Questions about USA midterm elections

[StookEB]

Well i've been reading about their midterm elections and have been curious about why they have them? It doesn't make sense to me, why have two elections in one term. WHY?
Wouldn't the presidents power be decreased, and his decisions be over ruled?
And what's the difference betweeen Democratic and Republican?

[flappist]

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/...s/politics.htm

google is your friend.....

[charles_wif_xf]

Roughly:
Democrat=Labor
Republican=Liberal

The mid terms are for the members of Congress. They get four years at a time, but half go up during presidential election years, the other half during mid terms. Some governors also go up for re-election during mid terms.

[charles_wif_xf]

Originally Posted by flappist

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/...s/politics.htm

google is your friend.....

The link is a dud flappist.

[Fairlane]

Well the President power is always decreased in America, despite being the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and Head of State (given to him under the constitution) his power is moderated

In America, the congress has the ability to veto the decisions of the President on some issues and vice versa. The president doesnt use his veto very often, but it does happen for the most part however the President stays out the affairs of Congress and the Senate and leaves major decision, who for the most part make the legislation themselves under the leadership of various Advisors and Secretary's (there are no ministers in the US). Why they have two elections?- Mainly its it to maintain balance in the houses and ensure a smooth change of power and not have a situation in which a President/Senator and Congressman of one party were suddenly booted out and replaced with there oppenents in one swoop.

Essentially Democratic is Centrist whereas Republican is Right Wing. But in America party affiliations are extremely weak and party discilpine is weak, Republicans have been known to vote with Democrats and Democrats with repulbicans. Ultimately the Republican party is conversitive new right where as Democrat is a centrist party with some Social Democratic tendancies like out ALP.

Some notable Republicans Include
Mayor Rudolf Guilani
Arnold Swarzanegger
George Bush Jr and Snr
Ronald Regan
Richard Nixon
Abraham Lincoln

Some Notable Democrats Include
Bill Clinton
Al Gore
Jimmy Carter
John F Kennedy
Harry S Truman
Franklyn Roosevelt

*I hope this makes some sense, iam by no means an expert on US politics, my specialty is more Australian and UK politics

[AnthonyQLD]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Well the President power is always decreased in America, despite being the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and Head of State (given to him under the constitution) his power is moderated

In America, the congress has the ability to veto the decisions of the President on some issues and vice versa. The president doesnt use his veto very often, but it does happen for the most part however the President stays out the affairs of Congress and the Senate and leaves major decision, who for the most part make the legislation themselves under the leadership of various Advisors and Secretary's (there are no ministers in the US). Why they have two elections?- Mainly its it to maintain balance in the houses and ensure a smooth change of power and not have a situation in which a President/Senator and Congressman of one party were suddenly booted out and replaced with there oppenents in one swoop.

Essentially Democratic is Centrist whereas Republican is Right Wing. But in America party affiliations are extremely weak and party discilpine is weak, Republicans have been known to vote with Democrats and Democrats with repulbicans. Ultimately the Republican party is conversitive new right where as Democrat is a centrist party with some Social Democratic tendancies like out ALP.

Some notable Republicans Include
Mayor Rudolf Guilani
Arnold Swarzanegger
George Bush Jr and Snr
Ronald Regan
Richard Nixon
Abraham Lincoln

Some Notable Democrats Include
Bill Clinton
Al Gore
Jimmy Carter
John F Kennedy
Harry S Truman
Franklyn Roosevelt

*I hope this makes some sense, iam by no means an expert on US politics, my specialty is more Australian and UK politics

That explains it all pretty well

[StookEB]

thanks that makes much more sense now.

[George1861]

US House of Representatives have 2 year terms. The whole body is reelected every 2 years. US Senate has 6 year terms. Senate terms are staggered, 1/3rd of Senate is up for reelection every 2 years. Presidential election every 4 years, therefore there are "midterm" elections. Republicans are generaly "Conservative", IE right wing. Democrats are generaly "Liberal"' ie left wing. Liberals favor big government, big spending, high taxes, anti-gun, weak on defense spending. Conservatives favor smaller government, less spending, less taxes, pro gun, strong military. There are Liberal Republicans & Conservative Democrats.

[George1861]

The President has advisors who guide him in decisions. Cabinet Secretarys (like Ministers) head up departments like State or Defence. Bills originate in the House or Senate. If an idea is good enough the bill (proposed law) eventually gets aproved by the House. It is then sent to the Senate. The senate can reject or accept the bill as written, or modify it. If the Senate modifys the bill then members from both chambers meet and adjust the bill to match. The bill is then sent to the President who can sign it into law, or veto it. If he vetos it, it is dead, unless the Senate votes to override the veto (takes something like 60% vote).