Study Guide

[2Bree]

Emergence of the Tea Party

• Emerged in 2009 after the bailout of the US's financial institutions, the economic stimulus package and the new health care law
• The name is taken from the Boston Tea Party as they protested against the British King at the time
• Tends to be very conservative and libertarian in nature

Core Beliefs of Tea Party

• Illegal aliens are here illegally
• Pro-domestic employment is indispensable
• stronger military is essential
• special interests eliminated
• gun ownership is sacred
• government must be downsized
• national budget must be balanced
• Deficit spending will end
• bail-out and stimulus plans are illegal
• reduce personal income taxes a must
• reduce business income taxes is madatory
• policical offices available to average citizens
• intrusive government stopped
• english as core language is required
• traditional family values are encouraged
• common sense constitutional
• conservative self-governance

Republicans are conservative

• favor traditional institutions and the status quo
• favor lasissez faire stystem-
• favor a limited role for government in society and believe that people should help themselves, not rely on the government
• favor lower taxes
• believe in the trickle-down theory
• believe in rugged individualism

Democrats are liberal

• favor change in society
• oppose government intervention into one's private and social life
• support regulations on economic activity and businesses
• favor an active role for government in society
• beleive that involvement can imporve the quality of our lives
• willing to increase taxes to support programs

Abortion

1. Democrat- abortion is a woman's right and should be legal
2. Republican- Abortion should be illegal and restricted by government

Flag Burning

1. Democrat- Flag burning is political speech and is protected by the constitution
2. Republican- Protect the flag from burning by a constitutional amendment

Gun Control

1. Democrats- Favor/ Gun control is needed
2. Republicans- Oppose/ Gun control is unconstitutional.

Natural Environment

1. Democrats- Strong regulations are needed to protect the environment
2. Republicans- Strong environmental laws laws harm the economy

Race Relations

• in the 1980s everything fliped floped. linon johnson. gave blacks the laws they should have had years ago. 24th amendment 

1. Democrats- Sronganit/ discrimination laws are needed favor affirmative action
2. Republicans- people and businesses can be trusted not to discriminate many oppose affirmative action

Minuimum Wage

• $7.25

1. Democrats- Favor/ Increase the minuimum wage to help workers
2. Republicans- Oppose/ Do not raise the minimum wage because it hurts businesses

Healthcare

1. Democrats- Government should require universal access to healthcare
2. Republicans- Private insurers are preferable to government controlled system

Taxes

1. Democrats- Increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for public programs
2. Republicans- Cutting taxes fro every one helps the economy

Military

1. Democrats- Cut military spending; expand veteran's benefits; act in concert with other nations and/ or with support from NATO and the UN
2. Republicans- Increase military spending; cut veteran's benefits; don't be constrained by other nations or by NATO and the UN
3. NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Our alliance with many Europe countries and Canada.

Death Penalty

1. Democrats- Oppose/ It is not a deterrent and innocent people are in jeopardy
2. Republicans- Favor/ The death penalty is necessary and effective

• History- Furman v. Germany (1972)- In this case, the court found the death penalty to be un constitutional along the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 8th amendment

Gay Rights

1. Democrats- Favor/ Gay rights and marriage are civil rights
2. Republicans- Oppose/ Marriage is a sacred trust between a man and woman  

Prayer in school

1. Democrat- Oppose/ violation of the separation between church and state
2. Republican- Favor/ it is a religious right and our Christian heritage.