Do you believe Liberal Democrats are more compassionate than Conservative Republicans?

Question

Do you think Democrats are more generous, both in terms of their time and money, in giving to the poor than Republicans are? If so, why do you think this is? Why is the image of the Democratic party generally perceived as caring, compassionate and giving, while the GOP comes across as uncaring, selfish and greedy? Any thoughts?

Answer 1

The short answer is yes, absolutely. Liberals have hearts where neo-cons have none. It is a statistical fact that while the wealthy members of the ANP (my moniker for the GOP) are quick to tell you how they like giving to charities (invariably right-wing and faith-based, btw), it is actually the middle and lower classes who give by far the most to charitable organizations. Compassion comes naturally to those of us who've had to work hard and suffer privations in our lives. The privileged republicans are completely detached from the world of hardship and poverty and are thus utterly discriminating about which causes they support. So, while they preach about giving to religious and other private, conservative agenda-driven organizations, they really couldn't care less about the underclass in this country.

Stereotypes aren't always accurate, nor can every book be judged by its cover, but there is a great deal of truth in the perception of Liberals and Democrats as being caring and compassionate, while the conservatives and republicans care only for themselves. Even a cursory glance at the programs and policies of the criminally corrupt -- and morally bankrupt -- bush administration demonstrates this perfectly. Tax cuts for the wealthiest and most privileged in our society? No increase in the atrocious, below-the-poverty-line, minimum wage in nearly a decade? The facts speak for themselves.

Answer 2

till 1964, there have been a distinction interior the Democratic social gathering between Southern Democrats and the remainder of the rustic. Southern Democrats have been incredibly conservative, mostly on the predicament of civil rights. Southern Democrats left the Democratic social gathering and finally ended up interior the Republican social gathering after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Answer 3

Conservatives kill killers, while liberals kill babies. But the reason for the misconception (other than an extremely biased media) would be the simply different approach these parties take to the American experiment. Republicans understand that capitalism works. Let big business do their thing, and jobs are created. The more money a corporation makes, the more jobs it creates, the more money the proletariat has, and the more they spend and inject back into the economy. This spending by the proletariat results in higher demand for the corporations. It's a beautiful cycle, but libs have painted the GOP as only looking out for the rich. When in fact, this is only the place they start. They view the economy from the top down. Democrats, however, view it from the bottom up. They believe that if we give the little man money, he will spend and produce that demand for corporations. The problems with this are many. Some of which include: abuse of the federal government's role in laissez faire (translation: to leave alone), a robbing of the proletariat's incentive to work and stimulate the economy, etc. However, this has painted them as the compassionate givers to the poor. They simply view the economy from the bottom up.

Answer 4

Interesting question!

I'm Brazilian and don't know enough of American politics to answer to you why this happens, Laney, but I can tell you that, outside of the US, that's exactly the idea we have. We perceive Liberal Democrats as, generally, good and generous people. And we see Conservative Republicans, especially after all these years of the Bush Government as, as you put it so well, uncaring, selfish and greedy.

I like MacSteed's answer, I think he captured very well the perception I and most people I know, including many Americans, have about Liberal Democrats and Conservative Republicans.

Answer 5

Tax cuts for the very rich, subsidies to the biggest corporations. Cutting programs that give the poor a hand up. The repuglicans are the party of the elite and the democrats are the party of the poor and middle class. It has always been that way.

Answer 6

Their are a number of caring and compassionate people from all political spectrum's. Democrats tend to have a better reputation because they try to use many government programs to aid poor and needy people. Republicans tend to want to have less government help and work more through private charity and religious groups. Both philosophies have their flaws, but maybe both views working together in society create the strongest benefit for society and the poor.

Answer 7

If you believe that, you have swallowed the bait. Politicians are mostly interested in getting elected. They are prone to saying what they think you want to hear and spend most of their time collecting money in order to fight off challengers.

Over the past 30 years or so, the Democrats have staked out a constituency that wants to hear about all the things they are going to get from the government, while the Republicans have done the same for their base which includes business people, religious conservatives, and others who want to hear the things they say. It did not used to be this way. Politicians used to be able to work together for find solutions. If you think that still goes on, just look at what is happening to Joe Lieberman. Last election, he was the chosen Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. Right now he is being frozen out because he is willing to work with the other side of the aisle.

This Democrat vs Republican 2-way beauty contest is bad for the country, but a powerful way to raise money to keep candidates in office. We will never get good government until we start paying more attention to what is right and less attention to whose side we are on. When we chose sides politically, we are creating a condition that lends itself to fewer and fewer real choices. Neither party wants members that are free-thinkers. It is toe the mark or risk getting cut off.

Answer 8

No! Feelings are individual. Nothing to do with political parties. This is the way the democrats , want you to view the situation.
The Democrats are no more caring then any other party. They will throw out these lies and there is always someone out there to pick up on the quote.That is why , we need to question all information said by Democrats or Republicans. Get the facts.

Answer 9

Generally that might be true, but I don't think you can make sweeping judgments. Liberals tend to be a little more "all for one" - and thus are willing to give more and share more. Conservatives tend to be more about the individual lifting himself up by the bootstraps on his own when times get tough - and thus they are perceived as being more "stingy" about such things.

However, there's a big risk of stereotyping. In the present age, most Republicans I know aren't rich, they make enough to get by, but I'm not envious of them. And a couple of them volunteer their time for charities, so that's cool. I also know a couple of "liberals" who are crazy stingy about giving, etc.

Takes all kinds -as long as people don't start insulting each other, it's all good (don't count on this even in this question).

Answer 10

That's just how it is. Some people were born without souls, and if they were born in America they go off and join the Republican party. Some people actually have souls and hearts, and are capable of compassion, and a lot of those people call themselves Democrats.