September 29

Bell Work
Blog:
Option 1: Make a list of the most important issues in our next election and rank them from 1-5. Then, explain in a paragraph which one is the most important and why.
Option 2: Choose an issue in the election and argue for an against it. Write one paragraph for it and one paragraph against it.

Group Work
Read the following and create a chart showing the difference between Republicans and Democrats:

Democrats and Republicans disagree on many issues. However, it can be hard for some people to keep the sides straight. So, here are a few paragraphs about each political party.

Democrats favor more government regulation. In other words, they believe it is the government’s job to make sure that companies follow the rules, even if it makes it hard to do business. They support labor unions and the right to go on strike. In terms of taxes, Democrats tend to believe that the poor should pay a lower percentage and the rich should pay a higher percentage and that companies should have a moderately high tax rate. They believe in local control of schools and are generally against standardized tests, such as the AIMS. Currently, most Democrats are in favor of immigration, but they support a work visa program, where immigrants must earn the right to stay in America by keeping a job and committing no felonies. Democrats believe in higher taxes to pay for education, free health care and welfare programs for the poor. With regards to social issues, Democrats tend to be liberal. They support the right of gay people to get married. They are pro-choice, which means they believe it is a woman’s right to have an abortion. Democrats also believe that the government should stay out of people’s personal lives.

Republicans differ in many respects. First, Republicans tend to believe that the government’s job to keep a nation safe. So, unlike the Democrats, they support more funding for the military. They believe it is the individual’s job to take care of the poor, so they do not support things like food stamps and welfare. They also don’t think it’s the government’s jobs to take care of the environment or give people free health care. In terms of taxes, many Republicans want to lower taxes, especially among the upper middle class and rich. Republicans tend to vote against immigration, though many of them are in favor of immigration reform. In education, Republicans support No Child Left Behind and believe that schools should be held accountable for low test scores. On social issues, Republicans are more conservative. They are usually pro-life, meaning they are against abortion. They are also against gay marriage. They favor the right to own a gun and fear that the government is too powerful when it tries to take this right away.