Contemporary Political Parties

In the United States of America, there are two major contemporary political parties. The Democratic Party, who was founded around the year 1828, promotes a social liberal platform and bases on modern values. On the other hand, the Republican Party, who was founded by anti-slavery activists in 1854, is based on American conservatism. Both parties contemplate on current issues in regards to economic and social affairs and foreign policy. According to Fred Moseley, the United States economy is currently experiencing its worst crisis since the Great Depression. The crisis started in the home mortgage market, and is now spreading beyond subprime to prime mortgages, commercial real estate, corporate junk bonds, and other forms of debt. (Moseley)
Many people are affected by not being able to sustain the roof over their heads or provide food on the table for their family because of how not only prices are increasing as well as the cost of living, but also due to modern technology, many are being replaced by such machinery of some sort. In the Democratic, or Liberal, point of view towards the economic issues in the United States is that they believe there should be a regulation on Wall Street and taxes should be cut towards the low-income and working families while the wealthy continue to pay taxes. It seems fair doing so that way the lower and working class families would be able to sustain themselves and provide for their families better rather than having to worry about paying taxes for the government and resulting in such debt. Not only would it reduce the need for families to receive government assistance, but also more jobs would be available to those who currently are unemployed because job availability would open up since the average person has more than one job to be able to survive. “The Rich get Richer” is the idea of the Conservatives. They believe there should be a deregulation on Wall Street and the wealthy should get a tax break while there is a stimulus on middle classes. Reason for that being is to invest in our economy which creates jobs for all as well as to outsource and evacuate of the manufacturing sector which would result in lower prices. Social issues are also a major factor in the United States because that is where people are standing up for their rights as well as have their voices being heard. From legalizing to banning, all voices are being heard through votes, protests, debates or even letters that are coming from the people. Issues such as legalizing marijuana, gay marriage, and even abortion are all matters that some people agree or disagree on which is why there has been multiple debates on those factors. With that being said, there is always a new issue that comes with a newer generation that changes and affects the nation’s future. When it comes to Liberals, they base their ideas on modern values and support it with the Constitution.
They accept on marijuana legalization because not only is it a right that is retained by the people, but also the government can benefit from it. With the money that is being profited from the sales of marijuana, the taxed portion can fund the state’s education such as how it is currently done in Colorado. Gay marriage is also agreed on because according to the Constitution, we all have equal rights. With that being said, if we did not then it would be considered discrimination against gay people due to the fact that if a man and woman can get married then why can two men not get married or two women not get married. It would not only be considered unconstitutional, but also it would cause rebellion towards the government and violence. When it comes to legalizing abortion, their beliefs are pro-choice, meaning the woman has the right to choose whether to or not abort the child since after all it is her
body. On the other hand, the Conservatives base their views on traditional values. According to the Republicans, marijuana should not be legal because it would create madness to society and cause the nation to become a lazier nation. On top of that, it is also believed that gay marriage should not be legalized because some members are religious and support it with traditional values while others believe that gay marriage would lead to complications such as if the couple were to adopt a child and in the long run end up filing for divorce. Not only would it result debates as to whom gets custody of the child, but it would be a longer process to file the divorce and be much more expensive and time consuming. Furthermore, most republicans believe in pro-life whether it is traditional values or even because in some way it is a type of murder as after all it is killing a developing life. Lastly, foreign policy is another issue that is currently being discussed among both parties. Whether it is to allow immigrants to stay in the country to pursue their education or for the United States to become affiliated amongst other nations to prevent war, all in all it is something that both parties are debating on their behalf. “But even more than interests, we’re bound by shared values. In each other’s journey we see reflections of our own. Colonists who broke free from empires. Pioneers who opened new frontiers. Citizens who have struggled to expand our nation’s promise to all people – men and women, white, black and brown. We’re people of faith who must remember that all of us – especially the most fortunate among us – must do our part, especially for the least among us. We’re citizens who know that ensuring that democracies deliver for our people must be the work of all. This is our common history. This is our common heritage. We are all Americans.” (Obama)
On a Democrat’s perspective, they are non-interventionists which causes them to believe that we should talk and affiliate with the enemy that way the United States still retains diplomacy and avoids all wars that is not related to direct self defense.
In other words, they choose diplomacy over military intervention. Also it is believed that immigrants should be allowed to stay for culture diversity as well as innovation to the economy and ensure for American workers. For illegal immigrants to become a US citizen, they must accept that they broke the law, pay taxes and learn English before they are allowed to apply for their citizenship. However, on a Republican’s perspective, they believe that we should isolate our enemies and follow the “peace through strength” theory, meaning that even if we have to go to war and fight for peace amongst other nations, then that is something that our country needs to do. While when it comes to immigrants, it is believed that the borders should be more secure as well as law enforcement to have zero tolerance amongst illegal immigrants in the near future that way not only are Americans protected with a job but also there would be more opportunities for Americans to
succeed. All in all, both parties have different views on different issues. Whether it is on economic, social or even foreign policy, it not only affects the individual person but also the nation as a whole. As mentioned before, Democrats and Republicans contemplate on each subject critically and carefully to be able to secure and protect the nation as each day evolves. Especially how generation after generation a new era is born as well as new issues are being contemplated and analyzed. It is up to the people to vote on how they want their nation to turn out.

Works Cited
Moseley, Fred. "The US economic crisis: causes and solutions." 20 January 2009. International Socialist Review. .
Obama, Barack. "The Americas." Santiago, Chile, 21 March 2011. Speech. Palacio de La Moneda Cultural Center. .
"Democratic Party."