serious political question

[rattlsnak]

OK, sticking my neck on the line big time here........ I hope to get serious answers and not turn this into a 'who's better' or name calling thread.

Here goes,... I have never followed politics before. And still dont plan on it. I simply don't see the point. I have never voted, never registered, and don't plan on it. I don't watch CNN or FOX news, and don't plan on it. But being in my mid 40s now, I would like to know is the difference between Democrats and Republicans and what each side represents. Like I hear the term, 'leftist', or 'conservative', or 'liberal' etc. but I have NO idea what those terms mean. I have heard there is an election this year, so I guess some people might be following it and can answer my questions. That being said, I dont know which 'side' I'm on!

I am totally serious here, and remember please stay on topic and not turn this into a pissing match, as I know some people on here actually are passionately involved with politics. (which I cannot uinderstand)

[KFC911]

My opinion, BOTH parties are more alike than different and BOTH are beholden to special interest groups, and BOTH are primarily interested in retaining their power, and NEITHER represent the vast majority of Americans. All the other bs and labels are just different flavors of the SOS. I'm basically apolitical, but do partake in the political discussions here in PPOT to some degree, but in my "real world", politics just aren't a big part of it .

[Dantilla]

To over-simplify:

Democrats/Liberals/the Left want bigger government. Higher tax rates, and more government services. "Teamwork"

Republicans/Conservatives/ the Right want smaller government. Lower taxes, more idividual resposibility, less social programs. "Leave me alone"

[rattlsnak]

ok, so which party thinks what on big issues, like abortion, gun control, etc?

[DanielDudley]

Or to put it another way, Democrats believe that business needs to be regulated to keep the honest honest.

Republicans believe that people can be trusted to regulate themselves, or at least that they should not need regulation.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Disclaimer: These are the "dumbed-down bullet point" answers for GENERAL party-line stances. Obviously, there are "Democrats" or "Republicans" that may not align themselves this way, but in general, these are the stances:

Abortion:

(D) - woman's right to choose, uphold Roe v. Wade
(R) - should be illegal, overturn Roe v. Wade

Gun Control:
(D) - should be regulated, controlled, restricted, etc.
(R) - "gun control" means using both hands

What else?

[Hugh R]

I find it interesting that the "Liberals" of the 60's who were against Viet Nam and didn't trust government are now the ones embracing government to take over our lives because they seem to think we are incapable of taking care of ourselves.

I agree though, the Democrats and the Republicans are both big spenders now and both want to stick their noses in my life. One to tell me how to live and the other to snoop on me.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

ok, so which party thinks what on big issues, like abortion, gun control, etc?

Every citizen has an obligation to be informed and vote. The fact that you are just getting to the plate is good...better late than never.

Do some homework, not on the details of RvW, etc., but the nature of our government, our republic, the ideals the Founding Father's wanted to instill.

I would read a few historical novels or biographies before I would tackle more scholarly efforts to understand the Constitution and how it works.

All the best.

[sammyg2]

A democrat says give me something I didn't work for. I want what he's got.
A republican says don't give me anything, just let me keep what I worked for.

[Dantilla]

Conservatives want equal opportunity.
Liberals want equal results.

[MT930]

I would say these descriptions are very accurate.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

ok, so which party thinks what on big issues, like abortion, gun control, etc?

Republicans generally oppose gun control, abortion, socialized medicine.

In general, Democrats are in favor of it if Republicans oppose it, and visa versa. This is true of most issues.

[M.D. Holloway]

Democrats believe that the more government the better and that all citizens have the right to live at a comfortable level without the need of employment. They also try to establish all sorts of laws, rules and restrictions. Democrats look to tax in order to spend on those they don't tax.

Republicans believe that government should be small, allowing states to have more control of how they are governed. They also believe that the government not get involved in social issues and that people should have a say in how they decide to live. They believe in limited taxes.

[Rearden]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Abortion:

(R) - should be illegal, overturn Roe v. Wade

The social conservatives want Roe v Wade overturned because they see that as a first step toward outlawing abortion.

Constitutional conservatives want Roe v Wade overturned because they believe it was a sketchy ruling and that abortion laws should be determined by the states, not the federal government.

[Dixie]

D. = Tax and spend
R. = Borrow and spend

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

OK, sticking my neck on the line big time here........ I hope to get serious answers and not turn this into a 'who's better' or name calling thread.

Here goes,... I have never followed politics before. And still dont plan on it. I simply don't see the point. I have never voted, never registered, and don't plan on it. I don't watch CNN or FOX news, and don't plan on it. But being in my mid 40s now, I would like to know is the difference between Democrats and Republicans and what each side represents. Like I hear the term, 'leftist', or 'conservative', or 'liberal' etc. but I have NO idea what those terms mean. I have heard there is an election this year, so I guess some people might be following it and can answer my questions. That being said, I dont know which 'side' I'm on!

I am totally serious here, and remember please stay on topic and not turn this into a pissing match, as I know some people on here actually are passionately involved with politics. (which I cannot uinderstand)

This is just sad.

[GDSOB]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

D. = Tax and spend
R. = Borrow and spend

Great description.

I'd say most of the above descriptions of Democrats are accurate, and most of the Republican descriptions are wishes of what the party could be (or used to be). Both parties are just buying votes now, and it can't continue forever.

Vote Liberatarian baby!

[kstar]

Originally Posted by Rearden

The social conservatives want Roe v Wade overturned because they see that as a first step toward outlawing abortion.

Constitutional conservatives want Roe v Wade overturned because they believe it was a sketchy ruling and that abortion laws should be determined by the states, not the federal government.

Thanks for this important distinction!

Best,

Kurt

[JV911SYDNEY]

rattlsnak - PM sent

The contemporary left is usually defined as a category including social democrats, socialists and communists - and some anarchists. In the United States, liberals are also commonly thought to be on the "left", although American leftists usually prefer the term "progressive". In general, left implies a commitment to social equality, support for the class interests of the less privileged, and support for a liberal social policy of individual cultural freedom, though not necessarily equally concerned with individual economic freedom. In contrast to the original meaning of "left", the contemporary Left is usually characterized as having a willingness to engage in government regulation of business, commerce, and industry, and in government intervention on behalf of the less privileged (the poor; racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities; et cetera). In recent years, even some representatives of the anarchist tradition have argued that government regulation may be a lesser evil than what anarchist intellectual Noam Chomsky characterizes as the "private tyranny" of the corporations.

The contemporary right is usually defined by its opposition to economic redistribution, open/loose border immigration policies, social liberalism, and/or government mandated cultural diversity. This opposition is usually either in the name of tradition (conservatism or nationalism), of economic freedom and the rights of private property, or of pessimism about the possibility of governments successfully achieving positive effects by legislation.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

This is just sad.

Why is that? Is your life so much better off than mine because you vote or 'understand' politics?

I actually knew I was going to get flack for this, but my life has been just fine this far without it! Im not saying im against the systems, or anything like that, its hard to explain and most of my friends cant believe i dont get into it, but ive never had the time to worry about it.