Political Parties & the Legislature

1. Political Parties &the Legislature

2. Objectives • Where on the political spectrum are the American ideologies and political parties? • How are political parties important in determining the speaker of the House and Senate? • What are 3 powers of the Speaker?

3. Ideology v. Political Parties Both Political Parties want: • Strong Economy • Stable Government • Military security Both Political Parties believe in: • Capitalism • Democracy • IDEOLOGY: the different approaches or methods people use to make the country a better place to live

4. What is a Spectrum? • A person’s views on the issues help determine where they fall on the political spectrum. • The labels used on the spectrum are not pure categories, but they make up a continuum, or value line, and citizens and politicians fall somewhere on that line depending on what they believe.

5. THE SPECTRUM • Radical LiberalModerateConservativeReactionary

6. What is a Radical? • Seen as being on the far left of the political spectrum, radicals call for wide-sweeping rapid change in the basic structure of the political, social, or economic system. • Some may be willing to resort to extreme methods to bring about change, including the use of violence and revolution. Eugene V. Debs entered the presidential race several times in the early 20th century as a Socialist.

7. What is a Liberal? • Liberals believe that the government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens. • They usually call for peaceful, fast change within the existing political system. • They reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are, often called the status quo. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), also known as “the Lion of the Senate,” has had a major impact on modern liberal legislation

8. What is a Moderate? • Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives. • They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.

9. What is a Conservative? • People who hold conservative ideals favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire. • Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way. • They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) lost his campaign for the presidency in 2008 but continues to be a powerful force in the Senate

10. What is a Reactionary? • Sitting on the far right of the ideological spectrum, reactionaries want to go back to the way things were—the “good ol’ days.” • Often reactionaries are willing to use extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve their goals. Senator McCarthy led a campaign to purge the government and Hollywood of communists in the Second Red Scare

11. Political Partieson the Spectrum • DemocratsIndependentsRepublicans • Radical LiberalModerateConservativeReactionary c

12. Party Policies Democrats Republicans Repeal Affordable Care Act No restrictions on gun ownership and use Reduce National Debt and Deficit by cutting gov services Expand oil industry in America Reduce taxes, especially on rich • Affordable Care Act • Restrict ownership of assault rifles • Regulate businesses to promote environment • Reform Immigration Policy • Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

13. 2008 Presidential Election

14. Political Parties on Capital Hill • House of Representatives • Speaker of the House- leader of the Majority Party in the House • Majority Whip- member of the majority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the speaker of the House • Senate • Speaker of the Senate- leader of the majority party in the Senate • Majority Whip- Majority Whip- member of the majority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the speaker of the Senate

15. Political Parties on Capital Hill • House of Representatives • Minority Leader- leader of the minority party in the House • Minority Whip- member of the minority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the Minority Leader • Senate • Senate Minority Leader- leader of the minority party in the Senate • Minority Whip- member of the minority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the Senate Minority Leader

16. Power of the Speaker • Determines Procedure • Decides which bills should be debated and when • Organizes party to pass or oppose bills • Can either be a major ally or enemy of the President • Example: In the debate over Federal Spending, Speaker Boehner contributed to the impasse that shut down the federal government Current Speaker of the House: John Boehner

17. Where on the political spectrum are the American ideologies and political parties? Democrat Independent Republican c Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

18. How are political parties important in determining the speaker of the House and Senate? • The largest party in the House and in the Senate determine the Speaker • The Smallest Party in the House and in the Senate determine the Minority Leader

19. What are 3 powers of the Speaker? • 1. Determines procedure • 2. Decides which bills should be debated and when • 3. Organizes party to pass or oppose bills

20. quickfire • Who do you think is more effective at passing laws in the legislature, legislators on the ends of the political spectrum (Radical/Reactionary) or legislators in the center of the political spectrum (Liberal/Moderate/Conservative)?