What is the real difference between democrats and republicans?
931102
Basics:\n\nDemocrats want to put the burden on the Federal Government. \n\nRepublicans want to put the burden on the individual states.\n\nReality: Either way, the burden gets placed on us. \n\nI tend to vote republican; but, am disgusted by both parties lies. \nDemocrats have taken credit for what republicans have done.\nRepublicans have lied about making changes. Anyone remember that "Contract with America"? Where'd that go? \nDemocrats tend to be more liberal in human rights.\nRepublicans tend to be more conservative. \nBoth parties are hypocritical on moral issues. Clinton signed into law a bill that allows censorship. Mr. Morality himself. Hmmm.\nThe Republicans have Foley, who help enact the toughest sex crimes law against pedophiles. And, then is discovered to have his own scandals in that area. Go figure.
272617
Democrats are generally Liberals, they voted for Kerry. Republicans are generally conservative, they voted for Bush. Thats the difference.
966531
oh wow!  There are 2 major parties in the United States. Democrats and Republicans. Some democrats, well usually most, no offence, can be liberals. Sometimes, they are liberals. Republicans are representated by an elephant. Go to the national republican or national democrat websites to learn about their history and facts. It is pretty interesting.
942589
Democrats are people who like to help all people, especially the working class and poor.  Republicans like to cater to big business and extremely wealthy people and drop programs to help the needy.
219643
For a REAL answer...Republicans generally tend to want the power to go to the states and don't believe in big government (hence the tax cuts).  Democrats generally DO want lots of federal power and believe that government-sponsored programs will cure everything.  Obviously my answer is biased too, but at least I put some thought into it.  Also, Republicans tend to be much more conservative in their moral views than Democrats.\n\nOne more thing- Both parties are made up of the rich and the poor.  Hollywood tends to be Democratic (uber rich), and people who USE government programs (uber poor) are also usually Democrats.  Republicans are made up of uber rich CEO types as well as working class people who just want to be able to use their money the way they see fit rather than have the government support the afore mentioned group of Democrats.\n\nI can't stay away from this thread!  3rd time today...I'm a teacher in a public school- not at all rich...and I'm Republican.  So it's not all about rich people vs poor people (as I mentioned above).
906676
Democrat\nBig brother.  The average American needs the gov'ts help to obtain insurance, invest for retirement, determine what to teach our children, even what you should and shouldn't eat.  They believe in income redistribution, ie taking money from successful people and giving it to those who haven't earned it.  They are the party of choice for product liabilty attorneys.  Disproportionately higher taxes for people who earn above the median.  Taxation for those who have the gall to actually save money during their lives and die with that money still in their name.  Yes that is double taxation.  Restriction on private usage of land.  They emphasize diplomacy and global agreement in foreign relations.  They value the opinion of the U N and would have to be sorely provoked to act unilaterally against our enemies.  They believe in a womans "right to choose" is sacrosanct.  The right of the baby never enters the equation.  They will appoint supreme court judges who will legislate from the bench in order to implement laws they know they could never pass.\n\nRepublican\n\nLower overall taxation with a more proportionate percentage to each tax bracket.  Less restriction on big business with the idea that big business is what employs most of our middle class.  Minimal social safety net programs.  Republicans believe that the most effective social programs are administered by private organizations.  In general they promote a stronger military as America's shield.  The agreement of the world body is never scorned but it isn't needed if our national interests are sufficiently threatened.  Most repubs feel abortion should be regulated in some fashion.  They also feel that judges should determine if trials are held in accordance with the law and leave the making of those laws to legislatures who are elected by the voters.\n\nBelieve it or not, they are the same on most issues, the items I've hi-lighted are the major exceptions, not the rule.  Neither Democrat or Republican is inherently a monster or wrong.  They have polarized opinions on how our country should move forward.  It's the beauty and the beast all wrapped up in our political process.
908037
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn.  The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it. \n\nSeriously though, the Democrats are the party that believes: The national government has a central and positive role to play in bettering the lives of all Americans.\n\nWhereas the Republicans believe that business, if left alone, will govern the market, control the people, and reach a natural balance between the haves and needs of society.\n\nIt's the balance between these two that makes our country strong.  Too much of either one and you have the government growing in size (Democrats, historically) or completely ignoring problems that are directly caused by business (Republicans, historically).\n\nThe last few years have been very different for the Republicans.  They've moved from a conservative base to one not quite comfortable to most Americans.  Whereas the Democrats, who were historically liberal, moved closer to the middle.\n\nThe problem with this is that a liberal is always an ideologist and a conservative is not.\n\nA conservative with an ideology is either on the way to being a liberal or a neoconservative, depending on whether that ideology favors isolationism or greater inclusion.\n\nThe neoconservative who is successful in pushing their ideology will eventually become an authoritarian.  They will then immediately feel the recoil from a public who is, by nature, ideological. \n\nThat is what happened this week.\n\nI believe that the Republicans will once again start being conservative and that the Democrats will start to move back towards their historical liberal ideology.\n\nHope that helps!
926778
Republicans and Democrats are just two sides of the same coin.  Republicans are pro gun anti abortion.  Democrats are anti gun, pro abortion.  Other than that it's all talk and smoke and infighting, they both serve their corporate masters.  When it comes to screwing over the working class and slowly taking away our freedoms it is bipartisan.
234151
In the US, there are only two main factions.  They are the Democrats and the Republicans.  The Democrats are more for the working folks and younger people.  The Republicans are more for the older and richer people.\n\nSpecial interest groups are very influential in American politics, they invest millions of dollars into the campaign of many politicians from the lowest level to the highest.  Their influence is to try to pass legislation that will benefit their industry.
876409
If you go back and review the begining of these parties you can see the differences.\n\nRepublicans tend to be more concerned about religion and commerce.\n\nDemocrats are more concerned about civil liberties and human rights.\n\nThe other parties dont fail to attract more voters, theyres simply variations of either rep. or dem. parties. Thats why theyre absorbed by them, and supported by them.\n\nIts simply just two school of thoughts. much like there are tw school of thoughts in any other aspect of life.
822860
If Democrats are demonic so are Republicans.  They want to solve the same problems, they just have a different method of solving such problems.
582991
There aren't any major differences.  They are two factions of the same business party, representing the interests of the corporate elite.  Both republicans and democrats support increased military spending on an already gargantuan military budget, tax cuts to the wealthy, welfare "reforms" (which means eliminating aid to those in need), privatization of social services generally, opening up the environment for the benefit of corporate leaders (at the expense of humanity's existence), and the overarching concern for the global extension of capitalism (along with favoring "free trade" policies that encroach upon the democratic sovereignty of other nations).\n\nThey might differ on some social issues (e.g., abortion and gun control issues) that do not affect the bottom line, but we might wonder if these differences are really that important.\n\nBy having two parties, it provides the illusion that US citizens have a real choice at the polls and real democracy.  However, democracy is about leaders being accountable to the broad populace, and clearly this does not happen (regardless of political party in power).
379455
Republican.  Democrats have no agenda or ideas except to criticize.  They call that a strategy?
941887
Republicans believe that everyone has an equal chance to succeed, so they are against Affirmative Action and the like, because, unlike Democrats, they feel that minorities have every chance to do well.  Republicans believe in Equality.  Republicans believe in lower taxes and free trade\n\nDemocrats are more socialist.  They believe in the distribution of wealth.  They believe in the expansion of a welfare state.  They oppose a strong military and national defense.  They are for raising taxes and more government programs
934384
Republicans typically believe in smaller government with more control allotted to the states. They believe in promoting business and lower taxes. They favor less government spending (although you wouldn't know it given the current crop). They believe in self reliance and do not support large social programs.\n\nDemocrats favor more centralized control in the form of a larger federal government with less power to the states. They traditionally sponsor more social programs and do not believe in lower taxes. \n\nThese are generalized positions and do not properly reflect the parties, but are rather intended as an overview. If you want real information I suggest visiting their party websites and reviewing their platforms.\n\nRNC http://www.gop.com\nDNC http://democrats.org
859244
The Redsters are far superior in selling a ticket.\n\nThe democrats only have one unifying element. They are not nor ever will they be Republican.\n\nGo big Red Go
348732
Democratic party philosophy vs. Republican party philosophy.