seriously now,the Republicans seem to protect the US by standing up to other countries,Democrats just lay down and give other countries everything,that's why Democrats are against the war .I feel so much safer under a Republican president.What is a true definition of a Democrat and a Republican?
Man, if I had known that the voters would have voted for this ridiculous answer, I wouldn't have asked it. What a waste!
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The Democrats were originally founded by Thomas Jefferson as a pro-liberty party, meaning obviously that they were pro-Capitalism. In 1896, they switched from being liberal to socialist, but never corrected what they call themselves.
The Republicans were descendants of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Party and Henry Clay's Whig Party, who started out as an extreme group that it was warned, would instigate a Civil War (they did). They were corrupt, war-profiteers, and porkers They describes the current Republicans well, but the Republicans were joined by Jeffersonian liberals (referred to as Libertarians nowadays) and actually became much what the Democrats had been for much of the 20th century. They opposed World Wars 1 and 2 and Korea. At some point, the Libertarians broke with the Republicans and they've now gone back to what they previously were, with the exception of Ron Paul, who remains a strong supporter of liberty.
The truth is that the American people tend to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative, meaning Libertarian. However, the people are ultra-moderate Libertarians, who are frequently confused regarding many issues. Libertarian tendencies tend to correlate with age. The only problem is that most Americans vote for a party because of tradition and don't care enough to be informed. They frequently just ignore minor party candidates without even taking the time to evaluate them.
If we'd change the election system to prohibit uninformed people from voting, we might see an increase in the quality of the candidates elected to office.
okay it's simple...
Democrat = GOOD
Republican = BAD
A Democrat is someone who identifies more with the principles of the Democratic party than other parties or who happens to register with the Democratic party. Fill in the the party of your choice.
The principles are usually stated in a party platform which can vary at all levels of government. For example, you can find national party platforms for a number of years at: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms鈥?/a>
Both of the major parties will always try to stay close to the center of public opinion to attract the most votes, which means they will overlap a great deal on principle.
My view is that Democrats tend to go after the popular vote (as many people as possible, socialist principles), and Republicans cater more to the business vote (people with better education and more money, capitalist principles).
The best way to understand what a liberal/democrat is and what a conservative/republican is to read one of George Lakoff's books of which I have listed below. Not only are they enjoyable reading, you'll learn something!
Democrats - a party with no ideas
Republicans - a party with bad ideas
It just isn't as simple as answering a question like that, but it is extremely interesting that originally the party was called the ';Democratic-Republican Party';
Both of these parties have evolved over the years. If you read history, you would find out that there were many different types of democrats and many different types of republicans. In order to understand this question you would have to delve into history and it is way too complicated to go into under a simple question like that.
For example, in history there was the ';Democratic - Republican'; party. To quote history books, ';the term 'anti-Federals' as applied to the Jeffersonian party, seemed no longer appropriate. In 1791 the party name was changed in general usage to ';Republican.'; The full title chosen was ';Democratic-Republican.'; In 1792, this name ';Republican'; was formally applied, and the party's purpose was defined.';
What was going on at that time was the following:
';In April, 1793, Washington gave great offense to the Republicans by proclaiming neutrality with reference to the war then in progress between France and Spain, declaring that the United States should avoid complications with foreign nations. By this proclamation the Republicans, desirous to aid France, found their way obstructed. Jefferson declared that the proclamation wounded popular feelings and national honor. At the end of the year he resigned.';
Much later there was the ';National Republican Party';. To quote history books, ';This was formed in 1828, from the ';broad-construction wing'; of the Democratic-Republican party. They favored internal improvements; protection; the United States Bank; and the division of proceeds of land sales among the states. They were opposed to the ';spoils system';. In 1834, six years after its formation, this party joined the Whigs.';
Later, in 1860, the ';Douglas Democrat Party'; was formed. To quote history books, ';The Democrats of Northern states who agreed with the views of Stephen A. Douglas, when the party divided in 1860 on the slavery issue, were nominated ';Douglas Men.'; They refused to endorse the demands of the South, at the national convention in that year, that an explicit assertion be made in the platform of the' rights of citizens to establish slavery in the territories; and to be protected in that right by Federal authority.';
In contrast to that party, also in 1860 the ';Breckenridge Democrats Party'; was formed. The Democrats of Southern states, who demanded what the Douglas Democrats refused to grant, were distinctively termed Breckinridge Democrats after their leader, John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, Democratic nominee of the convention of 1860 for the presidency.
In 1870, the ';Liberal Republican'; party was formed. They had different beliefs. To quote history books, ';This party was formed in 1870-'71 by Republicans who were dissatisfied with the policy of Grant's administration and the conduct of the party leaders. In 1872, at a national convention, they nominated Horace Greeley for President. He died before the electoral vote was counted. The popular vote cast for Greeley was 2,834,079.';
In contrast to that, the ';Straight-Out Democrat Party'; was born. To quote history books ';those who became politically active under this name or title were known also as ';Tap-Root,'; or ';Radical,'; Democrats. They objected to the nomination of Greeley by the regulars in 1872, and nominated Charles O'Conor. O'Conor received 29,408 votes.';
Another Republican Party (nicknamed the Scratchers) were formally called the ';Independent Republican Party';. To quote history books, ';these were members of the Republican party in New York who were opposed to the dictation of Senator Conkling in controlling state affairs. The Conkling nominee for governor, Alonzo B. Cornell, was not acknowledged by the Independents. They refused to support him, and notwithstanding the aid given to Cornell, came close to defeating that candidate. ';
In 1896 yet another Democratic Party was formed called the ';National Democrats';. To quote history books, ';these were called Gold Democrats, as opposed to the Regular and Silver Democrats. They met in convention, in 1896, and nominated General John M. Palmer for the presidency. He received 133,148 votes. ';
I could go on and on. So in contemporary times (year 2007) I challenge you to define today's Democrats and Republicans. I personally think that there are different ';sects'; of each party. You have right wingers, you have left wingers, you have Mainstream America. You have the Clintonites, you have Reagon Hopefuls. You have the war protesters, you have the war supporters. You have those who value life, you have those who want personal choice as to the value of life. You have those who want more laws, you have those who want less laws. You have those who want to raise taxes, you have those who want to lower taxes. You have those who want personal responsibility, you have those who want to make excuses for everything. It goes on and on.
So The balance between the two could have a different name I guess, but I really think a different name would be appropriate. Maybe something like the ';Midstream Americans';.
Take a look at the campaign during any Rep-Dem election in U.S. History. You'll see that the platforms themselves are ridiculously similar with the exception of one detail, here or there. All I can think of now is Orwell's 1984 in that fake enemies are constantly being created so that the people of one ';nation'; can band together against a stronger ';evil';.
Having different parties, regardless of insignificant differences, gives the people something to fight against. Theoretically, to band together in hatred. Even though that's a bit extreme... You get the gist.
technically speaking, a democrat is one who feels that the government should be intimately involved with the people of the country with laws, government offices, and education i.e.: social services such as welfare and medical care; and public schooling etc... a republican is for less government interference with laws regarding numerous aspects especially dealing with corporations, interference with supporting the country through social service programs, and also, the privitazation of things involving the public i.e.: charter schools for the public funded through private corporations, private school vouchers, many housing projects for low income families are now also private corporations unto themselves.......soooo, democrat = government being socially responsible for the community and republican = less government involvement and more privitization.......although, the last response was correct in the fact that all candidates stay close to what is publically acceptable that is why most people are border line, but actions with administrations will closely adhere to the basic purpose of the party which is either to privatize or governmentally fund
It's a sad reality that the lines between the two parties are so blurred that it is becoming difficult to see very many differences except abortion and the war.
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