government involvement in accordance with those individual rights not stated in the constitution. These beliefs were influenced greatly by John F. Kennedy. My grandfather admired former president Kennedy and saw him as an idealist. He recalled that at his funeral, one of the Kennedy brothers stated that JFK had once said “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.” Not only did this statement greatly impact my grandfather but so did Kennedy’s assassination. My grandfather greatly revered president Kennedy for being a moral citizen rather than a politician, although he was not in office for long.
When being questioned about his political affiliation, my grandfather expressed his distaste for labeling one’s party association. He then proceeded to quote George Washington’s farewell address and his wariness of forming political parties. However, for the sake of this essay, my grandfather said that he leans more right and tends to agree more with Republicans’ ideology. Originally, he says, at a much younger age he considered himself a Democrat when the platform stood for democracy. However, he changed his affiliation when the Democratic platform chose to give away everything in exchange for votes. This political conversion occurred during former president Ronald Reagan’s terms. Then, my grandfather commenced to quote a Alexander Fraser Tytler’s belief on democracy: “it can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury.” Further, his distaste with the Democratic platform began when the party advocated for what he called “handouts.” Further, people are to pull their own weight rather than rely on welfare. In his eyes, these welfare programs are for those who are truly needy, such as people suffering from mental illness and widowed mothers. Hence, once there was a shift in his political affiliation whenever the parties’ positions were altered.
In addition, my grandfather expressed that at his age, he is to the point that he has not voted for a desired president once, but rather voted for the lesser of the two evils.
However, this in mind, he wholeheartedly believes that each individual vote is important. Further, he stated that the root of our government’s problem is that individuals will vote for an incumbent for the mere fact that they are an incumbent rather than their platforms. An ideal form of government for my grandfather is for statesmen to run government. To clarify, individuals would serve a maximum of two terms and then continue to lead their previous career, rather than make a career as a politician. In addition, there needs to be an increase in voter turnout for a great difference to be made in all levels of government. Through these means an ideal government can be formed.
Having experiences many hardships and witnessed many large historical events, my grandfather has a political ideology much different from mine. Although my grandfather and I have lived together for many years, our ideologies differ greatly. Having been born and raised in a different era than my grandfather, our experiences are quite different, affecting our ideals. In conclusion, individuals’ blank slates are painted with the catalysts that are one’s different experiences and
events.
share the same government outlooks. However, there are always those exceptions to the rule that negate orthodox norms. Like John Locke’s theory on human nature, all individuals are born with a blank slate that is eventually affected by one’s surroundings.
My grandfather is a man of sixty-eight years of age who has lived through many impactful events that occurred in America and are currently being studied in schools today. Having been born in the midst of World War II, my grandfather was witness to events that affected his beliefs greatly. The hearings against Adolf Eichmann, he says, impacted him greatly as a child. He says that even at that young age he could not fathom how individuals could purposefully detriment another human being. He emphasized his belief in complete equality for all. In his words, everyone is created equal and should have equal opportunities; no group, whether they are the majority or minority, should have the upperhand. In conjunction, the persecution of the Jewish people was difficult to understand for my grandfather for these reasons. Further, he mentioned that his insight on the civil rights also greatly affected his political views. As a child, my grandfather never understood why there had to be a movement for one’s rights that granted civil rights legislation when the constitution stated that all men were created equal. As opposed to his father, my grandfather did not advocate for the separate but equal view on segregation. These differing political ideologies created moments of contention in his household. He recalled there being separate water fountains for white and colored people as a child. As a result, having a first hand look at segregation, my grandfather was deeply touched and developed views opposite of those who were for Jim Crow laws.
In addition, the constitution, in his eyes, embodies his wholehearted belief of government and democracy. He highly regards the ninth and tenth amendments for several reasons. According to my grandfather, federal government’s sole purposes are to serve as a pillar for protection of its country and provide infrastructure. Further, all other responsibilities are to be granted to the states as long as it's in line with the constitution. Essentially, there should be limited federal government involvement in accordance with those individual rights not stated in the constitution. These beliefs were influenced greatly by John F. Kennedy. My grandfather admired former president Kennedy and saw him as an idealist. He recalled that at his funeral, one of the Kennedy brothers stated that JFK had once said “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.” Not only did this statement greatly impact my grandfather but so did Kennedy’s assassination. My grandfather greatly revered president Kennedy for being a moral citizen rather than a politician, although he was not in office for long.
When being questioned about his political affiliation, my grandfather expressed his distaste for labeling one’s party association. He then proceeded to quote George Washington’s farewell address and his wariness of forming political parties. However, for the sake of this essay, my grandfather said that he leans more right and tends to agree more with Republicans’ ideology. Originally, he says, at a much younger age he considered himself a Democrat when the platform stood for democracy. However, he changed his affiliation when the Democratic platform chose to give away everything in exchange for votes. This political conversion occurred during former president Ronald Reagan’s terms. Then, my grandfather commenced to quote a Alexander Fraser Tytler’s belief on democracy: “it can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury.” Further, his distaste with the Democratic platform began when the party advocated for what he called “handouts.” Further, people are to pull their own weight rather than rely on welfare. In his eyes, these welfare programs are for those who are truly needy, such as people suffering from mental illness and widowed mothers. Hence, once there was a shift in his political affiliation whenever the parties’ positions were altered.
In addition, my grandfather expressed that at his age, he is to the point that he has not voted for a desired president once, but rather voted for the lesser of the two evils.
However, this in mind, he wholeheartedly believes that each individual vote is important. Further, he stated that the root of our government’s problem is that individuals will vote for an incumbent for the mere fact that they are an incumbent rather than their platforms. An ideal form of government for my grandfather is for statesmen to run government. To clarify, individuals would serve a maximum of two terms and then continue to lead their previous career, rather than make a career as a politician. In addition, there needs to be an increase in voter turnout for a great difference to be made in all levels of government. Through these means an ideal government can be formed.
Having experiences many hardships and witnessed many large historical events, my grandfather has a political ideology much different from mine. Although my grandfather and I have lived together for many years, our ideologies differ greatly. Having been born and raised in a different era than my grandfather, our experiences are quite different, affecting our ideals. In conclusion, individuals’ blank slates are painted with the catalysts that are one’s different experiences and
events.