Political Ideologies of the United States - Essay Example

Many political ideologies exist in the U.S. ranging from far right-wing conservatism to far-leftist philosophy. Though varying political viewpoints among the general population may lie seemingly dormant for periods of time, events, or a series of events, causes an awakening of these deep-seated feelings. Within the past few years, many such events have instigated a widespread emotional response by those who want change and others fighting to resist change. When a segment of society is relatively satisfied with the status quo, their political philosophy is seldom voiced but if not, the voices grow louder and larger in number which wakes the sleeping ideological giant. Ideologies are formed by a person’s innermost beliefs, cultivated by years of thought and shaped by life’s numerous experiences. An ideological debate causes a more emotive response in individuals than does any other. Political ideologies can never die and in politically turbulent times, such as these, are very much alive. The 9-11 attacks, the abortion the war in Iraq, the loss of civil liberties, global warming, health care, gay marriage, stem cell research, and many other politically motivating subjects have ignited emotional ideological battles. The conservative ideology is based upon their interpretation of Christian-based morality. Conservatives are against the government regulating corporations but are very much for legislation that regulates the private conduct of individuals and for advancing their religious agenda regardless of the irreparable damage to civil rights and liberties or the scientific or constitutional evidence that is contrary to their opinion. Abortion, stem cells, teaching evolution, and gay marriage are preeminent examples of current ideological debates between Conservatives and Liberals.

Those of a conservative ideology is against legalizing abortion. They believe it to be murder and are crusading to save babies’ lives. However, conservatives are also against funding prenatal care programs and post-natal welfare-type programs designed to feed and clothe small children. Liberals believe this logic to be contradictory (Lakoff, 2002). Both opponents and supporters of abortion rights have become increasingly vocal since it became legal in the U.S. (Klitsch, 1990). People opposed to legal abortions are also in the same camp that opposes programs that aid the impoverished and abused children who are the result of unwanted pregnancies. They point to ‘Christian morals’ and ‘family values’ as justification for the loss of liberty, discrimination of the poor, and the increased cases of injured women.

Though the legality regarding the Roe v. Wade (1973) decision can be easily argued, it must be admitted that since the issue remains strongly argued more than 30 years after, opponents may be justified in believing the right to an abortion should not be thought of as fundamental. Fundamental rights continue to prove basic truths in the operation of a society. Court rulings that prevented the segregation of the races are now accepted by the public and so can be viewed as fundamental rights. Abortion rights do not enjoy this generally agreed-upon view so it is fair to debate the issue even on legal grounds though that is seldom the arena for debate. It is understood, however, that the majority of Americans do agree with the Court’s decision and believe it to be a fundamental right (Dorf, 2003).

The moral dilemma that surrounds the prohibition of aborted fetuses is the idea of abortion itself. The Bush administration has made it very clear that it is opposed to legal abortions, in at least most circumstances, and has transferred this ideology to its prohibition of embryonic stem cell research. The concept of the scientific study of the next stage of development, the fetus, which resulted from abortion, is unthinkable. This ideology of the administration reflects the minority which opposes abortion and also reflects the majority that is opposed to aborted fetuses of consenting parents being used for experimentation. This reality has no basis in reason. Why would those who claim to be ‘pro-choice’ want to waste the aborted tissue and why would pro-lifers want to witness what they believe is a living being tossed away in vain? At least its ‘life’ could have meant something to humanity in a very real way.