US Polititics

1. 67

   marwan asmarposted 12 years ago

   Is there really any difference between the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States or or they more or less the same?

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   1. 67

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Both parties are too responsive to Wall Street, business, medical, gun fanatics and other groups thanks to ineffective campaign contribution laws. However, there are significant differences between the two parties--Dems are more supportive of environmental protection, financial and banking regulation, consumer protection, civil rights laws, progressive taxation, more effective handgun control laws and enforcement and so forth. The GOP is much more responsive to business and social conservative (Tea Party and Evangelical) interest groups.

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      1. 61

         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Marwan - and don't believe everything you read in this forum. What Ralph just described as the Democratic agenda could just as easily be applied to the Republican agenda. Republicans also want environmental protection, financial and banking regulaton, consumer protection, etc., but they may want bills worded differently or they may want something added or taken out of a bill and this is often seen as obstructionism which can also go both ways.
         
         Consider, for example, corporate bailouts under a Democratic president and Senate.

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         1. 67

            Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Apparently you missed Gingrich's "blowing the dog whistle," calling Obama a "food stamp president." And you have forgotten every every GOP president since Nixon's southern strategy. You practically have to go back to Abe Lincoln to find a GOP supporter of civil rights and to Teddy Roosevelt to find one who supports environmental protection. If you look it up you'll see that the GOP record on votes on environmental bills is much worse than the Democrats. Likewise on gay rights, women's rights and a number of other issues.

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   2. 61

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely not.
      
      Look at their records -- NOT JUST WHAT THEY ADVERTISE -- and you'll see clearly that Democrats are just as war-hungry as the Republicans, and that the Republicans are just as welfare-hungry as the Democrats.
      
      You want real change that you can believe in? It's Ron "Dr. No" Paul.

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   3. 67

      Brupieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I basically agree with Ralph Deeds, Democrats & Republicans both let Wall Street get away with too much, but distinguish themselves on social issues (civil rights, abortion, environmental, et cetera).  I think the battle of the next few years will come from those who support a more progressive government and the libertarian view.  That will be the test of whether there is a meaningful difference between the parties.
      
      For years Democrats have barely challenged the myth of the "job creators", that is the wealthy would fix the economy if unshackled from oppressive regulations and taxation.  My question is, since loose regulation and a regressive taxation system has been in place at least since the Bush tax cuts, why is the economy in such dire straits in the first place?

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2. 78

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   They are quite similar in crony-ism but worlds apart in philosophical approach to federal governing, IMHO.

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3. 59

   knolyourselfposted 12 years ago

   On the national level, both parties are the same: owned by money with all the acrimony and agitation as mostly about plying the peasants with the illusion of democratic difference as phony social interests. On the local level where money is not necessarily the prevalent means of getting elected there are more noticeable differences between the two parties.

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4. 59

   steveamyposted 12 years ago

   some are...different but many are the same

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5. 80

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   What Republican wants environmental protection, banking regulations and consumer protection?
   I've yet to see one! Unless they say so in private rooms.
   
   They all want the "free market", which is republispeak for "rigged in their favor", as far as I can tell.
   
   Ms. Dee had the right answer, IMO. Stated perfectly!

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