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Line 1: − A somewhat degrading euphemism for the Democratic Party generally used by partisan Republicans and their sympathisers. The term is often used in even the mainstream media, and liberals and Democrats have criticized its use. For example, a Fox News hosted Democratic Party debate used a Fox News made banner that read "Democrat Party" <ref>http://mediamatters.org/items/200608160005</ref>. + − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
merging Democratic Party here
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is generally seen as being on the political left of center, while the rival [[Republican Party]] is positioned to the right of center.
The term is factually and grammatically incorrect, as Democrat is a noun.
Like the Republicans, the Democrats are currently selecting their candidate for the 2008 presidential election; the front-runners in the contest are Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] of [[New York]] and Senator [[Barack Obama]] of [[Illinois]]. The most recent Democratic president was [[Bill Clinton]], who served from 1993 to 2001, and whose conduct and record in office remain highly controversial among many Americans, especially conservative Americans. His overall approval ratings, however, were high.[http://www.pollingreport.com/clinton-.htm] He was impeached by a Republican controlled House of Representatives for lying under oath in a civil case that was ultimately dismissed in court.
Note that referring to a member of the Democratic Party as a "Democrat" is considered acceptable.
==History==
The Democratic Party was founded in 1792 by [[Thomas Jefferson]] as a congressional caucus to fight for the [[Bill of Rights]] and to oppose the elitist [[Federalist Party]]. Ironically in view of the party's image as the "party of the common man", Jefferson was a member of the landed gentry and a slave owner.
In 1798, the party was officially named the "Democratic-Republican Party", and in 1800 Jefferson was elected as the first Democratic [[President of the United States]]. Jefferson served two terms as president with distinction, and was succeeded by another Democrat, [[James Madison]], in 1808. Madison strengthened America's armed forces and helped to reaffirm American independence by defeating the [[United Kingdom]] in the [[War of 1812]]. James Monroe, another Democratic-Republican, was elected president in 1816 and led the nation through a time commonly known as "The Era of Good Feeling". In this period, the party dominated American politics with little opposition.
==Policies and criticism==
It should be noted that the views of individual Democrats sometimes diverge from the party's official stance as expressed in its national platform. Naturally, the same is true of individual Republicans.
===Economic policy===
In the field of economic policy, Democrats tend to favour higher taxes, higher government spending and a relatively high minimum wage. While they defend these policies as compassionate and socially responsible, people in favor of liberal economics reply that they depress economic growth, stifle enterprise and job creation, and deprive working Americans of a disproportionare share of their hard-earned money. It should be noted, however, that the last known national budgetary surplus occurred during the administration of a Democratic president.
The Democratic Party has historically had ties to [[union|organized labor]]. The [[National Education Association]],<ref>http://www.nea.org/index.html</ref> the largest union of public school teachers, is a backbone of the party, supplying the largest number of delegates to its national conventions.{{fact}}
===Foreign and military policy===
According to its platform, the Democratic Party has the objective of strengthening America. Conservatives, however, argue that the Democrats' policies have the effect of giving comfort to the enemies of the United States and of weakening its position in the [[War on Terror]]. Highly partisan conservatives have claimed that the Democratic national leadership tends to be ambivalent about terrorism<ref>http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=22045</ref> and insufficiently patriotic.<ref>http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/01/smn.19.html</ref> In reality, however, these inflamatory claims are baseless.
===Other Policies===
Democrats frequently support [[a woman's right to choose]], [[gun control]], [[homosexual civil rights|homosexual marriage]] and the seperation of church and state. The Democratic party also supports the environment which leads to reduction of pollution and a benefit to wildlife.
==Religion==
American [[Christianity|Christians]], particularly [[Evangelical]] Christians, tend to be associated with the Republican Party. However, both historically and at the present day, [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] voters have had a tendency to identify with the Democratic Party, and a number of Democratic office-holders, such as Senator [[Jim Webb]] of Virginia, are Catholics. On the other hand, several planks of the Democratic Party's platform - most notably, the party's support for the legality of [[abortion]] - are contrary to Catholic teaching.
==Democrat vs. Democratic==
Some Democrats believe calling the party by it's real name as opposed to the Democratic Party is a slur. generally. The term "Democrat" is often used in even the mainstream media. For example, a Fox News hosted Democratic Party debate used a Fox News made banner that read "Democrat Party" <ref>http://mediamatters.org/items/200608160005</ref>.
Note that referring to a member of the Democratic Party as a "Democrat" is considered acceptable by Democrats.
==References==
==References==
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==Reference==
<references/> {{fact}}
[[Category:Politics]]