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The Democratic Party in the US supports progressive social agendas, workers’ rights, diplomacy, and church separation. They appeal to academics, professionals, minorities, and those in economic difficulty. They support essential services, legal recognition, and protection for minority groups, and workers’ needs and rights. They also support universal healthcare, a woman’s right to choose, and oppose capital punishment. Members can form their own opinions, but the party holds primaries and caucuses to determine candidates. Active members may become delegates or receive appointments to higher office.
Currently, there are two major political parties that dominate American politics: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. A Democrat identifies with the center-left ideals of the Democratic party, while a Republican identifies with the center-right ideals of the Republican party. While an individual voter may disagree with every stance taken by his or her chosen political party, a Democrat tends to believe in a progressive social agenda, workers’ rights, diplomacy over military action, and clear church separation. was.
Democratic Party members may identify as politically or socially conservative, moderate, or liberal. Historically, the party has appealed to academics and professionals with progressive-to-liberal leanings, though there is a faction of so-called “Blue Dog” Democrats who espouse political conservatism while endorsing socially progressive agendas. Many of these conservatives come from southern states that have recently moved to the political right.
The Democratic Party has also aligned itself with the plight of minority populations and people in economic difficulty. Members generally believe that federal and state governments have an obligation to provide essential services to citizens in need, as well as legal recognition and protection for oppressed or underrepresented minority groups. Social Security, public welfare, and food stamp programs are the direct result of Democratic presidencies.
A Democrat can also forcefully support workers’ needs and rights over management‘s demands. The establishment of a federal minimum wage was accomplished during the administration of Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example. Many unions have also strengthened during this party’s administrations. The Civil Right Act of 1965 was enacted during Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson’s time in office. Democratic President Bill Clinton also signed a law allowing workers to take unpaid leave during times of family need.
Many people who consider themselves part of this group also support the idea of universal health care for all citizens, a concept that led to the development of Medicaid and Medicare. A woman’s right to choices about her reproductive health is also a platform for the Democratic Party, which was most notably tested during the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case. The controversial right to seek legal abortion continues to be a source of strong disagreement between the Democratic and Republican parties. Another controversial issue is the use of capital punishment, with many Democrats believing it should be abolished altogether, or at least severely limited.
A member of the Democratic Party is free to form his or her own opinion about the party’s general policy positions or candidates, as is a member of the Republican Party. National parties, however, hold primaries and caucuses to determine the political candidates who best represent the ideals of the parties as a whole. A registered Democrat votes for the candidate who best represents their political viewpoint, and the winners become the party’s official candidates.
Some politically active Democratic party members may become delegates to the national convention or even receive appointments to higher office if a Democratic candidate wins the election. He or she may also help with grassroots lobbying efforts or campaign work for a favored candidate.
