[thechat] US Elections

Ben Dyer ben_dyer at imaginuity.com
Thu Nov 7 14:09:00 CST 2002


At 01:34 PM 11/7/2002, Madhu asked a mouthful with:
>What are the major philosophical, ideological, and policy differences
>between Democrats and Republicans?

Yowie.  I'll try to be impartial here.  We'll see... :)

Republicans are traditionally conservative.  They primarily believe in
supporting business, big national defense and are generally supporters of
the "typical" family unit (married parents with kids, attend Church on
Sundays, etc.).  Their policies reflect these general attitudes:

   - Vehemently Pro-Business (which means, concerns about Health Care, the
Environment, Antitrust are often ignored)
   - Against abortion (although this is a moot point as it would take a
constitutional amendment to override it)
   - Supposedly Republicans are supposed to be about less government,
although this rarely seems true anymore.
   - Big Defense with Big Defensive Plans.  They support the missile
defense program, the multi-role fighter, etc.
   - Don't believe in gun control
   - Wants to go to war with Iraq

Primarily, Republicans tend to be the party of the wealthy down to the
middle class.  Few minorities, only a handful of women.  Lots of business
owners, Evangelical Christians, the NRA, and a great deal of the southern
States (Texas to Florida, Tennessee, the Carolinas).  Thus, their
stereotypes are being backwards or behind-the-times or money-grubbing or
gun nuts, etc.

Democrats are traditionally liberal.  They believe in helping people and
equality for all and their policies reflect that idea:

   - Not Against Business, but they aren't going to trample people to
support it
   - Support the woman's right to choose, equality for minorities and
homosexuals, etc.
   - Their policies tend to gravitate towards bigger government as programs
are created to ensure equality, also programs require funding, so tax
increases are usually necessary
   - Smaller more sustainable defense
   - Advocates of gun controls, waiting periods, etc.
   - Very pro-environment (although not as much as the Green Party),
government must limit pollution from businesses and cars.  No drilling for
oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, restrictions on logging, supportive of
programs to protect endangered species.
   - Tends to support loosening restrictions on drugs, medicinal marijuana,
but this is not always the case)
   - Mostly doesn't want to go to war with Iraq

Primarily, Democrats are the party of...well...just about everyone else:
minorities (African Americans, Latinos), people who support equality of
women and gays (whether or not they're women or gay), people who are
pro-environment, most unions, etc.  Thus, *their* stereotypes are being
long-haired hippies or people who just complain a lot. :)

I'm overgeneralizing in some areas and leaving many things out, but there
you have it.

--Ben




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