Every four years, the presidential election cycle sparks renewed interest in American politics. While the candidates debate on what seems like a weekly event, the public itself is fighting to discover who best suits their interests. Rhetoric similar to that of Kennedy and Reagan reappears and talk of “change” invokes a sense of optimism. However, many fear that the candidates are simply trying to win over the electorate, and that what began as a campaign promise will evolve into the status quo in Washington. Examining the past can inform the future and provide direction to a political party. I chose to compare the positions of four distinct groups: Colorado Democrats, Libertarians, as well as the '28, '68, and 2008 Democratic Party platforms. State Party vs. National Party 2008 (Healthcare Reform) One of the Most One One of the most interesting core values ​​of the Colorado Democratic Party is its position on health care. They believe that the health of its citizens is of the highest priority. The State party indicated that the healthcare system “should proactively focus on well-being, preventive medicine, public health and disease prevention, as well as primary care” (CO Democratic Party, 2010). Furthermore, the party supports President Obama's health care reform legislation “as a first step toward a quality, single-payer, employment-independent, universal health care system” (CO Democratic Party, 2010). Nationally, the Democratic Party's 2008 platform bears a strong resemblance to Colorado's. President Obama campaigned on promises to increase coverage while reducing costs and social burdens. Accessible, quality health care for all Americans was a cornerstone of...... middle of document ......rtion can be characterized as a wedge issue: “political concerns that could divide the bloc election of the opposing party” ( Liscio et al. Typically, a pro-choice position is one held by Democrats, however libertarians tend to vote Republican and are fiscally conservative. In the past, minority parties have pursued wedge issues to regain control (Liscio et. al 256). During the 1950s and 1960s Republicans were relegated to the fringes. 1968, Richard Nixon campaigned to restore “law and order,” attracting conservative white Democrats who were dissatisfied with the their party's position on race (Liscio et. al. 257). In essence, libertarians are a faction of the Republican party. Each party has a branching and contradictory group, however, they “have succeeded quite well in submerging their differences to obtain office and govern” (Reiter 43).