1. THE NEW YORK
CITY MAYORAL
ELECTION 2013:
WHO WILL GET MY
VOTE
By: Brandon Dat
Period 7
2. Question 1
DOES YOUR WORLD VIEW TEND TO BE MORE LIBERAL OR MORE CONSERVATIVE?
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE POLITICAL/ECONOMIC/SOCIAL SPECTRUM? WHAT
BELIEFS DO YOU HOLD THAT SUPPORT THIS/THESE PARTICULAR PLACEMENTS ON
THE POLITICAL/ECONOMIC/SOCIAL SPECTRUM? WHICH POLITICAL PARTY WOULD
YOU BE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME AFFILIATED WITH? EXPLAIN.
3. My ideology
As I became more aware of political
policies and beliefs, I realized that my
world views tend to be more liberal. If
I were to analyze the political
spectrum more thoroughly, I would
be a moderate. Furthermore, as I
look at the economic spectrum, it is
clear that I share capitalistic views
along with hints of socialism. I
believe that it is essential to have
government regulations in economic
activities. Lastly, I believe that in
order to have social development it is
necessary to be selfish but also be
fittingly philanthropic.
4. Political Spectrum:
- I believe there should be government laws
that prevent fraud from private business’.
- There should be laws that protect the
environment.
- The government should aid those in need.
- The upper class (the rich) should be taxed a
larger percent of their income, and taxes for
the middle and lower class should be
reduced.
-
Social Spectrum:
I support welfare and the aid to citizens
in need.
The social security system should be
tampered with.
Same-sex marriage should be allowed.
There should be a separation of church
and state
Economic Spectrum
- I personally believe government
regulates the economy is
best. Government must protect citizens
from the greed of big business’.
Government regulation in all areas of the
economy is needed in order to prevent
fraud.
5. POLITICAL PARTY THAT I AM MOST
LIKELY TO BECOME AFFILIATED WITH
From looking at the ideologies of the Republican and Democratic
parties, I believe that I most likely will be affiliated with the
Democratic Party. The Democratic Party shares most of my
social, economic, and political views. For example, they believe in
more government regualtions in the economy. From the social
perspective, the Democrats share almost all of my views.
6. Question 2
SELECT 1 NEW YORK CITY ISSUE AND RESEARCH THE VARIOUS POSITIONS
THAT ARE TAKEN.
DEFINE THE ISSUE (WHY ARE THERE DISAGREEMENTS AND
CONTROVERSIES?) WHAT ARE THE EXTREME POSITIONS ON THESE ISSUES?
THE MODERATE POSITIONS?
7. STOP AND FRISK AND RACIAL
PROFILING
Stop and Frisk is a major issue that New Yorkers face everyday.
However, it is quite evident that minorities are the individuals
targeted in the stop and frisk policy.
There are is a major disagreement between the mayoral office
and the city council. The City Council believes that the stop and
frisk policy is a violation of the rights of the people of New York.
However, the mayor and law enforcers have a contrasting view.
They believe that it is in the best interest of New York to maintain
this policy since it helps prevent crimes.
The City Council is complaining that this policy targets
minorities, primarily Hispanics and African Americans. The mayor
however, feels that there is not enough minorities being “stopped
and frisked”.
8. EXTREME AND MODERATE POSITIONS
Extreme Positions
The “Stop and Frisk” policy
should be enforced, and
minorities should be the most
targeted because they
commit the highest
percentage of crimes.
The Stop and Frist policy
should be deemed
unconstitutional because this
policy is a complete violation
of New Yorkers rights.
Moderate Positions
This policy should be allowed
only in areas where the crime
rate is high.
There should be no biased
actions taken by laws
enforcers that target
minorities.
This policy should not be
heavily enforced, and if used
the law enforcer should have a
legitimate reason in enacting
this policy.
9. Question 3
IDENTIFY YOUR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE AND EXPLAIN HOW THE STAND YOU TAKE MIRRORS OR
CONTRADICTS YOUR GENERAL POLITICAL/ECONOMIC/SOCIAL IDEOLOGY.
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE ISSUE? WHY DO YOU TAKE THIS PARTICULAR STAND? IN YOUR
OPINION, IS YOUR POSITION EXTREME OR MODERATE? EXPLAIN. DO ALL OF THE STANDS YOU TAKE
ON THE ISSUES MATCH WITH THE IDEOLOGY YOU HOLD? IF YES, WHY? IF NO, WHY NOT?
10. MY STAND ON THE ISSUE/ MY
REASONING
I personally believe that stop
and frisk should only be
permitted in times when
police officers have
legitimate reason or
evidence that would require
them to frisk an individual.
Furthermore, there should be
no biased actions taken by
laws enforcers that target
minorities.
New York citizens should
have the right to report an
officer that frisks them with
no legitimate reason.
The reason I share these
views is because the United
States was created on the
premise that all men are
created equal. Furthermore, I
personally believe that
frisking is a direct violation of
our rights.
11. IS MY VIEW MODERATE OR
EXTREME
From my perspective I believe that I share a moderate view on the
stop and frisk policy. I do not regard this policy as
unconstitutional, and I do believe that this policy is necessary
New York.
Based on my ideologies, my view seems moderately
republican, meaning that my stand on this issue is not entirely
reflective of the ideologies I hold.
With that being said, I understand that the worries of many non-
supporters of the stop and frisk policy.
12. Question 4
IDENTIFY THE STANDS THAT ARE TAKEN ON YOUR SELECTED ISSUES BY THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES.
BASED ON THEIR DEBATES, SPEECHES, WEBSITES, COMMERCIALS IN WHICH THEY GIVE THEIR
POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES: ARE THEIR STANDS CONSISTENT OVER TIME OR DO THEY “FLIP-FLOP”? DO
THEIR STANDS ON THE ISSUES AGREE WITH OR CONTRADICT THEIR PUBLIC IDEOLOGIES? DO THEIR
IDEOLOGIES MATCH THEIR POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATIONS? GIVE EXAMPLES.
13. MAIN CANDIDATES POSITIONS: ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE, OR WOULD YOU ELIMINATE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S
STOP, QUESTION AND FRISK PRACTICE?
Mr. de Blasio
Mr, Lhota
According to Bill de Blasio, the
stop and frisk policy has not
helped society in any
substantial way. He believes
that this policy just causes
distrust between law
enforcement and New Yorker’s.
Mr. Lhota called the stop-andfrisk tactic “an essential tool” in
crime reduction. By way of
changes, he said, “I will
enhance communication with
the public so they have a better
understanding of the tactic, as
well as continuous training of
the N.Y.P.D. to ensure its
proper use.”
14. EACH CANDIDATES CONSISTENCY
Mr. De Blasio
According to the New York
Times, the Post, and multiple
analysts, it is clear that De
Blasio was determined to end
the stop and frisk policy.
“Lhota's recent campaign
advertisement went so far as
to claim that de Blasio’s public
safety policies will lead to race
riots and increased murder
rates”.
De Blasio maintained his
position on the stop and frisk
policy.
Mr. Lhota
Lhota also maintained his
position on the stop and frisk
policy. He did not flop on any
of his claims.
On the contrary, Lhota
created ads that reflected his
support of the stop and frisk
policy.
Both candidates sparred over
this matter in the debates.
15. Question 5
WHO ARE THEY? WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? DO THEY HAVE ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS? WHAT
EXPERIENCE DO THEY HAVE? IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF COMPANY N.Y.C. WHAT QUESTION(S) WOULD
YOU ASK BEFORE YOU WOULD SELECT THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB? WHAT MATTERS MOST TO
YOU FROM THE CANDIDATE’S BIOGRAPHIES? COULD THIS AFFECT YOUR CHOICE OF CANDIDATE? WILL
AGE, RACE, RELIGION, ETHNICITY, GENDER IMPACT YOUR DECISION? EXPLAIN. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT
FOR US TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WITH THE PERSON WE ELECT OR THAT THE PERSON WE ELECT
STANDS WITH US ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER THE MOST TO US? EXPLAIN.
16. BIOGRAPHIES: BILL DE BLASIO AND
JOSEPH LHOTA
Bill de Blasio
De Blasio is a New York City public
advocate. He formerly served as a New
York City council member.
He was born in Manhattan, however he
was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He received his bachelors degree from
New York University (NYU) and then
received his masters from Columbia
University’s School of International and
Public Affairs.
His first job was in the Urban Fellows
Program. He then worked for a nonprofit
organization focused on improving health
care in Central America.
Joseph Lhota
Lhota is the former chairman
of the New York City
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority. He is also a former
deputy mayor under Giuliani.
He was born in the Bronx.
He graduated with honors
from Georgetown University
and then attended Harvard
Business School.
17. MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE
BIOGRAPHIES
From my perspective both candidates academic credentials are
outstanding. Bill de Blasio’s experience has a public advocate and
city council member shows his commitment and knowledge of the
issues of New York.
Joseph Lhota’s experience as a deputy mayor under Giuliani also
shows that he has experience as a leader for New York.
However, I believe that Bill de Blasio will have a greater
connection to the people of New York.
More importantly, it is essential that the candidate that I choose
shares the same views as I do on the most important topic.
18. Question 6
IDEOLOGICALLY, WHICH OF THE CANDIDATE’S WORLD VIEWS COMES
CLOSEST TO YOURS? OF THE TWO, WHO TAKES THE MOST SIMILAR STANDS
ON THE ISSUES? WHOSE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA IS MORE SIGNIFICANT TO
YOU?
19. Who do I choose?
After a thorough analysis of each of
the candidates, I can fairly say the
perspectives on the issues of New
York that de Blasio has, most closely
relates to my views. For instance, his
focus on helping small business’ and
enhancing New York City’s education
standards parallels the importance
that I place on these matters.
21. Bill de Blasio
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, BILL DE BLASIO SHARES MOST CLOSELY SHARES
MY PERSPECTIVES ON THE ISSUES OF NEW YORK. HIS POLICIES RELATE
DIRECTLY TO MY IDEOLOGIES. BASED ON HIS BACKGROUND
INFORMATION, DE BLASIO ALSO HAS MORE CREDENTIALS TO BECOME THE
MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY. HOWEVER, I AGREE WITH MR. LHOTA ON THE
STOP AND FRISK POLICY.
