The Political Party Essay Research Paper Democracy

The Political Party Essay, Research Paper

Democracy at Work: The Differences Between Our Political Parties

By: Kuppuswami Girijashanker

Democracy at Work: The Differences Between Our Political Parties America is a land of very diverse people from all parts of the world. They all have wide varieties of interests, which are represented by both parties of its political system. The Democrats and Republicans represent two different standpoints; although they concentrate on the same issues both of them have different views on how the issues should be addressed. Two presidential campaigns in which the parties candidates differed on the issues are that of 1988 and 1996. Democracy only works when the people who represent the masses differ on the issues, so that to protect our freedom and the parties of our political system are the best representation of this ideology. The campaign of 1988 was the first time in two decades that neither opponent was an incumbent. This campaign was bound to be different from the 1984 campaign because unemployment and recession had gone down so much. But there still existed problems of deficit, growing poverty and increased foreign competition. Now the problem most frequently mentioned as most important in mid 1988 was drugs, and also with increasing concern about morality and crime. If the two candidates, Republican George Bush or Democrat Michael Dukakis, were to win the election they need to address these issues. Much of the 1988 Bush campaign was about the difference of ideologies between Bush and Dukakis. Bush intended to campaign around education, crime and the environment, but his no new taxes pledge severely restricted proposing new programs. In the first Bush Dukakis debate on PBS hosted by Jim Lehrer, the first question that was brought up was the problem with drugs in America at the time period. Mr. Bush believed that there had been a deterioration of values and schools need to instill good moral discipline into the school children. we’ve got to do a lot better on education, and we have to do, be tougher on those who commit crimes. But Mr. Dukakis felt that values must be reflected by political leaders themselves to set as an example for the children. He goes on by saying that government should send good messages to young people and its better to advocates early drug education programs and create a good environment in the schools. Another issue with differing viewpoints was that on the federal deficit. Mr. Dukakis believes that there should be less spending on defense system, which we can afford or need. He also says investment in economic growth will expand the revenue and bring down the deficit and finally he believes his programs will get many people out of welfare and become productive citizens, which would save millions of dollars. Mr. Bush refutes his argument with his so called flexible freeze. He believes this program is going to increase revenues to the federal government, and it’s going to create jobs. He supports his argument by saying that John Kennedy had advocated this program and so had Paul Tsongas, a Senator from Massachusetts, and it does not cost the government any money. One of the most important question that politicians have been arguing about since its establishment after the Depression is Medicaid. Mr. Bush tended to see Medicaid as a big financial bill for the government. But we’ve got to keep going forward without killing off the engine and throwing people out of work. Mr. Dukakis was appalled at his answer, and answered with a more appealing one. He thought that Medicare is too expensive of a thing to be bought by the poor or even the middle class families. And I think it’s time that when you got a job in this country it came with health insurance Homelessness was another important issue both candidates addressed. Mr. Bush felt that a McKinney Act will take care of the problem. He hopes that a great deal of funding goes into this ever lingering problem and hopes Congress will fully fund the bill. Mr. Dukakis once more had a differing view to Mr. Bush. Mr. Dukakis believes that rehabilitating and building new housing for low-income families is the best way. He thinks the McKinney bill simply wont do and it’s going to take a president who’s committed to housing, who’s had experience in building and rehabilitating housing, who understands that affordable housing for families of low and moderate income, for young families, first time home buyers, is an essential part of the American dream. Two major issues both candidates disagreed on were the death penalty and abortion. Mr. Dukakis says that its unjust to take a man s life and we need to find ways to rehabilitate the person, so he may once more lead a normal life. But he also says, although he dislikes abortion, I think it has to be the woman, in the exercise of her own conscience and religious beliefs, that makes that decision. Mr. Bush later clearly states that he s for the death penalty because he s not going to let a man live who comes intoxicated and kills a police officer. Mr. Bush also points out that he is against abortion. He thinks that instead of killing millions of babies, they should be given to families who will give them the love they deserve. I’m for the sanctity of life, and once that illegality is established, then we can come to grips with the penalty side, and of course there’s got to be some penalties to enforce the law, whatever they may