If someone asked you to explain the vital differences between a Democrat or Republican can you answer?

Question

Many people talk about the Democratic and Republican parties, but don't really know what the two parties offer, how they differ on political philosophy or how they represent the people. If someone asked you to explain what the parties mean, can you give an intelligent answer?

Answer 1

I love the "unbiased" answers here. It's a veritable no-spin-zone.

Currently or historically? The answers differ considerably. Historically, Republicans have supported State's rights, low regulations on economic ventures, a strong military, and conservative social initiatives.

Democrats have traditionally supported consolidation of political power on the federal level, economic regulation, international diplomacy, and liberal social initiatives.

Currently, the differences can be determined by looking at their official public agendas.

GOP:
Winning the war on terror
Ushering in an ownership era
Building an innovative, globally competitive economy
Strengthening communities
Protecting families

Democratic party:
Improving national security
Improving international diplomacy
Modernizing the military
Strengthening the economy
Improving public education
Protecting social security
Providing affordable health care
Ensuring honesty in government
Reforming the election process
Protecting the environment
Ensuring justice and civil liberties

Of course, a brief look at the front page of each party website indicates that thier PRIMARY concerns are in making one another look bad.

Answer 2

There really is no difference. Although the constitution of the United States provides for a republican "form" of government, (Art. IV, sec 4, U.S. constitution), it is not a meant to be a true republic. Rome was a republic, the Soviet Union was a republic, Communist China, North Korea, etc... On the other hand the worst possible form of government is that of a "Democracy", ... two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner,... MOB rule.
Republican's and Democrats alike are selling out the Citizens of the United States and it didn't happen over-night.
Truth be told, "citizen" of the United States is a second-class political status. Only "the People" of the United States of America are truly sovereign.
Think about it, when the founding fathers kicked out king George at the point of a rifle on July 4th, 1776, and obtained their freedom, did they then have the authority to impose some sort of government upon "the People?" No!! The first Chief Justice, John Jay, said as much in his opinion of a U.S. Supreme Court case, Chisolm vs. Georgia, 1794. To paraphrase Mr. Jay, ...the founders became joint tenants in sovereignty,... at that point there was no governing authority of "the People" of the United States of America.
The constitution was drawn up and ratified to bind down the government, NOT free "the People." We were already free.
Now that dosen't mean we can't volunteer into the system.
The 13th ammendment, adopted in 1865, says, "Neither slavery nor INVOLUNTARY servitude...shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
The 14th ammendment, which was passed by the very same congress which ratified the thirteenth and was adopted in 1868 actually codified what they and the founders that came before them already knew. The first section of the 14th ammendment say's, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, AND SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF, are CITIZENS of the United States and the State wherein they reside." Section 4 of the same ammendment say's, "The validity of the public debt of the United States...shall not be questioned."
If the United States can create as much debt as they so choose and obligate you to pay through the myriad of tax schemes, how then are they not violating the terms of the thirteenth ammendment which say's that involuntary servitude shall not exist. Isn't taking your money through taxes on income a form of involuntary servitude!? Yes, it is, but most americans have VOLUNTEERED into servitude by giving up their soverign status, "the People" and elected to be of the servant status, "citizen." In fact, citizens must obey all statutes that are on the books no matter how ridiculous they are.
Have you ever heard the term "public servant?" It is a term given to politicians that are in office or running for office. With that in mind look at Art. I, sec. 2 of the United States constitution...(2nd paragraph), "No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a "CITIZEN" of the United States...
Whenever you fill out a drivers license application, open bank accounts, go to traffic court, job application, etc.... there is one question alway's there... "Are you a citizen of the United States?"
Whether you answer that question "yes" or "no", by checking the appropriate box, you have recognized their jurisdiction over you by answering their question. You have now VOLUNTEERED and are a citizen SERVANT.

Answer 3

(My answer will be necessarily vague: the two parties both prescribe to the "big tent" philosophy, trying to court as many different people as possible, so there is room for much disagreement *within* the parties as well. Also, location also influences the mindsets of political figures: a New York Republican can actually be more liberal than a Texan Democrat, for instance.)

The differences between Democrats and Republicans lie in three main fields of policy: economic policy, social policy, and foreign policy.

In terms of economic policy, Republicans prefer policies that are favourable to business interests and free trade. This *usually* entails some level of deregulation, but sometimes also leads to increased subsidization of businesses (aka "corporate welfare"); Democrats are usually more concerned about the interests of workers and consumers (even though sometimes those interests conflict: a rise in minimum wage, for instance, could negatively impact the consumer if companies pass the cost for increased wages to them). Republicans are also skeptical of traditional welfare and related programs, arguing that they encourage laziness and inefficiancy; Democrats typically favour these programs as a social safety net for the poor and the elderly.

In terms of social policy, Republicans typically favour a strong reenforcement of societal norms through an active government, whereas Democrats tend to prefer policies that do not try to conform.

In terms of foreign policy, Republicans are typically more inclined to favour a unilateral solution to world issues than Democrats, who prefer multilateral solutions (especially those reached through the UN). [This does not seem to be a constant, however; some of the Republicans' strongest supporters of the invasion of Iraq were very critical of Clinton's actions in Kosovo, etc.]

Answer 4

like the first answer its quite Democrat's that act like they care about human beings in reality to get votes, at the same time as Republicans seem out for the rich, yet by ability of doing so facilitates the middle classification/works for a residing form human beings, in assessment to the Democrat's that anticipate the welfare recipients that draw welfare and nutrition stamps or merely straight forward stay off authorities ideas, yet because the Republicans provide the rich the tax breaks you listen about them complaining about which permits the rich employ better individuals, somewhat of being compelled to pay better taxes and cant have sufficient money to employ individuals and then flow their agency remote places reason you'll get a 10 12 months previous China boy to do a similar interest for a million/10 th the price of an American is a few how a competent element, so that you tell me?

Answer 5

Good question; Republicans believe a citizen should make his own way through less government, to be more self-reliant. That a person should have lower taxes to take care of their family. Democrats on the other hand want more government programs, more government control of your life..they want to make the decisions...thus they want more of your money through taxes..they promise big government control like health care...but they leaven out the part about who will pay for their big idea..You & I. Democrats willssell out anything for polictical gain such as you see them now with troops in harms way...they bash our President and our forces just because they want power...but THANK God the highest ranking Dem is the county dog-catcher!!! The American people can't be fooled.

I'm probably the only poster who will give you an unbias view at both partys!!!

Answer 6

Democrats think the government is the answer and solution to problems. Republicans appear to think the private sector is better able to fix problems, because of profit motive.

Democrats think high taxes are good for the country. Republicans think low taxes are better.

And I'm talking elected leadership here, and of course I'm being very general.

Democrats are for unrestricted abortion rights. Many even think the mother should be allowed to abort her baby during delivery, if she so chooses.

Republicans think abortion should be forbidden, except in cases of rape pregnancies, and when the mother's life is in danger.

Democrats beliefs are usually rejected in national elections, so they are forced to rely on activist judges to implement their beliefs. The Democrats have lost every national election since 1992.

Answer 7

Yeap... Republicans care about the rich, them self's and how to get richer. Democrats care about making the world a better place, they care about the everyday person. Please explain this to me a everyday person that is having a hard time of it driving a beat up dodge dart and eating beans 3 times a week and so on and calling them self's a republican. It's like HELLO ! and I know a lot of these kind of people, You can't explain it to them...DUH

Answer 8

At the present time, there does not seem to be a discernable difference save one.

Democrates care about other peoples, while Republicans care about other republicans.

But that is a grand oversimplification.

Answer 9

I think everyone has their Republican (Conservative) and Democrat (Liberal) viewpoints. I am more Conservative on law enforcement, however I am more Liberal when it comes to helping the poor rebound from bad experiences. No one is strictly Republican or Democrat, it is what side you lean more toward.

Answer 10

Right now in our senate,there isn't much of a difference, both parties sold out the american people with that insane immigration bill that Kennedy,McCain,Reid and Frist came out with