| nited States has a unique two-party system, | | | | their interests in government as well as giving |
| which can give power to one party or the other | | | | them influence in national policy in general. For |
| entirely. In other countries, there are numerous | | | | example, Christian evangelicals most often seek |
| parties often requiring them to share power in a | | | | to promote their positions on social issues but |
| “ruling coalition”. It is difficult for a | | | | may also seek to influence foreign policy such as |
| single party to dominate in these governments. | | | | our relationship with Israel (the holy land). |
| Having only two parties gives the people a very | | | | American politics involves the shuffle of political |
| limited choice. Young Americans in particular do | | | | groups, moving from one party to the other or |
| not like to label themselves republican or | | | | staying independent. Young Americans should |
| democrat – and many feel that both are | | | | seek out and become involved in one or more of |
| just as corrupt and incompetent. Without | | | | these political groups that best represents their |
| identifying with either party, many Young | | | | beliefs and their interests. It is more likely they will |
| Americans become disengaged from politics - | | | | find a smaller group that best reflects their beliefs |
| becoming cynical and apathetic. However, in the | | | | and interests than an entire political party. |
| U.S. system each party operates more as a | | | | The largest groups that are aligned with the |
| “coalition” of factions rather than | | | | Republican Party include Christian conservatives, |
| two unified political forces. There are more than | | | | evangelicals, fiscal conservatives, foreign policy |
| two political groups in the United States. When | | | | hawks, and individual rights advocates. The largest |
| offered more choices Young Americans will | | | | groups that are aligned with the Democratic Party |
| become better engaged and begin to look at | | | | include social progressives, secular groups, fiscal |
| politics as more than just republican, democrat, | | | | liberals, socialists, labor unions, government |
| independent. | | | | workers, and foreign policy doves. |
| The American two-party system began with the | | | | In the middle are a number of groups that do not |
| historic rivalry between the first Secretary of | | | | support one party or the other exclusively. They |
| State, Thomas Jefferson, and the first Secretary | | | | are pragmatic, promoting certain policies and |
| of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. President | | | | interests among Congress and the President |
| George Washington tried to mediate the rivalry | | | | without choosing sides. These groups include trade |
| between the two men but found it extremely | | | | groups, business advocates, large corporations, |
| difficult. Both men began working toward forming | | | | single-issue advocates, individual rights advocates, |
| official political parties. During President | | | | libertarians, and many others. |
| Washington’s farewell address in 1797, he | | | | Every American has there own beliefs, their own |
| warned against the divisiveness of political parties. | | | | interests, and their own ways of expressing |
| However, that did not stop Jefferson and | | | | themselves. The diverse American Society cannot |
| Hamilton continuing their feud and forming the first | | | | be simplified into three simple groups (Republican, |
| two political parties in U.S. history: the Federalists | | | | Democrat, Independent). It is important that |
| and the Democratic-Republicans. | | | | young Americans be aware that there are a |
| In the mid-20th century the two parties aligned | | | | number of choices. Once you have made a |
| themselves to where they are today. The | | | | choice, it is much easier to look at politics through |
| Democratic Party is descended from President | | | | that new perspective and make political decisions |
| Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal in the | | | | accordingly. |
| 1930s. The Republican Party went through a | | | | A political party is merely a vehicle used to |
| recent evolution in the 1980s under the leadership | | | | promote the interests of the people in |
| of President Ronald Reagan. | | | | government. One’s political affiliation is not |
| Despite the fact there are only two parties, | | | | permanent and should never define that person. |
| American politics is not a battle between two | | | | When a person becomes unsatisfied with their |
| giant opposing political forces. Each party more | | | | party, the party’s platform changes, or |
| resembles a “coalition” of | | | | the person changes their beliefs – it may |
| sub-groups rather than a single force. The various | | | | be time to change affiliation. Although we support |
| sub-groups better represents the diversity in | | | | a large number of Republican candidates, Restore |
| political beliefs, interests, and policy preferences. | | | | America’s Legacy is NOT a Republican |
| These smaller groups may choose to align | | | | organization. Restore America’s Legacy |
| themselves with a party, remain independent, or | | | | wants to support like-minded candidates and get |
| cross over and join the other party depending on | | | | as many of them elected as possible, regardless |
| which best serves their interests. | | | | of party. With greater representation within the |
| On the other side, parties attempt to build | | | | Party and the Congress as a whole, Young |
| coalitions of groups that will get them over 50% | | | | Americans will finally have a voice in Washington |
| of the vote in elections. Parties try to find large, | | | | and see their interests protected for the first |
| well-mobilized, well-funded, and reliable groups to | | | | time. |
| join their coalition. The party promises to promote | | | | |