What Is the Difference Between a Democrat and a Republican?
Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, helped to free the slaves by signing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat, helped to end segregation by signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This shows that although there are differences of opinion among the members of each party, both Democrats and Republicans want the best for their country.
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Social Views
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Democrats generally hold the opinion that a woman has the right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy and that there should be no federal ban on gay marriage. Republicans generally favor the opinion and have pushed for laws that would make abortions illegal and for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Econonic Views
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Democrats usually advocate a more hands-on approach to economic subjects, with government playing a large role. This approach is evident in support of government-run welfare programs such as universal health care and food stamps. In contrast, Republicans generally take the opposite stance, supporting a smaller government role and preferring that people provide for themselves through private means, without the need of government.
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Immigration
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Both parties support immigration to the country, but their members differ on illegal immigrants. Democrats tend to believe that illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty and allowed to enter a path to become citizens, whereas Republicans tend to think that immigrants should be sent back to their home countries.
Considerations
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Democrats have a history of raising taxes so that they can spend more money on social welfare programs and helping the public. Republicans, on the other hand, historically lower taxes and spend less money on social welfare programs.
Fun Fact
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During the 1960s and '70s many Southern Democrats became Republicans.
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