Democrats & Republicans on the issues

…generally…… Democrat More expansive view of the powers of the Federal gov’t Support raising & spending $ to address social ills on national level Favor federal regulation to improve business practices Republican Support limiting federal powers & protecting power of state & local gov’ts Conservative approach to taxation & spending Oppose gov’t interference w/ free enterprise

ABORTION Democrat choice is fundamental, Const. right stem cell & other med. research right to choose even if can’t pay Republican const. amend to ban abortion promote adoption & abstinence Human Life amendment to const.

CIVIL RIGHTS Democrat no racial or religious profiling marriage at state level – no Fed gay marriage ban strengthen parts of Patriot Act & change others affirmative action ERA & equal employment hate crime laws – include gays Republican Patriot Act used to track terrorist activity homosexuality incompatible with military service Const. amend. banning same-sex marriage affirmative access w/out preferences support adv of women in military

CRIME Democrat crack down on gangs & drugs fight crime w/prevention, community police tougher punishments, not including the death penalty DNA test, post-conviction reviews death pen. cases Republican support death penalty deter crime by enforcing existing laws more victim rights & harsher penalties for some crimes death penalty an effective deterrent

DRUGS Democrat bring to justice those bringing drugs to US drugs in prison: get clean to get out dry up demand by more enforcement & treatment fight drugs & economic hopelessness that fuels it Republican jail time & school testing deters use need presidential leadership: cry out for drug-free schools aggressively pursue drug kingpins; include death penalty

EDUCATION Democrat Tax-deductible college tuition Promise of NCLB broken by lack of funding Charter schools OK, vouchers not public school accountability – not vouchers Standardized tests to advance learning, not bureaucracy Republican Increase access to higher ed w/savings accounts Limit role of Fed gov’t in educ. Promote school choice & home schooling Achievement basis for access to college

ENERGY & OIL Democrat Billions $ from oil & gas subsidies to alternative research & development Develop renewable energy & efficient vehicles Republican No Kyoto, no mandatory emission controls Tax incentives for energy production

ENVIRONMENT Democrat Honor hunting & fishing heritage w/more conservation lands Reject choice of healthy economy v. healthy environment Republican Private property ownership key to environmental agenda Cap & trade market-based air pollution reductions

GUN CONTROL Democrat Reauthorize assault weapons ban, close gun show loophole Strengthen gun control to reduce violence Republican Protect right to bear arms No frivolous gun lawsuits, no fed. gun licensing More public land for hunting

TAXES Democrat Cut taxes for middle class, not the wealthy Republican Cut taxes to stimulate economy & help families

Why are minor parties important even though they don’t often win elections?? Call attention to issues Influence political ideas (platform) of democrat or republican parties “spoiler” vote – may draw enough votes away from major party to influence an election