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What IS a republican?

S

StinkyMeat

Platinum Member
Now I am danged serious here. I have grown up with my parents/family telling me that we are democrats, all the way. I have never once been told WHY we are democrats. I've been raised to pretty much despise republicans. I've been instilled with the notion that republicans are overly conservative, big business loving, moneymaking slime balls (no offense, again, these thoughts have been forced upon me). I've never actually learned what being republican is truly all about. I notice in many threads that the majority of you are republican, are come off that way.

I am a democrat, and I don't really plan on changing. I thought Clinton was a charismatic president who did his job well, despite some personality flaws. I think Ralph Nader should be president, or at least be listened to.

But I would like to know what makes a republican? I like a lot of you.... and it confuses me, since I usually hate republicans. Maybe you as a collective can help me change.
 
I Am A Republican Because...

I believe that the proper function of government is to do for people
only those things that have to be done but cannot be done, or cannot be
done as well, by individuals, and that the most effective government is
government closest to the people.

I believe that good government is based on the individual and the
family -- that each person's ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility
must be honored and recognized, and that the role of the family as the
basic unit of our community must be respected and enhanced.

I believe that free enterprise and encouragement of individual
initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system
second to none.

I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all,
regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.

I believe we must retain those principles of the past worth retaining,
yet be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to
accommodate thoughtful change and varying points of view.

I believe that Americans value and should preserve their feelings of
national strength and pride, and at the same time share with people
everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human
rights throughout the world.

Finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best vehicle for
translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of
government.

-- Haley Barbour, former Chairman, Republican National Committee

 
I remember Ralph Nader saying not too long ago that "Sept. 11 would have never happened if he had been elected president". I thought that was kinda cheap.
I will let the others debate about what a Rep. what is Dem.?
rolleye.gif
 
shinerburke, i've read that before, and here's the thing. isn't that pretty darn close to what democrats believe in? i mean, i agree with all that stuff. so what's the deal here? that list seems too general and could apply to everyone no matter what party they are.
 
"I think Ralph Nader should be president, "

Oh my.... 😉

If I was forced to chose a party I guess I'd have to go w/ the repubs. I agree with some of what both sides do, but when it comes down to it I disagree more with the connections the democratic party has then the connections the republicans have, if that makes any sense.
 


<< "I think Ralph Nader should be president, "

Oh my.... 😉

If I was forced to chose a party I guess I'd have to go w/ the repubs. I agree with some of what both sides do, but when it comes down to it I disagree more with the connections the democratic party has then the connections the republicans have, if that makes any sense. >>



Makes perfect sense to me!
 


<< "I think Ralph Nader should be president, "

Oh my.... 😉

If I was forced to chose a party I guess I'd have to go w/ the repubs. I agree with some of what both sides do, but when it comes down to it I disagree more with the connections the democratic party has then the connections the republicans have, if that makes any sense. >>



See that's my problem. It doesn't make sense. Little of this party stuff does to me. Maybe I'm just a moron.

Nader would have been better than Gore or Bush in my mind. I can't say for sure, and neither can any of you. It's just my opinion. I like the guy.
 


<< I am a democrat, and I don't really plan on changing. I thought Clinton was a charismatic president who did his job well, despite some personality flaws. I think Ralph Nader should be president, or at least be listened to. >>


Oh, now I get it. It's a joke.
rolleye.gif
 
Democrats don't really beleive in the first two sections at all. They are all for big goverment and creating a class of people dependant on the govt to live, thus ensuring ever increasing taxes.

The third section is a bit iffy but most hard core Dems I know don't like the idea of business not having strict govt. oversight.

Section 4 - Most Dems are for special rights due to someone being of a certain race, gender, etc.... Think about hate crimes legislation. Do we really need a law making it a hate crime if a white kills a black? Isn't something like that going to be a hate crime no matter who perpetrated it?

Section 5 is sorta vague and a general statement.

Section 6 is pretty vague as well....only real difference between the parties on this one is the fact that the Dems tend to loathe the military and cut it and thus weaken our national defense every chance they get.

Section 7 - Just a general statement.

So you see the real difference in the parties is the way they percieve who can best take care of the people and who can best spend their hard earned money. Republicans think people are responsible for themselves except in certain circumstances and that they can most certainly spend their money better than the goverment.
 


<< I thought Clinton was a charismatic president who did his job well, despite some personality flaws. >>

You'd be charismatic too if you were getting head under your desk every day at work.
 
Why can't anyone come up with some good solid statements? You usually do about everything else. I wish people wouldn't dodge the question at hand.
 


<< Image having a consumer safety advocate as our commander in chief.
rolleye.gif
>>



Imagine having an actor as our commander in chief.
 
I'm a Repub. I oppose abortion. I want my damn guns. Too much taxes is stupid. I oppose all sorts of gay rights and marriges, as well as some welfare concerns.

Don't flame me about the welfare. I know some people need it..but then there are those who go to Jewel, and buy a case of Bud, some Filet Mignons, and a bunch of cigarettes and pay for them with freaking food stamps. Rediculous. 🙂

Oh, and I think God should be in schools. For those who refuse, let them alone,.but for those who want it..give it to them, dammt! :|`
 
Both of the major parties are a bunch of BS. I've posted the Republican Party platform and oath to ATOT. I'm not sure how many of the Republicans even bother to read it. I've never read the Democratic Party platform or oath b/c it's probably the same BS. Now if you want to read something interesting . . . check out the Texas Republican Party website and compare it to the Texas Democrats.

and that the most effective government is
government closest to the people.

Well in Texas, they get pretty specific (at least the GOP does) about what they believe and the Dems site even has a nice comparison chart. Check it out, it's a riot.
 
I got this from this page, granted it's a GOP page so take it with a grain of salt if necessary

Is There A Difference?
"There's not a dime's worth of difference; both political parties are alike."
"I vote for the person, not the party."
"If I'm anything, I'm independent."



A lot of Americans feel this way and certainly, the voters' instinct for electing the right candidate at the right time, regardless of party, has worked in the past.

Few would question the importance of the power of the independent vote in deciding closely contested elections. And it's true that both parties are alike in many respects.

However, to ignore a candidate's political affiliation is to miss one of the great advantages of our political system. The reason that a candidate is listed as a REPUBLICAN or a DEMOCRAT is that he or she subscribes to the basic political philosophy for which that party stands

. ....yes, there is a difference.

In recent years, the real differences between these two parties have been distorted. Some candidates have focused on many issues that really aren't within the purview of politics. So here is a summary of the REAL differences.

The cornerstone of the REPUBLICAN philosophy is the belief that each person is responsible for his or her own place in our society. Individuals are encouraged by the REPUBLICAN PARTY to work to secure the benefits of society for themselves, their families, and for those who are unable to care for themselves.

DEMOCRATS are more willing to subordinate individual rights to the assumed needs of the group. They assume that society is collectively responsible for each of its members. They place less emphasis on individual enterprise and initiative. [top]


GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED

REPUBLICANS believe that government should be limited to doing for people those things which they cannot do for themselves. The right to determine individual destiny should lie in the hands of the individual. Similarly, REPUBLICANS believe governmental power and resources should be kept close to the people, through their state and community leaders, rather than centralized in distant big government.

Recent DEMOCRAT administrations have pushed for more and more centralized power in Washington, with secondary consideration for the rights of individual citizens and communities. This has led to increasingly more federal controls and regulations, often in the hands of unelected bureaucrats unaware of the concerns and needs of local citizens - and causing a severe erosion of local government across the county.[top]

ECONOMIC POLICIES

REPUBLICANS believe in the free enterprise system. Individuals must be free to use their talents. This is the key to personal and national prosperity. REPUBLICANS believe that the only limits to an individual's opportunity to succeed are the limits of his or her own initiative and enterprise.

DEMOCRATS say that the economy is too complicated to be left to free enterprise alone, and therefore must be subjected to ever-increasing controls by the federal government. They say that we are "entering an era of limitations" and therefore must lower our individual economic expectations.

FOREIGN POLICY

REPUBLICANS believe that peace and freedom can be protected only if American maintains a defense force strong enough to deter any aggressor. REPUBLICANS shun away from the paternalism of the 50s and encourage other nations to shoulder responsibilities for their own problems. REPUBLICANS oppose unnecessary intervention in the internal affairs of other nations and stress helping our friends around the globe develop the skills and strengths necessary to protect themselves.

The DEMOCRAT party has vacillated between extreme isolationism, intervention, and confrontation tactics in cases like Vietnam, Cuba, and Korea. This inconsistent foreign policy has confused our allies and encouraged our potential enemies.[top]

GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TAXES

REPUBLICANS consistently strive to cut governmental spending and to eliminate costly overlapping and unnecessary governmental programs. Because REPUBLICANS believe that the individual should control his or her own and the government's pocketbook, they believe that tax increases should be voted on by the people.

The DEMOCRAT view is that the federal government knows how and where to spend money for local needs better than elected community leaders, and federal bureaucrats should continue to control the flow of funds to the states and localities and dictate how the taxpayers' money will be spent.

YES, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE:

America has prospered under the two-party system because one party has always served to check the excesses of the other. Often, both parties agree on the problems less than they agree on the solutions.

The root of the differences between Republicans & Democrats is perspective:

Democrats tend to stress a powerful, centralized bureaucracy aimed at solving local and national problems from the top down - a method which, after 40 years of trial is a proven failure.

Republicans believe in solutions which are decided upon and implemented by the people themselves, through their locally elected representatives. Republicans believe that the solution to American's problems lies in the greatness of the American people.

 


<<

<< Don't flame me about the welfare >>



Ha. It isn't the welfare I want to flame you about. >>



Flame away. 🙂
 
Ok...you didn't like my first list so here's a simplified version...

It all really just boils down to this:

ISSUE - Criminals

DEMOCRATS = Give them a second chance
REPUBLICANS = Give them the swift sword of death

ISSUE ? The Poor

Democrats = Give them some food
Republicans = Give them the swift sword of death

ISSUE ? Endangered Species

Democrats = Give them protection
Republicans = Give them the swift sword of death

ISSUE ? Dictators

Democrats =Give them a way out
Republicans = Give them the swift sword of death

ISSUE ? The Uninsured

Democrats =Give them some health care
Republicans = Give them the swift sword of death


Total Cost

Democrats = $9,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Republicans = $29.95(cost of one sword)


 


<<

<< Image having a consumer safety advocate as our commander in chief.
rolleye.gif
>>



Imagine having an actor as our commander in chief. >>



What?
Reagan was a good president
 


<<

<< Don't flame me about the welfare >>



Ha. It isn't the welfare I want to flame you about. >>

I knew IT! It's the opposition to high taxes isn't it!?!?
 
Clinton started taking Republican things and applying them to his Party, resulting in people being attracted to his party.
Now after 2 terms, the Republicans are taking some traditional Dem things to do the same thing.
Politics--most people here will not consider anybody else's point of view but just promote their own.
Just another political thread where everybody talks but doesn't listen. Oh yeah, and gets their blood pressure up.
 
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