Politics are more prevalent in conversation today than at
any time in U.S history. Blame the information age, internet, and social media.
Democrat and Republican, left and right, liberal and conservative are common
topics. Politics are dividing friendships and families yet many people can’t
tell you what each side represents or embraces.
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I researched many sources to get a general idea of what the differences
are between them.
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Philosophy
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Democrat – Liberal - Left
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Republican – Conservative - Right
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Economic Ideas
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Minimum wages and progressive taxation: i.e., higher
tax rates for higher income brackets.
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Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including
the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market.
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Social and human ideas
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Based on community and social responsibility
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Based on individual rights and justice
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Stance on Military issues
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Decreased spending
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Increased spending
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Stance on Gay Marriage
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Most Support
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Most Oppose
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Stance on Abortion
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Should remain legal; support Roe v. Wade. Every woman
should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including
safe and legal abortion.
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Should not be legal (with very few exceptions). They
oppose Roe v. Wade.
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Stance on Death Penalty
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The majority of democrats support the death penalty. Democrats
represent a larger percentage of the opposition than republicans.
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A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty.
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Stance on Taxes
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Progressive (high income earners should be taxed at a
higher rate). Generally not opposed to raising taxes to fund government.
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Tend to favor a "flat tax" (same tax rate
regardless of income). Generally opposed to raising taxes.
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Stance on Government Regulation
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Government regulations are needed to protect consumers.
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Government regulations hinder free market capitalism and
job growth.
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Healthcare Policy
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Support universal healthcare; strong support of government
involvement in healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Generally support
Obamacare.
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Private companies can provide healthcare services more
efficiently than government-run programs. Oppose Obamacare provisions like
(1) requirement for individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine, (2)
required coverage of contraceptives.
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Stance on Immigration
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There is greater overall support in the Democratic party
for a moratorium on deporting. They favor paths for certain undocumented
immigrants with no criminal record and five years residency for citizenship.
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Republicans are generally against amnesty for any
undocumented immigrants. They also oppose President Obama's executive order
that put a moratorium on deporting certain workers. Republicans also fund
stronger enforcement actions at the border.
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Climate change:
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Democrats mostly agree climate change poses a real and
urgent threat to our economy, our national security, and our health.
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Republicans mostly argue the climate is not changing and
that Climate Change is a political mechanism, not unbiased scientific information.
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