ISSUES

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN

TAXES

“We will roll back the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $200,000…”  “We must restore our values to our tax code.  We want a tax code that rewards work and creates wealth for more people, not a tax code that hoards wealth for those who already have it…we simply cannot afford the massive Bush tax cuts for the very wealthiest.  We should set taxes for families making more than $200,000 a year at the same level as in the late 1990s…” - 2004

“...seek…tax cuts that are specifically targeted...” – 2000

“Today’s Democratic Party is committed to targeted tax cuts…”  - 1996

“We believe that good government is based on a system of limited taxes and spending.  Furthermore, we believe that the federal government should be limited and restricted to the functions mandated by the United States Constitution.  The taxation system should not be used to redistribute wealth or fund ever-increasing entitlements and social programs…Our Party endorses the President’s proposals to make tax relief permanent…” - 2004

 “…it’s time to change the tax system, to make it simpler, flatter, and fairer for everyone.” – 2000

“American families…should be allowed to keep more of their hard earned money, we support an across-the-board, 15-percent tax cut…” - 1996

RIGHT TO LIFE

“…we proudly stand for a woman’s right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of her ability to pay.” – 2004

“… stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay.” – 2000

“… stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay.” – 1996

“… stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay....” – 1992

“…the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.”

“We praise Republicans in Congress for passing…a ban on the inhumane procedure known as partial birth abortion.  And we applaud President Bush for signing legislation outlawing partial birth abortion and for vigorously defending it in the courts.” - 2004

“…the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.” – 2000

“The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed...” – 1996

“We believe the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.” - 1992

FAMILY VALUES/

HETEROSEXUALITY

“We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families.” - 2004

“We support the full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of the nation.” – 2000

“We support continued efforts…to end discrimination against gay men and lesbians and further their full inclusion in the life of the nation.” – 1996

“…provide civil rights protection for gay men and lesbians…ensure that no Americans suffer discrimination or deprivation of rights on the basis of…sexual orientation…” - 1992

“We further believe that legal recognition and the accompanying benefits afforded couples should be preserved for that unique and special union of one man and one woman which has historically been called marriage.”  - 2004

 “We support the traditional definition of ‘marriage’ as the legal union of one man and one woman, and we believe that federal judges and bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other living arrangements as marriages.” – 2000

“…we believe the family is the core institution of our society.”  “We reject the distortion of those laws to cover sexual preference, and we endorse the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent states from being forced to recognize same-sex unions.” – 1996

“We believe in traditional family values…” “Today, more than ever, the traditional family is under assault.”  “We affirm our support for judges who respect traditional family values…” - 1992

RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

“…need to keep guns away from those who shouldn’t have them…”  “We need mandatory child safety locks…” – 2000

“It is time to shut down the weapons bazaars in our cities…” - 1992

“We defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and we affirm the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms.” – 2000

“Republicans defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.” - 1992

ENGLISH AS COMMON LANGUAGE

“We oppose language-based discrimination in all its forms, including in the provision of education services, and encourage so-called English-plus initiatives…” – 2000

“…we strongly oppose divisive efforts like English-only legislation…” - 1996

“…English empowers.  That is why fluency in English must be the goal of bilingual education programs. We support the recognition of English as the nation’s common language.” – 2000

“We support the official recognition of English as the nation’s common language.” - 1996