Conservatives generally favor small government, low taxes, and limited spending focused on defense. They believe individuals should be responsible for themselves and the government should protect rights and freedoms. Liberals believe the government should provide services to citizens and help those in need through higher taxes on the wealthy. On economic issues, conservatives support tax cuts and less regulation to encourage business growth, while liberals support stimulus spending and extended unemployment benefits to boost the economy. Conservatives prioritize eliminating the deficit while liberals may accept some deficit spending to help the economy. Views also differ on issues like the environment, healthcare, marriage, education, and abortion.

1. Political SpectrumPolitical Spectrum
IssuesIssues

2. DefinitionsDefinitions
 ConservativeConservative - disposed to preserve existing- disposed to preserve existing
conditions, institutions, etc., or to restoreconditions, institutions, etc., or to restore
traditional ones, and to limit change.traditional ones, and to limit change.
 LiberalLiberal - favorable to progress or reform, as in- favorable to progress or reform, as in
political or religious affairs.political or religious affairs.

3. Purpose of GovernmentPurpose of Government
CONSERVATIVECONSERVATIVE
““Protect Me”Protect Me”
Rights, PropertyRights, Property
& Freedom& Freedom
Small GovernmentSmall Government
is Beautifulis Beautiful
LIBERALLIBERAL
““Help Me”Help Me”
Govt. providesGovt. provides
services to itsservices to its
citizenscitizens
We must meet theWe must meet the
needs of ourneeds of our
citizenscitizens

4. TaxesTaxes
 ConservativesConservatives
You should keep your money =You should keep your money =
low taxeslow taxes
Spending limited mainly onSpending limited mainly on
defensedefense
 LiberalsLiberals
Govt. must helpGovt. must help
AmericansAmericans
Wealthy should payWealthy should pay
higher taxes to helphigher taxes to help
the poorthe poor

5. How to fix the economyHow to fix the economy
 Cut taxes, andCut taxes, and
encourageencourage
businesses to addbusinesses to add
jobs withjobs with
corporate taxcorporate tax
breaks.breaks.
 Stop spending $$Stop spending $$
we don’t have.we don’t have.
Stimulate the
Economy by spending
federal dollars, even if
this creates federal
debt.
Extend
unemployment
benefits.

6. BusinessBusiness
 Govt. should promoteGovt. should promote
free marketfree market
 Leave CorporationsLeave Corporations
alonealone
Wall Street should beWall Street should be
regulatedregulated

7. Balanced Budget?Balanced Budget?
 ConservativeConservative
We do not want deficitWe do not want deficit
spending and mustspending and must
eliminate debteliminate debt
We owe it to our kidsWe owe it to our kids
 LiberalLiberal
We may have to allow toWe may have to allow to
some deficit spending insome deficit spending in
order to help control theorder to help control the
economyeconomy

8. War on TerrorWar on Terror

9. Treatment of TerroristsTreatment of Terrorists
We should do whatever it
takes to protect America
We have lost a
Constitution for a
reason and we should
use them.
Everyone is entitled to
their day in court.

10. Death PenaltyDeath Penalty

11. ImmigrationImmigration

12. Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

13. EnvironmentEnvironment

14. EnergyEnergy

15. HealthcareHealthcare

16. MarraigeMarraige

17. EducationEducation

18. AbortionAbortion

19. Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research