what are some of the differences between democrats and republicans?
96848
Republican/Conservative values include reduced federal government; that decisions should be made by the lowest level of government possible. This means more power to states and municipalities, lower tax burdens on all (Yes all, don't you people realize you are now in a lower tax bracket? By the way, it worked beautifully! The tax cuts spurred economic growth which resulted in a 15% INCREASE in federalk revenues. MAKE THEM PERMANENT!). Republicans believe that by giving the people more of their own money, not only will the poor retain more of what they have, non-poor, businesses and organizations will have more to give. Republicans believe that one sure way to screw up an aid program to the less fortunate among us is to involve the federal government.\n\nDemocrats believe that the federal government should be involved in redistributing wealth to those they identify as needy through large, federally run entitlement programs. they seem to believe that we need to take a second chair to european governments and have traditionally had weaker military responses to threats abroad. (Clinton's response to the Cole bombing and his reluctant assistance to the UN in the former Yugoslavia.)\n\nI applaud you for asking this question. I am encouraged when a young person seeks knowledge and "wants to make an informed decision". My best advice to you is that you cannot make a wrong decision in picking whether or not to join a party. The only thing you gain by joining one is to be able to vote in a primary. The only mistake you could make is to not vote. That is a big mistake. Good Luck.
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".
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.
358841
Republicans are more ideological.  Democrats are more touchy-feely.\n\nSo, if you see a lot of suffering... the touchy feely people want to throw money at the problem.  The ideological people want to look at the economics of what is causing the problem and fix the underlying causes and don't care about the people suffering right now or those that don't get helped by a market-based solution.\n\nThrough evolution, I think woman being more touchy-feely came about because of their unique role in raising children and responding to their needs.  So, my guess is that it's tougher for woman to see people suffering and not do anything about it, so they tend to be democrats.
1103465
republicans\n\ndemocrates can suck my balls\n\nbesides "Democrates are girly men"
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!
184438
Democrats believe that  we need big government to solve problems. Republicans believe people can solve problems if government will leave them alone and stop taxing them so much. Dem's are likely to believe unions are a good thing, Republicans are likely to believe that small businessmen are the backbone of our nation. Dem's want someone to take care of them. Rep want the chance to do for themselves. I hope this answer will help you to see the difference.
796893
Democrat.  I believe in their values more than the republicans.  Also, republicans just whine about everything.  Also, Bush is the dumbest person on the face of the universe.  You could fit his library in a little corner.
133242
i'm going to attempt to answer this unbiasedly.\n\nthe simplest explanation i ever heard of the difference between the parties is that the republican party believes that the government is more important than the people (or a group of people or an individual), while the democratic party believes that the people are more important than the government.\n\nexamples:\nrepublican party believes in: pro-life, ban on gay marriage, pro big business (against unions, higher minimum wage, basically they are for anything that makes businesses more efficient and moneymaking for the company as a whole, with little regard for the employees), for capital punishment, lower taxes, smaller government (no social programs at all such as welfare or social security), bigger military, against affirmative action, for public displays of religion (as long as its christianity), tend to put much less emphasis on protecting rights and liberties such as freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, etc., and more along those lines.\n\nthe democratic party believes: pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, bigger social government (raises in government spending on welfare, education, social security, public services such as police and fire departments, etc.), drastic cuts in military, anti-big business (very pro-union and believe in protecting workers even at a corporation's expense), pro-affirmative action, anti-public displays of religion, against capital punishment, puts a much greater emphasis on protecting citizens rights with regard to free speech, religion, etc., and more along those lines.\n\nhope that helps.
215336
One of the most major differences (speaking more officially/ideologically, and leaving out de facto differences which are obvious enough today) is with respect to what the role of the state, and in particular the relationship of the state to individual liberty, should be. In general, republicans want as little government 'interference' as possible, and tend to be anti-taxation (to take one obvious example), on the grounds that 'It's my money and I should be free to do what I want with it; I know how to spend it better than the government does.' Democrats, on the other hand, tend to be more open to a system in which we all pay in, in the form of taxes, to fund social services like health care, education, and welfare.\n\nIf it clarifies things for you (or perhaps simply as a suggestion for further reading), I'd say that Robert Nozick, a libertarian, is a very good example of republican-style thought, whereas John Rawls would be much more of a democratic-style thinker -- major contrast between the two of them.
804438
Well let's see...\n\n+Democrats support peace, not war, like Bush.\n+They believe in the more middle class American, while Republicans only care about the rich\n+The economy is 10x better when a Democrat is in power\n+Dems usually support gay marriage, because gay people are people too, and so are black people. \n+They also care about the environment, while Republicans couldn't care less\n+Democrats are usually pro-choice as far as abortion goes, but they are not pro-abortion.
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!
865922
Independent.  I don't want to be categorized as either, yet I tend to lean towards democrat because their interests lie in the every day, little guy problems, whereas the republicans are all about big business and whoever has the most money wins.\n\nI am probably more socialist than anything else.
813823
Republicans tend to take a simplistic view of things. Lower taxes for the wealthy and those who donated to their campaigns, spend heaps (but fudge the numbers so everything balances), act recklessly and in a belligerent manner- and generally act in the most dis honourable and un ethical way possible. Coated in a nice neat shell of "family values" and *cough, cough* religious fevor.\n\nDemocrats tend to raise taxes but try not to hurt the poorer areas of the populous. Their holy grail is free health care for all, which has been somehow impossible owing to the Republicans charges that it will cost too much.\n\nWe Democrats tend to focus on repairing the damage the previous Republican administration has done, whilst trying to make things on the domestic front better. Often leading to the charge that we don't care about defence, which is ridiculous when you consider President Clintons actions in Bosnia.\n\nOkay, so our Presidents get caught in the odd sex scandal- but a bit of hanky panky is all par for the course. I guarantee you all Presidents have had a bit on the side- its just many haven't been caught.\n\nThe Republicans don't listen to public opinion, are arrogant, pig headed and generally pander to the more racist, extreme elements in American society. I.e. Where the majority of votes are.\n\nThe Democrats want to make the world and America better in every way, they are more economically and environmentally minded- and they'd rather negotiate than enter a mindless war. (Vietnam aside.)\n\nThe Iceman.
348732
Democratic party philosophy vs. Republican party philosophy.
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.
888810
Republicans - the haves\nDemocrats - the have nots