US Politics.What Is A Republican and what is a Democrat from a none US

[Daryl T]

interested party? I would like to know what a Republican and also what a Democrat represents.We have a two party system also .Our Labour Party represents mainly the working class and the Liberal Party represents Business Interests althought the lines are becoming blurred. Please an unbaised answer would be appreciated as I am unsure as to who represents what.Also I believe that you vote if you wish, do you think that is a good idea as I assume that only diehards vote.Thank you in anticipation.
I am an Aussie

[domangelo]

As you can see, you mostly get partisan answers that aren't at all reliable. I think Unted4peace explains it best.

Now, I can't resist my own partisan take on it:
Remember that since the U.S.A. is the most powerful country in the world, it has a vested interest in preserving the status quo, and thus the politics are EXTREMELY conservative. If a politician steps even one toe left of center, the other politicians start pointing and shouting that he's a leftist radical.

[Unted4Peace]

People are basically conservative... that's why Kelloggs corn flakes are still around... we do what is in our comfort zones, and most people gravitate to the Party of their parents.

Hillary changed from being a Republican in college because she was against the Viet Nam War and broke her parents tradition. Obama's candidacy, as is Hillary's are historic because we're breaking through prejudices.

Democrats tend to be focused on helping people, and an economy good for the majority of Americans, to live and be well. Democrats are more concerned about protecting constitutional rights, that protect individual freedom, and changing laws to help elevate poverty, which is also a means to reduce crime. Democrats are conservative about approving gun ownership because they get in the wrong hands and are so dangerous. Democrats are more progressive about the economy and new technology such as Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development. Democrats care about Social Programs that keep people from falling into poverty and despair, but are expert at economic solutions, so the economy has prospered under Democrats.

Republicans are concerned with what they consider morality and want to legislate their version of morality -- such as Abortion, to minimize individual choice. They seem to want Christian to be the official religion rather than respect diversity of religion and Separation of Church and State. They seem to "cling" to an outdated model, that the economy is dependent on Oil and War to prosper, and promote more and more war. This was called the Military Industrial Complex, and does not value peace as a core element.

They are slower to accept new technology and sustainable development. Republicans want people to take care of themselves and are less concerned about social programs, and accuse Democrats of "Tax and Spend" but they usually spend more on wars and reduce the tax base on the very wealthy so overall the economy suffers, and the middle-class becomes less comfortable.

[dukefenton]

The closest British equivalent to the Republican party is the Conservatives; the Democrat party is closer to the Labor party. The problem is that by US standards, even British 'Conservatives' are pretty liberal. Someone said that the British have a choice between 'liberal (Conseravtive), very liberal (Liberal), extremely liberal (Labour), Socialist, and Communist.'

[ywnmim]

Republican is a conservative.
Democrat is a liberal.