BRIAN: What are those? BILL: Those are campaign placards for John Black. BRIAN: Who is John Black? BILL: There's an election coming up soon. I'm voting for John Black for the U.S. Senate. I'm going to put the placards out in my yard. BRIAN: Oh, I see. So it's an election. BILL: Yes. BRIAN: I don't know anything about American politics. Can you tell me a little? BILL: What do you want to know? BRIAN: Well. Maybe you could tell me why you are voting for John Black. BILL: That's easy. There are a few different reasons. But the main reason I'm voting for Black is that he's a Democrat. BRIAN: Hmm. So he's in the Democratic Party, is that right? BILL: Yes. BRIAN: How many political parties are there in America? BILL: Oh, there are many parties. But now there are only two powerful parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. I always vote Democrat. BRIAN: Why is that? BILL: Because I think the Republicans are only good at giving money to big business. When the Republicans had more power, in the Eighties, the American economy was all screwed up. The Democrats do a better job of managing our country. The Democrats are more balanced between the interests of business and the interests of average people. BRIAN: I see. So the Republican Party is the conservative party. And the Democratic Party is the more leftist party. Am I right? BILL: I wouldn't say the Democratic Party is "leftist." I would say they are moderate. BRIAN: I read in the paper that not so many Americans vote. Is that true? BILL: Yes, unfortunately it is true. And I think it's a shame. Because we Americans not only have the right to vote, but we have the duty to vote too. I think people who don't vote are bad Americans. They don't realize that living in a democracy has some responsibilities. BRIAN: I can understand your position. I always vote i
