Flip-Flopping Political Ideologies - Essay Example

The era between late 20th and early 21st century was a time characterized by flip-flopping political ideologies. The serious difference between the old Democrat turned modern republican, as well as the old freethinking beliefs from the Lyndon B. Johnson and FDR era domestic reform coupled with international aid developed into a more contemporary democrat with worries regarding the future of America as a global power and as a prosperous modern society becoming separated from the conventional corrupt and aggressive government practices of yester years (Leuchtenburg, 2015). 

It all began when the much loathed president of all time, Richard M. Nixon resigned. Nixon would finally be labeled an extremist radical and a crook republican by the Watergate scandal (Wittekind & Gerhardt, 2013).  Unfortunately, this did not affect the American populace into electing 1980's more reasonably conservative contestant Ronald Reagan following the moderately uneventful regimes of Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford (Leuchtenburg, 2015). Reagan was indeed what many Americans required at that time-an adorable and a well-liked, soft-spoken ex-governor of California (Rossinow, 2015).  Reagan won by an overwhelming margin trouncing Jimmy Carter for a second term. Reagan was more moderate compared to Nixon, nevertheless, his ideology was still very much similar to old democratic positions on domestic and economic issues. Reagan's "Reaganomics" trickle down economic blueprint was on the basis of reducing taxes to assist the rich on gaining money which would in turn encourage growth of business, with the money finally trickling down to the poor through growth in job market and more wages (Rossinow, 2015). "Reaganomics" was criticized by several economists with some Republicans even thinking it was not a realistic plan whose effect would be detrimental to America's economy. The Republicans further argued that "Reaganomics" was a long-term plan that would never be helpful to the poor. President Reagan loathed organized labor and ruthlessly cut off over $40 billion from social problems and domestic spending, a move that held back the poor (Rossinow, 2015). The economy, by 1983, was in a big come back since the tax cuts and growing consumer expenditure, nevertheless this never lasted for long since the stock market came tumbling down, bringing numerous industries with it. Nancy Reagan, the first lady, also led the Just Say No crusade across America to alter the free spirited drug affected youth culture of 1960s and 1970s and assist the new generation in keeping off these temptations and ending the voice of the liberal minded young fighters of social change (Rossinow, 2015).

The coming to an end of the cold war was an extremely important occurrence of the 80's, with the American society which was conservative dominated loving this bookend to an extremely long stale mate against the threat of communism. The fall of the Berlin wall coupled with the fact that President Gorbachev of Russia fell into a sequence of agreements with America and accepted to reject communist ideologies which lead to the breakup of the Soviet Union, resulting into a power struggle mess in eastern Europe, that would be typified by government shifts and rebellions for many years that followed (Service, 2016).

The US community of the 80s throughout the flourishing 90s lacked the influence of the student and youth fuelled liberal 60s as well as 70s. Following the end of Reagan's term, the somewhat aggressive Bush senior who assumed office during the conflict between Kuwait and Iraq, which led to the Persian Gulf conflict (Service, 2016). The US, firmly believed that they ought to support the Kuwaitis and hence sent some three hundred thousand troops to Iraq while acquiring support from the UN. The Gulf war received a lot of media coverage like no other conflict before and came to an end after only 8 weeks of the American troops marching into Iraq and threatening to topple Saddam Hussein's corrupt regime. many democrats were opposed to the war, nevertheless their voices were drowned by the antagonistic conservatives holding office (Service, 2016).

The only savior for New Democrats was Bill Clinton, who immediately attempted fixing the mess that he inherited. Clinton launched a crusade for domestic reform, shedding light on emerging issues like environmental conservation and disaster relief endeavors. Clinton furthermore supported the poor through his welfare program which came under severe criticism from such republicans as Newt Gingrich. Clinton also assented to the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy which targeted homosexuals serving in the US forces (White, 2012). This policy was controversial since at the time AIDs and gays were believed to be related and thus the policy did not profit gays in the forces which resulted in Clinton losing lots of support from the gays. The LGBT community continued being angry with the manner in which the liberals were dealing with issues of equality both in the military and workplace, and were particularly disregarded something that led to the formation of another group of conservative LGBTs in the election between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama (Greenberg, 2017).

Following the tumultuous and perhaps corrupt 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, the US encountered one of the worst disasters in modern times when the World Trade Centre was attacked by terrorists in September 11th, completely changing the manner in which Americans regarded their internal security (Zelizer, 2010). The administration of George W. Bush capitalized on the nation's confusion, anger and fear to gain legitimacy for Iraq invasion as well as Osama Bin Laden's manhunt. Anti-US groups all over the world became extremely vocal and Americans for the first time were experiencing a massive growth in homeland security coupled with never seen before rise in unity and patriotism (Zelizer, 2010).

Following the end of George W Bush's term, a new era started with Barack Obama's 2009 historic election. America would no longer be controlled by obsessive conservative ideologies bent on annihilating any liberal inclined foreign policy and social reform (Zelizer, 2010). The argument by historians regarding the switch between republicans and democrats is legitimate in regards to them altering names of their affiliations, and the stubborn beliefs of the old democratic southern were witnessed and relived via the regimes of the republican leaders coupled with the turning over of the reform programs from clashing Democratic and Republican perspectives that has put a wedge between the parties in this time and age which may shoot up in the future especially since each party runs over one another other's progress as far as reform to power, legislation and laws is concerned (Zelizer, 2010).

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Immigration entails leaving one's country of birth and going to settle in a foreign nation. The US has been christened as the land of melting pot which is flocked by foreign immigrants hoping to live the "American Dream." Thus, a wide array of factors such as crop failure, overpopulation, religious persecution, famine, violence as well as industrial depression had been the force behind for most immigrants especially in the late 19th century as well as early 20th century, and came to be known as the "new immigration."

The US, in the 1980s welcomed not only the most diverse but also the largest group of immigrants since the 20th century began. Amongst this cohort of immigrants was a close family friend called Maya Park. Maya was a native of Korea, grew up in Venezuela and moved to the US in 1980, aged only 12 years. Maya's parents had moved to Venezuela so that they could enroll for Spanish classes while in University. Maya's parents were often shuttling between Venezuela and Korea and during that period got Maya's brother. Whereas born in Venezuela, Maya 18 months later was born in Korea and moved with the family for almost 2 years till the reunification with other family members in Venezuela.

The hope of better standards of living, better wages, good education for their children, coupled with a wide array of jobs were the motivating forces for Maya's decision to migrate to the US. Whereas all the above promises were tempting, maybe the largest motivation for their emigration was the prevalent, extreme and rampant poverty in Venezuela during that era.

The 80's was an era of quite unique activity in the making of immigration policies. Normally reforms in immigration occurs rarely, yet during the 1980-1990 time span, Congress enacted 3 distinct statues; the 1980's Refuge Act, 1986's Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) and 1990's Immigration Act. These three legislations put together significantly changed the regulations controlling suitability for legal status, the available benefits to immigrants as well as the strategies to be used for enforcing them. The 1986's Immigration Reform and Control Act had an important role in Maya's family immigration process. The entry to the US for both Maya and her family was quite pleasant since they all got visas. The visas enabled them to remain in America as long as they were in school. Maya's parents, unfortunately had tourist visas, hence they frequently travelled between Venezuela and Miami. Maya's mother in January 1988, was unfortunately held by immigration officials at Miami International Airport during one of her US re-entries. The officials were suspicious that she had "overstayed" and hence gave her the alternative of either returning to Venezuela or being detained at Krome Detention Center-an immigration prison. Immediately Maya's mother booked the next flight to Venuezela, and got stuck there for almost one year. Luckily for them, the IRCA allowed both long-term undocumented as well as unique agricultural workers who had illegally entered the US to remain. Consequently, Maya's family eventually were granted a permanent resident status on the condition that they were to exit and then re-enter the US. Maya and her siblings finally reunited with their parents in Venezuela and returned together to Miami, Florida after the holidays were over.

Once in the US. Maya and her family, just like other several immigrants encountered an array of cultural obstacles like racial discrimination, and learning a new language. Maya claims, " I was an embarrassed 11 year-old, and avoided conversing in English since I felt extremely self-conscious in regard to my accent." Maya's parents were finally forced to pay for private tuition, a move that helped her significantly.

Whereas Maya made it to the USS, she was one of the lucky individuals to have not only her siblings but also parents with her. Like numerous other immigrants, Maya still had most of her relatives in both Venezuela and Korea, who faced tough times migrating to America. Maya's cousin who is quite close to her and currently living in Venezuela is preparing to immigrate to the US. Maya narrates how her cousin would give anything to come to the US and is quite stressed about the process. Though an established dentist having postgraduate degrees in periodontics and orthodontics, Maya's cousin would give up all this to go to the US and is wiling to take a job as a dental hygienist. Unfortunately if Maya's cousin continues living in Venezuela, he will encounter serious political, social and economical problems, such as frequent kidnappings that occur at least 5 times every week.

Several individuals, Maya included, change their view on America the moment they get there. For instance, Maya thought every child had his own room, attended a good school, owned a dog and took tennis and piano lessons. Although Maya did not get all the above, she was at least able to acquire a good education and was safe from harsh realities she would have encountered in Venezuela. Maya's perception of America has significantly changed through the years. Nonetheless, Maya admits that in spite of the numerous flaws America faces, it still remains the best place to live. Regrettably, but understandingly, there has always been existence of an anti-immigrant attitude, that affects Maya from being with all her family members. Although it may seem that Maya and her family immigration process was unique, there exists millions others who encountered much unforgiving and harder times. Maya and her family were extremely lucky to get residency in America, however with ever-shifting immigration policies, some people have not been as lucky. There still continues to be serious debates as to what America's practice and stance ought to be as pertains to what immigration as well as those willing to migrate is.

Definition and Significance

1. Bill Gates. Gates is a US business magnate, programmer, investor, philanthropist and inventor. He has held various posts in Microsoft such as CEO, Chairman and even chief software architect. Gates has not only owns the largest stock in Microsoft but has also been ranked among the world's richest persons from 1987. Gates is one of well known entrepreneurs and is currently involved in philanthropy through the Bill and Belinda Gates foundation (Strother, 2010).

2. Star wars (not the movie) (page. President Reagan on 23rd March 1983, proposed the formation of the ambitious Strategic Defense Initiative (DSI) project, which was aimed at constructing a space based anti-missile system. The DSI was quickly christened "Star Wars."This project was meant to safeguard the US from a potential Soviet attack through the interception of missiles at various stages of their flight. The DSI system would provide the US the power required, however, the needed technology, unfortunately proved to be so complicated (Rossinow, 2015). 

3. Condoleezza Rice-Rice served as secretary of state to the US from 2005-2009 and in 1989 became advisor to President Bush on Soviet Affairs. That same year, Rice became a member of the National Security Counsel. Additionally, Rice is a US diplomat and political scientist. Rice was the second individual to hold office in President Bush's administration and served as the 66th US Secretary of States. She was an strong-spirited person who started the Transformational Diplomacy policy in the Middle East. Rice laid emphasis on aiding democratically elected regimes facing challenges (Bumiller 2009). 

4. Exxon Valdez-Exxon Valdez is gigantic oil tanker which got its name after getting grounded in Prince William Sound pouring over ten million oil gallons. This incident endangered coastal inhabitants, in addition to killing thousands of shore birds and sea otters. Alaska's fisheries were also jeopardized by the accident. Exxon Valdez was the 2nd biggest oil spill in the history of the US. Although Bush regretted the spill, he however emphasized that the energy-hungry of the US needed ever more oil, natural gas and coal (Leacock, 2005). 

5. No Child Left Behind-The No Child Left Behind Act is an American Act of congress which is a re-approval of the Elementary as well as Secondary Education Act, that comprised Title I, the flagship aid program of the US government founded on the principle that developing high standards coupled with setting measurable objectives can enhance the outcomes of an individual in education. Moreover, the act doesn't affirm a national accomplishment standard; each individual states sets the standards. This act increased the role of Federal government in public education via annual testing, report cards, annual academic progress, funding changes and qualifications of teachers (Olivert, 2007).