Parties and Elections in Foreign Public Policy - Report Example

Parties and Elections It is evident that there is a difference in the party platforms for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in the 2012 elections. This paper compares and contrasts the 2012 Republican Party platform with the Democratic Party platform in the run up to the 2012 elections. The paper discusses five domestic and five foreign public policy issues revealing the similarities and differences between the two parties on public policy matters. Abortion On matters of abortion, the Republican Party supports the amendment of the constitution to protect the life of the unborn child. Republican Party believes that the unborn children have fundamental rights to life and as an assertion of sanctity of human life. On the other hand, the Democratic Party unequivocally and strongly supports women rights to make decisions on matters of pregnancy including legal and safe abortion, irrespective of the ability to pay. On matters of family planning services, the Republican Party opposes the use of public funds in promoting or performing abortions. The Republican Party reiterates its stance of not funding or subsidizing healthcare that includes abortion coverage. On the contrary, the Democratic Party platform reiterates the support to accessibility of affordable family planning services. The democrats reiterate their commitment to block Republican’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers. Education On matters of education, the Republican Party is committed to supporting different options of learning such as year-round schools, single-sex classes, and full day school hours. Another education policy that the 2012 Republican Party platform highlights is the engagement of the private sector in providence of student loans. The platform insists on the exit of the federal government in the business of student loans. The Republican Party platform also calls for an introduction of abstinence education in place of family planning programs for teens. On the other hand, the 2012 Democratic Party platform highlights the party’s commitment to increasing the accessibility of education to every child in America. Democrats intend to make America world’s number one country in terms of college graduates by 2020. The Democratic Party platform further supports age appropriate and evidence based sex education. Energy The Republican Party platform posits the party’s commitment to domestic energy independence. Similarly, the Democratic Party platform reveals commitment towards a sustainable energy-independent future. However, the Republican Party intends to let the free market and public preferences control the outcomes of the energy industry. The Democratic Party is committed to providing incentives for innovations in energy generation, which according to the platform should hit 80% electricity generation from clean energy by 2035. The Republican Party platform reiterates an end to the EPA’s war on coal and support for the jobs it produces and more safe development in all regions of America’s coal resources. On the contrary, the Democrats support a clean energy American economy that is business friendly and provides jobs across America. Healthcare Both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party platforms are committed to affordable and quality healthcare. The Republican Party platform highlights the Republicans commitment to Obamacare’s repeal. The platform advocates for a free market solution where the American people can advance alternative healthcare reforms that are in line with the concerns and needs of patients and healthcare providers. On the other hand, the Democratic Party platform believes that no citizen should go broke because of sickness. The platform is defiant of the Republicans’ determined opposition as it highlights the Democrats commitment to a secure good healthcare. The Republican platform opposes the current Administration’s healthcare policy that tolerates abortion. On the contrary, the Democrats believe that the Affordable Act provides women with an opportunity to access contraception in their health insurance plans. Taxes The Republican Party’s platform believes that taxes take away resources from the people and as such, it reduces citizens’ freedom. The platform advocates for the use of taxes to fund essential and constitutionally legit projects such as national security. The platform is against the use of taxes as a tool of income redistribution or funding ineffective programs. On the other hand, the Democratic Party’s platform highlights Democrats’ commitment to extension of tax relief for those paying college fees and working families. Democrats also support the use of tax to redistribute income by requiring corporations and the wealthiest to pay a fair share. Contrary, the Republican Party platform opposes any tax policy that would promote class warfare and divide Americans. Foreign Policy The Republican Party’s platform advocates for a strong national defense as the foundation to peace, economic prosperity, and protection of Americans. Republicans believe that military superiority is important to any strategies that aim at deterring aggression and defeating any enemies of national security interests. Republicans believe that the existing national security strategy at that time was budget-constrained and its implementation would hamper the capability of the Armed Forces. On the other hand, the Democratic Party platform appreciates the tide of war is receding. Consequently, Democrats are committed to a broader strategic rebalancing of the country’s foreign policy. The Democratic Party’s platform emphasizes the need to concentrate on national building at domestic level while allocating resources to foreign issues that are of priority including international threats like biological weapons, climate change, transnational crime, and cyber-attacks. Immigration The Republican Party’s platform acknowledges that presence of unidentified persons in America poses serious risks to the sovereignty and safety of the country. As such, Republicans’ priority is to secure the rule of law at ports of entry and borders. Republicans oppose any forms of amnesty, as they believe this would encourage law breaking. On the other hand, the Democrats platform highlights the need for comprehensive immigration reforms that would get undocumented immigrants in the line to American citizenship. The Democratic platform also reiterates the need for immigration reforms that would create a system for allocating visas that keeps families together, is in line with America’s economic needs, and enforces the law. Environment The Republican platform appreciates that there have been successful efforts in reducing pollution and avoiding ecological degradation. However, Republicans believe that there is need for a shift in the attitude of officials in Washington and a spirit of engaging different stakeholders such as producers, the public, and landowners. The Republican platform includes no reference to climate change. On the other hand, Democrats are committed to balancing development with environment protection, which involves protecting sensitive public land from exploitation. The Democratic Party platform acknowledges climate change as a big international threat of this generation. Democrats commit to reducing pollution that causes climate change through implementation of policies that would promote clean energy generation and lead to positive social and economic benefits. Labor On the issue of labor, the Republican Party platform supports the right of States to enact right to work laws with aim of promoting greater economic liberty. At the national level, Republicans support a national right to work law with aim of promoting worker freedom and increase economic liberty. On the other hand, Democratic Party platform supports the right to collectively bargain and organize an important American value where every worker participates and negotiates fair pay. Marriage The Republican Party platform is committed to the enactment of the Defense of marriage Act. Republicans support the ban of same sex relationships and supports the amendment of the constitution to define marriage as a union between one woman and one man. On the other hand, Democratic Party platform highlights Democrats commitment to securing equal treatment under the law for same sex couples. The Democrats oppose the Respect for Marriage Act and Defense of Marriage Act. Work Cited "Political Party Platforms." Political Party Platforms. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. . Read More