| If you don't like Bush, don't vote McCain. They are pratically buddies.
The key thing to remember is that Democats are generally progressive, and Republicans are generally (neo)conservative.
Republicans like to lower taxes so you can keep more money, but this has ended up benefiting the rich more than anyone in recent years. In the neo-conservative context, which is what the republicans are, they like to pass a lot of security laws in the name of anti-terrorism. Critics say these laws invade privacy, impede free speech, and haven't done much to help.
Democrats prefer that money is spent on social programs and various things that help out the little guy. Most recently the push for universal/very affordable health care has been on the agenda. Welfare is another one of these programs. These things cost money, so Democrats tend to raise taxes, but recently they've been trying hard to make sure those taxes hit the poor and middle class the least. Critics say that this stuff costs a lot of money and that tax payers shouldn't have their taxes go to people who are hard up.
Don't vote a 3rd party for president, they never win. When it comes to more local elections or state elections, then go nuts.
One third party, the Green party is very environmentally conscious and comparable to the democrats but more liberal.
another third party, the Libertarians, are comparable to the republicans but more classically conservative and very capitalist.  |