Each of the major political parties focuses on different aspects of the Constitution as most important. In the Preamble to the Constitution, there are five goals (values) of the US government: "establish Justice, to ensure domestic Tranquility, to provide for the common Defense, to promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty"
Conservatives think the most important are "to ensure domestic Tranquility" (meaning to promote conformity with 'traditional' ways) and to "provide for the Common Defense". Most conservatives are Republicans, who (nowadays) want group rights (conformity with 'traditional' values) and a large government to ensure domestic tranquility (by enforcing those conservative majority beliefs). Moderate republicans (originally called fiscal conservatives) want a small government, just large enough to provide for the common Defense.
Liberals think it's more important to "promote the general Welfare, and ensure the blessings of Liberty". Most liberals are Democrats, who want individual rights and a large government to promote the general welfare. Moderate democrats don't want a lot of wasteful spending, and want to achieve their goals without causing too many problems. Democrats do have a Conservative wing, which focuses on better ethical leadership and greater protection for both groups and individuals. The main difference is that conservative democrats still don't believe in enforcing their views on the minority, even if their own personal choices would be the same as what conservative republicans would make.
The concept of promoting Justice is important to both camps, but their idea of justice differs. Most camps of the liberal parties believe ensuring Justice requires favoring defendants, preferring the guilty to go free rather than sending the innocent to prison. Republicans and conservatives believe the promoting Justice requires being harsh to those accused, even if that occasionally inflicts sentences on the innocent.
Interestingly, the spectrum is not linear, and has more than one dimension. There are other political parties who focus on different combinations of those values. For example, Libertarians want a small government (no wasteful spending) and very little Welfare (few if any entitlements), but strong on Defense. Libertarians also want lots of protection for individual civil rights, to secure the blessings of Liberty. They feel that Tranquility will take care of itself, and doesn’t need government enforcement of morality. As such, they are moderate about most issues, except for being adamant that the majority should not impose its beliefs on the minority, as part of their way to promote Justice.
So, it basically comes down to which sets of Constitutional values each group thinks are most important.
2006-08-10 10:29:55
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answer #1
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answered by coragryph 7
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Most of those answers are nothing but smug.
Democrats want a large government to control most aspects of daily life. They want all the people to vote on legislation before implementing laws.
Republicans believe in less government control and representatives to take care of legislation. Private enterprise is important.
Libertarians believe in a "common sense" way of taking care of things, even to the extend of changing laws along the way.
Independents usually don't run with any major agendas. It depends on what's important to their community.
2006-08-10 10:39:25
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answer #2
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answered by RAR24 4
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If it become the version between a 2 social gathering equipment supporter and someone endowed with hardship-free experience i ought to say yeah it is precise. Sorry yet i purely can't purchase into one being more effective over the different anymore. both worthless and treasonous entities.
2016-11-29 21:05:00
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answer #3
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answered by ? 3
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Short answer, but I think to the point: Republicans tend to believe in limited power of government, and individual responsibility. Democrats tend to believe in more comprehensive powers of government.
This is why Republicans tend to be in favor of lower taxes, and Democrats in favor of higher taxes (to pay for the additional government programs they favor).
2006-08-10 10:43:03
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answer #4
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answered by Allen 3
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i have to disagree with most everybody so far. republicans are not just a big group of self-centered rich people. personally i am one so i can see it that way but anyway here is a (trying to be) non-biased comparison:
republicans are for traditional values (no abortion, gay mairrage), the second amendment (the right to bear arms & thus own a gun), punishment for criminals (death penalty or life in prison) entrepreneurship, tax cuts all around, stricter immigration policies, limited government involvement, people taking responsibility for their own actions. i see this as common sense personally.
democrats are for "changing with the times" and less traditional values (abortion, gay marriage etc.), higher government involvement, government aid to the needy, higher taxes for the wealthy than for the poor and the middle class, less strict immigration policies, and rehibilitation for criminals.
2006-08-10 10:43:51
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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There arn't ANY they both would sell America out in a second for the so called Good of the party. Neither side attempts to actually do anything to benefit America there to bust shooting down each others good ideas so as to not let the Other party get credit. Vote out ALL those who are currently in office it's Time to clean out ALL the Garbage in Washington.
2006-08-10 10:34:08
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Republicans are for major bussnesses
where democrats are for small and less richer activities
2006-08-10 10:32:31
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answer #7
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answered by Lauren D 4
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Two sides to the same coin. Unfortunately, if you take that coin to a collector or dealer, you won't get anything for it because it is pretty much worthless.
2006-08-10 10:43:44
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Not much
Republicans tend to cater to the rich..or well off
or those who like this country the way it was durring leave it to beaver,happy days ,elvis and Babe Ruth .oh yeah and they love big buisness
Democrats have sort of become the same :They tend to address more socials issue though
2006-08-10 10:29:22
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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republicans have more money and they think differently.. democrates have to do fundraisers to get money
2006-08-10 10:30:54
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answer #10
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answered by ♥BUD or BUD LIGHT♥ 4
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