Why is a pro-life, pro-gun Democrat called a "moderate", but a pro-gun, pro-life Republican is an "extremist"?
916918
Democrats watch too much Jerry Springer.  Anyway, to the issue, good question.  I'm proud to be an "extremist."
28444
In a brief nutshell, today's Republicans (the Good Old Party, GOP) are characterised by a want for 'smaller' government, a more agile (not necissarily bigger) military, and a connection with (usually religious) blue-color 'everyman' workers.  They believe in a government that is reflective of overarching, 'home grown' family values, as can be best seen in their "Contract With America". Democrats are more for creating a social welfare society, and believe that goverment should play a more active role in daily life (though not necissarily intrusive).  Many people brand this party as being 'liberal', which is actually a fairly new designation considering many Democrats (also known then as Dixiecrats) were opposed to 'liberal' civil rights reforms in the 1960s.  Further, whereas Republicans target typically older citizens, Democrats tend to lean towards younger, educated professionals (for example yuppies) and are a favorite on college campuses.  Unfortunately, in today's America politics has become frieghteningly divisive.  We can't even have a hurricane (I cite Katrina) without people pulling out 'Repbulican this' or 'Democrat that'.  Further, the two parties aren't helping the matter either.  Whenever someone does something wrong (For example a Republican President or Democratic governor), it is suddenly the fault of the entire party, and not just that one person.  You seem educated enough to visit each party's website and read their platform.  Skip over anything with the word 'Iraq' or 'terror' in it (because these are in the spotlight, and are likely to be uselessly full of propogand) and instead read your opinions on issues that effect your daily life, such as public education, health care and taxes.  I think you (and many other people) would be surprised at how much the two parties actually agree on, but with different routes.
54448
There are generalizations for each; some are more accurate than others.  \n\nRepublicans are considered on the "right" end of the political spectrum while Democrats are on the "left."  The far right generally is pro-religion, anti-bureacracy, pro-military, pro-business and pro-personal responsibility.\n\nTo the far left of the spectrum are the extreme liberals, or the most extreme democrats.  Everyone pays taxes to equalize society.  Government should solve all problems and government should be counted on by people who can't take care of themselves.  Republicans might see this is bordering on communism.\n\nRepublicans, are usually considered conservative (fiscally as well as socially), maybe a litte pious, pro-business and against the bureacracy often associated with big government.  They see big government as wasteful and an obstacle to getting things done.  Their approach is very Darwinistic in that the strong shall survive, cream rises to the top, etc.  And the weak become Democrats so that they can get handouts from the government.  Work hard, obey God and life will be good.  In theory, this is a neat way to look at things and in an ideal world, this would be great, but it has a number of flaws.\n\nDemocrats are considered more liberal.  They are usually more educated and open-minded. . . maybe a little more realistic; maybe a little more cynical, depending on how you look at it.  Democrats often come from in or around an urban area and have more exposure to the realities of a life for those with diverse backgrounds.  Thus the likelihood of social liberalism among democrats.\n\nRepublicans expect people to take advantage of the fact that we are in a free society and, as such, they should take advantage of this opportunity to make wise, responsible decisions for themselves, which should ultimately trickle down and result in a better society.  \n \nDemocrats are smart enough to know that most people don't always make the best decisions for themselves (or society) so their position is that there needs to be more regulation, thus a more structured government.  This is kind of along the lines of Hillary Clinton's famous statement that "it takes a village to raise a child."  The village, many would say, is the government.\n\nRepublicans will say that Democrats want to increase taxes (and the size of government) in order to pay for wasteful social programs.  Republicans would rather funnel the money to churches and charities so that the government can be left to do what it does best.  Let the churches and charities take care of their communities.  Let the government take care of law enforcement, defense, etc.\n\nDemocrats will say that Republicans don't care for anyone but themselves (who are often in the higher echelons in terms of income) and that Republicans should share more of their wealth with society.  \n\nBut there is a ton of hypocrisy and an incredible amount of contradiction in both parties.  Both parties are right.  And both parties are wrong.  \n\nBottom line, as an earlier poster explained, people are going to support the political parties that are known to best serve their own, individual needs.  \n\nLow income urban minorities are more likely to support a Democratic agenda because it's in their best interest.\n\nMiddle and upper class rural citizens (whites and minorities alike, in many cases) are more likely to gun for Republicans because their agenda is friendlier to these types of citizens.\n\nWhen voting, your best bet is to vote based on the individual candidate as opposed to the party with whom she or he associates.  \n\nAnd it's your responsibility as a citizen to educate yourself so that you can make informed decisions.
178253
Democrat.  Make your question harder next time.  Ask what party stands for.  Spin says national defense or budget.\nThe real difference?\nRepublican party favors unrestrained capitalism, believing that the free market can best provide for the needs of the public.  You can see this via high numbers of contractors in Iraq and other outsourcing of food inspection to food producers and in budget cuts of EPA. \nDemocrats believe that unrestrained capitalism has wrought great evil in the past, and that the government must take the side of the individual citizens against the great power and wealth of business.  They favor a progressive tax rate such that large incomes and businesses pay a higher tax rate, and that the government provide services that industries have a conflict of interest in performing.
992451
I am a registered democrat not a socialist. I am in favor of a balanced budget and less interference into our personal lives. I also favor states rights. In Oregon we passed (voter referendum) legalized assisted suicide and medical marijuana. Both are under attack by a republican led government. These used to be republican and conservative causes. They are not any  more. This is why I vote democratic. I used to vote republican. If I thought the libertarian party had a chance I would be a libertarian. The democratic party is the lesser of the two evils. I don't care about saving stem cells, abortion or the evils of gay marriage. I do care about health care, education, and a strong economy that provides jobs with living wages. If the republican party can offer this and stay out of our bedrooms, I'll vote republican.
540222
first it's do not does and big not bid so if we are going to attack let's be articulate and get your facts straight, it is the Republican Party that likes to keep the poor and the middleclass living in fear and causing them to graze like sheep and believing that they are the only party that can save them from the terrorists. The Democratic Party never would have gotten us into this needless war or the incredible mess here at home that the Republicans have succeeded in doing and it is the Republicans who go home to big mansions and only a few of the Democrats that do. You will find that there are more Democrats from humble origins than well-to-do versus the Republicans.
953993
You could call this party the Know-Nothings!\n\nThat's the problem with so called moderates.  They believe in absolutely nothing.  Its just like Ann Coulter says  "If you have the intelligence above that of a toaster you are either a liberal or a conservative."\n\nAnd that is the absolute truth.
922471
If you are in the States, I believe you mean the Democrats.  Liberal is a political standpoint, like conservative.  Republican & Democrat are actually political parties.
753101
Just Republicans taking things too far AGAIN.\n\nActually, Republicans are sort of like Islamic Extremists in a way; always pointing the finger at stuff that doesn't really matter at all.\n\nThey were just looking for a Democrat to blame for anything, because their entire party is exploding with controversy.
133326
Why is a liberal labeled as such?  A liberal wants to do away with the 2nd Amendment, and limit how average citizens can protect themselves and their property against criminals. Sounds limiting to me, instead of how the word is supposed to mean.
840936
Seems to me you have the definition of liberal confused with pro-activists persons. Pro-activism does not necessarily mean liberal. If that were true, anti-abortionists and anti-gun control protesters would be considered liberal.\n\nI consider myself a FAR LEFT liberal because I am a constitutionalists. It is that simple.\n\nIf you go by the constitution, you would be pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-gun, pro-free speech, pro-flag burning, anti-prayer in public schools, etc... all of which have been settled in the courts based on the constitution.\n\nAlways gets me when rightwingers say us liberals hate America when they are the ones that don't love the civil liberties within the constitution.
1145087
I like some Conservatives and some Liberals. Personally, I try to look beyond the "outer shell" and instead focus on the person. Many moderate Liberals have more in common with Conservatives than they do with "extremist" Liberals, and conversely, many moderate Conservatives have more in common with Liberals than they do with "extremist" Conservatives. \n\nConsequentially, in a lot of cases these names are actually misnomers because they carry ‘preloaded’ connotations that may not even be true. Major problems arise from slapping these broad labels on people because they encourage polarization rather than unity. In fact, the labels "Conservative" and "Liberal" have such extraordinarily negative connotations that they are used like socially acceptable profanity. You only need to spend a few minutes on Answers.com to see what I'm talking about. \n\nInterestingly, most people never really think about how they developed their beliefs. In most cases, people simply adopt whatever political affiliations that their parents had, just like most people unquestioningly adopt their parent’s religion. This kind of emotional, reactionary allegiance replaces rational thought and is therefore extremely dangerous. Let's stop the madness!
164294
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
95305
I think one answer might be that the US Republican party-- one of the furthest right promonent political parties in the developed world-- has a very strong rhetorical advantage. The US has been convinced that the republicans are the party of morality. As a person of faith I have often been told that my left-leaning political views are abhorrant to God. The communities of faith have been convinced that they are part of conservative america and are afraid to step out of line. \nIt may also be the strong emphasis on Security in our post 9-11 world. to stay secure we often forfit many of our political powers to a stronger government, short-sightedly\n\nhope this adds some insight :)
432496
In my opinion the Democrats of JFK's day were more moderate and the center has shifted over the years. I could go on all day  about this but just some highlights of my view on this.  In the 50s and 60s democrats like JFK went to church and believed more in family values. Today they have shifted more to freedom choice to do what you want and Republicans have moved out of their elitist position and more toward the center. Far right and far left have become more radical and opposed. Immigrants in those day came to America in search of democracy and generally gravitated to the Democratic party because they believed that other parties did not stand for democracy. Although that's not true. Today those that have educated themselves, I believe gravitate to the values of the republican party. Thus the Republicans have become the new democrats. JFK was a moderate, strong on defense issues and family values despite his indiscretions. As Attorney General Robert Kennedy went after crime aggressively. Republicans were more about money and power. Things have changed.
805795
I am a life-long Republican and I voted for President Bush but I do not agree with and do not support any of those bible-thumping right wing fanatic hypocrites like Haggard any more than many of the Democrats support the extreme left wingers. These people do not represent either party, hence the title "extremist".\n\nI am not anti-gay and I am not anti gay marriage. I have a problem with the government paying for research that leads to destroying proto-humans to harvest stem cells that have not been proven to help in perfecting cures for debilitating diseases because I think it's creepy, but if pharmaceutical companies want to proceed without federal funding, I would stand in their way.
704310
Democrats are liberals and they like gay marriages and abortion.\nRepublicans are conservatives but they like war just like the invasion of Iraq.