POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS

Which one are you?

1. Abortion 1.The decision of abortion should be left up to the individual. This view is called “Pro- Choice”. 2.“Pro-Life”. The unborn baby has the right to be born.

2. Environment 1.More laws are needed in order to protect water supplies, natural wonders and to help clean the air. 2.Energy production is more important than protecting “pristine”, or pure, natural regions.

3. Gay Rights 1.Marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Laws protecting gay rights are not needed. 2.All Americans, regardless of orientation, should have the same rights.

4. Gun Control 1.It is our constitutional right to own and possess guns, including assault weapons. 2.You favor gun controls including background checks, waiting periods and banning the sale of “military-style” assault weapons.

5. Health Care 1.All Americans should have quality, affordable health care. 2.Health care should be open within the free market system. You should be able to shop for health insurance even though your choices may be limited due to cost.

6. Foreign Policy 1.World safety and world peace should be a world effort. 2.The U.S. military should be used to keep world peace.

7. Education 1.Education should be run like a business. If your school fails, it goes out of business. 2.Struggling school districts should be supported with more money.

8. Social Security 1.Social Security funds should be protected. 2.A portion of Social Security funds should be given to the people to allow them to invest in things such as the stock market.

9. Women’s Rights 1.You support women’s rights and feel the forms of discrimination should be banned. 2.You support women’s rights, but banning discrimination is unnecessary.

10. Worker’s Rights 1.You support unions and increases in the minimum wage. 2.Businesses have the rights to set their own wages in order to “maximize” profits.

11. Flag Burning 1.Should be against the law 2.Flag burning is protected under freedom of speech/self-expression.

12. Race Relations 1.Anti-discrimination laws are needed. 2.People can be trusted not to discriminate.

13. Taxes 1.Cutting taxes to everyone will help the economy because people will have more money to spend. 2.The wealthy should pay higher taxes to help support public programs.

14. Military 1.Cut military spending 2.Increase military spending

15. Death Penalty 1.You favor the death penalty. 2.You are against the death penalty.

16. Prayer in School 1.Prayer should be allowed in the public school system 2.Prayer should not be allowed in school. Separation of church and state.

17. Welfare 1.Increase child-care spending for the poor so they can seek jobs. 2.Cut child-care spending and increase marriage education spending.

Lets Find Out

1. Abortion 1.The decision of abortion should be left up to the individual. This view is called “Pro- Choice”. - DEMOCRAT 2.“Pro-Life”. The unborn baby has the right to be born. - REPUBLICAN

2. Environment 1.More laws are needed in order to protect water supplies, natural wonders and to help clean the air. - DEMOCRAT 2.Energy production is more important than protecting “pristine”, or pure, natural regions. - REPUBLICAN

3. Gay Rights 1.Marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Laws protecting gay rights are not needed. - REPUBLICAN 2.All Americans, regardless of orientation, should have the same rights. - DEMOCRAT

4. Gun Control 1.It is our constitutional right to own and possess guns, including assault weapons. - REPUBLICAN 2.You favor gun controls including background checks, waiting periods and banning the sale of “military-style” assault weapons. - DEMOCRAT

5. Health Care 1.All Americans should have quality, affordable health care. - DEMOCRAT 2.Health care should be open within the free market system. You should be able to shop for health insurance even though your choices may be limited due to cost. REPUBLICAN

6. Foreign Policy 1.World safety and world peace should be a world effort. - DEMOCRAT 2.The U.S. military should be used to keep world peace. - REPUBLICAN

7. Education 1.Education should be run like a business. If your school fails, it goes out of business. - REPUBLICAN 2.Struggling school districts should be supported with more money. - DEMOCRAT

8. Social Security 1.Social Security funds should be protected. - DEMOCRAT 2.A portion of Social Security funds should be given to the people to allow them to invest in things such as the stock market. REPUBLICAN

9. Women’s Rights 1.You support women’s rights and feel the forms of discrimination should be banned. - DEMOCRAT 2.You support women’s rights, but banning discrimination is unnecessary. - REPUBLICAN

10. Worker’s Rights 1.You support unions and increases in the minimum wage. - DEMOCRAT 2.Businesses have the rights to set their own wages in order to “maximize” profits. REPUBLICAN

11. Flag Burning 1.Should be against the law - REPUBLICAN 2.Flag burning is protected under freedom of speech/self-expression. - DEMOCRAT

12. Race Relations 1.Anti-discrimination laws are needed. - DEMOCRAT 2.People can be trusted not to discriminate. - REPUBLICAN

13. Taxes 1.Cutting taxes to everyone will help the economy because people will have more money to spend. - REPUBLICAN 2.The wealthy should pay higher taxes to help support public programs. - DEMOCRAT

14. Military 1.Cut military spending. - DEMOCRAT 2.Increase military spending. - REPUBLICAN

15. Death Penalty 1.You favor the death penalty. - REPUBLICAN 2.You are against the death penalty. - DEMOCRAT

16. Prayer in School 1.Prayer should be allowed in the public school system. - REPUBLICAN 2.Prayer should not be allowed in school. Separation of church and state. - DEMOCRAT

17. Welfare 1.Increase child-care spending for the poor so they can seek jobs. - DEMOCRAT 2.Cut child-care spending and increase marriage education spending. - REPUBLICAN

So why do we argue?

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS More Government Involvement Promote Equality Tolerant of “Deviant” life-styles Racial Equality Higher Government Spending Protection of Wildlife

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS Less Government Traditional Family Values –Domestic role of women –Importance of religion Equality should not be a government issue Spend less money Free Enterprise Economy Maintain Social Order – through force if necessary