Democrats vs. Republicans: Different animals, to be sure
The marketplace of ideas is rife with
theories about what distinguished Democrats
from Republicans (take, for example, this
study: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/03/22/196016/-How-to-Spot-a-Baby-Conservative).
Some of these “analyses” will ring more true
than others – and while this judgment can be
influence by the reader’s preconceived notions,
sometimes it will be obvious that one analysis
reflects reality better than another. That
said, we offer the following perspective into
some of the thoughts and values held most near
and dear by Democrats and
Republicans:
Core Beliefs
Democrats accept thinking,
dreaming and working with others for the good
of all as a simple fact of human life. In
private life, this is the human family. In the
political arena, Democrats call this
government.
Republicans believe each
person stands alone in her responsibility for
the circumstances of her individual life and
that the best thing she can do is pursue her
self-interest with as little interference from
others as possible.
Government
Democrats agree with
Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, that
through government, we should do together what
we cannot do as well for ourselves. Democrats
believe in shrewd, case-by-case consideration
of the appropriate position of government in
any given situation. The proper role of
government is twofold: protection and
empowerment of its citizens.
In keeping
with the intent of the founders of our beloved
country, Democrats acknowledge our common
interest in effective, participative
citizenship to the limit of every citizen's
ability.
Today's Republicans look upon
government as a sometimes necessary evil and
seek to limit it in every way that does not
directly benefit industry and commerce.
Republicans believe it is in their interest to
limit citizen participation in government.
Foreign Policy
Democrats acknowledge that
all nations are connected and interdependent.
Among the nations, our country should lead by
moral example, using our fundamental values of
empathy and responsibility carried out with
strength, focusing on diplomacy, international
institutions, and alliances. Democrats know
that America must have strong defensive and
peacekeeping forces and also must make war the
last resort.
Democrats recognize that
human rights are central to a values-based
foreign policy.
Republicans believe in
seeking perceived self-interest on the
international scene, no matter what the cost to
other nations and peoples.
Domestic Policy
Social Programs
Democrats believe that "us" is all of
us, that there is no "us and them" among the
fundamental principles stated in the
Declaration of Independence. Democrats are
committed to liberty and justice for all and
accept mutual responsibility with all Americans
for our shared well-being.
Republicans
think that success is evidence of personal
discipline and that lack of success must be
blamed on personal irresponsibility or failure.
Republicans believe that helping people weakens
them.
Taxation
Democrats believe that taxes are the
rent we pay for living in the USA and are aware
that our American way of working together
through government has created an incomparable
array of services and infrastructure. Democrats
are committed to maintaining these investments
of earlier generations.
Democrats
observe that corporations and individuals
accumulate wealth through profitable use of
these public resources and find that they are
indebted to taxpayers for such
use.
Republicans believe that taxes take
from the deserving and give to the
undeserving.
Regulation
Democrats understand that government
regulation is our means for protecting each
other from such negative influences as
financial bilking and unsafe drinking
water.
Republicans feel constrained in
their unfettered pursuit of self-interest by
government regulation.
Industry and
Commerce
Democrats base their approach to
business on the founding documents of our
country, which refer only to people. Economic
enterprise is necessary but not sufficient for
the free, just society our fundamental
documents envision.
Democrats see that
the free, just society our fundamental
documents envision includes a stable
marketplace in which each person has the chance
to make his unique contribution and to be
fairly rewarded for
it.
Republicans believe that the
purpose of business is to make money for
investors.
The Environment
Democrats acknowledge and respect the
intrinsic value of the natural world and are
committed to its conservation and protection as
the inheritance of future
generations.
Republicans believe the
natural world is to be exploited for human
profit.
The
Future
Democrats believe that the way forward
should further the progress our nation has made
since its founding toward the full expression
of our shared values of fairness and
freedom.
Republicans believe that
unrestrained individuals acting in their own
self-interest create the optimum
society.