What Do Democrats Believe in Anyway?
October 22, 2009
According to dictionary.com, the technical definition of Democrat is “a member of the Democratic party.” This is not exactly helpful, especially if you are new to politics and trying to figure out where you fit in the political spectrum. At the risk of sounding partisan and getting the political bloggers on my back, the basic difference between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats want bigger government while Republicans want smaller government. Obviously there are plenty of ways to incorporate both philosophies into a political belief system, so don’t think that this article is going to favor the Democrats over the Republicans. We only want to explore what makes Democrats…well, Democrats!
It might be hard to believe with all of the partisan bickering happening in Congress, but Democrats were, once upon a time, members of a party called the Democratic – Republican Party, which was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Democratic Party officially separated from the Republican Party when Andrew Jackson was elected.
That’s all fine and good, but what do Democrats really believe? We can’t speak for individuals within the Democratic Party, but the party defines itself as believing in the following:
Raising the minimum wage
Investing in and favoring renewable energy over oil
Lower taxes for the middle class
Higher taxes for the wealthy (currently defined as those who make more than $250,000 per year)
Public funding for Welfare, Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security
National/Universal health care
Lower pharmaceutical costs
Protection of the environment
Lower costs for Higher Education
North American Free Trade Agreement
Central American Free Trade Agreement
Adjusting the Alternative Minimum Tax
Equal Opportunity regardless of gender, age, race, orientation, nationality or religion
Making gay marriage legal
Pro-Choice legislation
Stem cell research
Ending the war in Iraq
Reversing Unilateralism
Decolonization of Puerto Rico (if Puerto Rican citizens want that)
This is simply a quick laundry list of what Democrats believe in as a party. All of these points have paragraphs of complicated policy behind their headlines (which we do not have time to explore in this article). Within both political parties there are members who do not agree with every facet of a party’s political platform.
The 2008 election has caused the balance in Washington to tip toward the Democrats’ side of the aisle. Americans have elected a Democratic President and both the House of Representatives and the Senate will have Democratic majorities when everyone has been sworn in to session. Many Republicans worry about how this will shift the balance for laws and policy in the United States. It is important to remember that you cannot paint all Democrats (or all Republicans) with the same brush. It is also important to remember that being “liberal” and being “a democrat” do not always mean the same thing. In the last few decades the “liberal” brush has been used against Democrats and it is important to remember that liberals can be found in the Republican, Constitution, Green and Libertarian parties as well!
For more information on politics, visit http://www.democratsmicroblog.com and http://www.republicanmicroblog.com.
John Parks
http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/what-do-democrats-believe-in-anyway-680005.html
Why do people constantly believe every promise the Democrats make?
I hear people say that Obama will fix the economy. When I ask them what policies he will make to fix the economy they have no clue. They say he will just change stuff, and that’s good enough for them. I remember 2 years ago when Nancy Pelosi lied right through her teeth to all Americans and said she would reach across the aisle to republicans, she would make gov’t more transparent, and she would end corruption, immediately end the war in iraq, and lower gas prices. People believed her. They put their trust in her. What has she done? The same is happening with Obama. He makes these insane promises and offers no specifics about how he will accomplish these lofty goals and people believe him anyway. This has been happening for decades. If you go back to the debates in 1992 you will see Bill Clinton talking about how every person will have affordable health care if he is elected president. Umm, ok!
Because they are educated.
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See post below.
What policies have the Republicans offered? Please enlighten us.
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it’s gonna take more than a president.. the senate etc.. will have to let economic advisors run the show.. people who really know what needs to be done
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Everybody know McCain’s daddy is Bush.
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The current party in the White House and the ones who ran congress for several years have not done a very good job. The Republican insiders have no credibility. In that vein, people go looking for another set of lies to believe.
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It’s better to believe someone that actually makes promises than to vote for someone that makes no promises and then takes away your rights.
I also think Obama’s plan is the best for the economy.
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Liberalism spread through ignorance. It helps breed more ignorance, thats how they are able to garner support for this empty suit. I laugh at how many suckers believe Obama alone will help ween the entire US off oil in 10 years, I will bet any amount of money this will not happen.
People forget that in 2006, the Democrats promised voters that gas prices would drop (at that time they were $2.50/glln). It has only gone up. The fact is they cannot nor ever will control many of of the factors they puroprt they can fix.
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The same reason the Conservatives believe Republican lies…. hope.
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Democrats = DIVERSE, Open for CHANGE
Republicans = SAME OLD, SAME OLD, SAME OLD!
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OBAMA/BIDEN 08!
Because we have had enough of republicans. After bush i dont see how this country could/should ever trust another one again.
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Democrats are good for sects, I mean, sucking your money into thier pocket. Look at them all, running Freddie/Fannie, baby killing becuase they are too selfish to raise a child, pushing homosexuality because they can jerk around w/o making babies.
No principles, no respect for anyone. Look at them today, and see the social context they place themselves in
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Try to pass legislation regulating lending institutions.
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So true! Obama is an idiot. So is Sarah Palin though.
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Because Republican’s lie so often it’s difficult to trust them.
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The majority of democrat followers are spoon fed their information from CNN or some other news. Most of them have not spent the time researching the issues. Their opinions are given to them.
They really don’t know any better.
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well that’s easy t is because of the fact that people are so desperate for change. Think of it as if you where about to die and someone sid the words "I can keep you alive" would you ask any question’s or care how he did it???? people need change and most (the ones who’s very way of life depend on it) only want to see hope almost as if if you believe in it hard enough it will come true.
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Democrats appeal to people looking for Utopia. Everyone will benefit and no one will have to sacrifice (except those bad old rich people). Programs are planned to elevate the poor to middle class yet when it comes down to getting it done, the only way to make the money to afford it is to tax the very people they swear to make life easier.
Personal responsibility is just too demanding to expect It’s easier to just assume the government will take care of you then figure out a good excuse why it never happened while they were in office.
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Because people want to believe that there is a politician out there who can represent and fight for the middle class. I associate the Democrats with ‘middle class’ and ‘family’. I think a lot of others do too. Unfortunately, it’s not working out in favor of the middle class families for us to continue supporting this party.
This go ’round, I’m on board with McCain/Palin… I hope there are plenty of other Democrats paying attention to the truth of what is being said.
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Well all we’ve seen is Republicans and what have they done? Bush has sent thousands people to fight for a cause unknown or for the sake of "our liberty", he has spent millions on God-knows-what and look at where this country’s at now? Don’t blame the people for having hope in someone like Obama. Almost everyone that runs for president lies and that includes Obama and McCain, that’s the world we live in but can you blame people for having hope???
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Opinion
Ha. I forgot, Republicans are so forthcoming with their doings and follow through with all–or even most–or their promises. Right… It’s about what kind of person you are… the issues important to an individual. It’s naive and uneducated to say pretty much anything that was written in this question… or should I say rant disguised as question. Go back to the newspaper and try again, my friend.
PS- Do you remember what healthcare was like prior to the early-mid 90′s?
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He does tell the truth however unlike the other party that tell more lies than any I can remember in my lifetime of voting. Barack Obama is a man of honor he will keep his word. He does not make fun of people and children. He loves our earth and will create five million green jobs here in this nation not another.He will correct the no child left behind program and help our teachers. He will help us become energy independent.He will make sure all get seven days sick leave per year. He will protect our Social Security from Privatization assuring you will have a retirement.He will help our transportation systems and also supports our right to keep and bear arms and will also fight to get illegal guns off the streets. What else would you like to hear about this candidate?Barack Obama is our only chance for real change in this nation.
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