What's the difference between a democrate and a republican?

Question

I hear so much about them but I still don't know.

Answer 1

I can't speak for all democrats because I am a liberal democrat; but, I can tell you why I am a liberal.

First off, I am a liberal because I am a constitutionalists whereas Republicans tend to be selective about what portions of the constitution they live by.

Examples, legalization of abortion based on the 1st Amd. and prayer not allowed in public schools based on thee 4th Amd.

Anyways, here is why I am a liberal. Just think opposite and you will have a Republican.

- I believe in war as a last resort or unless we or an ally have been attacked. IEs, Gulf War and Pearl Harbor
- I believe in UN support and if the UN is corrupt, instead of bailing on them, fix it.
- I believe we have a duty to pay our elderly social security because they paid those funds when they were working. That is like robbing them if we do not pay it back.
- I do not believe trickle down economics of Reagan, Bush Sr, and Bush Jr works. It never works. I believe in Clinton's economic system that is commonly referred to as Pay-As-You-Go.
- I believe in FDR's New Deal that the republican party has been trying to destroy piece by piece.
- I believe our social programs that keep families from living under bridges prevent us from becoming a 3rd world country.
- I believe in welfare but I also believe in Clinton's welfare reform where it is limited to 2 to 3 years in a lifetime. This prevents ppl from living on it their entire life; thereby, prevents welfare abuse.
- I believe in universal healthcare because a healthy nation is a powerful nation and also the pharmcy/insurance companies are corrupt.
- I believe in government regulation of monopolies such as power/energy, cable and telephone companies. Everytime the government deregulates these industries, they promise the price will go down but it never does... it always increases thereby increases the cost of living.
- I do not believe in making laws that violate constiutional rights or take away choice... such as the Patriot Act or even seatbelt laws.
- I do not believe in making new laws everytime a problem arises; but rather, to fix the problem.
- I believe in gay marriage because gay ppl pay taxes too and heteorsexual couples should not be given special rights by the states just because they are straight. Otherwise take away those special rights and don't allow the state to recognize anyone's marriage.
- I believe in a woman's right to choose because just as the Supreme Court has ruled, a woman has a constitutional right to privacy over what happens to her body.
- I believe in the right to own a gun because it is a constitutional right.
- I believe in the constitution 110% and the liberties it allows each citizen.
- I am anti-illegal immigration because simply, they break the law by entering illegally.
- I believe in complete separation of church and state per the constitution and as interpreted by Thomas Jefferson who stated, "thus building a wall of separation between Church and State"
- I believe in SMALL GOVERNMENT in terms of big brother staying the hell out of my business. I've never participated in a census and refuse to. I am a LIBERAL and believe government has NO RIGHT to stick its nose in my business.

Answer 2

The simplistic answer is that Republicans are more focused on fiscal issues, assuming that if you are doing well financially, the social will take care of itself, while Democrats are more focused on the social, assuming that the fiscal issues will balance when the social issues are stable.

You may also hear things to the effect that Republicans favor smaller federal government and more states rights, where Democrats favor larger centralized government and more similarity between the states, but this is far less consistent across the elected officials than the focus that the party believes is important (see above paragraph).

(I'll probably get flamed for the next paragraph, but it is my oppinion of what we're seeing on the news lately)

Lately, I'd suggest that the Republicans are acting in a more pro-active way (basing issues and decisions on "facts", even if the facts are potentially in question, and adherance to a "plan", though some never actually share what the full "plan" is), and the Democrats are acting more reactive (basing issues and decisions on emotion and checking polls more than sticking to a "plan" or stated list of goals). However, 10 or so years ago, I would have said the exact opposite, so while this is a good talking point for Conservative talk show hosts and commentators, I believe it's more of a "current strategy" than a fundamental part of the party platforms. We'll see which one carries the next couple of elections.

And, unfortunately, many politicians attach themselves to whatever party they think is currently in ascendance, so I'd listen more to (a) what they say, and (b) what they've done in the past (what they've voted for, etc.) then what "party" they claim to belong to.

Hope this gives you some fodder for thought. Politics is never a black and white issue -- if you're voting party line as opposed to who you believe in and feel you can trust, you're harming yourself and the country.

Answer 3

If the Dems are wrong America lives.
If the Reps are wrong American dies.

Right or wrong, if the Reps keep political power - America dies.

The Republican party is like a person sitting at home with appendicitis and dying because they are too stupid to pick up the phone. They don't know that they are destroying America but they are.

Their most fundamental notion of America is completely wrong.

Here, in their (collective) own words is what America's Founding Fathers said:

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion"
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm

Republicans are trying to destroy our secular government by lies and re-writing history.

So, their goal is to destroy America because they hate the real America. The want a new America based on stupid white-trash Christian morality. You know, ... where the get to rape-torture-kill whoever and whatever they want.

Just look, they cannot get enough of torturing innocent people, even though every expert in the world (including our own at Gittmo) say that torture produces only bad results.

They are pathological liars and criminals. They control the media and much of the government from the local to federal levels.

They are 'exactly' the same as Islamic terrorists, but more fascist in nature.

They are the real threat to America - and they are winning.

So, I guess the terrorists win either way.

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dragonlady -

Yes, Clinton tried with healthcare, but the republicans ran a full court press against it and turned public opinion so much that it never had a chance. I hope you were not one of those people who believed the republican lies.

You do know that we are the only developed nation in the world without healthcare for its citizens. And, also contrary to Republican propoganda - people in Europe get healthcare just as good as Americans (well, not as good as Rush and Sean, but then neither do I), and their standard of living is at least as good as ours and some are better.

If they can do it why can't we?

The truth is that we can - but it is also the truth that Republicans are THE opposition. Why? Because the current system makes them richer.

They don't care about our health (that's why our food safety has declined).

They don't care about our lives.
They are losing the war on terror, but only for America and its citizens. They reap rich rewards, so they don't care how many soldiers die in Iraq. After all, they are mostly from lower economic families anyway.

Answer 4

neither have a platform for the american people, just their parties. there's 3 things this country needs 1.affordable healthcare 2. repeal NAFTA and bring back the over 1 million manufacturing jobs that have moved to Mexico 3. lower gas prices
But you will never hear them talk about these, oh clinton talked about healthcare, but once elected he done nothing to change it, instead they will make up issues and make you think that those are the ones you should be worried about, what we need in this country are statesman, not politicians, what's the difference, statesmen do what's right for the country, politicians do what's right to get them re-elected. what's the difference between liberals and conservatives-- liberals think you can do anything and get into heaven ,conservatives believe like (GOD) that you have to pay for what you do.

Answer 5

Republicans pretend to care about things like "moral values", "family", "marriage", "terrorism" and things like that, while actually the only thing they care about is making money for themselves and their corporate buddies. (Look up the Enron scandal on Google if you need proof)

Democrats pretend to care about issues like the environment, social security, justice etc while actually they only care about the same things as the republicans.

Both parties have a handful of rich people running the party, and coincidentally the only people who seem to be profiting from the current system are the rich.

So complicated yet so simple...

Answer 6

I can better describe how they are similar. Mostly they have very different ways of thinking about how to solve problems. Most of their issues come from their seemingly opposing set of values. They share a common quest for money and freedom.

They disagree on the methods to employ money, and the definition of freedom.

Answer 7

Wow, it is really sad that you all are so overly cynical that on one is able to accurately describe the simple ideological differences of the major two political philosophies in your country (or political science as a whole).

I won'teven attempt to, but to say this: Ignore third-parties until they actually have a unique platform -- and do not just borrow ideas from the major two political ideological spectrums known to mankind.

Answer 8

You Might Be A Republican If...

You think "proletariat" is a type of cheese.

You've named your kids "Deduction one" and "Deduction two"

You've tried to argue that poverty could be abolished if people were just allowed to keep more of their minimum wage.

You've ever referred to someone as "my (insert racial or ethnic minority here) friend"

You've ever tried to prove Jesus was a capitalist and opposed to welfare.

You're a pro-lifer, but support the death penalty.

You think Huey Newton is a cookie.

The only union you support is the Baseball Players, because heck, they're richer than you.

You think you might remember laughing once as a kid.

You once broke loose at a party and removed your neck tie.

You call mall rent-a-cops "jack-booted thugs."

You've ever referred to the moral fiber of something.

You've ever uttered the phrase, "Why don't we just bomb the sons of bitches."

You've ever said, "I can't wait to get into business school."

You've ever called a secretary or waitress "Tootsie."

You answer to "The Man."

You don't think "The Simpsons" is all that funny, but you watch it because that Flanders fellow makes a lot of sense.

You fax the FBI a list of "Commies in my Neighborhood."

You don't let your kids watch Sesame Street because you accuse Bert and Ernie of "sexual deviance."

You scream "Dit-dit-ditto" while making love.

You've argued that art has a "moral foundation set in Western values."

When people say "Marx," you think "Groucho."

You've ever yelled, "Hey hippie, get a haircut."

You think Birkenstock was that radical rock concert in 1969.

You argue that you need 300 handguns, in case a bear ever attacks your home.

Vietnam makes a lot of sense to you.

You point to Hootie and the Blowfish as evidence of the end of racism in America.

You've ever said civil liberties, schmivil schmiberties.

You've ever said "Clean air? Looks clean to me."

You've ever called education a luxury.

You look down through a glass ceiling and chuckle.

You wonder if donations to the Pentagon are tax-deductable.

You came of age in the '60s and don't remember Bob Dylan.

You own a vehicle with an "Ollie North: American Hero" sticker.

You're afraid of the liberal media."

You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, tradition dictates...."

You ever told a child that Oscar the Grouch "lives in a trash can because he is lazy and doesn't want to contribute to society."
You've ever urged someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, when they don't even have shoes.

You confuse Lenin with Lennon.

You Might Be A Democrat If...

* You own something that says, "Dukakis for President, " and still display it.
* You've ever said, "We really should call the ACLU about this."
* You believe that a few hundred loggers can find another career, but the defenseless spotted owl must live in its preferred tree.
* You ever based an argument on the phrase, "But they can afford a tax hike because..."
* You keep count of how many people you know in each racial or ethnic category.
* You believe our government must do it because everyone in Europe does.
* You can't talk about foreign policy without using the word conspiracy.
* You think Ralph Nader makes a lot of sense.
* You don't understand why anyone was bothered by Jane's trip to Hanoi.
* You think solar energy is being held back by those greedy oil companies.
* You've never been mugged.
* You actually expect to collect Social Security.
* You think the Great Society has actually worked.
* You don't see the similarity between WONK and ****.
* You got teary-eyed during the film "The American President."
* You think Ayn Rand is an African currency.
* Your house smells like a garbage dump because of your commitment to recycling.
* You think political patronage describes the Kennedy family.
* Your High School Year Book goals included the words "help people."
* You think the Free Market is where they hand out Government cheese.
* You think Carter should be on Mt. Rushmore.
* You believe personal injury lawyers when they say they are just trying to defend the little guy.
* You know that those profit mongering drug companies could find a cure for AIDS if they really wanted to.
* You actually believe the NY Times and Washington Post.
* You know at least one Vegan.
* You'd rather own Birkenstock than Merck Stock.
* You think the anti-war protestors from '60s are the real heroes.
* You think that Supply Side Economics refers to your dope dealer's stash.
* You actually think that poverty can be abolished.
* You think that Joan Baez had something to say.
* You admire the Swedish welfare system.
* You know that Jefferson really meant to say "Entitled to Happiness."
* You think the Flat Tax should be at 95%
* You go to Gay Pride Day parades so that no one can call you homophobic.
* After looking at your pay stub you can still say, "America is undertaxed."

Answer 9

They say the Dems feel nothing good comes from anything but the government, therefore, the bigger the government the better.

Republicans think the individual knows best what is good for themselves.

Today they both are for a bigger government than I'm for. The taxpayer can't afford their retirement package.

Answer 10

LOL basically it's this in easy terms to understand:

Republican's: In for the money/well being for the higher class
Democrat: Wants everything equally shared/complainer's

Well, that's my opinion, everyone has their own thing on them :P