36
Democrat or Republican?
Democrat or Republican?
Or Somewhere in Between?
• List of political parties in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emergence of the Tea Party
• Emerged in 2009 after the bailout of the US’s financial institutions(President Bush-2008), the economic stimulus package(President Obama-2009) and the new health care law(President Obama-2010).
• The name is taken from the Boston Tea Party as they protested against the British King at the time
• Tends to be very conservative and libertarian in nature
Core Beliefs of Tea Party
• Illegal Aliens Are Here illegally.
• Pro-Domestic Employment Is Indispensable.
• Stronger Military Is Essential.
• Special Interests Eliminated.
• Gun Ownership Is Sacred.
• Government Must Be Downsized.
• National Budget Must Be Balanced.
• Deficit Spending Will End.
• Bail-out And Stimulus Plans Are Illegal.• Reduce Personal Income Taxes A Must.
• Reduce Business Income Taxes Is Mandatory.
• Political Offices Available To Average Citizens.
• Intrusive Government Stopped.
• English As Core Language Is Required.
• Traditional Family Values Are Encouraged.
• Common Sense Constitutional
• Conservative Self-Governance
• http://www.teaparty.org/about.php#beliefs
• Not all Democrats or Republicans agree on all issues within their party
• Discuss media bias—Fox News vs CNN• Where you live can effect what party you belong
to
2000 Election MapRed-Republican—Blue-Democrat
2004 Election Map
2008 Election Map
• Republicans are conservative
– favor traditional institutions and the status quo
– favor laissez-faire system• define
– favor a limited role for government in society and believe that people should help themselves, not rely on the government
– favor lower taxes– believe in the trickle-down theory– Believe in rugged individualism
• Democrats are liberal – favor change in society
– oppose government intervention into one’s private and social life
– support regulations on economic activity and businesses
– favor an active role for government in society
– believe that involvement – be it environmental regulations against polluting or anti-discrimination laws- can improve the quality of our lives
– willing to increase taxes to support programs
Abortion
• Democrat:– Abortion is a woman’s right and should be
legal
• Republican:– Abortion should be illegal and restricted by
government
Flag Burning
• Democrat:– Flag burning is political
speech and is protected by the Constitution
• Republican:– Protect the flag from
burning by a constitutional amendment
Gun Control
• Democrats: – Favor/Gun control is needed
• Republicans: – Oppose/Gun control is unconstitutional
• NRA-ILA :: Gun Laws
Natural Environment
• Democrats: – Strong regulations are needed to protect the
environment
• Republicans: – Strong environmental laws harm the economy
Race Relations
• Democrats: – Strong anti-discrimination laws are needed– favor affirmative action
• Republicans: – People and businesses can be trusted not to
discriminate– Many oppose affirmative action
• Affirmative Action Timeline
Minimum Wage
• Democrats: – Favor/Increase the minimum wage to help
workers
• Republicans: – Oppose/Do not raise the minimum wage
because it hurts businesses– http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html
Healthcare
• Democrats: – Government should require universal access
to healthcare
• Republicans: – Private insurers are preferable to government
controlled system
Taxes
• Democrats: – Increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for
public programs
• Republicans: – Cutting taxes for everyone helps the economy
2008 Tax Brackets
• 10% on income between $0 and $8,025
• 15% on the income between $8,025 and $32,550; plus $802.50
• 25% on the income between $32,550 and $78,850; plus $4,481.25
• 28% on the income between $78,850 and $164,550; plus $16,056.25
• 33% on the income between $164,550 and $357,700; plus $40,052.25
• 35% on the income over $357,700; plus $103,791.75
Military
• Democrats: – Cut military spending; expand veteran’s
benefits; act in concert with other nations and/or with support from NATO and the UN
• Republicans: – Increase military spending; cut veteran’s
benefits; don’t be constrained by other nations or by NATO and the UN
Death Penalty
• Democrats: – Oppose/It is not a deterrent and innocent
people are in jeopardy
• Republicans: – Favor/The death penalty is necessary and
effective
History
• Furman v. Georgia, (1972)• In this case, the court found the death
penalty to be unconstitutional on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 8th to the United States Constitution.
• http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/dpusa.htm
Gay Rights
• Democrats: – Favor/Gays rights and marriage are civil rights
• Republicans: – Oppose/Marriage is a sacred trust between a
man and woman
Civil Unions
• Civil unions exist in only four places: Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
• Vermont civil unions were the first to be created, in 2000, to provide some legal protections and responsibilities to gay and lesbian couples at the state level.
• Gay marriage supporters say civil unions have since proven to be ineffective, a separate but unequal status
• The protections and responsibilities do not extend beyond the border of the states in which the civil union was entered.
Domestic Partnerships
• Domestic partnerships are a form of union under which gay (and sometimes non-gay) couples in some states or regions can formalize their partnerships.
• Gay marriage supporters say that, as with civil unions, the status remains a separate and unequal compromise which does not apply when a couple travels out of state, and offers no federal protections.
Prayer in School
• Democrats: – Oppose/Violation of the separation between
church and state
• Republicans: – Favor/It is a religious right and our Christian
heritage
War in Iraq• Democrats:
– Favored at first but criticized President Bush for messing it up
– Want to get more countries support– Wants a defined exit strategy which President Obama
has now set—in 18 months(2-09)– President Obama want to focus on Afghanistan
• Republicans:– President Bush stated 8-21-06 that US will not leave
Iraq until the job is done – Admits to mistakes in Iraq and says it will be a tough
fight– Hope Iraq’s new gov’t and people will eventually be
stable enough in several years for US withdrawl– President Bush pulled 8,000 troops out in late
2008/early 2009
