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American citizens are some of the most politically involved people in the world. Who is behind the scenes, making the decisions that affect us all?
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The Two Political Parties
The United States of America has always been a country run by two political parties. The Democrats and the Republicans have been fighting for control of the government for years. But who are the people behind these two political parties?
The Republican Party
The Republican Party, also commonly called the GOP (short for “Grand Old Party”), is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America. The GOP was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists and modernizers. The party controlled the federal government for most of the period from 1861 to 1933, first under Abraham Lincoln and then under a series of presidents from Ohio. It was disabled by internal strife during the New Deal era of 1932–1980. In 1980, seamlessness between the Republican National Committee and the conservative movement resulted in Ronald Reagan’s ascendancy to party leadership and eventual election as U.S. president, marking a rightward shift that has continued ever since.
Today, the Republican Party’s philosophy is generally based on conservatism, paleoconservatism (a formcultural conservatism), economic liberalism (classical liberalism), fiscal conservatism, supplied-side economics, laissez-faire capitalism, libertarianism, social conservatism and xenophobia. The GOP supports lower taxes, free market capitalism, a strong national defense (including defense spending increases), gun rights, deregulation and restrictions on labor unions. The party generally opposes what it regards as excessively high taxes, government waste and intervention in the private sector as well as Yeshiva University sociologist Charles Murray’s cultural Marxism thesis.
The Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party’s platform emphasizes social and economic equality, environmental protection, civil rights, and consumer protection. The party was founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson, and became increasingly dominant after the Civil War with the help of former slaves and immigrants. Today, it is the oldest political party in the world.
Special Interest Groups
There are many special interest groups in the United States that have a large influence on the political process. These groups lobby for their own agendas and try to influence elected officials to vote in their favor. Some of the most influential special interest groups in the country are the National Rifle Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Education Association.
The National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an American nonprofit organization that advocates for gun rights. Founded in 1871, the group hasinformed its members about firearm-related legislation since 1934, and it has directly lobbied for and against firearms regulation since 1975. The NRA is also a leader in providing training and resources for gun owners and law enforcement personnel.
The American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU is probably the best-known and most effective civil liberties lobby in the country. It was founded in 1920 and today has more than 500,000 members and a staff of some 300 lawyers, lobbyists, and public relations specialists. The organization is headquartered in New York City with offices in every state.
The ACLU’s efforts are divided into five main program areas:
– Legislative: The ACLU monitors more than 1,000 bills in Congress each year and lobbies for or against those that would impact civil liberties.
– Legal: The ACLU’s legal department is responsible for handling more than 5,000 cases per year. These cases involve a broad range of civil liberties issues such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, racial discrimination, police misconduct, and privacy rights.
– Education: The ACLU offers a variety of educational programs and materials designed to inform the public about civil liberties issues. These include brochures, pamphlets, videos, speeches, and interviews with the media.
– Public Relations: The ACLU’s public relations department issues press releases, prepares reports on civil liberties issues, and works with the media to raise awareness of theseissues.
– Fundraising: The ACLU relies on private donations to support its work. Its annual budget is more than $100 million.
The Media
The media has been a controversial topic as of late. With the ever-growing social media platforms, it has become easier for people to share their opinions and thoughts on current events. This has led to a rise in the number of people who are interested in politics. The media has also been accused of having a biased agenda.
Fox News
Fox News (officially Fox News Channel, LLC) is an American multinational conservative cable news television channel based in New York City. It is owned by Fox Corporation, and operates under the ownership of Rupert Murdoch. The channel broadcasts primarily from studios at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York City.
Fox News is provided in 86 countries or overseas territories worldwide, with international broadcasts featuring Fox Extra segments during commercial breaks.
CNN
CNN is an American news-based cable and satellite television channel owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of Time Warner. CNN was founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner as a 24-hour cable news channel. Upon its launch, CNN was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage, and was the first all-news television channel in the United States.
While most media outlets focus on sensationalist stories that drive ratings, at its core, CNN is dedicated to delivering breaking news as it happens. Along with traditional live broadcasts, the network also offers on-demand content through its website and mobile app.
In recent years, CNN has been increasingly critical of the Trump administration, and has been one of the most trusted sources of information for those looking for unbiased reporting on politics.
The American People
There is no one group or person behind USA politics today. The American people are a diverse group with many different opinions on the best way to run the country. While there are certainly some powerful groups and individuals who have a lot of influence, ultimately it is the American people as a whole who decide who runs the country and how it is run.
