Republican versus Democrats?

[Craig1972]

I am now reaching voting age and one very fundamental question eludes me (as I am not an American, and quite illeducated in politics if I might add) --

[Craig1972]

Hello,

Very interesting website, this one! But I am now reaching voting age and one very fundamental question eludes me (as I am not an American, and quite illeducated in politics if I might add) --

What is the difference between REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS? I tried to search on Google but there is not a single website that provides a quick, comprehensible capsule of information about this question.

Would appreciate if someone here can throw some light on the matter, or direct me to some useful resources.

Thank you!

(From Australia)

[Craig1972]

Other than this website I mean:
http://snipurl.com/plg

(Note: that is shortened URL)

[WSGilcrest]

Difference Between Republicans and Democrats

A Republican and a Democrat were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person. The Republican gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his business for a job. He then took twenty dollars out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

The Democrat was very impressed, and when they came to another homeless person, he decided to help. He walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. He then reached into the Republican's pocket and gave the homeless person fifty dollars.

Now you understand the difference between Republicans and Democrats

[chance33_98]

Perhaps the question is better asked - what is the difference between a liberal and a conservative. Party affiliation can at times be deceiving...

[amused]

Try here for political litmus tests:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

www.rnc.org for Republicans.

www.rats.org...okay, okay....just kidding, it's www.dnc.org for Democrats.

[WSGilcrest]

Republicans believe...	Democrats believe...
...that the United States were founded on the fundamental principle that individuals have certain rights and freedoms which cannot be infringed upon and may be restricted only to the degree necessary to preserve the rights of others.	...that our Founding Fathers did not really mean what they said when they guaranteed certain constitutional rights such as the right to freedom of religious expression, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to retain the use of private property.
...the money you earn is yours and that government in a free society has the right to take only as much as is needed to perform those limited functions, which are appropriate to it.	...government has a right to use your money as it sees fit to redistribute wealth, establish new spending programs in times of budget surpluses, and to return to you only that portion of your money which is politically expedient.
...the traditional family and the values it fosters are the foundation of American society and their preservation is essential to our Nation's continued success.	...American society must redefine its values and the role of the family to fit new lifestyle concepts, which have resulted from the 60ís counter-culture movement and an attitude that promotes an abrogation of individual responsibility.
...parents have the right to determine the values with which their children will be raised and to have the widest possible choice among public, private and religious schools and that competition will improve public education.	...the federal government has the right to determine the values which will be taught in public schools and parentsí choice of schools must be limited to avoid exposing public schools to competitive forces which would encourage reform and increase accountability.
...that the free enterprise system is the most effective engine of economic progress.	...that government regulation and federal control of economic activity can better distribute wealth and services to the American people.
...high taxes, runaway government spending, and over-regulation of business and farming punish initiative and stifle economic growth.	...penalizing achievement with higher taxes and increased government bureaucracy and spending will not stifle economic growth but instead guarantee prosperity for everyone.
...that with freedom comes responsibility and that individuals must take personal responsibility for their own actions and our criminal justice system must be based on this idea.	...individual behavior, including criminal behavior, can be blamed on "society" and that spending on social welfare programs and improvements in prison living conditions can combat crime.
...that your property is yours and you have the basic right to make use of it without unreasonable government restrictions.	...the government has the right to regulate the use of private property in accordance with narrow special interests without giving just compensation to owners.
...the preservation of our rights and freedoms must be entrusted to a strong national defense and of the ability of the United States to negotiate with other nations from a position of strength.	...we can afford to drastically weaken our military despite the threats present in an unstable, post-Cold War international environment and the United States must subjugate its interests to those of the United Nations.
...it is imperative today to re-affirm the traditional freedoms and values of America to preserve our great Republic.	...that America must adopt a politically correct, multi-cultural set of values which denies common American heritage and will further divide American society.
...there can be differences of opinion and that such differences such result in opponents, not enemies.	...that all whom oppose them are to be treated as enemies.
...that all of America's citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms of our country without diminishing the rights of others.	...that some must give up a portion of their rights and freedoms that others may enjoy those same rights and freedoms.
...that public servants, particularly those whom we elect to office, must be held accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct.  "If a man cannot be trusted with the government of himself, can he be trusted with the government of others?" [Thomas Jefferson]	...that loyalty to a discredited leader is a virtue and if other office holders have committed indiscretions, a sitting office holder should not be criticized for failing to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

[chance33_98]

#3 is a pretty good example actually. And to be fair we generally here think of Republicans as conservatives and democrats as liberal.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"Perhaps the question is better asked - what is the difference between a liberal and a conservative. Party affiliation can at times be deceiving..."

Exactly. Good answer.

[Ron in Acreage]

Republicans think you're smart enough to keep and spend your own money, where as democrats think all money should be spent the way they think is best for you. Democrats want more of your paycheck and republicans want less. Republicans believe ALL races can succeed if they have the will. Democrats think minorities can only succeed if they have guilty white liberals helping them every step of the way. They think you're too stupid to survive on your own.

[Grand Old Partisan]

The best place to learn about the Republican Party is www.republicanbasics.com, website for Back to Basics for the Republican Party. There you'll read that the Democrats' donkey symkbol began as a Whig party caricature of Andrew Jackson as a jackass.

[OldFriend]

If you came to America for a better life you are a republican. If you came to America for a hand out you are a democrat.

[Liberal Bob]

"We are not without accomplishment. We have managed to distribute poverty equally." DNC

[Atlas Sneezed]

Difference Between Republicans and Democrats

CORRECTED VERSION

A Republican and a Democrat were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person. The Republican gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his business for a job. After the homeless person showed up and put in an honest few hours of work, he then took twenty dollars out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

The Democrat was very impressed, and when they came to another homeless person, he decided to help. He walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. He then reached into the Republican's pocket and took fifty dollars, then gave the homeless man ten, and kept forty dollars for bureaucratic costs.

Now you understand the difference between Republicans and Democrats

[EternalVigilance]

Boy are you in for it...LOL

But let me take my shot:

Republicans, generally speaking of course, believe in the federal republic constituted by our founders---in the rule of law as opposed to the whim of men (sometimes referred to as democracy); in the separation of powers (to disallow too much power from residing in too few hands), in unalienable rights to life and liberty which come from God, not from man, and can therefore not be rightfully abrogated by man. Godfearing, patriotic folk who actually work for a living and take care of our own, and do what they can to make the world a better and a safer place.

Democrats are a motley assortment of evildoers, useful idiots, racebaiters, racists, political hacks, synchophants, narciscists, abortionists, hedonists, skanks, journalists, globalists, pollsters, professors, welfare cheats, illegal aliens, dead people, professional victims, communists, socialists, nazis, homosexuals, transvestites, lawyers, Islamo-lovers, pacifists, violent criminals, hippies, dopeheads, actors, treehuggers, tyrants and fools.

Hope that helps. :-)

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If you're an optimist, you're a Republican. If you're pissed off at life, you're a memeber of the Democrat Party.

[tpaine]

"What is the difference between REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS?"
-craig-


Real republicans can agree with the positions below.
Rinos & Democrats cannot.

REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS POSITION STATEMENT
Address:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/rlc/721810/posts

[Txslady]

For starters: You can't vote if you are not an Citizen of the United States.

If one is seeking to becomes a citizen of the United States of America... FreeRepublic is a great place to start! For that matter FreeRepublic is a great place to learn the difference between Republicans and Democrats rather or not you live in America.

[ProudGOP]

I'll take a crack at this.

The main difference is their belief in the role of Government.

Republicans believe in a limited government and more personal responsibility.

Democrats believe in a larger government that is more active in peoples lives.

[Redbob]

Didn't you leave out the part about the Dimocrats believing the Constitution is a "living" document - so they can twist it to mean whatever they want?

[MonroeDNA]

This is easy.

We have 10 initial ammendments to our constitution, commonly refered to as "The Bill of Rights." They list things that are god given, and not up to debate. All people have them, regardless of governments.

The Democrats support a broad First ammendment (free speach), while they want a weak Second ammendment (the Right to keep and bear arms--as in guns).

The Republicans want a weak first ammendment (porn, sex education, should be curtained), while supporting a strong Second ammendment.

There is a third party here in America. It's called the Libertarian Party. We support equally strong enforcement of all the ammendments.