Political Parties and our Government Georgia Studies

Democrat

Republican

Democrat vs. Republican Democrat Likely to be “Liberal” Likely to be “Liberal” Favor social programs (universal health care) Favor social programs (universal health care) Tend to raise taxes Tend to raise taxes Tend to reduce military Tend to reduce military Tend to be middle to lower class Tend to be middle to lower class Found in large numbers in Northeast, Upper Midwest and West Found in large numbers in Northeast, Upper Midwest and West Federal Government has greater power Federal Government has greater power Concerned mostly with domestic affairs Concerned mostly with domestic affairs Republican Likely to be “Conservative” Likely to be “Conservative” Reduce social programs Reduce social programs Lower taxes Lower taxes Build strong military and defense Build strong military and defense Tend to be upper middle to upper class Tend to be upper middle to upper class Found in large numbers in South, Lower Midwest and Southwest Found in large numbers in South, Lower Midwest and Southwest States retain most of the power States retain most of the power Is likely concerned with foreign affairs Is likely concerned with foreign affairs

Lobbyist/Special Interests – Organizations that try to influence how a Congressman will vote to support their views on laws Republican NRA – National Rifle Association MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving AFA – American Family Association Democrat UAW – United Auto Workers EPA – Environmental Protection Agency Teamsters Union MoveOn.org

Liberal – one who favors progress and reform Support woman’s right to choose (abortion) Support woman’s right to choose (abortion) Support Affirmative Action Support Affirmative Action Abolish death penalty Abolish death penalty Government controls economy Government controls economy Widely support increase funding to public schools Widely support increase funding to public schools Reduce Global “footprints” – conserve the environment Reduce Global “footprints” – conserve the environment Support Universal Healthcare Support Universal Healthcare Give amnesty to illegal immigrants and increase the number of those allowed to immigrate Give amnesty to illegal immigrants and increase the number of those allowed to immigrate Oppose Patriot Act Oppose Patriot Act Support the Separation of Church and State Support the Separation of Church and State Legalize Gay marriage and rights Legalize Gay marriage and rights Legalize certain illegal drugs Legalize certain illegal drugs Support long-term welfare Support long-term welfare Tend to favor gun control Tend to favor gun control

Conservative – Resistant to change Abortion = illegal Abortion = illegal Against Affirmative Action Against Affirmative Action Support death penalty Support death penalty Support free market competitive capitalism Support free market competitive capitalism Support school vouchers Support school vouchers Don’t favor drastic or quick environment change Don’t favor drastic or quick environment change Keep Healthcare private Keep Healthcare private Support most of Patriot Act Support most of Patriot Act Enact stricter immigration laws Enact stricter immigration laws No such thing as Separation of Church and State: Religion should be allowed to be displayed No such thing as Separation of Church and State: Religion should be allowed to be displayed Against Gay marriage and rights Against Gay marriage and rights Change social security and privatize it Change social security and privatize it Lower Taxes Lower Taxes Attack terrorists overseas first Attack terrorists overseas first Oppose long-term welfare Oppose long-term welfare Traditional values Traditional values

Hot Political Topics Animal rightsSteroids Capital PunishmentCloning Drug LegalizationEuthanasia Global WarmingGun Control PrayerStem Cells WelfareWomen in the military CensorshipInternet privacy

Famous Democrats Bill GatesFranklin D. Roosevelt Harry TrumanJohn F. Kennedy Lyndon B. JohnsonBill Clinton Oprah WinfreyMichael Moore Tom CruiseBen Affleck Robert Downey, Jr.Chris Rock Bruce SpringsteenTom Hanks

Famous Republicans Denzel WashingtonBruce Willis John WayneJames Earl Jones Clint Eastwood Arnold Schwarzenegger Ronald ReaganAbraham Lincoln George W. BushRichard Nixon Ulysses S. GrantWarren G. Harding Sarah PalinJohn McCain