The author identifies as standing on the near right side of the political spectrum. They believe that private individuals and free markets should provide most services, with some exceptions like education and emergency services. While believing in equality of opportunity and self-reliance, they also feel a social safety net is important to protect against recessions and ensure security. They see people as mostly self-interested and motivated to improve their lives, though this could potentially lead to crime, another reason for some social safety nets.

1. Political spectrum
Scott Holzli
11/16/2010
I stand on the near right side of the political spectrum. I believe that majority of services
should be provided by private individuals and a free market. Although some services are too
important to be handled entirely by private individuals such as education and emergency
services. I believe in the equality of opportunity of all and self reliance. But I also believe that
there should be some form of a social safety-net to protect incase of a recession and to ensure
security for people. I feel that people’s strongest motivation is that of their own self-interest.
People will do what they need to improve their lives although at times this can lead to resorting
to crime so it is important to have some social safety nets.
The left side of the spectrum seems flawed to me with a lack of motivation. Since the
majority of ownership would be public people would have little motivation to work hard and to
compete since it would not affect their success. Another issue is that the social security
programs maybe so strong that people would be unwilling to work and would rather have
others carry their burden and live off welfare. I believe I am on the right side of the spectrum
due to my upbringing in my family and in Alberta. But have moved more to the left as I have
been educated.