Editorial Overview

What should the government role in the economy be?

The original liberal-conservative split was political: monarchy, order, and tradition versus democracy, revolution, and change. With the Industrial Revolution, the question turned to economics and the idea of "economic rights". It was unfettered markets and social stability versus workers rights and government involvement. In the post-Industrial Age, the issues may be different but the question remains: how involved should the government be in economic decisions?

Conservative Response

One thing the introduction left out is a key component for conservatives: the rule of law. Yes we believe in the market, but also the law. Without the rule of law, corruption and crime become the rule.

Having said that, the conservative idea is that people should be left to make a living for themselves and their family, unencumbered by government interference. Read more...

— Editor

Liberal Response

Here is the basic reality: in a complex, global, and huge economy, the government plays a crucial role. The role is regulatory, budgetary, and monetary.

As far as limiting the role of government, we have done the experiment many times and the results are the same: poor. THAT is why we demand government involvement. We the people need some instrument to counter Big Money. Read more...

— Editor

Alternative Response

You can see here that liberals and conservatives are really singing from the same songbook. What is needed is a true liberation of the economy. The rule of law? Of course, but make the laws clear and minimal. Give people the freedom and the choice to make a living as they see fit. If they have nothing to offer, the market will force them to do something else. Read more...

— Editor

N/A

Can liberals and conservatives agree on the responsibilities of the Federal Government during and after a natural or man-made disaster? Is the government really prepared to handle this responsibility?

Hurricane Katrina highlighted the lack of preparedness of the Federal Government and FEMA to handle a natural disaster. The Gulf Oil Disaster highlighted the same lack of preparedness for man-made disasters. It is fair to argue that all levels of government (local, state and federal) failed the citizens of New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico region. It can't be argued, however, that the George W. Bush administration and FEMA fell flat on its face after Katrina and the Barak Obama administration failed to take quick and decisive control of the BP disaster. Of course, these administrations are not the only ones that failed its citizens. Can liberals and conservatives agree to a solution? Do we eliminate the responsibility of disaster relief from the Federal Government as some conservatives argue? Do we strengthen the system and eliminate the political slant of the organizations empowered to protect our citizens as some liberals argue? Can we recover from a natural or man-made disaster without the help of the government?

Animal rights activists are a growing group in America. Protecting family pets, prosecuting animal abuse, growing vegan community and rescuing laboratory animals, liberals and conservatives have begun to realize that humans have a responsibility to protect the animals on this planet but how far does this responsibility go?

Recent federal and state laws have been enacted to provide families a way to protect and rescue family pets during a national disaster. The aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has shown us that family pets are more than animals - they're members of our family. The recent prosecution of Michael Vick has shown the seriousness of animal abuse while highlighting the minimal penalties imposed by our justice systems for these types of abuses. Vick is back on the football field as though all is forgiven. Even religious conservatives have come to recognize a social responsibility to our planet and the animals that God has placed in our dominion. Is it a matter of time before liberals and conservatives agree to protect our animal neighbors and ensure the survival of all species that share our Earth? Or do we continue to destroy our environment, abuse our wildlife and our pets, and further endanger our own future.

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