Responses
Humanities
Responses to the discussion answer
Alexis
In today’s societies, I wish that we would get away from political parties. There have always been this thing that all Republics feel this way, all Democrats feel this way, and if you don’t agree with either than you are whatever else is left. But in all honesty, I feel that the candidates should run as their own man or woman, without having the ideas of the political parties. Most candidates actually ride the fence of the ideas of more than on party. You could have a candidate that their military views are compatible to the Republican party, but their health care view are compatible to Democratic party, so what does that candidate qualify as? I feel that each candidate should run as their own, and express their own opinions and the voters vote on the candidate that they feel best represents them.
paige
As the text states, Political parties organize the mass public, who, as individuals, might lack the resources and knowledge to compete with wealthy elites, businesses, and interest groups for a voice in politics (We The People 327). The Republican and Democratic parties have very differing platforms, but they allow the elected officials to represent a larger portion of what Americans want for the government at that time. The Republican party believes that this country is exceptional, should follow the Constitution, the leaders should serve people not interests, institution of traditional marriage is the foundation of society, health care decisions should be made by us and our Doctors, money should not be wasted on poorly run government programs, the military must be strong and protect our borders, Veterans should have the best care available, children should not be left in failing schools, and social programs should help life people out of poverty (Why are you Republican 2019). These ideals are just a brief overview of the Republican platform. In opposition to this, the Democratic platform believes our country should raise incomes and restore economic security for the middle class, create good-paying jobs, fight for economic fairness and against inequality, bring American’s removing barriers to opportunity, protect voting rights, combat climate change, provide quality and affordable education, ensure the health and safety of all American’s, support our troops, confront global threats, and protect all social values (2016 Democratic platform). Personally, I do think there are huge differences between the parties. The Republicans believe in stronger economic values while the Democrats focus in more on the social aspects of society. I think that these differing opinions are a good thing because we live in a country of freedom. This freedom allows each and every one of us to have our own political ideals, and by having parties with more varied values we can reach almost any opinion or political ideal. The benefit to having political parties is the inclusion of all ideas and opinions. It allows our democracy to thrive and not become a dictatorship with no freedom of choice or speech. A negative effect of having differing parties in the United States is political unrest and tension. Many people have firm beliefs and will fight for what they believe even to a negative extent. Having the parties does pit people against each other and divides the country. Third Parties are an answer to this political strife. They allow for representation of social and economic interest that was not given voice by the two major parties (We the People 359). America as a whole has tried to allow freedoms for all and inclusion to a party for any political opinions, which the third parties allow.
