What are the different political views of Republicans and Democrats?
966551
The repubs make the rich richer and give their buddies neat tax breaks. The repubs tradionally spend more money then we have and think nothing of socking it to the little man. The repubs tradionally lie to America, claiming that whatever they are doing is for the food of the country and people, when all along it is for the good of the rich and those repubs who are in power. Their business ventures, their tax breaks.\n\nThe Dems always get to sort out and clean up the repubs mess and chaos, The dems think and serve mainstream society in the middle class and the impoverished. The Dems give back to the people and country. Tradionally the Dems have always left the new government ( repubs) in good financial status, only to watch the repubs sail through billions and trillions of our tax dollars. \n\nTradionally Repubs have started or declared the most wars, having said that, most of them had good reason to go to war, in this present war, there was no good reason.
898382
Mainly Dems think it is the responsibility of the Government to take care of the people and Republicans believe the Governments job is to provide the people with the opportunity to take care of themselves. Most Republicans are more willing to help the person needing help on the side of the road, while Dems think it is the Governments job. A study released this week says that Conservatives give more to charities then Liberals.
454545
Until the current administration I would have said Democrats... But the Republicans have proven they also are far too expansive for my taste.\n\nThere are a couple reasons though. \n\n1. Socialistic causes for the general population.\n2. Jobs (mostly appointed) for the buddies of the politicians.  If you want a good job thats secure in this country best be good friends with a political office holder.
744601
Now that the parties have, for all intents and purposes, polarized into the Democrats being liberal and the Republicans being conservative (just 20 years ago, it wasn't this way), the difference can be expressed simply.\n\nLiberals (i.e., Democrats) believe in a loose interpretation of the Constitution.  That is, they believe that a person or group can do anything the Constitution does not expressly forbid. (and, quite a few things it does!)\n\nConservatives (i.e. Republicans) believe in a strict interpretation of the Constitution.  That is, they believe that a person or group cannot do anything the Constitution does not expressly allow.\n\nYou didn't ask about Libertarians, but their mention is merited.  Libertarians tend to be fiscal conservatives (small government, strong military, low/no taxes) but social liberals (allow legalization of marijuana, abortions, eliminate sodomy laws, etc.).
1018381
Gotta be Republican signs.  Democrats are typically the ones who vandalise, steal and set things on fire to stand up for their political views.  Republicans are more reserved.\n\nIn Arizona in 2004, a Republican Party headquarters was set on fire by some violent Left-wing group.  Like Republicans would do that!  ha!
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.
846983
The basic difference is that Republicans follow a conservative philosophy and Democrats follow a liberal philosophy. \n\nA liberal would say that a proper role for government is to regulate and oversee the economy. Liberals say it's proper for government to ensure that companies do the right thing (such as pay minimum wages), and to ensure that people act responsibly in their finances (such as requiring contributions to retirement savings).\n\nA conservative would say that a proper role for government is to regulate and oversee morality. Conservatives say it's proper for government to ensure that people are punished for immoral acts (such as taking drugs), and that people act appropriately in their marriages (such as banning homosexual marriage).\n\nA libertarian would say that neither of those is a proper role for government. Libertarians say that the only proper role is to maintain an army for defense against invasion, to maintain a court system for ensuring justice, and other constitutionally defined roles. \n\nA populist would say that both economic and moral intervention are proper roles for government. \n\nSome people classify libertarians as conservatives and some classify populists as liberals. Those definitions fall apart when libertarians talk about moral issues like abortion (pro-choice) or drugs (pro-legalization). \n\nRalph Nader and Pat Buchanan both consider themselves "populists," but the press usually classifies Nader as liberal and Buchanan as conservative. Yet they agree entirely on their most important issue, opposing free trade and globalization. \n\nThe problem with a one-dimensional definition like liberal and conservative is that it doesn't define well political reality. The two-dimensional definition is better.
640797
There are a few differences in the democrats and republicans.  They are focused mainly on responsibilities of government, taxation and economic stimulus, focus on where our resorces need to be spent, and how trade should be aproached in relation to US interest.  Other social issues have been tied to certain parties such as abortion, envioroment, gun control to name a few.  The social issues are mainly for debate perposes in the legislative branches because within both parties you will find division in these areas.  I know democrats who are pro-life and I know republicans who believe in strict gun control.\n\nAs to roles of government, and this is very plain to see between the parties, the republicans believe in very little responsablity of the government to interfere with the daily lives of the people.  So since the government can do so little, it should be allowed to do what little it can without question.  The democrats believe that the government has an obligation to insure its citizens are safe and to do this the government has much power to do what ever it wants.  So since the government has so much power, it must have a bunch of hoops and hurdles to go through to make sure the people are safe gaurded from abuse from the government.  A prime example of this today is the wire tap debate.\n\nTaxation and economic stimulus is a HUGE difference between the parties.  This is where you hear republicans are for big business and the democrats are for the working man.  The republicans in this department go for the trickledown theory which says that if you give tax breaks to the rich then you have reinvestment in the company and inovative technology research.  Both of which lead to new market shares and thus new jobs for the American citizen.  Better products for better prices comes from research and the company having money to burn on experiments.  Basically the market leads the consumer.\n\nThe democrats believe that the tax breaks need to go to the working class or trickleup if you will.  Since there are so many more of them they determine what inovations need to be made.  With so many people with extra money are out there, better products for better prices comes from compitition since the companies must produce to get the consumer.  Inovation comes from what the buying public says it wants.  New jobs for US citizens comes from increased demand on the best goods that people want.  The consumer leads the market.\n\nAlso on taxation and role of government.  The republicans are big on ruged individualism and free market.  They believe that if you want services you should go out and pay for them youself, in return taxes will be lower.  The democrats believe that the citizens have a right to want certain services from their government, but they better be ready to pay taxes to get them.\n\nBut shoot, its getting late and I could go a long time on the different philosophies of the parties.  In truth neither is 100% right or 100% wrong.  Both have there places and in my opinion, it is where the country is at a certain time as to who gets into power.\n\nIndependants are normally someone who really hasn't tied themselves to any party and ran on their own accord.  When they vote though, most show either republican or democratic values.\n\nSorry for the misspelled words, spell check went down. :(
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
1100882
You're making invalid assumptions. The middle ground for both major parties are moderates, with very few going far afield.\n\nOne end of one spectrum is conservative republican. The other ends of that spectrum are moderate republican and federalist.\n\nOne of the a different spectrum is liberal democrat. The other ends of that spectrum are moderate democrat and libertarian.\n\nBasically, there are two scales of values. One is big government versus small government (Republican -- Libertarian). The other spectrum is group rights ("traditional" values) versus individual/personal rights (Federalist -- Democrats).\n\nRepublicans (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. The republican party does not really have a liberal wing, and usually treat the goal of individual liberties (being liberal) as a dirty word.\n\n\n\nDemocrats 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.\n\nLibertarians want a small government (no wasteful spending, and very little welfare/entitlements), but lots of protection for individual liberties. They are moderate about most issues, except for being adamant that the majority should not impose its beliefs on the minority.
830718
Democrats believe in taxation and wealth redistribution. They believe the Government is the solution to every problem.\n\nRepublicans believe that business helps spread wealth. They believe the individual is the solution to the problems they face.\n\nThe difference between left and right........... just shows how well the dumbing down of America has worked!
1104754
Because Democrats believe in giving more power to the common people, and Republicans believe in giving more power to the Government and it's individual Authorities, regardless of it's policies that are not proliferating to the people that it serves.
824480
This is actually close to the description I use to illustrate the basic difference between Republicans and Democrats:\n\nDemocrats will help feed the people fish.\nRepublicans will teach people to fish.\n\nThis philosophy is kind of a touchstone on how to think about the parties. Democrats are all about the individual, providing for one person at a time, reading to them. Republicans want to help the larger class of people, thus will provide teaching to help the people make their own way.
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
1068746
There are two meanings here.  One democratic means we vote to decide policy the other is the "democratic party" which has a certain set of values it expouses that are different from that of the other dominant political party the "republican party".
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).
811616
Even if it's not extremely clear, everybody (including me) would give you a biased opinion.  So, I'll recommend a website which shows EXACTLY what each party believes, on each issue.\n\nDemocrats\nhttp://ontheissues.org/Dem_Platform_2004.htm\nRepublicans\nhttp://ontheissues.org/2004_GOP_Platform.htm\n\nThese are the official platforms, or published definitive views, of both the Democrat & Republican parties.  You can't get much more accurate than from the parties themselves.