The Democratic Party has been one of the two main political parties in the United States
since 1828.
What makes someone a Democrat?
What principles do they uphold?
Since the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, the Democratic Party has always claimed to
be the party of the “common man”.
As a result, they have always promoted practices that are intended to support those less fortunate.
Democrat policies have also favored progressive measures.
This means they favor political and social reform through strong government action.
As a result of these philosophies, Democrats believe that the government should provide
a strong social safety net for Americans in need.
This would include supporting governmental programs such as Social Security, which provides
income for the elderly, and Medicare, a federal insurance program which helps provide healthcare
for those over the age of 65.
Governmental programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
and the Women, Infants, and Children Food Program both help provide food for those in
need.
This is just a small sample of the government programs intended to help
the poor, disabled, or elderly.
There are many other similar programs, all of which are supported by Democrats.
Democrats feel that the government should play an active role in regulating the economy.
This active role could extend to anything from regulating prices to help businesses
be more competitive, to maintaining employment standards.
It might also include establishing environmental regulations for businesses, or even financially
supporting large businesses during economic downturns.
Democrats also support a progressive tax rate.
This means that the more income an individual earns, the more that person pays in taxes.
For example, if someone earns $30,000 in a year, that income might be taxed at 10%.
However, if someone earned $300,000, that income would be taxed at 33%.
These taxes are used to help pay for the social programs mentioned earlier in this lesson,
amongst many other things.
Raising the minimum wage has long been a goal of the Democratic Party.
They believe that Americans should have a fair wage that will help them support their
families and live their lives.
They also believe that all workers performing the same job should receive the same pay,
regardless of gender or race.
For example, they feel that female nurses should receive the same pay as male nurses
who are performing the same job and working the same hours.
Democrats feel that America’s immigration laws need to be reformed.
They believe there should be a “path to citizenship” for all immigrants who have
entered the country illegally.
Citizenship should be easier to acquire and an accessible goal for someone who desires
to be a citizen.
Most Democrats are not anti-military.
However, they do feel that the United States military may be too large.
Many Democrats support reductions to military spending, with many of these funds being diverted
to the social programs mentioned earlier.
Instead of military force, Democrats stress diplomacy with foreign nations, as well as
economic sanctions such as boycotts and trade embargos.
In modern times, the topic of gun control has been another significant issue for Democrats.
Democrats believe in stricter gun control laws, with more limits placed on who may,
and may not, purchase firearms.
Tougher background checks, banning assault rifles, and the creation of gun-free zones
are all examples of gun control measures supported by Democrats.
They believe that these types of regulations will help reduce criminal activity, as well
as accidental gun-related deaths.
Public education is another topic that Democrats have always been strong supporters of.
Many Democrats feel that the national government should play a more active role in establishing
curriculum standards.
They also feel that the federal government should provide more funds to support school
lunch programs and other government programs such as Head Start (a preschool program for
low income families).
Democrats believe that correctional facilities should be used to reform prisoners.
They feel that, while prisoners should be punished, they should also be rehabilitated
so that they might re-enter society and become productive citizens.
Also, Democrats are much less likely to support use of the death penalty.
Instead, most Democrats would favor lifetime sentences for those who have committed the
worst crimes.
Democrats have long been supporters of protecting the environment.
This could include providing government funds to encourage the development of new, environmentally-friendly
technologies, or issuing fines to businesses that continue to pollute the atmosphere.
Democrats also attempt to promote alternative sources of energy (such as solar or wind power)
while reducing America’s dependence on oil.
Democrats concern for the environment might also extend to animals.
Many Democrats are involved in protecting endangered species and preserving natural
habitats for wildlife.
This is not every belief promoted by the Democratic Party as there are too many issues for them
to be listed in this video.
It should also be remembered that not every Democrat shares each one of these beliefs
(nor does it mean that Republicans oppose them).
It is difficult to categorize an entire group of people in broad terms.
The Democratic Party includes a wide variety of people, and many have their own opinions
on a wide variety of these topics