Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform

The Populist party was a left-wing party that advocated for things like free coinage of silver and abolition of national banks. In the Preamble, the party claims that the people of America have been demoralized and that public opinion has been suppressed. The party's main goal was to fix two things: That the currency of the country was not adequate and also how the big industries of America only seek to support wealthy people and companies. During the Platform, they advocate for regulation of railroads to better promote the dissolving of big industry tycoons as well as backing labor unions and calling for the preservation of such unions so that workers can be protected. In addition, they claim that wealth belongs to the individual and that there should be more distribution of wealth to the individual and their desire for a secure national currency. Following this the party also demands for free coinage of silver into gold as well as a graduate income tax. Overall the party advocates for the people, demanding things like public transportation and that land is inherited by the people not the government. In the expression of sentiments, the party lists some types of solutions that could be undergone to express their views. These solutions included a free ballot, fair pensions for soldiers, one-term presidency, no nations aid and shorter working hours.

Donald Trump is considered a populist because he says that the average american comes first and his actions take into account the will of the people.