Political Profile Paper

A political norm for me may be different for another, though there may also be
similarities in beliefs. Compared to the other people in the class, there isnt much of a difference.
This is most likely because we are all from the same town and have grown around people who
believe the same things. To kick start my political endeavors, I questioned why people who were
homosexual couldnt marry. Such a heavy topic I had engaged myself in at the young age of 11.
It started off by my friend telling me that she was bisexual and it was brought to my attention
that, because at home homosexuality wasnt seen so much as a sin but more so something that
was odd, that she wouldnt be able to marry a girl if she so chose. Middle school came with its
teases and taunts and my arsenal of questions I needed answers too. Why couldnt my friend
marry a girl if she wanted? How could my friend be bisexual if her parents are vigorously
religious? How? Why? All these questions that I stowed away for the later years of my life, and
in a way, I am glad I did.
Political socialization begins from the day one is born into the world-- for me it was no
different. My political world would be molded by the figures that I was surrounded by. I grew in
a Catholic home with a mother who was very religious and a father that followed her in her
belief. My siblings and me followed in her footsteps at home, but I also believe that I flourished
at school due to many outside influences on the sun-warmed black top. Friends have heavily
impacted my life-- beliefs were swapped like secrets under the sap tree in the courtyard and
slowly I began to see the difference from my home environment and my school environment. No

doubt, my family beliefs still weighed heavy on my ever influential mind at the time. The
generation I have grown up in, given that most of us have grown in the community of Salinas,
tend to have a more open mindset. Television was all the rage for children--it is the best
babysitter after all-- even when the channel was switched from cartoons to the local news.
Children follow in the familys belief substantially more willingly than any other. Positive
attitudes hold themselves in family beliefs and when, as a child, the parents dont believe in
something the children dont either. Given this, it was hard for me to comprehend why my friend
was bisexual if she was raised in a Christian household. My knowledge of Christianity and
homosexuality at the time consisted of homosexuality being a sin and Christians saying that they
still had their hands open in the name of love for their belief. Being very young, I thought about
this until my head erupted in headaches. In later years as my friend and I both grew, I remember
asking her how she was bisexual if her parents were against it. She told me that it wasnt so
much the hatred she payed attention to, but the passion that the religion had for finding love in
G-d. She went on by saying that she didnt think hatred should be preached and that she no
longer found a connection from her parents G-d. From this I knew that outside influences played
a big part of her life. My experience with politics have vastly surrounded those of minority
issues. When I was younger, my parents often complained that there wasnt enough Hispanic
representation in the political world and I even went as far as to tell them that I would become
president so that I could help all the people of my ethnicity. Politically active as my parents say
they are varies from how active they actually are. They vote in presidential elections, otherwise I
dont recognize if they do anything else. The political genre was a talk at the table, something
discussed over coffee, but never really a topic to be I will take matters in my own hands and
make a difference. Even upon speaking to them they said that their vote wouldnt make a

difference, which can be defined as a low political efficacy. I, however, do not believe the same
as they do. I believe my vote could weigh highly on a decision made in the political world if
many people who believe the same as I, vote.
As Ive taken the same political ideology test as the students in my government class, my
view of politics was deemed to be that of a libertarian. I actually dont agree with this test
because the questions were framed oddly and some seemed to be very biased. Compared to poll
data for the political views of my generation, it seemed to be more liberal than any other. My
generation is one that allows for more change and is one with a more open mind. For example, I
am more open minded for a change in the marriage genre, than my parents who often dont
approve of change. I strongly associate myself with many beliefs that are liberal, but can also
find myself agreeing to ideas of another political ideology.
I can say that I have a mindset of do what you feel is best for you, as long as you are not
hurting or discriminating anyone. I dont like it when people criticize my belief, so why should I
discriminate anothers? I have a strong political tolerance for others, but still hold close to what I
believe in. Because of my own belief, I would not support Neo-Nazis protesting outside of a
Holocaust museum. Yes, I believe they have the right to exercise their belief. No, I do not
support them because the Holocaust was a horrible event. I often find myself stuck between not
saying a word to people of different belief and just telling them my belief. If I speak of my belief
they will most likely feel as if their belief is being threatened even if it wasnt my intention. I
wouldnt support people protesting outside a womens healthcare clinic because of their belief
against abortion. I think at that point people are just fighting for what they believe, as I would do
the same for something I believe in. The world is a place filled with people who hold their

beliefs: to each his own. There is a limit to when people should be stopped from expressing their
belief and thats when violence is used.
Seeing as I have a high political efficacy, I do have trust in the government. Many people
do not trust the government because of past scandals-- the Watergate scandal, promises not kept
by politicians, etc. Im willing to look past these events for some reasons: if we do not trust our
government, how can we grow as a nation, will this inevitably impact the future, and if people do
not trust their government, how is it possible to be deemed a nation. A nation with citizens who
do not believe in it cannot, in my opinion, change for the better. Especially considering the
type of government the United States is under, a federal republic needs its people to trust it. It
wouldnt be a federal republic if the people didnt believe in it, thus not participate in it. The
population in the U.S. has both people with high and low efficacies, and whereas all participation
is wanted, complete participation is feared. It is feared because with total participation, there
comes a lack of open-mindedness and change. One of the main factors that impact participation
in politics is trust of the government. My trust in the government does differ from those who do
not trust it, but I believe we all believe that there is a common care for the government.
My level of political efficacy is high -- if enough people who believe in the same thing as
I do, we can make an impact in politics and government. Political efficacy can be measured in
surveys/polls that ask whether a person believes that their vote can make a difference in politics
and government. The American public is divided by those who believe that their vote can make a
difference and by those who believe otherwise. Feelings of being cheated or just feelings of
being an individual can impact a person to not vote. Even a thought of not being able to make an
influence in such a huge population can impact a voters decision to vote. These feelings can

arise out of not having an interest in politics. Something that can change this belief is if a certain
topic sparks interest in a voter.
I consider myself a liberal, as I can gather out of the seventeen years of my life so far. I
agree with the idea of change because society and government is ever changing and some laws of
the past, or those not made, do not always suit the demand of the people. The recent poll I took
along with the class depicted me as being a libertarian though I find myself more as a liberal. As
I choose to be liberal may not be a surprise, seeing as the generation Ive grown up in is very into
changing what is deems needs to be changed, there are varying people with their own beliefs. I
have no cause to rob someone of the foundation in which they most agree with, for this is often
due to the way they were raised and the circumstances they were in. There are those who do
believe differently than I, and there are many who seek quarrel with those who do not agree with
them. I do not associate myself with those who criticize others-- we are all trying to find a
society where the beliefs and morals match our own. Unity is a big part of the human race, and
as we all seek it, we influence our surroundings to adhere to our demands. This takes form as the
government-- those who truly wish to have their opinions heard will do so in their right to
petition and assemble. My peers that have taken the test have had some complaints of the poll
not accurately measuring their belief and I the same. Whether they have the same beliefs as me
or not, I do not find myself entrapped, but more so in how they have come to believe in what
they do. My understanding of political ideologies is very limited though I would like to change
that. Being a citizen in the United States has already impacted my political belief in the
seventeen years I have been alive; I look forward to seeing what topics venture into the minds of
the people as they vote in favor for a law or not-- or if they decide to vote at all.