Warning: this was written to stimulate debate, passion, thought and open communication. There is something for everyone to not like in the post below. It contains broad generalities, which may no apply to any individual or group but may or may not apply as part of the larger canvas. Read it with the intent of understanding "noise", screens, filters and debate in mind...

A simple way of looking at the divide in American politics.

The Republican party was and is the party of the mob, gangsters and organized crime.

The Democratic party is the party of immigrants, workers and organized labor (no comment).

Republicans tend to be white collar or aspiring to become white collar.

Democrats tend to be blue collar or the lower class aspiring for higher pay and better living conditions.

There are members of both parties who are poor, middle class and wealthy.

To continue reading, click on "read more" below. 



While the difference may not be significant, Republicans do tend to be older and Democrats younger. There are people of all ages in both parties. 

An increasingly large number of voters do not identify with either party, but most Ameicans who voe, still vote along one party line or the other.

Democrats tend to believe that we are our brother's keeper, supporting low cost education as a "need" not a "want", medical and social services as a "need" and no a "want", and believing whether they admit it or not "there but for the will of God go I."

Republicans tend to believe in bootstraps, the will and ability of all Americans to lift themselves up, and the phrase "its your bed, you lie in it." They see the services Democrats seek in government as belonging to families and churches, whether or not those cultures can afford or have the expertise to provide them.

Democrats believe that public safety is the state's responsibility and that the best way to approach safety is through prevention mixed with enforcement, attacking the root problems and finding the core cause.

Republicans tend to believe public safety means military, police, fire and basic services with most o the burden on the individual.

Democrats are a large tent of often disagreeing elements representing grass roots, special interests groups, working America, women, minorities and some say "socialist." 

Republicans have a smaller tent representing big business, those who feel safe in their investments, mostly male, mostly white, almost all conservative.

Democrats are 60 to 70% female, depending on the surveys at any given time.

Republicans are 65 to 80% male, again depending on the survey.

Democrats tend to form organizations and govern by consensus from the bottom up.

Republicans tend to work from the top down, in a much more structured and descent resistant structure.

Democrats are more likely to be centrist, although they have their "left", "progressives" and even conservative wings of the party.

Republicans are increasingly leaning "right" and away from center (moderate Republican fell in this past election and those that remain are finding it hard to function in office. That brings us back to Republicans being a centralized party.

Both parties have overspent and led to budget deficits. The truth is the economy, wars, disasters and other needs lead to deficits, not over-spening Democrats or Republicans. 

Democrats tend to be those who see a need for change, or who are in positions where they need assistance or change to help maintain or advance their families.

Republicans tend to resist change or seek to "turn back the clock" to a perceived better time. They too believe this in the name of their families and personal needs and positions.

Rural America, while having both parties, tends to lean Republican.

Urban America tends to have large percentages Democrat.

Suburban America tends to be Republican.

Except for California the growth areas of the west tend Republican (California is split much as the country is, but in elections leans Democrat). Established eastern cities and the once great "rust belt" lean Democrat. The south is in transition. 

Democrats believe that we have "term limits", they are called elections.

Republicans tend to believe term limits are needed to "clean out" Washington and keep the other party from maintaining power (except when they are in power).

Moderates in both parties know the value of not having term limits, as they are the ones who compromise, and make legislation happen and work.  Its about history, relationships, ideologies and the "game" of politics.

Both parties have religious followers, faiths, and beliefs as a core.

Both parties take funds from lobbyist and special interests.

Both parties support the military. 

Both parties have gotten us into wars, although statistically Republicans tend to be the ones who launch Americans into harms way.

Both parties have "blue bloods", "hot bloods", anger, resentment, hatred, discrimination, greed, corruption and agendas...as do all groups and individuals.

Both parties believe that their vision is the one that reflects "Americans" and is best for America.

We have a two party system.

I hope that after reading this, and there are generalities to disagree with or get angry over concerning both parties in what I have written, I hope you will see the need to chill out, move toward center and start finding common needs and goals.

Or America suffers,

The two party system can work.

It has in the past.

Have we changed that much?