what is a democrat and a republican exactly?

[PlatinumGold]

fundamentally

Democrats, more power to Federal government

The modern democratic party really starts with FDR. Economically speaking, FDR concluded that there are certain times of economic extremes where Laissez Faire just doesn't work and that the Federal government has to take a big hand in the economy to help things get going, these "things" are collectively known as "social programs". FDR built roads, damns, etc in order to jump start the economy. He also instituted Social Security and other "welfare" programs.



Republicans, Less power to Federal government

By and large the republicans believe that the economy can pretty much take care of itself, but that's only in theory. In practice the republicans bump the economy with Defensive spending. Reagon and the '80s poured billions of dollars into our economy giving it a bit of a boost and at the same time bankrupting the USSR.


there are a lot of contradictions within each party. the so called "party of the people" are against religion, . . .

it goes on and on, but fundamentally, the party that feels that the federal government should be BIGGER, actually ends up reducing spending (democrats) and the party that wants a smaller fed presence always ends up INCREASING spending (the republicans).

WHY? because the democrats want to increase social spending and even the MOST liberal of us tend to hold back on that JUST a bit, whereas the republicans want to poor our money into NATIONAL DEFENSE and it is easier to spend more money on Defense.

Carter spent less money than reagan, reagan/bush spent more money than clinton, clinton spent less money than Bush jr. . .

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: phatj
If you really want to know the about the parties, don't ask us... we'll mostly just give you our slanted view of the issue. Form an intelligent viewpoint by reading and researching

but it's precisely our divergent views on it that gives him a broad perspective on what PEOPLE believe these two parties to represent and ULTIMATELY it's what the people BELIEVE these two parties to represent that counts and not what some academic says they represent.

 

[gigapet]

two sides of the same team.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: gigapet
two sides of the same team.

shouldn't ALL american political parties no matter what their particular ideology be a part of the same team??

 

[gigapet]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: gigapet
two sides of the same team.

shouldn't ALL american political parties no matter what their particular ideology be a part of the same team??

not really cuz if all groups were part of the same team there would be no hope of changing anything via a grass roots campaign........it seems its just a legal way for 51% or more of the people to take rights away from the remaining 49% or less.......

if both parties take orders from the saem boss......and have the same basic agenda then it really doesnt matter cuz they are two sides of the same team.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: gigapet

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: gigapet
two sides of the same team.

shouldn't ALL american political parties no matter what their particular ideology be a part of the same team??

not really cuz if all groups were part of the same team there would be no hope of changing anything via a grass roots campaign........it seems its just a legal way for 51% or more of the people to take rights away from the remaining 49% or less.......

if both parties take orders from the saem boss......and have the same basic agenda then it really doesnt matter cuz they are two sides of the same team.

they do have the same boss, it's called a MANDATE. the American people are their boss. ALL AMERICAN POLITICAL parties should server AMERICANS, hence they are ALL part of the SAME team.

basically, your attempt at being profound is just plain simplistic. "two sides of the same team"

 

[GasX]

Democrats want to liberate the masses by taking money from the haves and giving it to the have nots.

Republicans want to liberate the masses by eliminating the welfare state that creates a bunch of no good lazy bums at the bottom that leach off the system and expect handouts from people who work for a living.

 

[gigapet]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: gigapet

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: gigapet
two sides of the same team.

shouldn't ALL american political parties no matter what their particular ideology be a part of the same team??

not really cuz if all groups were part of the same team there would be no hope of changing anything via a grass roots campaign........it seems its just a legal way for 51% or more of the people to take rights away from the remaining 49% or less.......

if both parties take orders from the saem boss......and have the same basic agenda then it really doesnt matter cuz they are two sides of the same team.

they do have the same boss, it's called a MANDATE. the American people are their boss. ALL AMERICAN POLITICAL parties should server AMERICANS, hence they are ALL part of the SAME team.

basically, your attempt at being profound is just plain simplistic. "two sides of the same team"

wait when did the governement start being run by the people again? I thought corprate america has been running the joint for a while.

 

[Dedpuhl]

What I think of when I hear:

Democrat = Neo-Socialists. They follow the Robin Hood logic: take from the rich; give to the poor. Big government and spending all our tax dollars on social programs. Taxes. Gay pride.

Republicans = ....can't think of a good name. What you work for is what you should get. Religion police. Reaganomics: the 90's were great because of Reagan, not Clinton.


Where do I stand:

I also think that labeling a person either way is dumb. I'm independent, but I will NEVER, EVER, EVER vote for a democrat.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

one other thing. republicans spend more money than democrats. they cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for everyone else, or raise the deficit.

republicans also give handouts to the lazy ass defense contractors that make a living leaching off the government, i have no idea why people think these defense contractors are more deserving than the poor?

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Democrats want to liberate the masses by taking money from the haves and giving it to the have nots.

Republicans want to liberate the masses by eliminating the welfare state that creates a bunch of no good lazy bums at the bottom that leach off the system and expect handouts from people who work for a living.

There are just as many lazy middle class and rich people as there are lazy poor people. Probably more so. And most poor people are children, I suppose you believe in sending kids back into the mines ??

 

[Dedpuhl]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Democrats want to liberate the masses by taking money from the haves and giving it to the have nots.

Republicans want to liberate the masses by eliminating the welfare state that creates a bunch of no good lazy bums at the bottom that leach off the system and expect handouts from people who work for a living.

There are just as many lazy middle class and rich people as there are lazy poor people. Probably more so. And most poor people are children, I suppose you believe in sending kids back into the mines ??

The democrats would love that as long as the kids pay taxes...

 

[Rob9874]

Originally posted by: Dedpuhl

I'm independent, but I will NEVER, EVER, EVER vote for a democrat.

Good statement.

 

[Tom]

I don't understand this pre-occupation with welfare, Clinton, a Democrat, did more to reduce welfare payments than any Republican did, both by reforming welfare, and by having a fiscal policy that worked which greatly improved the economy.

And where are the Republican politicians that are proposing welfare cuts ? There aren't any, because the truth is Clinto already cut it about as far as it should be cut, at least for anyone who isn't prepared to build concentration camps and gas chambers for the poor, disabled, and elderly.

Frankly I doubt if most of the people posting here with a Republican point of view even are Republicans, real Republicans are not out to kill the poor, they just have an unrealistic view of how to fix poverty.

 

[josphII]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

one other thing. republicans spend more money than democrats. they cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for everyone else, or raise the deficit.

republicans also give handouts to the lazy ass defense contractors that make a living leaching off the government, i have no idea why people think these defense contractors are more deserving than the poor?

a lot of misconceptions in this thread but to say that republicans spend more money than democrats is just absurd. almost as absurd than saying republicans raise everybodys taxes except the rich.

Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

that is just absurd. the richest 10% pay like 90% of the taxes, so how does a tax cut, where the largest % tax cut is for the poorest americans, translate into taking your money and giving it to the rich?

 

[heartsurgeon]

democrats - take money away from those that earn it, give it to those that don't.
republicans - those that try to stop the democrats.

 

[josphII]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Democrats want to liberate the masses by taking money from the haves and giving it to the have nots.

Republicans want to liberate the masses by eliminating the welfare state that creates a bunch of no good lazy bums at the bottom that leach off the system and expect handouts from people who work for a living.

There are just as many lazy middle class and rich people as there are lazy poor people. Probably more so. And most poor people are children, I suppose you believe in sending kids back into the mines ??

you have to be a democrat to believe this crap. not lazy = hard work-> success -> money. so tell me again how theres more lazy middle class ppl than poor ppl...

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: josphII

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

one other thing. republicans spend more money than democrats. they cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for everyone else, or raise the deficit.

republicans also give handouts to the lazy ass defense contractors that make a living leaching off the government, i have no idea why people think these defense contractors are more deserving than the poor?

a lot of misconceptions in this thread but to say that republicans spend more money than democrats is just absurd. almost as absurd than saying republicans raise everybodys taxes except the rich.

Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

that is just absurd. the richest 10% pay like 90% of the taxes, so how does a tax cut, where the largest % tax cut is for the poorest americans, translate into taking your money and giving it to the rich?

Absurd you say?? What was the Federal Deficit BEFORE Reagan?? What was it AFTER Reagan. What was the Federal Deficit Before Clinton? What was it AFTER Clinton?? What was it before W. Bush?? What is it now??

Absurd?

 

[josphII]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: josphII

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

one other thing. republicans spend more money than democrats. they cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for everyone else, or raise the deficit.

republicans also give handouts to the lazy ass defense contractors that make a living leaching off the government, i have no idea why people think these defense contractors are more deserving than the poor?

a lot of misconceptions in this thread but to say that republicans spend more money than democrats is just absurd. almost as absurd than saying republicans raise everybodys taxes except the rich.

Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

that is just absurd. the richest 10% pay like 90% of the taxes, so how does a tax cut, where the largest % tax cut is for the poorest americans, translate into taking your money and giving it to the rich?

Absurd you say?? What was the Federal Deficit BEFORE Reagan?? What was it AFTER Reagan. What was the Federal Deficit Before Clinton? What was it AFTER Clinton?? What was it before W. Bush?? What is it now??

Absurd?

and let me tell you clinton was the cause of the economic boom of the late 90's....

 

[Thegonagle]

Bleeding heart <-> No heart.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: josphII

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: josphII

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Democrats: They want to take my money and give it to the stupid and the lazy. They tend to be bought more by labor unions and the entertainment industry.
Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

Both parties are equally corrupt, but the Democrats tend to promote social welfare and equal rights (sometimes to the point of absurdity) more than the Republicans. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be the "you can take care of yourself" party and tend to cut social programs in favor of tax cuts and big business, often to the point of destroying basic social programs that many depend on (head start, the clean air act, etc).

Anyway, this is a pretty good flame war...good thing I packed an asbestos suit, some marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a lawn chair.

one other thing. republicans spend more money than democrats. they cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for everyone else, or raise the deficit.

republicans also give handouts to the lazy ass defense contractors that make a living leaching off the government, i have no idea why people think these defense contractors are more deserving than the poor?

a lot of misconceptions in this thread but to say that republicans spend more money than democrats is just absurd. almost as absurd than saying republicans raise everybodys taxes except the rich.

Republicans: They want to take my money and give it to the rich as tax cuts. They tend to be bought more by anyone megarich and big business.

that is just absurd. the richest 10% pay like 90% of the taxes, so how does a tax cut, where the largest % tax cut is for the poorest americans, translate into taking your money and giving it to the rich?

Absurd you say?? What was the Federal Deficit BEFORE Reagan?? What was it AFTER Reagan. What was the Federal Deficit Before Clinton? What was it AFTER Clinton?? What was it before W. Bush?? What is it now??

Absurd?

and let me tell you clinton was the cause of the economic boom of the late 90's....

and reagan the cause of the economic boom of the '80's??

you reagan fans are just FOOLS. during carters administration EVERYTHING he did caused ALL of the problems DURING his administrations and had NO impact AFTER he left office. THEN during Reagans administrations when TIMES were good it was ALL because of Reagan and When times were bad it was ALL because of Carter, (stupid NO NOTHING about cause and effect republicans) and now, during Clinton NO, NONE Of it was due to clinton, i even read in this thread where it was stated that it was all due to REAGAN, WTF, (stupid morons that knows nothing about cause and effect).

 

[Ranger X]

A democrat is a donkey and a republican is an elephant.

EDIT : Oops, nice catch.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
A democrat is an elephant and a republican is a donkey.

don't you have that backwards?

 

[yukichigai]

I'll add to the growing pile of info. I can't define Democrat and Republican exactly, but I can give you some key points that seem to run common with all of them.

Democrats: Most democrats tend to support expanding societal freedoms, the most obvious examples being gay marriages/partnerships, medicinal marijuana, and abortion. A noteable exception from this is gun ownership, which they feel should be carefully regulated. They typically support a "freedom from" standpoint, i.e. passing legislation to restrict acts that would in turn restrict societal freedoms. An example of this is the previously mentioned gun control laws, the reasoning being that someone with a gun who shoots you is infringing on the right of people in society to not get hurt by other people. Democrats also support a more centralized government, namely more universal, federal legislation and regulations, as well as regulating businesses. They also tend to favor equal treatment among all people save for when it comes to the poor and/or unfortunate, in which case they favor donations/handouts/whatever you want to call it.

Republicans: Republicans tend to favor what has been reffered to as "legislating morality", i.e. laws banning practices which are not considered bad from any scientific standpoint but instead from a moral standpoint. (Gay marriages the most obvious example) Republicans favor the "freedom to" approach to laws, advocating deregulation of acts they find favorable rather than outlawing acts which run counter to those they wish to promote. They also favor personal, individual freedoms as opposed to societal freedoms, an example being gun ownership, and a more hands-off approach to businesses. Republicans believe in the theory that you reap what you sow, and thusly if someone is poor they should not be afforded handouts and a "free ride"; instead they should simply be offered chances to get back on their feet through hard work and effort.


EDIT: Another interesting difference between Republicans and Democrats: Democrats tend to favor (innovation/reckless experimentation) while Republicans (are content to stay with what works/fear change). (Choose the statements which apply to your personal point of view)