Be Informed.
Each Party publishes a “platform” which is a formal statement of the principles and goals the party supports. The expectation is that they bind the party’s candidates to some extent. The platform is an appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of winning public support and votes based on specific topics or issues. They both promise to preserve and protect America, but they have very different views about what that means and how to go about it.
We highly recommend that people read both Party’s platforms so you know what you’re “registered” for.
Republican Platform
https://gop.com/about-our-party/
Generally the party’s conservatism includes support for lower taxes, free market capitalism, deregulation of corporations, and restrictions on labor unions.
“Republicans believe in liberty, economic prosperity, preserving American values and traditions, and restoring the American dream for every citizen of this great nation. As a party, we support policies that seek to achieve those goals.
Our platform is centered on stimulating economic growth for all Americans, protecting constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms, ensuring the integrity of our elections, and maintaining our national security. We are working to preserve America’s greatness for our children and grandchildren.
The Republican Party’s legacy – we were originally founded in 1854 for the purpose of ending slavery – compels us to patriotically defend America’s values. As the left attempts to destroy what makes America great, the Republican Party is standing in the breach to defend our nation and way of life.”
Democratic Platform
https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/
The Democratic Party generally represents left-leaning, liberal and progressive ideological values, thus advocating for a strong government to regulate business and support for the citizens of the United States.
(The 2022 Democratic Party Platform is the same as in 2020.
“Democrats believe that every person in this nation should be treated with dignity and respect. We believe that health care is a right for all and that we should be rewarding the hard work of middle class families. We believe that our schools and streets should be free from gun violence and that a woman’s decisions about her own body are hers to make.
Democrats believe that our diversity is our strength, and democracy is worth defending.
Since 1848, the Democratic National Committee has been the home of the Democratic Party, the oldest continuing party in the United States.”