1. Political Parties
Notes

2. Two Major Parties Democrats: Another name for them is “Liberal”
Party color is Blue
Donkey is their mascot because it is strong willed, stubborn, and has strength.
Republicans:
Another name for them is “Conservative”
Party color is Red
Elephant is their mascot because it is big, strong, unmovable when calm, and unstoppable.

3. Four Major Political Differences
Democrats:
Increase Taxes
Increased Spending
Increase the Size of National Government
Decrease Military Strength
Republicans:
Decrease Taxes
Decrease Spending
Decrease the Size of National Government
Increase Military Strength

4. Democrats Increase Taxes: Increase Spending:
Government Programs help lower and middle class
Raise taxes on upper class, reduce on lower class
Increase Spending:
More programs for people, government will help decide where money is needed
Good programs can make life “comfortable”
Increase Size of Government:
More government due to more programs for the people
Decrease Military Strength:
Build relationships with others countries, work with the U.N. to make a safer world.

5. Republicans Decrease Taxes: Decrease Spending:
Give money back to the people so they can use the money how they want to
Less taxes to businesses, more jobs mean more tax payers
Decrease Spending:
Less “handouts”, have people spend their money, not the government
Decrease Size of Government:
Everyone is not the same, each state has different needs, and different issues, more power regionally
Increase Military Strength:
Always have a strong military, this is security.
We need to take care of our own, other countries should take care of their own.

6. Other Major Issue Differences
Republicans:
Pro – Life
For the Death Penalty
Pro - Gun
Democrats:
Pro – Choice
Against the Death Penalty
Anti – Gun

7. The Political Spectrum
Left Right
RADICAL LIBERAL MODERATE CONSERVATIVE REACTIONARY
Favors extreme changes to a new social system
Believes that gov’t must change economic, political, and ideological policies thought to be unfair
Holds beliefs that fall between the liberal and conservative views, usually including both
Seeks to keep in place the economic, political, and social structures of society
Favors extreme changes to restore society to an earlier, more conservative state