INTEREST GROUPS AND POLITICAL PARTIES

            Based on the policies and laws passed during  Former President Bill Clinton’s administration, it is observable that his economic and social policies have deviated from the his political party’s policies. Notably, the Democratic Party has been widely influenced by the Keynesian school of thought. Most of their guidelines for implementing policies involved large government spending and an adovacy towards supporting the labor force of the country. The Democrats ideally represented themselves as a party for the working people and the disenfranchised (Harrington et. al., 2004,  p. 38). However, when Clinton took office, steps were taken to implement the principle of fiscal and monetary responsibility by raising taxes and trimming down of government spending (Reitan, 2003, p. 38). Economically, the policies of President Bill Clinton were not consistent with liberalism, as adhered by the Democratic Party. However, party members of President Clinton still agreed to these changes passed during the administration of Clinton.

            Even though President Clinton deviated from his party’s policies, the results became remarkable because their economy was restored. In addition, investments from foreign and domestic business groups grew and the excess were used to pay the state’s debts. Moreover, the presidents advocay to protect labor groups and provide for the welfare of the citizens were accomplished by President Clinton through the reduction of unemployment rate and the streghtening the Medicare and Social Security entitlement of the elderly.

            In contrast to the Democrats, Republicans believe that to increase economic growth, the government should adhere to decrese spending while increasing the money supply. However, on President Geroge Bush’s administration, he created policies that seemed to separate himself from the rest of Republican Party.  At the start of his administration, President Bush abondoned what was started by former President Clinton and instead initiated tax- cuts on wealthy people and increased budget for defense that resulted into economic stagnation (Reitan, 2003, p. 39). Though his actions created direct impact on the economy that resulted to stagnation, their participation in the international arena rooted on their campaign against terrorism and fight for national security has became more active, hence strenthening their relationship with other states.

            According to the article “Peter Beinart on the Liberal Legacy That Bill Clinton Inherited,” former President Bush reduced the budget deficit as a means to restore the Democratic Party’s reputation for economic stewardship, which had been gravely damaged under the administration of Carter. However, in effect, according to Peter Beinart, his means was effective in achieving the traditional liberal goals because he found ways of fighting the. Moreover, during his time, economy was strengthened and the minimum wage was raised (Bowman, 2006).

            On the part of President Bush, he had no choice but to increase government spending because of the events and problems that hit the country including the destructive hurricane Katrina, the 9/11 terrorist attact and the war against Iraq. These events required an increase in the budget and massive support from the people. These event were not anticipated and cannot be given heedless attention. On the part of President Bush’s administration, the security and protection of the people as embodied in the Constitution are their priority. These also include ensuring the security and protection of the people from harmful environmental phenomenon, terrorist attacks and offensive wars.

            Even though Clinton and Bush created and implemented policies and laws that deviated from the beliefs of their respective parties, they still have kept their loyalty towards them.

References

Bowman, C. (2006). Peter Beinart on the Liberal Legacy That Bill Clinton Inherited. Retrieved May 16, 2008, from http://bowman.typepad.com/cubowman/2006/06/peter_beinart_o.html

Harrington, C., Estes, C. L, ; Crawfor, C., (2004). Health Policy: Crisis and Reform in the U.S. Health Care and Delivery System. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Reitan, E., (2003). Liberalism: Time- Tested Principles for the Twenty- First Century. New York: iUniverse, Inc.