Parties Flashcards
How is the term liberal used in America?
In America it refers to modern/social liberalism - welfare state and mixed economy
What policies do American liberals tend to support?
Big government, higher taxes to fund government spending.
What policies do American conservatives tend to support?
Small government, low taxes, limited regulation, limited welfare state, traditional values, anti abortion.
Why have the 2 parties been described a “big tent” parties?
Because they seek to attract voters with a wide range of political views. May have multiple factions and ideologies within the party
What quote did nelson W Polsby say about the US party system?
“Variations in the 50 polices cultures of the states wild considerable differences overall on what it means to be, or to vote, democratic or republican.”
What did George Bush do to taxes in 2001?
Reduced income tax brackets by 3-5%
What was Bush’s act called that increased funding for schools?
No child left behind act 2001
What was Bushes act called to do with Medicare and when?
Medicare modernisation act 2003 - expanded health coverage for the elderly.
What was Bushes act called in the response to the financial crisis?
Emergency economic stabilisation act 2008
What does TARP stand for? And what was it?
Troubled assets recovery program. Authorised the treasury to buy $700bn buying bad debts from struggling banks.
Between 2003-2004 how much was given in grants to religious charities?
$2bn
What and when was Bush’s act about abortion called?
Partial birth abortion ban act 2003
What was Bush’s first bill he vetoed?
Stem cell enhancement act 2006
What are congressional members organisations (CMOs)?
Groups that members of congress can join to pursue common legislation even goals.
What does RINO stand for?
Republican In Name Only
What policies do RINO’s support?
Fiscal conservatives but also socially moderate.
When did Olympia snow retire?
2013
Why did Olympia snow retire?
Because of the frustration by the partisanship in congress.
What does the republican study committee support?
It is dedicated to a limited and constitutional role for the federal government, strong national defence, the protection of individual and property rights.
What percentage of men voted a republican candidate in 2016?
52%
What percentage of women voted republican in 2016?
41%
What is the debt ceiling?
It is the debt limit that has been set by congress, the maximum amount that the county can borrow in order to pay its bills.
Since 1960 how many times has congress raised the debt ceiling?
78 times
How many times have republicans and democrats raised the debt ceiling?
Republicans - 49 times
Democrats - 29 times
Why did the government shutdown in 2013?
Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to continue funding federal government after conservative republicans in the house included a provision to defund “Obama care”
What act ended the government shut down? What did it do?
Continuing appropriations act - raised the debt ceiling
On what sorts of issues have libertarian republicans in the liberty caucus worked with democrats?
They place huge emphasis on personal liberty and minimal governemnt - they are fiscally very conservative. They have often supported the democrats on social issues such as the repeal of the defence of marriage act
What did the progressive caucus influence?
The new deal in the 1930
What did the patient protection and affordable care act do?
It expanded Medicare coverage to million’s
What was the “public option” for health care?
The creation of a government health insurance agency that could compete with private insurers.
What did Elizebeth warren champion the creation of ?
Elizabeth Warren championed the creation of a new consumer finance protection bureau.
Why was he Dodd frank act supported?
Because of the 2008 financial crisis, democrats said the banks acted recklessly
Between 1992 and 2016 what % of the popular vote did democrats and republicans have combined?
More than 80% on every occasion and 4 out of 7 elections combined vote exceeded 95%
Following the 2016 elections how many members of the senate weren’t members of the democrats and republicans?
2 - Bernie sanders and Angus King
Since 1853 how many presidents have been members of the two main parties?
All of them - 42
What are the reasons for a two party system?
- Electoral system
- Broad party ideologies
- primary elections
Why are primary elections a good reason for a two party system?
Primary elections helps to make the major parties more responsive to the electorate, minimising the need for protest votes.
What are the arguments saying that the US does have a two party system?
- all presidents since 1853 have been either democrat or republicans
- democrats and republicans combined regularly win over 95% of the vote in presidential election
In 2017 how many members of the House of Representatives were members of the main two parties?
All 435 of them