In the United States today, two parties dominate the political landscape: the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democratic Party tends to draw its base of support from the poor and lower-middle-class, ethnic and religious minorities, women, and union members. Generally, their platform deals with such issues as support for government programs; support for the public sector; and support for affirmative action, reproductive rights, gay rights, and gun control. Conversely, the Republican Party tends to draw its support from the upper-middle-class and elite, business owners, and Protestant Anglo-Saxon men. The party tends to support a strong private sector, business and military interests, gun rights, and tax cuts. As a rule, Republicans are hesitant to embrace rights-based policies like affirmative action, and have a history of opposing welfare and government-spending programs.