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      <title>Polysci 102: The Two Party System by Bradleigh Ryan</title>
      <link>https://padlet.com/392694/rmwr0575q1hy3kbt</link>
      <description></description>
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      <pubDate>2024-02-29 21:32:56 UTC</pubDate>
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         <title>Democrats</title>
         <author>392694</author>
         <link>https://padlet.com/392694/rmwr0575q1hy3kbt/wish/2901204978</link>
         <description><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>PARTY PLATFORM:</em></strong> Plead to the needs of the individual and make sure everyone is represented </p><ol><li><p>Workplace Safety Regulation <strong>(The Occupational Safety and Health Act): </strong>The importance of a safe work environment, along with satisfactory wages, is highly emphasized by the Democratic Party. The Occupational Safety and Health Act was put in place to ensure that there are no hazardous conditions in the workplace, such as potential toxins, mechanical dangers, and unsanitary conditions. </p></li><li><p>Universal Health Care <strong>(Affordable Care Act)</strong>: Under the signing of Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was put in place to allow essential healthcare to be universally more affordable. The government did this by creating healthcare subsidies and raising taxes on wealthier individuals. Overall, this resulted in fewer health risks throughout all social classes and less exploitation, but at the cost of being more expensive.  </p></li><li><p>Subsidized Housing <strong>(Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act): </strong>Subsidized housing is government-sponsored housing grants given to lower classes, which allows people who can't afford basic rent to have a comfortable lifestyle. The Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act was signed in 2022 by Gavin Newsom, permitting all housing in office, parking, or commercial zones to be affordable and account for mixed incomes. </p></li><li><p>Social Security <strong>(Social Security Act)</strong>: Although the Social Security Act was originally inaugurated in the twentieth century, it still represents the modern Democratic party. This concept allows for insurance against inequities such as unemployment, elderly care, family benefits, medicare, etc. Social Security is essential to account for all types of societal needs, benefitting all groups. </p></li></ol><p><strong><mark>Strengths</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Less risk and governmental exploitation</strong>: As the Democrat Party highly dictates the country, this leads to less risk of potential dangers, including safer workplaces, cleaner water and air, and healthier lifestyles all around. Additionally, exploitation is avoided because the Democratic government spends its efforts on making economic processes, like the creation of businesses, equal and practical. </p></li><li><p><strong>Reduces economic inequality:</strong> Regulation also leads to cheaper goods as a whole. When the government imposes on private firms, they can prevent unfair competition that could lead to monopolies, leading to price reductions in markets. </p></li></ul><p><strong><mark>Weaknesses</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>More governmental regulation:</strong> Having a large government presence can lead to having an overgrown bureaucracy, leading to a slowing in economic growth. </p></li><li><p><strong>Higher taxes: </strong>While programs such as ACA and other beneficial policies are being created, it costs each American more money out of their tax paying. This is because the government needs this funding to properly consider and resolve potential risks. </p></li></ul><p><em>Polling Data:</em></p><p>(2020 Presidential Election): 306 Electoral Voters (51.3% of the popular vote)</p><p>Urban Areas and Minority Groups are more likely to vote Democratic</p><p><em>Public Opinion~ </em>Many Americans view the Democratic party as a societal group that moves progressively. Their focus on individual well-being and personal benefits is a subject that many people deem respectable, however, there is great controversy about what people deem necessary when it comes to taxation.  </p><p><br/></p>]]></description>
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         <pubDate>2024-02-29 21:34:04 UTC</pubDate>
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         <title>Republicans</title>
         <author>392694</author>
         <link>https://padlet.com/392694/rmwr0575q1hy3kbt/wish/2901205071</link>
         <description><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>PARTY PLATFORM:</em></strong> Lessen federal government power to increase the sovereignty of the people</p><ol><li><p>Increased Military Spending <strong>(National Defense Authorization Act): </strong>Republicans commonly advocate for an increase in military spending, to produce strong military infrastructure and support active duty personnel. The National Defense Authorization Act regulates the minimum budget spent on military funding, ensuring that military troops, active members, and authorities are getting the financing they need to prosper.</p></li><li><p>Opposition to Immigration <strong>(Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act): </strong>Republicans place importance on strict border rules, along with deportations of individuals who immigrated illegally. They believe that immigrants, when illegally residing in the United States, result in an imbalance in the economy. The RAISE Act was enacted in an attempt to add to the criteria of legal immigrants. Republican senators Tom Cotton and David Purdue sponsored this act by halving the number of issued green cards nationwide. </p></li><li><p>Education Vouchers<strong>: </strong>The<strong> </strong>Republican view commonly advocates for local control of schooling by reducing taxation that funds public schooling. This means that they support school choice and the incentive to move tax funding from public education to options like homeschooling, private schools, and charter schools. </p></li><li><p>2nd Amendment Rights: Gun control is a current topic that has resulted in a divide in America. Republicans believe that the rights of the 2nd Amendment--the necessary security of a free state-- should not be undermined by the regulation of guns. The right to bear arms should not be infringed upon in their opinion. </p></li></ol><p><strong><mark>Strengths</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p>Lower taxes: Similarly to the Libertarian Party, having lower tax rates can boost savings and investments, along with reducing unemployment. </p></li><li><p>Free market capitalism: Having a free market system is the ideology that the law of supply and demand can regulate the economy with little government interference. This can be beneficial because it results in efficient resource distribution, innovation, competition, and product variety. </p></li><li><p>Strong military presence: Evidently, having a strong military presence allows for the United States to be protected from direct threats. This can also maintain peace and stability in regions critical to American interests, for it is important to have substantial international relations. </p></li></ul><p><strong><mark>Weaknesses</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p>Less leniency toward personal beliefs: Not all Republicans support groups that express their opinions strongly. Religious and wealthy Republicans commonly believe in heterosexual marriage, no abortions, and other controversial ideologies. This shows their overall reluctancy to accept certain minorities, which can also include immigrants. </p></li></ul><p><em>Polling Data:</em></p><p>2020 Presidential Election: 232 Electoral Voters (46.9% of popular vote)</p><p>White Americans, Evangelical Christians, and Rural Inhabitants tend to vote Republican</p><p><em>Public Opinion~ </em>Republicans are seen as individuals who typically care more about economic prosperity than the needs of each individual. This being said, they hope for benefits to Americans, however, they would rather not be taxed than focus on the specific well-being of the lower classes. </p>]]></description>
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         <pubDate>2024-02-29 21:34:14 UTC</pubDate>
         <guid>https://padlet.com/392694/rmwr0575q1hy3kbt/wish/2901205071</guid>
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         <title>Libertarians</title>
         <author>392694</author>
         <link>https://padlet.com/392694/rmwr0575q1hy3kbt/wish/2901205176</link>
         <description><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>PARTY PLATFORM:</em></strong> Reduce Government power to earn a peaceful living through the voluntary exchange of goods</p><ol><li><p>Free Trade and Migration Policies <strong>(Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)): </strong>Libertarians believe that as long as people are peaceful, they should be allowed to immigrate into the country. Additionally, they think that there should be free trade to improve the efficiency of acquiring essential goods. The United States has free trade agreements with around 20 countries, which means that goods sent to and from these countries are not taxed. </p></li><li><p>Freedom of personal benefits<strong>: </strong>Libertarian thought highlights individual dignity. They emphasize the values of responsibility and rights, prioritizing equality before the law. It is common for them to support groups no matter their personal beliefs, for they represent a non-intervention ideology. </p></li><li><p>Avoidance of High Taxation <strong>(Inflation Reduction Act): </strong>Libertarians believe in the ideology of keeping what you earn. This being said, they do not want their incomes to be taxed, which shows their similarity to certain Republican standpoints. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowered drug prices and invested in domestic energy production to try and curb inflation. By shifting these financial aspects, their goal was to reduce the federal government budget deficit.  </p></li><li><p>Drug Policy <strong>(The Compassionate Use Act)</strong>: The Libertarian Party is commonly known for its belief in non-imposed drug usage, which parallels its focus on free choice. For example, in California, the Compassionate Use Act was passed to legalize the use of marijuana at the risk of the individual, which took this specific regulation out of the state government's hands. </p></li></ol><p><strong><mark>Strengths</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Strong endorsement of individual liberty:</strong> Having an open-minded government allows people to represent themselves in several different ways. Libertarians support groups such as LGBTQ+ and other minorities, allowing for expression to be highly encouraged. This ideology can bring awareness to mental health issues, etc., because it accounts for the freedoms of each individual.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Lower tax rates:</strong> Having a smaller government ensures lower taxes, for there is less of a need for governmental funding. This translates to everyone in the country, for personal savings and income ranks would increase. </p></li></ul><p><strong><mark>Weaknesses</mark></strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Doesn't consider external and internal influences that affect certain free choices:</strong> Mental issues, external compulsion, and drug usage are all examples of detrimental decision-making. These forces influence the choices many people make, so having complete freedom is not always safe. This being said, there is no way to argue that each individual is fully responsible for the choices that they make, for there could be other components that make them act a certain way. </p></li></ul><p><em>Polling Data </em></p><p>(2020 presidential election): <em>1-2% </em>of popular vote</p><p>Minority groups and states such as Florida and New Hampshire voted Libertarian</p><p><em>Public Opinion~ </em>Many people do not identify themselves as Libertarians, for it is more of a niche party with specific ideals compared to the general Democratic and Republican parties. </p>]]></description>
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         <pubDate>2024-02-29 21:34:25 UTC</pubDate>
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