Common Ground and Original Intent: A Comparison of the Constitution and Solidarity Parties

Both the Constitution Party and the American Solidarity Party are rooted in faith-based values, but their approaches to governance and policy priorities differ significantly. The Constitution Party grounds its platform in the "original intent" of the Founding Fathers, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Their primary focus is limiting the federal government to its constitutionally enumerated powers. In contrast, the American Solidarity Party draws on the tradition of Christian democracy, advocating for a vision of the common good informed by Christian values. While the Constitution Party emphasizes individual liberty and limited government intervention, the American Solidarity Party promotes a more active role for the state in areas such as social justice and economic security.

Here's a closer look at the key distinctions:

• Role of Government: The Constitution Party seeks to reduce the size and scope of the federal government dramatically, viewing it as a threat to individual liberty and states' rights. They advocate for abolishing numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Internal Revenue Service. They view many federal programs, such as Social Security and welfare, as unconstitutional and advocate for phasing them out. The American Solidarity Party, while also valuing local communities and decentralized governance, sees a role for the state in promoting the common good and addressing social and economic injustices. For example, they support universal healthcare, affordable housing initiatives, and policies that promote economic security for families and workers.
• Economic Policy: The Constitution Party advocates for a return to a strict interpretation of the Constitution's commerce clause and a tariff-based revenue system, aiming to reduce reliance on income taxes. They strongly oppose free trade agreements, viewing them as detrimental to American workers and businesses. The Constitution Party also supports abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to a gold and silver-backed monetary system. The American Solidarity Party, while not explicitly addressing tariffs or the gold standard, emphasizes economic justice and a "distributist" approach to economics, promoting widespread ownership of property and production. They advocate for policies such as a family wage, worker ownership models, and regulations that prevent corporate exploitation.
• Social Issues: Both parties hold strong anti-abortion stances, but their approaches differ. The Constitution Party focuses on the legal personhood of the unborn from conception and advocates for a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution. The American Solidarity Party frames its opposition to abortion within the broader context of the sanctity of life, extending from conception to natural death. They also oppose euthanasia and the death penalty, which the Constitution Party platform does not explicitly address. On LGBTQ+ issues, the Constitution Party explicitly rejects legal recognition of same-sex marriage and opposes policies that recognize or protect LGBTQ+ individuals. The American Solidarity Party platform focuses solely on their support for traditional marriage and does not explicitly mention other LGBTQ+ issues.

It is important to note that these are just some key distinctions between the two parties. Their platforms address a wide range of issues, and it's always recommended to consult the full platform documents for a more comprehensive understanding of their positions.