How can Democrats claim to support the individual?

Both parties, actually, claim to be the one looking out for the "common man". The question is what we mean by "looking out for..."

The Republican answer is that the common man needs to keep as much of his salary as he can, so we need to reduce taxes; that he needs to defend himself, so we need to make sure he retains his second amendment rights; that he happier and more productive when he's spiritually active, so we need to encourage religious participation. This all tends to focus on folks who are doing all right for themselves (have a job, so there's a salary to pay taxes on, was able to afford a legal firearm, is active in his community, etc.), or who would like to think they're doing all right for themselves.

By contrast, the Democrats have traditionally played on folks fears that some day they won't be doing all right for themselves anymore. They discuss socialized medicine, in case the common man finds himself in a situation where he can't afford health care; a stable welfare system, in case the common man can't find work; getting guns off the street, in case the common man finds himself living in a ghetto, and overtaxing the wealthy to pay for it all. This all tends to focus on folks who aren't doing all right for themselves, or who are afraid that they're really pretty close to not doing all right for themselves.

Really, neither is wholly correct, nor wholly incorrect. Both, recently, have traveled further to their respective extremes, though, and conversations about compromise, middle ground, and the public good are harder to come by.

If, by your question, you're honestly seeking an understanding of the other side of the political spectrum from your own, you're making strides in an admirable direction. If, though, you're just looking for validation of the position you already hold, you're likely to find it, and unlikely to find anything useful above.

Where did you get these generalizations? Sounds like something Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc. would say. These are the classic arguments Republicans make about Democrats. Are you aware of the ways in which Republicans have imposed heavier government? Think back to Terri Schiavo, that woman who was comatose in Floridea. For the party that claims to be for "smaller government" it was a pretty extreme step for the Republican-controlled congress and Republican president to sign a bill redirecting the case to another judge. Frankly, that woman's life was none of my business, none of your's, and none of the government's. Abortion is another example. Republicans always say, "well, banning abortion is okay because it's saving the life of the fetus." The problem with banning abortion is that once you grant your government that kind of power (determining certain medical procedures illegal) you have actually given your own government a huge deal of power. What is to stop the government from then banning other medical procedures? Think about the full ramifications of those decisions before you go preaching about how Democrats favor big government and Republicans favor smaller government.

Because Dems are individualists where it matters most: social issues.

That means:

- a woman has the right to choose, not the government.

- a terminally ill patient should have the right to die if he so wants to.

- a gay man should be able to marry

- a black person should be able to marry into a difference race

- people should be free to practice their own religion or none at all. We should not impose the majority COLLECTIVIST religion on others.

- a person can do whatever he wants with the flag or any symbol he has. The freedom the flag represents is more important than the cheap piece of Chinese cloth it was made from.

and

- even the right to watch or not watch porn. Let people make their own decision as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others, insead of having COLLECTIVE morality make it for them.

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fllock.

The ones you mentioned are economic bread and butter issues. If you take the broad definition cons have of socialism, all forms of taxation are "wealth redistribution".

The right of corporations to pollute, scam the consumer, and abuse the worker have indeed been greatly restricted, but I'm more than happy to live with that if it means the people gain the right to a cleaner environment, safer consumer products, and fair work environment.

You have the right to practice your religion, but you do not have the right to use taxpayer money to promote one COLLECTIVIST religion over another. That is unconstitutional.

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Economic opportunity is about guaranteeing every child regardless of the social class he was born into an education. It means affordable state-subsidized universities, student grants, subsidized loans, GI Bills, job training, etfc.

That's how you help the little guy work his way up. That leads to a larger middle class and more competition.

The law of the jungle way of doing things leads to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

Because you can claim anything you want.

I wouldn't say they were any worse than Republicans, but they certainly aren't any better. It's just which ideology of big authoritarian government you want controlling your life.

If you want to support the individual, then most candidates you'd want to look at voting for are libertarians, constitutionalists, and independents.

Sir, look to France, England and Italy.. etc...

Do they seems like a countries with no freedom! they actually have more freedom than us when it comes to expressing themselves. They don't have such a freedom-blocker thing as political correctness.. and guess what.. They are socials.. sorry.. try again.

Yea social issues, and if you don't agree - just try and get that boot off your throat.....

Thats freedom baby according to democrats - individualism by committee.

For history's sake, who was president during the formation of the EPA and OSHA as travolta is so interested in the environment and workers safety? I can't wait to hear these responses.

They don't - They support big government and pander to the ignorant in this country in order to buy votes - They do violate the Declaration of Independence regarding life and liberty.

Lamebutt is the man! DITTO THAT

Because Democrats lie to get votes from people disillusioned with Bush.