Elections Civics Unit 5
Political Parties Lesson 1
Questions • Answer the following questions on your own sheet of paper: • What do you want from your government? • What is a political party? • What does it mean to be a Republican? • What does it mean to be a Democrat?
Wants • Many people want many different things from their government: • Protection (military and personal) • Strong economy • Fair justice system • Clean environment • Civil liberties/rights/freedom • Assistance programs • Education
How? VS. • Alone an individual may have little impact in getting what they want, a large group can influence large changes • Political Party: an organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members elected into office
How?? • Parties influence government on all levels in number of ways: • Election of Candidates • Setting goals • Leadership (once elected) • Voice of citizens
Setting Goals • A political party established positions on issues and set goals for the government • Platform: a statement on the party’s official stand on a major public issues (overall) • Planks: position statements on each issue on the party’s platform (specific)
Party for Two • Our current two-party system emerged in 1854 (birth of the Republican party) • Republican Party- Elephant • Democratic Party- Donkey
Republican Party • Generally: small or reducing federal government • Believe state, local, and none government organizations should take responsibility for government programs • Usually against tax increases • Less likely to support labor unions
Democratic Party • Generally: Big Federal Government! • Federal government should take responsibility for social programs • Aid to the poor and disabled • More likely to support tax increases to pay for government programs • Strong supporters of civil rights • More likely to support labor unions
Third Party • Although primarily a two party system sometimes a third party emerges • Formed to support a specific idea or issue(s) • Examples: • Tea Party • Independent Party • Green Party • Communist Party • Constitution Party • Libertarian Party
Political Spectrum • Use the information in Chapter 22 and page 598 to identify the major where each of the following lay on the Political Spectrum: • Republican • Democrat • Green Party • Independent Party • YOU!
The Issues Unit 5: Lesson 2
Hot Toics • Americans as a whole have very different opinions about what the government and people should and should not be able to do • These areas are the “planks” on a candidates platform
Health Care • Health Care- the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. • The Issue: To be a meaningful presence in the U.S. and live up to its purpose it must be adequate for the whole population. This requires a lot of money (workers, facilities, information and education, etc.)
Conservative (Republican) • Why might the republicans notsupport government funded health care? • They think: • The cost of health care should stay primarily private (your health=you pay) • Help ensure the continual growth of the health care field • Help ensure the government is not interfering in personal health issues
Liberal (Democrat) • Why might the democrats support public health care? • They think: • We are one of the only developed nations that does not have a public health care system • Helps to ensure the physical health of every American, not just the ones who can afford it • Reduce the number of Americans in debt because of medical bills
Civil Liberties/Rights • Civil Rights- Freedoms that were outlined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that provide specific rights: • Right to life and property • Freedom from torture • Freedom from slavery and forced labor • Freedom of expression • freedom of assembly…and so many MORE!
Conservative (Republican) • What do you think Republicans would favor individual freedoms: • They think: • More individual freedoms= less federal government • Based on personal effort, achievement, and success (you get what you earn)
Liberal (Democrat) • What do you think Democrats would favor group freedoms: • They think: • Champion the rights of groups • America is the land of opportunity and everyone should get an equal chance for success
School Vouchers School Voucher (AKA. Education Voucher) is a certificate issued by the government which parents can apply toward tuition at a private school or home school, rather than a public school
Conservative (Republican) • Why do you think Republicans favor school vouchers? • They think: • They are not unconstitutional • Everyone has the right to a good education, but parents get to choose what good is • Private Schools • Home Schools • Religious Schools
Liberal (Democrat) • Why do you think Democrats are not in favor of school vouchers? • They think: • The government provides qualified teachers and schools free to the public • Federal government money used to pay for private religious schools equates to government support of religion • Vouchers take money away from public schools
Immigration Immigration- The introduction of new people into a habitat or population. The immigration of Mexican citizens to the U.S. has become a major issue. The Mexican economy is weak and the U.S. offers new job opportunities and a higher standard of living
Conservative (Republican) • Why do you think Republicans want to restrict immigration? • They think: • The U.S. should tighten boarder patrol • Severely limit who comes into the U.S. to protect American jobs • Illegal families, regardless of circumstance should be deported
Liberal (Democrat) • Why do you think Democrats do not care to heavily restrict immigration? • They think: • Help rebuild Mexico’s economy • We should monitor immigration and follow laws already in place • Provide assistance to the children of immigrants • The U.S. is a melting pot, we all come from immigrants, restricting Mexican immigration is based on prejudice
Other Hot Topics Same-sex Marriage Abortion The Economy Government Assistance Programs Many, many, many MORE!
