There is an old well-known American joke that demonstrates in simple terms how Republicans differ from Democrats.
A man attended a celebration with his friends, the Liberal Democrats. Their little daughter, who imitates her parents in everything, to the guest’s question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” confidently and without hesitation, she answered: "President." Then the young man asked her another question: “What is the first thing you will do when you become the main person in the USA?” Without thinking twice, the little girl answered: "I will feed all the homeless and give them a roof over their heads." It was noticeable that the parents were beaming with happiness and pride for their child. But then the man suggested that the girl not wait many years before she becomes head of state, but earn some pocket money right now by cleaning his backyard lawn, and give this money to the homeless. Daughter of Democrats, thinkingsaid, "Then why doesn't this homeless man clean your lawn himself and earn money for food?" "Welcome to the Republican Party," the young man said with a smile.
Main Party Types of America
Distinctive features of the political system of the United States of America: stability and conservatism. Republicans and Democrats are the two most popular parties. Recent sociological studies have shown that differences of opinion between political forces today are even more significant than racial, age or gender differences in the country.
The democratic movement was founded in the first half of the 19th century, it easily adapts to any conditions, and has also been one of the main political forces in America for several centuries in a row. Their main principles are based on liberal socialist views. The incumbent US President Barack Obama is also a Democrat.
The US Republican Party represents the second major political force in the country. Here the main principles are liberalism and conservatism. The name and popularity came to this party in the 19th century, during the fight against slavery. It was thanks to the Republicans that this serious problem was overcome. To date, the party is fairly neutral on racial issues, maintaining a conservative stance.
US Republicans and Democrats. Belief difference
The views of the parties are very different. In many ways, they are even opposite. Thus, the Republican Party advocates an increase intaxes for rich people, public debt, as well as compulsory he alth insurance and the preservation of the death pen alty. Its adherents target the middle class, Native Americans and the we althy.
US Democrats, on the contrary, support the poor and those who live off special benefits and payments. They are in favor of free medical care, the introduction of a tax on excess profits, an increase in budget spending and a moratorium on the use of the death pen alty.
Democrats' blue donkey
US Democrats as a political force were formed back in 1828. Since the early 1960s, the Democratic Party has been advocating the expansion of the role of the state, especially in such areas as social protection of the population and he althcare.
Often, when talking about this political force, journalists depict a blue donkey. This tradition came about thanks to the cartoonist Thomas Nast. As early as January 15, 1870, in the magazine "Haspers Weekly" he depicted a donkey next to a dead lion. It was a political commentary on the behavior of the Democrats after the unexpected death of former Lincoln Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Nast's caricature had a great resonance and was signed like this: “A live donkey kicks a dead lion. They allowed themselves vile and dirty printed articles after his death.” The image created an allusion to the famous saying: “A live donkey is better than a dead lion.”
The symbol of the Republicans is a red elephant
The Republican Party was founded in 1854. Since then sheis very popular in the USA. The most famous Republican presidents are Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush, George W. Bush.
The image of the red elephant was also introduced into American politics by Nast. It happened on November 7, 1874 on the pages of the same Harpers Weekly. Three days after the Democrats won a majority in the House of Congress, Nast ridiculed them in yet another cartoon. This time, an elephant was depicted walking into a pit, thereby escaping from a donkey dressed in a lion's skin. Here the role of the donkey was given to the New York Herald newspaper, which wrote that Republican President Ulysses Grant is Caesar who wants to achieve a third term.
Struggle for voters
There are various types of parties in the United States of America, including National Socialists and Communists, but practice shows that the American electorate chooses members of the Democratic and Republican parties.
About a third of voters vote for the Democrats and the same number for the Republicans. For the remaining votes there is a centuries-old struggle. Based on age, racial and religious characteristics, these parties win new supporters during the election races.
Geographic principle
Several centuries ago, it so happened that the Republican Party had the strongest position in the north of America - in a rich industrial region. Then the Democrats confidently occupied the rural south. But forEverything has changed in the last 50 years: the Republicans won the trust of the southerners, and the Democrats won the northerners.
Elephant Party leader Abraham Lincoln initiated the abolition of slavery, but today African Americans support the Democratic Party instead. There is no pronounced division in the rest of the country, but the working class is most often on the side of the party "blue donkeys", while businessmen and we althy people advocate for the interests of the "elephants".
Different views
The problems of modern society are concerned about both Republicans and Democrats in the United States. The difference is only in their spheres of influence. This includes problems that are called social: economic growth, jobs, medical care and others.
Both Republicans and Democrats want a better life. The difference in their policies is that they target different segments of the population. In order to attract the attention of voters, people of non-traditional orientation, and attitudes towards drugs and abortion, and the recruitment of women into the American army, and a host of other issues are discussed in the election race. But often these are just PR stunts used to get votes.
Due to the fact that both parties are aimed at different layers of voters, their campaign promises differ greatly. Thus, the Democrats want to provide better living conditions for poor people, providing them with the necessary medical care, new jobs and lower taxes, while the Republicans are busy improving the lives of businessmen.
Federalgovernment
This is where Republicans differ from Democrats to a greater extent. It is in the interests of the Democratic Party that the federal government be strong. In other words, this means that they want to completely take control of the economy, which is practically the same as increasing the role of the government apparatus and the number of its employees. Democrats also want to raise taxes on businesses and expand assistance to the poor.
Studies show that if America lives on the idea of Democrats, it will soon lead to the creation of a capitalist society in which money is taken from the rich and distributed to the poor. Consider an example: France now has a we alth tax of 75%. What does this lead to? To the fact that rich people turn off their business and leave to live in other countries. There is a huge risk that all we althy people will leave France, and then only poor citizens who do not have the opportunity to “raise” the country will remain in it. Therefore, democratic ideas also have a number of disadvantages.
The Republican Party advocates, on the contrary, for the weakening of the role of the federal government in America and for its minimal interference in people's lives. They set the main task: to monitor compliance with the laws and protect their citizens. Republicans advocate self-regulation of the economy, the expression “the pure hand of capitalism” is quite applicable to them.
But if pure ideas of this party reign in society, this will lead to itsstratification, and one day those who are at the very bottom of the social cell will take up guns and try to take their own and restore justice and equality.
Keeping balance
When the electorate in a country favors two parties, one party reduces the influence of the other. If voters see the advantage of some political force, the active implementation of its ideas, then the election, as a rule, is won by a candidate from another party. In the United States of America, each of the parties won a maximum of two times in a row.
It is correct to believe that none of the ideas is perfect until the end, because the two-party system balances the influence of each of these two main political forces. As a result, the country is developing harmoniously, and all segments of the population are satisfied.
Wish the best for America and the Republicans and Democrats of the United States. The difference lies in the methods and vision of the problems of the modern society of the "star-striped" country.
