POLITICAL PARTIES
SS.7.C.2.8 Identify America’s current political parties, and illustrate their ideas about government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LESSON SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
ESSENTIAL CONTENT BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………………. 4
CIVICS CONTENT VOCABULARY…………………………………………………………………………………...6
SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITY SEQUENCE…………………………………………………………………...7
STUDENT ACTIVITY RESOURCES/HANDOUTS…………………………………………………………………10
SOURCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
ANSWER KEYS………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 1
Lesson Summary
Essential Questions
What are America’s current political parties? What are their ideas about government?
NGSSS Benchmark
SS.7.C.2.8 Identify America’s current political parties, and illustrate their ideas about government.
Florida Standards
LAFS.68.RH.1.1
LAFS.68.WHST.1.2
LAFS.68.WHST.4.10
LAFS.68.RH.1.2
LAFS.68.WHST.2.4
LAFS.7.SL.1.1
LAFS.68.RH.3.7
LAFS.68.WHST.3.8
LAFS.7.SL.2.4
LAFS.68.WHST.1.1
LAFS.68.WHST.3.9
MAFS.K12.MP.5.1
Overview
In this lesson, students will learn about the current political parties in the United States, understand their
ideas about government and evaluate the impact of these parties on society, government and the political
system.
Learning Goals/Benchmark Clarifications
 Students will compare current political parties’ ideas about government.
 Students will evaluate the impact political parties have on society, government, or the political
system.
Benchmark Content Limits
 Items will not require students to identify specific individuals associated with political parties.
 Items will not ask students to evaluate the efficacy of any specific political party.
Civics EOC Reporting Category
Reporting Category 3 – Government Policies and Political Processes
Suggested Time Frame
 Four 45-50 minute class periods
Civics Content Vocabulary
 bias, candidate, Communist Party, Democratic Party, government, Libertarian Party, party
platform, political party, political system, Republican Party, Socialist Party, society, third party,
two-party system
Instructional Strategies
 Video as text

Cooperative
learning

Comparing
complex texts

Research
skills
Materials
Computer with internet access to project handouts, video from
http://agreetodisagree.bangordailynews.com/2012/07/17/maine-politics/video-whats-the-differencebetween-democrats-and-republicans-ethan-phil-take-us-to-political-summer-school/ and images from
www.nytimes.com
Media center or computer lab time for students – optional
Student activity sheets and reading materials
 Political Party Logos
 Comparing Perspectives
 Political Party Functions
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 2
Lesson Activities and Daily Schedule
Please use the chart below to track activity completion.
Day
Task #
Day
One
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Steps in
Lesson
1-6
7-10
11-19
Task 3
11-19
Task 4
20
Task 5
21-31
Task 6
Task 7
32-35
36
Day
Two
Day
Three
Day
Four
Description
Completed?
Yes/No
Overview of Political Parties
Democrats & Republicans Video
Party Platform Activity
Party Platform Activity
Continued
Checking for Understanding A
Political Party Functions Activity
Political Party Functions Research
Checking for Understanding B
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 3
Essential Content Background
This section addresses the following issues:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Political Parties in the United States
Political Parties as Guides to Political Socialization
Political Party Organization Roles
Political Parties as Public Policy Guides
Political Parties in the United States: Conclusion
1. Political Parties in the United States
Political parties serve several interconnected roles in American politics. They serve a
socializing role for the public, where they impact political knowledge and political activity.
Party organizations oversee nominations and elections, contribute resources to political
campaigns, and shape party messages. Parties also impact policy making and political decision
making among elected officials. These roles are interconnected in that, how the public perceives
political parties will impact their vote choice and campaign contribution decisions, which
impacts who wins elections. How elected officials create and shape public policy impacts how
the public perceives political parties because most elected officials are identified as political
party members.
Political parties serve critical roles in democracies because they combine individual
citizens’ political views and communicate them to government. In combining these views, the
public’s voice is more readily heard by public officials. In the U.S., there are two major political
parties. The two-party system emerged in response to the arguments over the development of a
federal system. Those supporting the proposal to create a shared powers system between the
national and state governments formed the Federalist Party while those who wanted to retain the
Articles of Confederation or, at least, key components of the confederal system, formed the
Democratic-Republican Party. The Democratic and Republican parties have served as the two
main U.S. political parties since 1860.
2. Political Parties as Guides to Political Socialization
Political socialization is the process of learning about politics. Parties act as filters
through which the public learns about, sees and understands the political process. For example,
positive or negative feelings about Republicans and Democrats may lead to positive or negative
feelings about office holders, candidates, and proposed and actual public policies. Political
parties also act as a vote guide because voters more often select candidates who represent their
own party identification or party registration.
3. Political Party Organization Roles
Party organizations function as a loose confederation in the United States because most
party activity takes place at the state and local level. There are far more elected seats at the state
and local levels when compared with the federal level, so it makes sense that political parties are
more active where there are more elected offices.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 4
Party organizations serve many electoral functions. They raise and spend money in order
to help candidates get elected, and they shape and represent the party’s message on its core
values and policy positions. Party organizations also recruit candidates to run for various offices,
and recommend potential appointees to governors and presidents.
Party organizations are best known for their least frequent activity—nominating
candidates for president and vice-president. Each party holds its nominating convention every
four years. The purpose of these conventions is to nominate the presidential and vicepresidential ticket, and to adopt the party’s platform. Party platforms are written documents that
include the party’s policy positions and past policy and election successes, and attacks on the
opposing party.
Parties usually (though not always) hold their nominating conventions 6-12 weeks after
the June primary so that the last nominating convention is over before the unofficial start of the
general election campaign on Labor Day weekend. Conventions normally last 4-5 days; they
begin on a Sunday or Monday and end the following Thursday. For various reasons, including
media logistics, Democrats and Republicans nominate their presidential tickets during separate
weeks.
4. Political Parties as Public Policy Guides
The role of parties as policy guides functions particularly well within the systems of
separation of powers, checks and balances and federalism.
All elected offices are tied to party labels at the national and state levels although this
does not preclude independents from seeking office. For example, as of 2013, two Congress
members were elected as independents. At the local level, counties and cities decide if their
public officials will seek election under party labels.
Members of Congress who share a party label tend to shape public policy together while
different parties tend to take opposing views on key policy issues. Similarly, the president tends
to spend more time with members of his own party in Congress compared with members of the
opposite party.
5. Political Parties in the United States: Conclusion
Political party roles are connected to one another such that each impacts the other. How
the public perceives the parties working together in their policy making capacities, and in the
policies that the parties support and oppose, impacts public support levels in terms of
identification, registration, and vote choice. As the number of Democrats and Republicans
increases or decreases, party organizations are similarly impacted. A party with fewer members,
registrants or voters will have more difficulty raising money and recruiting good candidates
compared with a party that is strong in these areas. Similarly, a party that has fewer members in
legislatures, governorships, or does not hold the presidency, will have a more difficult time
achieving its policy goals compared with a party that enjoys majorities in state and national
legislatures, governorships and the presidency. Thus, even though these three roles impact
different populations (the public, party activists, office holders) they are interconnected to one
another as success or failure in one arena impacts how well a party does in other arenas.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 5
Civics Content Vocabulary
Word/Term
Part of Speech
Definition
bias
noun
candidate
noun
a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of
thinking or feeling over another
a person running for political office
Communist
Party
proper noun
Democratic
Party
proper noun
government
noun
Libertarian
Party
proper noun
party platform
noun
political party
noun
political system noun
Republican
Party
proper noun
Socialist Party
proper noun
society
noun
third party
noun
two-party
system
noun
a political party that believes the government should
control the entire economy, and there should be no
private ownership of business
a political party that believes that the federal government
should take a more active role in people's lives,
particularly those who are in need
a system or organization for exercising authority over a
body of people
a political party that believes in individual freedom and
believes the only purpose of government is to protect this
freedom
a written statement of the goals of a political party
an organization that tries to get political power by
electing members to public office so that their political
ideas can become laws or policies
the members of a social organization who are in power
a political party that believes that the federal government
should play a less active role in people's lives and that
individuals can take care of themselves without
government help
a political party that believes in democratic government
but also that the government should run some of the
largest parts of the economy
a body of individuals living as members of a community
a political party that is not one of the two major parties in
the country; a minor party
a political system consisting primarily of two major
parties, more or less equal in strength
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 6
Suggested Student Activity Sequence
1. Project and pass out the “Political Party Logos” handout and ask students to consider the
questions on the handout: “Does anything look familiar to you in each of these pictures?
What do you think these pictures represent?”
2. Provide students with a few minutes to brainstorm in their groups and then share out.
3. Lead students to the understanding that they are looking at the logos for some of the
political parties in the United States: Communist Party USA, Democratic Party,
Libertarian Party, Republican Party, and Socialist Party USA.
4. Ask students to share anything they think they know about the five political parties listed.
5. Instruct students to take notes on their activity sheet while you provide them with key
points about the political parties. Teacher note: Utilize the Sample Answers section to
provide definitions for each party. Explain the following key points about each political
party, the two-party system and third parties in the United States. Instruct students to take
notes on their activity sheet.
 The U.S. has a two-party system. There are mainly two political parties competing for
control and running for elections in the U.S.
 The Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major parties since the
1860’s.
 As of January 2015, all members of Congress are members of the Democratic or
Republican parties, except for the following people:
i. Senator Angus King, Independent from Maine
ii. Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont
 Third parties typically nominate a presidential candidate but so far, none have won.
 The Communist and Socialist parties both see the working class playing an important
role in government. People considered to be part of the working class are those who
often work manual labor jobs and often work paycheck to paycheck.
 The Libertarian and Republican parties both believe that government should be limited
in its use of its powers.
 The Democratic and Republican parties both view the economy as an important issue,
but differ in the approach to the government’s role in the economy.
6. Instruct students to create a title for their activity sheet.
7. Direct student attention back to the descriptions for the Democratic and Republican
parties.
8. Explain to students that they will watch a video to understand the basic ideas of the
Democratic and Republican parties. While watching the video, their task is to write down
main ideas they hear about each party on their “Political Party Logos” activity sheet or on
their own notebook paper.
9. Play the “What’s the difference between Democrats and Republicans?” video from the
Bangor Daily News: http://agreetodisagree.bangordailynews.com/2012/07/17/mainepolitics/video-whats-the-difference-between-democrats-and-republicans-ethan-phil-takeus-to-political-summer-school/ Teacher note: This video is 7:55, stop after 4:17. The video
outlines the basic ideas of both parties. The Democratic perspective is presented first.
Pause after the Democratic perspective is presented and give students time to write down
main ideas they hear. After the Republican perspective is presented, stop the video at 4:17
and provide students time to write down main ideas.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 7
10. Review the main ideas as a whole class. Teacher note: Some of the main ideas from the
video include the following key points:
 Democrats believe in equal opportunity for all people. This includes education,
infrastructure and health care. The American Dream should be reachable for
everyone and everyone should have a chance to achieve what he or she wants.
 Republicans believe in personal responsibility and people making the most of the
opportunities ahead of them. Individuals should take the responsibility to give back
to their community instead of looking to government to provide certain services.
11. Share with students that a party platform outlines a party’s beliefs and perspectives on
issues related to government.
12. Pass out the “Perspective Comparison” student activity sheet.
13. Explain to students that they will work as a whole class to read excerpts from the 2012
Democratic and Republican party platforms to understand their perspectives on some of
the powers granted to the federal government. Share with students that the excerpts are
related to some of the federal government’s powers as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
Teacher note: On the activity sheet the italicized text references the federal power as listed
in the Constitution.
14. Direct student attention to the “Taxes” row and explain that Congress has the power to lay
(create) and collect taxes. Read aloud the text from the Democratic Party’s 2012 platform.
15. Have students think about and share out what the main idea is of the text.
16. Work as a whole class to summarize the text. Instruct students to take notes on their
activity sheet.
17. Repeat this process for the Republican Party’s platform.
18. Discuss how the views compare.
19. Repeat Steps 15-19 for the remaining issues.
20. Checking for Understanding A (Formative Assessment):
Instruct students to write a well-crafted informative response using the following prompt:
Prompt
Using the information you learned from the video and by reading text of the party
platforms, summarize the main ideas of the Democratic and Republican parties.
21. Pose the following question for discussion: “Now that we know the basic ideas of each
party, what do you think they do with these ideas?”
22. Provide students time to share out some things they think they know about the function of
political parties.
23. Pass out the “Political Party Functions” student activity sheet.
24. Review the activity sheet as a whole class and explain to students that they will take notes
on the five functions of political parties on their activity sheet.
25. Use the Sample Answers section to provide students with a description of each political
party function. Teacher note: The political party function notes are from the One Big Party
lesson from iCivics: http://www.icivics.org/teachers/lesson-plans/one-big-party.
26. Pose the following questions for discussion: “What do you think these functions look like
in real life? What kind of impact do you think these functions have in society, in
government and in the political system?” Have students share out some ideas.
27. Explain to students that they will look at some examples of political party functions
through party websites and related images.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 8
28. Display the following images on the board: Democratic National Convention Day 3 http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/07/us/politics/2012-convention-POD-7.html
and Republican National Convention Day 4 (scroll down and click on Image #23) http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/30/us/politics/2012-convention-POD4.html#/?slide=0. If possible, display the images side by side.
29. Pose the following questions for discussion: “What do you see in these photos? Based on
what you see, what do you think is the impact of political parties nominating candidates?
Does this have an impact on government? On society? On the political system?”
30. Explain to students that they are looking at images from the 2012 Democratic and
Republican national conventions. In both images, the candidates have just accepted their
party’s nomination for president.
31. Instruct students to take notes on their “Political Party Functions” graphic organizer in the
“Impact” box in the same column where they have listed Nominate Candidates. Use the
Sample Answers section to guide the discussion.
32. Place students into pairs and provide them with time in the media center or computer lab
to conduct research on either major party’s website (Democrats.org and gop.com) to find
examples for the remaining four functions. Teacher note: As an alternative approach,
complete this activity as a whole class.
33. Instruct students to list notes of the examples they find in the “Example” row of their
graphic organizer and to think about and take notes on how this function might impact
government, society and the political system. Instruct students to make note of where on
the websites they found their examples.
34. Have students share out the examples they found from either site.
35. Engage students in a class discussion about the impact of these functions. Instruct students
to add notes in the “Impact” box during the discussion. Teacher note: See the Sample
Answers section as a starting off point for this discussion.
36. Checking for Understanding B (Formative Assessment):
Instruct students to write a well-crafted informative response using the following prompt:
Prompt
Using what you have learned during this lesson and using specific examples gathered
during your research, write an argument explaining the impact of political parties on
society, government or the political system. Use specific examples and evidence to
support your argument.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 9
NAME:_______________________________________________________________________
DATE:___________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Does anything look familiar to you in these pictures? What do you think these pictures represent?
Notes
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 10
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 11
NAME: _______________________________________________________________________
DATE: ___________________
COMPARING PERSPECTIVES
Powers of the
Federal
Government
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
PLATFORM
In order to reduce the deficit while still making the
Lays (creates) and investments we need in education, research, infrastructure, and
clean energy, the President has asked for the wealthiest
collects taxes
taxpayers to pay their fair share.
TAXES
SUMMARY
BUDGET
Executes the
spending
authorized by
Congress
SUMMARY
The Democratic Party opposes efforts to give additional tax
cuts to the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle
class and investments in our future.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
… all permanent new spending and tax cuts must now be
offset by savings or revenue increases.
This approach includes tough spending cuts that will bring
annual domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the
economy in 50 years, while still allowing us to make
investments that benefit the middle class now and reduce our
deficit over a decade.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
REPUBLICAN PARTY
PLATFORM
Extend the 2001 and 2003 tax relief packages—commonly
known as the Bush tax cuts—pending reform of the tax code,
to keep tax rates from rising on income,..
We call for a Constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority for any tax increase, … so that future Congresses
cannot balance the budget by raising taxes.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Cutting spending is not enough; it must be accompanied by
major structural reforms, increased productivity, use of
technology, and long-term government downsizing that both
reduce debt and deficits and ignite economic growth.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 12
MILITARY
SPENDING
Has the power to
raise and support
armed forces
SUMMARY
In our current fiscal environment, we must also make tough
budgetary decisions across the board – and that includes
within the defense budget.
Sequestration—which is severe, automatic, across-the-board
cuts in defense spending over the next decade—of the nation’s
military budget would be a disaster for national security....
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TREATIES
Approves treaties
for ratification
…committed to strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty…. As we work to uphold our obligations under the
treaty by reducing stockpiles [of nuclear weapons] and
recognizing the rights of all rule-abiding states to peaceful
nuclear energy, we will insist that countries without nuclear
weapons comply with their obligations not to develop them,
and we will ensure that violators face real consequences.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
… we oppose the adoption or ratification of international
treaties that weaken or encroach upon American sovereignty.
IMMIGRATION
Regulates
immigration and
naturalization
[T]he country urgently needs comprehensive immigration
reform that brings undocumented immigrants out of the
shadows and requires them to get right with the law, learn
English, and pay taxes in order to get on a path to earn
citizenship.
[W]e oppose any form of amnesty....
The double-layered fencing on the border that was enacted by
Congress in 2006, but never completed, must finally be built.
SUMMARY
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
SUMMARY
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 13
FOREIGN
POLICY & AID
Regulate
commerce with
foreign nations
Declare war
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
We will come to the aid of countries during their times of
need, just as we did following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami,
and Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. And as we did in the
aftermath of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake in January 2010,
we will provide critical aid to countries facing devastating
circumstances to meet their acute short-term needs and foster
long-term recovery.
Limiting foreign aid spending helps keep taxes lower, which
frees more resources in the private and charitable sectors,
whose giving tends to be more effective and efficient.
As we rebalance our foreign policy, we have rebuilt our
Raise and Support
relationships around the world. From Europe and Asia to the
Armies
Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, we have strengthened
the alliances and partnerships that are so central to global
Provide and
security, and we have taken steps to reinvigorate international
maintain a Navy
institutions. All the while, we have built the foundation for
sustained American leadership by growing our economy,
preserving our unrivaled military strength, and advancing our
values.
_______________________________________________
SUMMARY
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Foreign aid should serve our national interest, an essential part
of which is the peaceful development of less advanced and
vulnerable societies in critical parts of the world. The
economic success and political progress of former aid
recipients, from Latin America to East Asia, has justified our
investment in their future. U.S. aid should be based on the
model … for which foreign governments must, in effect,
compete for the dollars by showing respect for the rule of law,
free enterprise, and measurable results. In short, aid money
should follow positive outcomes, not pleas for more cash in
the same corrupt official pockets.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 14
Political Party Functions
Directions: Read the Five Roles of Political Parties. List the five functions of political parties in the graphic organizer.
For each function, write one or two sentences that summarize the function. To complete the example column, go to one
political party’s website and find examples of each function. Be prepared to share your examples with the class.
FUNCTION
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE &
SOURCE
IMPACT
Nominate
Candidates
Influence
Policy
Unite
Government
Create
Balance
Inform
Citizens
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 15
Sources
Political Party Information: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4706
Political Party logos: Communist Party - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CP_logo.png, Democratic
Party – http://www.democrats.org/about/our_party, Libertarian Party – http://lp.org, Republican Party
– https://gop.com and Socialist Party - http://www.sp-usa.org/
What’s the Difference Between Democrats and Republicans? Video http://agreetodisagree.bangordailynews.com/2012/07/17/maine-politics/video-whats-the-differencebetween-democrats-and-republicans-ethan-phil-take-us-to-political-summer-school/
Party Platform Activity - http://compare2012.returncontrol.com, https://www.democrats.org/partyplatform and https://gop.com/platform/
One Big Party? from iCivics - http://www.icivics.org/teachers/lesson-plans/one-big-party
Convention images: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/07/us/politics/2012-conventionPOD-7.html and http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/30/us/politics/2012-convention-POD4.html#/?slide=0
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 16
Political Parties
Does anything look familiar to you in these pictures? What do you think these pictures represent?
Communist Party USA


a political party that
believes the
government should
control all production
and distribution of
goods and working
people should control
their own lives and
destinies
a third party
Democratic Party


a political party that
believes that the
federal government
should take a more
active role in people's
lives, particularly
those who are in need
one of the two parties
that make up the twoparty system
Libertarian Party


a political party that
believes in individual
freedom and the only
purpose of
government is to
protect this freedom
a third party
Republican Party


a political party that
believes that the
federal government
should play a small
role in people's lives;
they favor lower
taxes and less
government spending
one of the two parties
that make up the twoparty system
Socialist Party USA


a political party that
believes people
should own and
control industry
through
democratically
controlled public
agencies,
cooperatives, or other
collective groups
a third party
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 17
COMPARING PERSPECTIVES – SAMPLE ANSWERS
Powers of the
Federal
Government
TAXES
Lays (creates) and
collects taxes
SUMMARY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
PLATFORM
REPUBLICAN PARTY
PLATFORM
In order to reduce the deficit while still making the investments we
need in education, research, infrastructure, and clean energy, the
President has asked for the wealthiest taxpayers to pay their fair
share.
Extend the 2001 and 2003 tax relief packages—commonly known
as the Bush tax cuts—pending reform of the tax code, to keep tax
rates from rising on income,..
The Democratic Party opposes efforts to give additional tax cuts to
the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class and
investments in our future.
Fairness in tax system, make everyone pay their fair share
We call for a Constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority for any tax increase, … so that future Congresses cannot
balance the budget by raising taxes.
Extend tax cuts for the wealthy; propose a constitutional
amendment regarding raising taxes to balance the federal budget
… all permanent new spending and tax cuts must now be offset by
savings or revenue increases.
This approach includes tough spending cuts that will bring annual
domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in
50 years, while still allowing us to make investments that benefit
the middle class now and reduce our deficit over a decade.
Balance the budget by making sure that any new spending is
balanced with saving or increasing revenue.
Cutting spending is not enough; it must be accompanied by major
structural reforms, increased productivity, use of technology, and
long-term government downsizing that both reduce debt and
deficits and ignite economic growth.
MILITARY
SPENDING
Has the power to
raise and support
armed forces
SUMMARY
In our current fiscal environment, we must also make tough
budgetary decisions across the board – and that includes within the
defense budget.
Sequestration—which is severe, automatic, across-the-board cuts
in defense spending over the next decade—of the nation’s military
budget would be a disaster for national security....
Decreasing the defense budget is necessary.
Cutting the defense budget would be a disaster for national
security.
TREATIES
Approves treaties for
ratification
…committed to strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty…. As we work to uphold our obligations under the treaty by
reducing stockpiles [of nuclear weapons] and recognizing the rights
of all rule-abiding states to peaceful nuclear energy, we will insist
that countries without nuclear weapons comply with their
obligations not to develop them, and we will ensure that violators
face real consequences.
… we oppose the adoption or ratification of international treaties
that weaken or encroach upon American sovereignty.
BUDGET
Executes the
spending authorized
by Congress
SUMMARY
More than just spending has to be looked at to balance the budget;
downsizing the government reduces debt and increases growth
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 18
SUMMARY
We need to uphold our side of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
and work to reduce our amount of nuclear weapons.
We are against treaties that weaken American power and ability to
govern.
IMMIGRATION
Regulates
immigration and
naturalization
[T]he country urgently needs comprehensive immigration reform
that brings undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and
requires them to get right with the law, learn English, and pay taxes
in order to get on a path to earn citizenship.
[W]e oppose any form of amnesty....
SUMMARY
We want to work with illegal immigrants and get them on the path
towards naturalization.
We do not agree with giving illegal immigrants forgiveness for
entering the country illegally.
We want to complete the fence on the U.S./Mexico border.
We will come to the aid of countries during their times of need, just
as we did following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima
nuclear disaster in Japan. And as we did in the aftermath of Haiti's
catastrophic earthquake in January 2010, we will provide critical
aid to countries facing devastating circumstances to meet their acute
short-term needs and foster long-term recovery.
Limiting foreign aid spending helps keep taxes lower, which frees
more resources in the private and charitable sectors, whose giving
tends to be more effective and efficient.
FOREIGN
POLICY & AID
Provide for the
Regulate commerce
with foreign nations
Declare war
Raise and Support
Armies
Provide and
maintain a Navy
SUMMARY
As we rebalance our foreign policy, we have rebuilt our
relationships around the world. From Europe and Asia to the
Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, we have strengthened the
alliances and partnerships that are so central to global security, and
we have taken steps to reinvigorate international institutions. All the
while, we have built the foundation for sustained American
leadership by growing our economy, preserving our unrivaled
military strength, and advancing our values.
We will help countries when needed, provide short-term care and
help with long-term recovery. We work with countries around the
world to maintain relationships.
The double-layered fencing on the border that was enacted by
Congress in 2006, but never completed, must finally be built.
Foreign aid should serve our national interest, an essential part of
which is the peaceful development of less advanced and
vulnerable societies in critical parts of the world. The economic
success and political progress of former aid recipients, from Latin
America to East Asia, has justified our investment in their future.
U.S. aid should be based on the model … for which foreign
governments must, in effect, compete for the dollars by showing
respect for the rule of law, free enterprise, and measurable results.
In short, aid money should follow positive outcomes, not pleas for
more cash in the same corrupt official pockets.
We believe in limiting foreign spending, which lowers taxes and
provides private business and charities make greater contributions.
We should make foreign aid competitive so that it goes to
countries respectful of American ideas.
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 19
Political Party Functions – Sample Answers
FUNCTION
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE & SOURCE
IMPACT
Sample answers provided. The
impact of each function varies.
Nominate
Candidates
Political parties
nominate candidates for
public office. The
candidates believe in the
party platform.
DEMOCRATS: There is
information about 2016 nominees
for both parties http://www.democrats.org/
REPUBLICANS: Link to the 2016
nominees https://gop.com/presidential-strawpoll/
By nominating candidates,
political parties provide
options of candidates to
society. Society then
determines which candidate
they will elect and serve in
government.
Influence
Policy
Members of Congress
are members of political
parties and they work to
pass laws that support
their party’s platform.
DEMOCRATS: There are issues and
A political party’s platform
and ability to influence
policy impacts the types of
laws that are passed and the
issues that receive attention
by government.
Unite
Government
A party can link its
members at the federal,
state and local levels of
government to achieve
big goals for the party.
Create
Balance
The two parties create
balance in the
government by working
hard to protect the ideas
in their party platform.
The two parties keep
each other in check.
Political parties run
campaigns for
candidates. They run
ads, create pamphlets,
post blogs, and help
candidates give
speeches.
Inform
Citizens
blog sections on the website
http://www.democrats.org/news/blog and
a link to their platform:
https://www.democrats.org/partyplatform
REPUBLICANS: Link to the
platform - https://gop.com/platform/
DEMOCRATS: There is a link to
state parties
http://asdc.democrats.org/stateparties/ and a “Take Action” link on
the homepage.
REPUBLICANS: Link to state
leadership
https://gop.com/leaders/states/ and a
link to Get Involved https://gop.com/get-involved/
DEMOCRATS: Link to the platform:
https://www.democrats.org/partyplatform
REPUBLICANS: Link to the
platform - https://gop.com/platform/
This function provides a
way for people that identify
with a particular party to
connect with each other and
for the party to expand its
influence at each level of
government.
This function impacts how
laws are made in
government.
DEMOCRATS: On the homepage
This function impacts the
http://democrats.org there is a way
way society views
to donate, take action, sign petitions candidates for office.
and connect via social media.
REPUBLICANS: There is a link for
volunteering:
http://www.gop.com/volunteer/ at
the top of the page there are ways to
connect via social media
Government Policies and Political Processes | SS.7.C.2.8 – Updated 7/15 | 20