Here are the four major parties in the United States from An Alternate History of the Netherlands... wait, just bear with me a moment. I have the four parties and some of their stances, and just am curious as to how you would vote if you lived in this alternate United States.
Yeah, the Democrats taking the place of Republicans and Socialists filling the same role as the Democratic party... it's cliche, but I figured the Socialist Party would be the obvious reply to a giant pro-business and corrupt party during the 1880s.
Democratic Party (18th Century)
Taxation: Favor a flat tax of 16% for all incomes over $18,000 a year.
Defense: Expanding military, as well as military mission overseas.
Gun Control: No.
Universal Health Care: No.
Capital Punishment: Yes.
Trade: In favor of eliminating tariffs. And are in favor of free-trade agreements.
Immigration: Quotas, mostly in favor of Europeans.
Cultural Stance: Traditional, non-denominational Christian. In favor of melting pot.
Welfare: For subsidies for industries, such as oil. Not so much for individuals. Seek to privatize social security and medicare.
Economy: Non-intervention, deregulation.
Education: Privatization.
Drug Liberalization: Just say no.
Environment: Pro-business.
Foreign Aid: Limited to allies.
Foreign Alliances: In favor of maintaining German-American alliance.
Libertarian Party (1978)
Taxation: Eliminate income tax; replace it with VAT. Cut back on government spending.
Defense: Reduce standing army; shift focus more on National Guard. Isolationist.Gun Control: No.
UHC: Leave it to the states to decide.
Capital Punishment: Again, States’ Rights.
Trade: Free traders.
Immigration: Open Borders, minimal federal restrictions.
Culture: One’s belief and lifestyle is none of the government’s business.
Welfare: States’ Rights.
Economy: Eliminate federal regulation, and leave health and safety regulatory agencies to the States to manage.
Education: States’ Rights.
Drug Liberalization: States’ Rights.
Environment: States’ Rights.
Foreign Aid: No
Foreign Alliances: No
Progressive Party (1912)
Taxation: Progressive tax brackets, top bracket at 40%.
Defense: Pro-military. Nominally isolationist, but intervention only if American interests at stake.
Gun Control: Believe in the Right of Self-Defense, but doesn’t believe that means the average citizen can own a heavy machine gun. No arms for convicted felons.
UHC: In favor of Nationalization of Insurance Industry as well as law suit caps on "damages". UHC for citizens only.
Capital Punishment: Yes, but only if they deserve it.
Trade: Pro-Tariff (mostly as an indirect tax).
Immigration: Closed borders.
Culture: Keep America, American (pro-melting pot). Personal beliefs are just that, personal.
Welfare: Help the people help themselves. Time limited aid, usually between six months and a year.
Economy: Pro-industrial. And in favor of safety and health regulations. Anti-monopoly. Also, pro-technology, and anything that will allow the Progress of America.
Education: Nominally States Rights, but will use Federal money to aid states. Scholarships based on merit (i.e. grades).
Drug Liberalization: No.
Environment: Pro-regulation, and in favor of National Parks and conservation of America’s wild areas as well as its renewable resources (such as lumber).
Foreign Aid: American money for Americans only.
Foreign Alliances: Only if they are an asset to America.
Socialist Party (1880)
Taxation: Progressive tax bracket, with upwards to 80% for the top 1% income.
Defense: Cut spending and forces. Participation in international peace-keeping as well as humanitarian aid.
Gun Control: Yes. Various bans on civilian purchase of weapons, as well as registration.
UHC: Government control over entire health industry. Free healthcare for all.
Capital Punishment: No.
Trade: Protective tariffs.
Immigration: Open borders, minimal restrictions.
Culture: Multi-ethnic.
Welfare: Social security, UHC, extended unemployment benefits
Economy: Interventionalists.
Education: Federalization of all education, as well as free college.
Drug Liberalization: Decriminialization and taxation.
Environment: Pro-environmental. Heavy regulation.
Foreign Aid: Yes, high aid for poorer countries.
Foreign Alliances: Against German-American Alliance on grounds that the Kaiser is too autocratic and Germany not democratic enough.