1.) Which political party do you most identify with? Why? Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
I identify most with the Democratic Party. Starting with the economy, I agree with the Democrats that the national debt needs to be paid down, something needs to be done to secure Social Security and the Medicare program. America also needs to invest in American innovation, and open new markets to American made products. I also agree that we need to continue to pursue stem cell and embryonic research and look for treatments and cures for cancer, as well as other diseases, adding tot he length and quality of life that millions of Americans encounter and deal with. I agree with the Democratic party on facilitating the access for Americans with disabilities, same-sex couples should receive equal treatment under the law,racial and religious profiling is wrong and should be stamped out, same-sex marriage should be dealt with on a state level with no federal intervention, but as many Democrats believe, if government intervention is required, I believe they have as much right as any one else to love and marry who they choose. I support changes to the Patriot Act, such as the tightening of restrictions on money laundering, but loosening the library provisions, so as not to infringe on individual liberties. I agree that the tax shelter laws need to be changed so that corporate America can stop hiding behind them and avoiding their true taxation. There are many more issues that I agree with the Democratic party on. The list is too long to post here but I agree with them on issues regarding drugs, education, crime, tax reform, foreign policy, free trade, government reform, and many other topics and issues.
On the other hand, I have to say that there are issues within the Democratic Party that I don't agree with. I didn't agree with our government bailing out and lending money to corporations that have blatantly abused the tax system for years, and who paid millions in corporate bonuses to their CEO's, hosting elaborate company trips and "seminars" for upper management employees. I think these companies were mismanaged and the upper management were more interested in lining their pockets with profits and not worrying about the middle class Americans. These companies and corporations didn't deserve a bail out, and some proved their unworthiness by continuing to squander money that was granted to them through the bail out.Blatant abuse of the system!! I don't 100% stand with the Democratic view on abortion. I believe in the right to life, BUT I am understanding to abortion if there is a serious medical reason or something severely wrong with the child that is found with some of the advanced early detection testing. I'm not talking about mild retardation or anything like that. I'm talking about a no quality to life illness or handicap. Something severe. There are other issues that I disagree with on the Democratic party platform, but I won't list them all here.
2.) Does America need political parties? The Founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without needs of parties. Would that work today? Why?
Yes, I think Americans need political parties with political socialization. I think we need to know that their are others out there who think like "we" do. It gives a sense of belonging and agreement and let's us know that "we" are not the only ones who carry our individual thought process.
I, personally, don't think American politics could or would work without political parties. We would have no sense of direction when it came to electing our government leaders because there would be no organization for political platforms to get the word out to the voters and politics would be all over the board.
3.) Please research lesser known political parties. Which one do you most identify with? Why?
In doing this assignment, I looked into about a dozen different political parties and what they stood for. I was truly shocked by some and wasn't aware of their existence. I wasn't aware of the American Freedom Party or the American Socialist Movement, since both seem to be formed around modern day hate groups. These parties are built on the foundation of white supremacy and claim members of the former Neo-Nazi Party.
I feel that out of the parties I looked into that I identify most with the Citizen's Party of the United States, formerly known as the New American Independent Party. This party hold liberal, moderate and conservative positions depending on the issue. I agree with them on a lot of their liberal and moderate beliefs as they relate to the issues, and a few of their conservative issues. IN doing this assignment, I am definitely more interested in reading and learning more about some of the thrid party organizations in American government and I am extremely interested in learning more about this particular party, so I will be doing more reading about this political party.
*Blog Comments*
Mackenzie King
Tim Tunkel
Gabrielle Miller
I agree with you on your reasons for aligning with the Democratic Party. I also agree that the bailouts should not have been given to the big banks and businesses, with perhaps the exception of the auto industry. I am glad our auto industry was saved because that actually helped in regards to jobs. The economy would have failed much worse if our automakers had to shut down. Most of the bailouts, however, were done by the Republicans before Obama took office, and most of those that happened after Obama took office were actually set up by Bush before he left.
ReplyDeleteI agree that political parties are almost a have to now a days. Like I have previously said political parties are something that people feel like we have to have. However, I disagree that America couldn't operate without the parties. Our founders didn't want it to happen and they developed a country without parties so I just feel like we could continue to run the country since they started a country without the parties.
ReplyDeleteEven though I do not agree completely with either party, I agree more with the Democrats as well. They do seem to want to pay the national debt down, which is definitely something that needs to be done. Democrats also believe in equality and fight for education. Education means a lot to me, so it is good some party fights for it.
ReplyDeleteI do not completely agree with your second response. I do not think the parties are necessary because they cause more confrontation and disagreement that good. I understand that everyone has opinions and that it's difficult to balance them all but as the founding fathers predicted, they have divided this country in a negative way.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by and commenting on my blog.
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