1. The Political Party Platforms:
Basic Ideas and Beliefs of the Republican and Democratic Parties

2. New Deal Origins of the Modern Parties
New Deal Coalition (people supporting the New Deal):
Government is responsible for taking care of citizens
Government can increase demand and create jobs by spending money
- ex: investment, public works, subsides
Government must regulate banks and stock market so people's money is protected and business is fair

3. New Deal Origins of the Modern Parties
Conservative Coalition (people against the New Deal):
People should be responsible for taking care of themselves
Government spending won't increase the economy long-term and is too expensive
Government should not interfere with business- regulation holds companies back

4. Immigration Stop illegal immigrants from entering the country
Democrat:
Improve life in Latin American countries
“Path to citizenship”
- Don't deport productive members of society
A wall is not possible and not the answer
Republican:
Illegal immigrants should be hunted and deported
- Bring crime
- Steal American jobs
Trump: build a wall

6. The Military Democrat: Republican:
The military is important and America should have the strongest military in the world
Veterans and active service members should be honored
There should be programs that benefit veterans
Democrat:
Money spent on military should be used in a smart way- most of it is being wasted
Continue opposing policies that encourage discrimination in the military
Republican:
Need to spend a lot more money on the military
The military needs to be larger and have better equipment

7. Foreign Policy Democrat:
Ensure security of the United States through diplomacy rather than risking the lives of soldiers
Make and enforce agreements with countries that limit the threat they pose
Provide aid to our allies against ISIS
Republican:
Use our military aggressively to eliminate threats
Force other countries to listen to us and acknowledge our superiority
Support Israel and oppose Palestinians
Nullify agreement with Iran

9. Regulation (Government Rules) for Business
Democrat:
Rules and regulations are preventing another recession and protecting consumers
Increase regulation of stock market and banks
- Including tax on frequent trading
Republican:
Current rules and regulations make it harder for businesses to make money and for people to invest- slows economic growth
Reduce regulation of banks
Reduce regulation of small businesses

10. Taxes, Jobs, and Inequality
Democrat:
Make the wealthy and large corporations pay a larger share of taxes
Provide social welfare like unemployment insurance, food stamps, and social security
Lower taxes for the working class and small businesses
Republican:
Current tax code is too complicated
Lower taxes significantly for the wealthy and for large corporations
- Will encourage them to invest and increase production which will create jobs

11. Taxes, Jobs, and Inequality
Democrat:
People will spend more and increase demand which will create jobs
Government investment in certain companies which will create jobs
Many people work very hard but are still suffering
Wealthy can afford to pay more
Republican:
Lower taxes will encourage companies to stay in U.S.
People should be able to keep the money they get from success
People who do not have as much money should work harder and look for higher paying jobs

14. Budget Government needs to find a way to decrease the budget deficit
Democrat:
Don't cut too much from welfare and environment
Last president to balance the budget was a democrat
Biggest spending increases have come during Republican presidencies
Republican:
Balancing the budget is the most important goal
Cut from welfare programs
Reduce number of government agencies

16. The Environment Democrat:
Clean air and water are important to the future
- Limit oil, gas, and coal extraction
Global warming is a major threat
- Cut carbon emissions
Invest in new energy sources
Republican:
The water and the air are fine
Ultimate effects of global warming are uncertain
- no need to make it a big deal
Expand oil and natural gas drilling
EPA spends too much money and hurts big corporations

19. Healthcare Democrat: Everyone should be able to afford medical care
Insurance plans should all cover important services
Companies should not be able to deny coverage to people who are sick
Republican:
People should be free to choose whether they buy insurance
Companies should be able to choose who they cover and at what price
Not government's job to help people pay for medical care

20. Morality Democrat: Republican:
Not government's job to control people's morality
- as long as their morals and lifestyle are not harmful to others
Government should protect people against discrimination
Republican:
Government should encourage and enforce conservative Christian morality and definition of family
People and groups should not be denied government funds if they discriminate for religious reasons

21. Law Enforcement
Government needs to increase respect for, and confidence in, law enforcement
Republican:
Government should always show support for and confidence in law enforcement
Support the death penalty
Democrat:
Serious problems with discrimination in some places
Unequal arrests and jail time for minorities
Best thing for law enforcement is to fix problems