Matthew+Sorensen

__**Political Tolerance**__ I think my political tolerance is on the lower side. I can be pretty open minded on a lot of issues, but at the same time when it comes to things like building a Muslim center next to the World Trade center I am completely against it. I have no problem with people who have different beliefs, but I think there is a certain time and place for some of their beliefs and we may need to restrict them in some minor ways. If that means I have a low political tolerance, so be it.


 * __Political Trust__**
 * __a)__** I have a fairly high trust in the institutions that run our country. However, I do feel since Obama has become president that my trust is going down, just because he is changing so many things. Normally presidents do not make as many changes while they are in office so it is harder to deal with. Once he is out of office, I feel like my trust will more then likely go up again because the next president elect will almost certainly be less prone to changes and much more conservative. I have a very high trust level in Congress and the Supreme court.

__**b)**__ I have already discussed my trust in President Obama so I will not continue to talk about my feelings on him, or Vice President Biden. I have a much great trust in our congressmen from North Dakota because I really feel like they want what is best for North Dakota, and vote that way within congress. They may not always make decisions I would agree with, but I entrust them with their positions.

__**Political Socialization**__ My first political memory is of the George Bush vs. Al Gore election. My parents have had a very large impact on my political socialization. Both of them our republican for the most part, and were Bush supporter (at least during his first term), and they are the reason that I would call myself a republican. I do not think any political events have had an influence on my political socialization. I think my gender definetely differentiates me as does my race and region, but I don't think that my class or religion make my views any different. Basically in understanding my political thinking, I don't look at things religously, I don't get persuaded by different opinions, I just think to myself what I agree with (or sometimes just what I disagree with less) and take that side.

__**Ideology**__ I am a libertarian, and proud of it. But seriously. I am almost completely conservative on all economic issues, but have a very open mind when it comes to social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. However, I do also have some conservative social views such as anti-gun control and the death penalty so if I were to be towards one end of the Conservative-Liberal spectrum, it would defintely be conservative. I definetely feel that I can be very moderate though, but when it counts I will chose the conservative republican over the liberals.

__**Political Efficacy**__ I have an extremely high level of internal efficacy. Probably too high. I feel that whatever I agree with is right, and that should be what the lawmakers go along with. But at the same time, I feel like I make very level headed, down to earth decisions so I trust my opinions. As for external efficacy, I don't think the government cares one bit about what I say, do, vote for, etc. I have a high internal efficacy, but definetely only see a low external efficacy from the government that is put in front of me. But at the same time, just because my opinion may not be the end decision, I do feel like the government makes decisions they feel are best for the country, even if that is not what the country wants, or needs.