which party, the democrats or republicans, comes closer to values that you consider important?

Answer 1

Both!

The issue is not with the party, between liberals and Conservatives. Between those two Conservative is closer. There are Conservative democrats just as there are liberal republicans.

The problem however is that the news media chooses to only push the liberal or democratic view. By doing this, there is a unbalanced table and the liberals are not held to the full accountability as the republicans. Until the news media starts to hold both sides to the same standards of integrity, our nation will continue to be divided.

Answer 2

Republicans. The only problem is that many can't live up to their own standards. Oh and I know Democrats and Liberals have good intentions in their support for social programs. But a lot of their policies fall victim to the law of unintended consequences, and that's OK since things don't always work in the real world (look at the what happen to the structure of welfare families as a result of Johnson's "Great Society" welfare program). But just because Democrats have good intentions (despite poor results) on social issues, does not mean that if Republicans want positive results on social programs that they are evil and that the Democrats are the only ones looking out for the poor. A strong economy is good for the poor, since it creates opportunities.

Answer 3

Republicans

Answer 4

There is a difference between the values they articulate and the values that actually govern. That is part of the reason why I vote Libertarian.

Answer 5

Republican, at least of the two parties you specify in your question. Personal responsibility, small central government, strong military, national security, states' rights.

I admire the intentions of Dems/liberals, i.e. helping people out of poverty, equal rights for minorities/gays/etc., health care for all, and so forth, but I find that their governmental policies simply don't get results no matter how much money is thrown at them. Is poverty less of a problem in the U.S. today than it was when LBJ launched his Great Society initiatives? Our healthcare system is flawed, but do we really want the government in charge of health care, when the examples set by Canada and the U.K. result in people from those countries flocking to the United States for lifesaving procedures (that they pay for out-of-pocket) they couldn't get in a timely manner in their home countries due to lengthy waiting lists?

I simply find that liberal policies, well-intentioned as they may be, create perverse incentives that discourage personal responsibility. For example, why take a low-paying job (that could be a rung on a ladder to better things, BTW) if public assistance pays as much or more? Things like campus speech codes, while intended to keep people from being offended, squelch free speech. Gun control measures, intended to reduce crime and accidental injury, take the choice to defend themselves away from law-abiding individuals.

I don't agree with all conservative policies either, particularly ideas that come from the far right wing or evangelical Christians. I think gays should be able to marry. I think abortion should be legal (although I personally think there's no question that it's the killing of a human life).

I don't have much respect for either party, but in the end I think Republican policies get better results.

Answer 6

of the two, definitely the Democrats. I am more of a socialist and would love to have a viable Socialist Party in this country.

Answer 7

The Democrats; I'm poor.

Answer 8

If you put both in a brown paper bag not sure which one would come out on any of the values. They are so close now that it hard to tell them apart.

Answer 9

The Democrats --- hands down. Have always been one and will never change. I have too much compassion and empathy for my fellow man to be a republican.

Answer 10

Democrats. The environment, healthcare for all, better ideas for education.