Political parties, elections, and the media

Which issue represents a basic disagreement between Socialists and Communists? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• whether income taxes should be lowered

• whether conditions for workers should be improved

• whether all private businesses should be replaced by state ownership

Which statement reflects Republican views on the role of government? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• Republicans favor less government , lower taxes, and greater personal freedom.

• Republicans oppose excessive consumption (buying a lot of things) and unregulated competition.

• Republicans favor a national mass peoples' party, based on the working classes and against monopoly capitalism.

• Republicans favor more affordable health care, increased public funding for education, and an end to discrimination in all forms.

Which issue represents a basic disagreement between Democrats and Republicans? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• whether monopoly capitalism should be replaced by state ownership

• whether Americans should unite behind the nation against global terrorism

• whether higher levels of taxation should be imposed to pay for more public services

• whether current uses of natural resources should be radically replaced by a greater focus on future sustainability

The passage below is from a political party platform. Which political party's views are represented in this platform? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• Green Party

• Socialist Party

• Libertarian Party

• Democratic Party

Which position would most likely be found in the Republican Party platform? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• support for affordable healthcare

• opposition to American intervention overseas in the War on Terror

• demand for increased taxation of corporations to support pre-school programs

• introduction of tax incentives (lower taxes) for small businesses to support better job growth

Which position would most likely be found in the Libertarian Party platform? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• support for the Affordable Health Care Act

• support for absolute freedom of speech and religion

• support for higher taxation to provide more government services

• support for increased regulation of business to curb the exploitation of natural resources

Why does the Libertarian Party oppose national "Common Core" educational requirements? (with Common Core, the federal government decides the standards that all states will use to teach students) (SS.7.C.2.8)

• They feel these standards are far too difficult for most American students.

• They view these standards as unnecessary federal interference in education.

• They fear that the "Common Core" standards will cost taxpayers too much money to implement (make happen).

• They object that the "Common Core" standards do not teach students enough about caring for the environment.

How do major parties select their candidates for President of the United States? (SS.7.C.2.8)

• Party members select their party's candidate in a single run-off election.

• Party "bosses" choose their party's candidate at their party's nominating convention.

• All registered voters decide which candidates each party should choose in a national primary election.

• After a series of caucuses and primary elections, delegates at each party's nominating convention choose their candidate.

George and Martha are both candidates for mayor in Jamestown's coming election. George is an engineer and Martha is a medical doctor. George has been on the Jamestown City Council for five years and Martha is the city's current mayor. Both George and Martha have acted as capable public servants in their roles. However, they strongly disagree on whether Jamestown should invest in building a new sports stadium, the main issue facing the city. What will probably be the most important factor for voters in deciding which candidate to support in this election? (SS.7.C.2.9)

• which candidate has the most experience

• which candidate has better educational qualifications

• which candidate has spent more money in the election campaign

• which candidate shares the voter's views on building the stadium

The fliers below were distributed by two candidates running for the Florida Senate. Based on the information on the fliers, why might Mary Lamb be considered more qualified than Tom Jones to be elected as State Senator? (SS.7.C.2.9)

• She has better views on the major issues.

• She has better educational requirements.

• She has more experience in public office.

• She has spent more money in the election campaign.