Jennifer Said:

Can you really say that you agree with the entire Democratic or Republican views?

We Answered:

Hi Golfnut,

A long time ago, a famous Political Scientist named E. E. Schattschneider coined a series of what he called "Laws of Politics." According to his 3rd Law.

"You can't get all of the S.O.B.s into one poltical party."

He was right. Show me a person who agrees 100% with the agenda of any party, and I'll show you a brain-dead twit of an ideologue.

People who identify with a party do so for a variety of reasons -- some idiotic, and some intelligent. But if you want an intelligent reason I can give you one.

Political parties have a wide variety of policy stances that won't appeal to everyone; but a party is going to have an overall thrust to its agenda -- an overarching theme that loosely unifies all of the scattered policy elements. It might be something like strengthening the liberties of the individual to liberate economic potential -- or it might be leveling the playing field of society to enhance people's prospects for more personal growth.

For those intelligent people who embrace a party, you can bet it's because they see that party as standing for the basic theme of society they think best -- whether or not they agree with every policy the party puts forward.

Hope this helps. Cheers, mate.

Nicholas Said:

What are the Democratic and Republican views on outsourcing?

We Answered:

no one likes outsourcing however when everyone wants a cheaper product and yet the american employees want higher wages (just look at the automakers) - you have employees outsourcing to be able to turn out a product that the average american wants to buy.

Bernice Said:

What are the Democratic and Republican views on global warming?

We Answered:

generally, more democrats think it's warming, and it's a problem.
generally, more republicans think it's cooling, or it's not warming, or it's natural, or we'll grow more food, or, we really don't care.

clearly there is not a consensus in either party, but, those are general guidelines.

Stacey Said:

What are the democratic and republican views on wind turbines?

We Answered:

A tax credit is expected to expire at the end of 2008 and now that there is a Democrat in the white house we will have to wait and see how much of a priority is put on renewable energy resources
http://www.windaction.org/news/13857

Dawn Said:

democratic/republican views on tax reform, etc?

We Answered:

That's too much to answer here -- where you can get very biased and incorrect answers -- but you can find the correct answers by reading the respective Parties' platforms at their web sites.

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Dwayne Said:

Is it possible to be Republican but have some democratic views?

We Answered:

I think there are very few people out there that can't relate to both parties in one way or another.

Jeanne Said:

what are social programs and how do democratic and republican views of them differ?

We Answered:

I would be considered liberal. I worked full time(got laid off), and go to school full time. I'm just beginning to understand the world of business as I do graphic design, and I want to start selling my artwork. And yes, I'm actively looking for a job. Republicans believe that the only thing the dems want to do is help create and sustain lazy people. And they would like to believe that they are the only ones that work hard at anything. This is where the friction is. Most republicans, for the most part are selfish hypocrites(and all of them like to claim to be Christian)

Social Programs I know of:
Medicare - For seniors over the age of 65. This program is supposed to help them obtain access to hospitals and the medicines they would need. The insurance companies (who also worked hard at starting up their businesses) wouldn't cover them because almost all seniors have pre-existing conditions, and they aren't profitable. Meaning that more often than not, they can't afford to pay those high premiums and the insurance company would have to pay out more than they want to. So, the government (with the backing of the people of course) stepped in. Medicare is paid by taxes.

Social Security - Another program aimed at seniors. I don't know the age limit, but its supposed to be supplementary income for senior when they retire or can't work for health related reasons. Also paid for by taxes.

DHS (Department of homeland security)
This program is aimed at low income people. Its actually a variety of programs (Republicans vilify this the most. This is Satan for them)
Food Stamps - For people who make a certain amount a month, usually under the $900-$1000 price range or have no money. The amount of food stamps depends on if you have children and your expenses per month( like rent, utility, school etc) And they need verification of those expenses. The amount you get varies by state also. Some states have a limit to how long you can receive them.
Medicaid - For low income people again. I'm not completely sure how this works. I think it only works for emergency. I know it doesn't cover operations and things. But I think it does help with prescriptions and check ups. I have to research it more.
Low-income housing - just like the name states. People with low incomes qualify for subsidized housing. Think Section 8 and trailer parks. To get this, you have to have kids(I think).
Day Care - Subsidized day care cost for the low income mom who works. The government pay part of the cost.
G I Bill - All I know is that this is for veterans. Doesn't matter the age to be able to use it.
Grants - These varies widely. There are the scholarship ones (PELL, SEOG) The business ones, ( These are usually start up grants for people who are trying to start up a business). And much more.

This is all I can think of at the moment. There are many more. And they are all paid for by taxes. The idea is to create a more civilized society. Yes you have some people who scam the system. But you have people who do that in the business world too. Try and take more than what they need or deserve. Its in both places. But the republicans like to believe that everyone using these programs(except medicaid) are lazy bums who don't know the meaning of hard work. And don't want to do anything. Thats totally unfair.

Its common sense, the more people who have access to health care, the more they LEARN to take care of themselves better. And the more we can cut down on viruses spreading.( unless the free clinics can afford to do this, Think of the 50 million people without health care that won't get h1n1 vaccination) The people on food stamps more often than not, work like 2 or 3 jobs with kids struggling to pay bills. They need to eat too. (Not to mention they are usually working for some person who worked really hard to set up their business, but will only pay minimum wage or slightly above it and won't or can't offer their employee health insurance). Should these people punished or penalized just because they can't afford food or health care? No. Food stamps help those fallen on hard times(and begrudgingly still stuck in it) to eat. That way, the food banks and shelters can focus MORE on the homeless. I feel like we need more services aimed at low income. And unfortunately, a capitalistic society such as ours, need people to be low income, or else all of the businesses{the people who worked so hard, using government grants and subsidiaries( thats tax dollars by the way) to help them set up that dream business they wanted} would not have workers who would want to work for a crappy minimum wage. And since there are millions of people on minimum wage, they DESERVE access to these basic things needed to sustain human life.

I for one am proud to be able to live in a country, where even though, there are homeless people, even they can eat at least one meal a day. You can't say that about many countries. And I'm sorry for doing the whole republican/dem thing. I know you didn't ask for that. That was just my retort to the person who answered in such a simple and closed minded fashion.