Contents
USA Politics Today is one of the most popular political blogs on the internet. The blog covers all the latest news and developments in American politics, and provides in-depth analysis and commentary on the issues that matter most to Americans.
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The Two-Party System
The United States has a two-party system. The two major political parties in the U.S. are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. These two parties have different ideologies, policies, and platforms. Let’s take a closer look at the two-party system in the U.S.
The Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery activists in 1854, the Republicans dominated politics nationally and in most northern states for most of the period between 1860 and 1932. The Republican Party originally promoted classical liberal ideas, including laissez-faire economics, limited government, and constitutionalism.Party membership grew rapidly with support from small farmers, factory workers, businessmen, professionals, white Protestants, Mormons, Jews and African Americans.
The Republican Party came to power in 1896 with the election of William McKinley. The agrarian and expansionist Farmer-Labor movement of the 1890s coalesced around existing parties in 1896 to form the Populist Party; it ran presidential candidates that year but by 1898 it had collapsed due to infighting. The party nominates candidates for local and federal elections by means of primary elections across country to select convention delegates who then vote for their party’s Presidential nominee at a national convention. His successor Theodore Roosevelt oversaw a dramatic expansion of American involvement abroad1900–1908and significantly increased federal regulation over business 1906–1912. Roosevelt’s hand-picked successor William Howard Taft lost control over progressive elements within his own party 1912–1916and was defeated badly by Democrat Woodrow Wilson 1916. After 1922 there was little serious opposition to Republican Presidents Calvin Coolidge 1923–1929and Herbert Hoover 1929–1933except among Democrats themselves; both presided over extensive realignments that strengthened the GOPLongest uninterrupted period of control of all three branches was 12 years from 1933 to 1945 under President Franklin D. Rooseveltand his successor Harry S Truman; however they are no longer affiliated with the party..
The Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Tracing its heritage back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison’s Democratic-Republican Party, the modern-day Democratic Party was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson, making it the world’s oldest active political party.
The Democrats’ dominant worldview was once social conservatism and economic liberalism, while also supporting a strong central government. However, in recent decades, the party has moved to liberal positions on social issues while being more economically conservative. The Democrats are the party of big government, high taxes, regulation and labor unions, while supporting an expansive welfare state; they are also supportive of affirmative action for women and minorities as well as multiculturalism. The party has its headquarters in Washington D.C., and obtained a majority in both chambers of Congress in the 2006 elections as well as in the House of Representatives in 2008. In early 2009, President Barack Obama was sworn into office as the 44th and current president of the United States; he is also the first African American to hold this office.
Third Parties
Most people are familiar with the two main political parties in the United States, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. However, there are actually several other political parties that exist in the U.S. These are known as third parties. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the most well-known third parties in the United States.
The Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, and it is the third largest party in terms of voter registration. The party was founded in 1971, and its platform is based on the belief in individual liberty, free markets, and limited government.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest party in the United States, behind the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The party was founded in 1971, and its platform is based on the belief in individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. The party has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and its candidate, Gary Johnson, received over three million votes in the 2016 presidential election.
The Green Party
The Green Party is a third party in the United States that began in the 1990s. The party is made up of progressives, environmentalists, and social justice advocates. The party’s platform is based on its Four Pillars, which are ecology, social justice, non-violence, and grassroots democracy. The Greens have been active at the local, state, and federal levels in the United States; however, they have never had any major electoral successes.
Independents
In the past two decades, the number of independents has increased. According to a Pew Research Center report, the percentage of independents has increased from 39% in 1995 to 47% in 2014. The same report also found that independents are more likely to be younger, male, and have lower incomes.
What is an independent?
Most people in the United States say they are independent, meaning they do not belong to any particular political party. According to surveys, about 40% of eligible voters consider themselves independent. This is the highest percentage of independents in 70 years.
There are different types of independents. Some people choose not to affiliate with any party because they don’t like the choices offered by the Republicans or Democrats. They may feel that both parties are too extreme, or they may not agree with either party on key issues. Other people may be registered as independents because they live in states where registration by party affiliation is not allowed.
However, the vast majority of independents lean toward one of the two major political parties. In fact, most independents actually vote for one party or the other most of the time. According to surveys, about two-thirds of independents say they usually vote for either the Republicans or the Democrats.
Why do people become independents?
People become independents for a variety of reasons. Some people feel that they do not identify with either major political party and that both parties are too beholden to special interests. Others may be disappointed with the performance of both parties and feel that neither is adequately representing their interests. Some people may also become independents because they feel that the two-party system is not working and that a third party is needed to shake things up.
The Political Spectrum
Decisions that the government makes affects everyone in the country, yet not everyone agrees on what the government should do. This unwillingness to compromise has led to the political system we have today. The political spectrum is a way of classifying different political positions. It typically ranges from left-wing to right-wing, but there can be other variants as well.
The Left
The left is a term used to describe those who hold more liberal or progressive political views. In the United States, the left includes Democrats, progressives, and socialists. In Europe, the left includes social democrats, communists, and greens.
The left supports a more active role for government in addressing social and economic inequalities. They believe that government should provide a safety net for the poor and vulnerable and invest in education and infrastructure. The left also supports civil liberties such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
The Right
The right is a political orientation that favors free markets, limited government, individual liberty, capitalism and a conservative social welfare state. The Right has also been associated with protectionism, nationalism and support for a strong military. Those on the political right support traditional social values and tend to oppose feminism, left-wing politics and the environmental movement.
The Political Process
Politics in the United States has been steadily devolving for the past two decades. The process by which our electing officials are chosen has become so convoluted and corrupt that it no longer represents the majority of the people. Big money has taken over and the average citizen has been left out in the cold.
The Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, known collectively as the Congress. The Constitution gives state legislatures the power to choose the manner in which their states’ congressional districts are drawn, and Districts are redrawn every ten years following a census in order to ensure that each state has representation in Congress that is proportional to its population.
Senators are elected to represent their entire state for a term of six years, while representatives are elected to represent congressional districts within their states for two-year terms. While members of Congress are not required to be affiliated with any particular political party, nearly all Democrats belong to the Democratic Party and nearly all Republicans belong to the Republican Party.
The primary role of Congress is to pass laws that affect the entire nation. In order for a bill — which is a proposed law — to become a law, it must first be passed by both houses of Congress and then signed by the president. If the president vetoes (rejects) a bill, it can still become a law if two-thirds of both houses vote in favor of overriding his veto.
The Executive Branch
The executive branch of the United States federal government is responsible for carrying out the laws of the nation. The president is the head of the executive branch and has the power to veto legislation, appoint federal officials, and commander in chief of the armed forces. The vice president is first in line for succession if the president is unable to serve. The executive branch also includes the Cabinet, which is a group of high-ranking officials who advise the president.
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial branch is one of the three branches of government, along with the Legislative and Executive. The Judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and laws of the United States. Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve for life unless they decide to retire or are impeached by Congress.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It is made up of nine justices who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve for life unless they decide to retire or are impeached by Congress. The Supreme Court hears cases that involve issues of national importance, such as civil rights, abortion, and separation of church and state. It can also choose to hear cases that involve interpretation of federal law, such as bankruptcy or patent law.
The Judicial branch also includes lower federal courts, such as the Court of Appeals and District Courts. There are 94 District Courts across the country, each with at least one judge. The Court of Appeals hears appeals from decisions made in District Courts. There are 11 appellate courts, made up of different numbers of judges depending on the size of the region it covers.
The Media
The media is a large part of why USA politics is the way that it is today. The media can be any type of communication, like television, movies, music, and the internet, that is used to give people information. The media has a big influence on the way people think, feel, and act.
The Mainstream Media
The mainstream media is the primary source of political news for most Americans. The term “mainstream media” is used to describe the large news organizations that have a long history of journalists who report the news objectively and without bias. The mainstream media includes newspapers, magazines, television networks, and radio stations.
The mainstream media is often criticized by politicians and members of the public for being too liberal or too conservative. However, most journaliststry to report the news objectively and without bias.
The mainstream media plays an important role in American politics. The media help to shape public opinion and can influence the outcomes of elections. Candidates for office rely on the media to get their message out to the public. And, lawmakers often use the media to build support for their policies.
Social Media
Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become increasingly important in politics. Political leaders and candidates use social media to connect with voters and get their message out. Some believe that social media gives everyday citizens a louder voice in the political process. Others worry that it can be used to spread misinformation and create echo chambers.
