What's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?

Can we say that John Kerry is the puppeteer?

Seriously there isn't just a whole lot of difference between the Republican and Democrat parties these days based on the activities of Congress. There is a difference in philosophy and platforms, however, that can be condensed into the core difference:

Democrats generally believe government should provide solutions for human problems and take care of people and that government is the best method to do that.

Republicans generally believe that government should do only that which cannot be done more effectively or efficiently by the private sector and that the private sector is more effective and efficient in doing most things.

And let's throw in the Libertarians who generally believe the government should do nothing other than what is specifically spelled out in the Constitution.

And finally we have the Socialists who believe government should be in control of everything.

Those who are willing to do their homework and approach this issue thoughtfully and objectively can produce compelling arguments supporting all four philosophies.

leaving out Anarchists? who rely on the observation that since few men are wise enough to
rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others.

> What's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?

They're both American.

Hey, Foxfyre, I was wondering why you were saying Kerry was the puppeteer, and then I realized I screwed up that Bill Hicks quote, making both puppets on the left.

I fixed it so it makes sense now.

"I think the puppet on the left shares my beliefs.

I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs.

Hey! There's one guy holding both puppets!!!"

There, now I feel better.

There are huge differences between the Democratic and Republican parties and the people who are members of them. To suggest otherwise is naive.

Democrats are for the working people in this country.

Republicans are for the rich and powerful.

Democrats derive their power in the world by helping those less fortunate.

Republicans derive their power in the world by associating with the elites.

Democrats care about the well-being of the nation's children, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.

Republicans see the aforementioned groups as a drain and a burden that might require their taxes.

Democrats see income tax as the price paid for living in the greatest country on earth.

Republicans distrust all government even when receiving corporate welfare, with the exceptions of the Pentagon, CIA and FBI, which they adore.

Democrats see a role for government in the greater good of all people.

Republicans think government is too large, too intrusive and too costly, unless it involves cameras in the bedroom, then they shout, "more, more, more!"

Democrats believe rules and regulations are necessary to police private enterprise. How many Enrons, TYCOS, and Adelphis can the nation tolerate?

Republicans want the government to leave people alone so they can create new innovations, businesses and jobs. How many Enrons, TYCOS, and Adelphis can the nation create?

Democrats support a woman's right to choose.

Republicans oppose all abortions even when the woman's life is endangered.

Democrats want marijuana legalized for medicinal use by victims of cancer, MS and AIDS.

Republicans oppose legalizing marijuana and will tell victims of cancer, MS and AIDS to "deal with it."

Democrats support the US Constitution and oppose the USA Patriot Act and its assault on the nation's governing document.

Republicans say they support the US Constitution, but also support the USA Patriot Act, and its expansion of police powers, proving they have no idea what the nation's governing document says.

Naturally, there are rare exceptions to these generalities.

For example, some Democrats are opposed to a woman's right to choose, and some Republicans support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use. George W. Bush has said he will sign the Assault Weapons Ban which places him at odds with the gun lobby and the 2nd Amendment Sisters. John Kerry doesn't support gay marriage, but supports civil unions with all the legal benefits of marriage.

The car.
"Republican car "R" for reverse. The Democrat car "D" for drive." Sen.. Harkin

Republicans want to privatize as many Govt. programs as possible. Medicare, Workfare, Social Security etc..

Republicans want to abolish Unions and abolish all Worker's Rights.

Republicans do not want Govt. involved with any Social Programs.

Republicans want to abolish Public Education and replace it with vouchers.

*Those that say that there is no difference between the two concepts are mistaken. The two parties have similarities because too many Dems feel that the Dem party must cater the center and be more Right Wing than the Dem party was 40 or so years ago. Also, both parties are beholden to "Special Interests" and Corporations/Multi-Corps.

Dys, be careful using anarchist. Soon, people will be calling you the antichrist. Isn't that how politics works?

I was greatly amused when the WTO came to Seattle and suddenly all the silicone heads on TV were talking about "The Anarchists." That was good stuff, good fun.



Oh, right, the question. Most of us Amreekans who give a rat's ass about politics at all (so, what, 30%?) find one or the other ever-so-slightly less odious than the other. So there must be a difference, right?

IF you guys want to make any headway with me please use demonstratable facts not opinion.

Many parts of me are a Demo but I never seem to be able to vote for the Demo guy so go figure.

Spell out the differences in an intelligent way and I might learn something.

ps TIA

I think it's time to enlighten you all to the horrific fact that it is not the Democrats or the Rebublicans that control the world, it is the Illuminati, a secret society that both Bush and Kerry are connected to through Skull and Bones, via Yale. Yep, nobody is in control...except the scary ILLUMINATI! I am so tired of the pap political crap (hey, that rhymes) that is being posted here these days, I say, buy into a real consipiracy theory already!

http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/

Honest answer? As far as I'm concerned, at the higher levels of government, almost every voice is bought and paid for. Unless there is a real alternative (i.e., local and sometimes state elections), I go with the person I feel has been bought and paid for in a way that better reflects what I want to see done -- or who hasn't been bought and paid for by what I don't want to see done. My wariness of the Republican Party has everything to do with their cuddling up to Christian Coalition-types. They've got the same right to access to government as I've got, but I generally stand against everything the religious right fiights most strongly for. And, as I see it, with three Supreme Court seats that might be vacated in the coming years, that's a major issue.

My two cents. Nothing everybody hasn't seen before, of course.

HUsker is for the working people in this country.

Husker thinks it's good to know the elites. (keep yer friend close and enemies closer)

Husker cares about the well-being of the nation's children, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.

Husker says yes with tax reform - is a must at all levels. Greed is just a much a drain as being poor or lower class on public assistance.

Husker sees income tax as the price paid for operating the greatest country on earth.

Husker says need to regulate government for the greater good of all people.

Husker believe rules and regulations are necessary to police government and private concerns - Reform is necessary to prevent Enrons and TYCOS
Hope you have not forgot about the S&L crisis a few years back

Husker allows abortion when the woman's life is endangered.

Husker says maybe marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use by victims of cancer, MS and AIDS.

Husker says 3 strike rules apply to criminals and supports death penalty.

That's a pretty mixed bag there, husk. Do economic or social issues tend to tip you toward republican candidates?

maybe because it's that I'm a whitecollar I with go with some Repub ideas (but need reformed) and then my heart that makes the Demo side come out?
Dunno - but in a pinch I'm usually going with Repub. way.

"I was greatly amused when the WTO came to Seattle and suddenly all the silicone heads on TV were talking about "The Anarchists."" patiodog

Judging from everything I read, the so-called Seattle "Anarchists" were actually on the government payroll.

The purpose of this ruse was to stir up trouble and provide a pretext for the police to go in and demonstrate a show of force.

Curious that the so-called Seattle "Anarchists" numbered fewer than two dozen and garnered all the media coverage, but the 25,000 to 35,000 peaceful anti-WTO protestors were largely ignored by the right-wing, corporate-owned media.

Husker writes:


You know, I don't know any Republicans anywhere that want to be mean spirited, shaft people, want dirty water or air, or who want to cut down all the trees on the planet or enlarge the ozone hole or destroy the wilderness or oppress everybody but the rich. Yet that is how they are often portrayed by Democrats.

The fact is that Republican women overall are a pretty happy, unoppressed lot, and Republican children generally seem to be managing quite well. Republicans as a group have the edge on charitable giving and for being the champions of small business and have been the catalyst for many major great social initiatives in the country. (The end of slavery, women suffrage, etc. etc.) Republican leaders as a group are less wealthy than the Democrats. Most of the wealthiest members of Congress are Democrats and Bill Clinton had more millionaires in his staff and cabinet than any president in history. This is meaningless other than to illustrate that the Republicans aren't always the rich fat cats as they are portrayed.

At the same time I do not see all Democrats as the big government, confiscate all wealth, keep your brother down, drugged out socialists as some Republicans portray them either.

The only real difference between the two is that the Republicans are more oriented to putting trust in the private sector and the Democrats are more oriented to government taking care of things. Whichever way you believe is the way you should vote.

But geez I wish we could get away from trying to demonize each other to defend the choice we make.

Both parties are capable of good intentions with unintended bad consequences. Unfortunatelywhen that happens the opposing party uses it to accuse and condemn the other but nobody ever bothers to fix the problem.

As a small (and a very much not-rich) business person, I trust the Republicans to look out for me the best.

Otherwise I wish we could all get together on what direction we think the country should go and make enough noise about it that ALL of congress and the White House takes notice.

Republicans


Another reason is to give the impression to Americans that he people who oppose WTO are violent and should not to be supported. It is purposeful to make the WTO seem the victem and the opposition to be wrong.

*Are the people in the Executive Branch Republicans or Neocons?

I wouldn't know. In town, to their credit, the news stations were actually showing the videotape of cops opening car doors to douse the folks inside with pepper spray, then move on. Was not a good couple of years for the Seattle PD.

Still, you don't need to pay people in a large group to give the cops a pretext to launch an attack. Get a few thousand people together in a protest and some kid will set something on fire, and then they can cut loose.

(Then, in response to criticism over their heavy handed tactics, the Seattle cops sat back and did nothing as a kid was beaten to death the following Mardi Gras. Good times. But way off topic.)

i think someone has been reading waaaay too much dan brown...