Are Democrats more decent people than Republicans?

[Cyrano]

Answering “Yes” seems kind of self-righteous and arrogant. Yet, comparing the ideology and public actions of both parties, it’s hard to not arrive at “Yes.”

For many decades, Republicans have fought against Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, civil rights, universal voting rights, and every government program that benefited all American citizens. In short, they claim to believe that government has no business in people’s lives, other than keeping the peace and defending the country.

But is that what they really believe? They seem to have no problem with government helping the rich and powerful when it comes to taxes and special privileges. Yet, Republicans rarely if ever stand up for the rights and needs of the average person.

Democrats are by no means “saints.” But, for the most part, they are in favor of virtually everything that Republicans are against. They are for government working to improve people’s lives. They are in favor of a clean, healthy environment. They have empathy for and are willing to reach out to those in need. And most Dems instinctively believe in these words from the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …”

(Some may doubt the existence of a “Creator,” but still believe in these “unalienable Rights.”)

Can anyone argue that Republicans actually believe in, or live by those words? Their agenda has always been portrayed as a reasonable, viable set of beliefs that, they claimed, just happen to differ from ours. But Trump has ended that masquerade. The greed, the cruelty, the hatreds, and the lust for absolute power have all been laid bare. At this very moment, most Democrats live in dread of what will come to pass if Republicans win (or steal) the levers of power in the upcoming election. And for any who doubt their intentions, check out the freedoms that the current Supreme Court has already taken away from us. -- Doesn't appear that they're acting with "... the consent of the governed."

So, it seems that my answer to the headline question is, "Yes." What's yours?

(Note: This post is a generalization about members of the two parties. It is not an attempt to claim that each individual Dem is a better human being than each individual Republican.)

[Timewas]

1. Not sure

About the "decent" part but definitely saner.

[cyclonefence]

2. Yes

[republianmushroom]

3. The answer will vary, it is all according to whom you are asking that question to,

a democrat or to a republican.

[walkingman]

4. My life experience in Texas tells me....YES. Some of the most disgusting

people I have met in my life are Republicans. Democrats are more open-minded, less racist, care more about our Democracy, and not bullies. The difference is stark.

[Silent Type]

5. Like Dems better, for sure. I will say that in my rube red area that the vast majority of people are decent in daily

discourse.

I suspect many of them are out Saturday night burning crosses and such, but most hide that junk during the day.

[SoFlaBro]

6. MAGA fuckstains choose to be MAGA fuckstains. Being a fuckfaced fuckstain is a conscious choice.

[IA8IT]

7. Yes, on second thought, HELL YES.

[Johnny2X2X]

8. Trumpism

There really is no Republicanism anymmore, it's the Trump party now.

And no, you cannot be a good person and support Trump, period.

[elocs]

9. This question posted on a website called DemocraticUnderground is certainly preaching to the choir. n/t

[Torchlight]

10. I think the answer becomes self-evident after asking

ourselves which political party promotes the goals of domestic peace, common good and general welfare, and which political party stands not only opposed to it, but actively works against it.

[H2O Man]

11. Some sure are.

[Bucky]

12. What I know about Republicans is filtered thru all the scorn on DU

This is the only place where I discuss Republicans as a group. But the dialog here is filtered they all the stereotypes and simplifications we boil down in our headlines.

Real people are a lot more complicated than the "Republicans are all racists, Bible thumpers, immigrant haters, capitol stormers, doom-prepper-gunnut-Fox-guzzling-hypocrites who don't care about schools being shot up or the destruction of the environment" that we post and consumer here on a regular basis.

This is how saturation propaganda works to dehumanize political opponents. Just because some of our opinions posts are a little more fact based and a lot more science aligned doesn't mean our understanding of who Republicans are as human beings isn't being shaped in a similar echo chamber environment.

There are Republicans who volunteer at food banks, who worry about school safety, who participate in neighborhood events, who want sensible gun laws, who want abortion care to be available, who only want Trump to win cause they ignorantly think he'll deliver a better economy and won't follow thru on his "hyperbole" about weaponizing the Dept. of Justice and don't understand how saving Ukraine will stabilize Europe's security.

People are complicated. If you start any sentence with the words "Republicans are ..." , then the rest of that sentence is gonna be at least 70% wrong

[Cosmocat]

13. I know many "decent" Republicans

There are many who are repulsive, but most of the Rs I know are courteous, respectful and even giving to others.

There just is some kind of wiring they have where they are vulnerable to the victimization mentality of "conservatism." All the evil liberal boogyman bullshit.

I just don't get it at all.

[BigmanPigman]

14. Yes, yes, yes!

Dems care about others, the GOP care about themselves.

[ismnotwasm]

15. Oh HELL yes

For a Democrat, cruelty is never the point.

[Blaukraut]

16. It's complicated

On a general level, the Republican agenda has never been one that embraces community and outreach. The insistence on individualism and self-sufficiency doesn't really allow for a lot of empathy. That said, I have acquaintances who are Republicans. One of them is even a diehard Trumper. She is one of the nicest and kindest people I've ever met. Ready to give you the shirt off her back if you need it. I had no idea she idolized Trump until I saw her car with all the bumper stickers, so there has to be some sort of cognitive dissonance going on with a lot of them.

[GaYellowDawg]

17. Depends on the context.

There are plenty of Republicans who are kind and generous within their in-group. If you're white, straight, and conservative, they'll be great to you. If you're in an out-group, then not so much. Democrats are generally more decent to people who are different than them or with whom they disagree.

[Tree Lady]

18. I have two relatives that are republicans

both voting R for lower taxes. Both are very loving women who would do anything for you if you needed help. Both are kind and generous and both have money.

They both live in CA along with their grown kids so they are not worried about most issues for women thinking they are good in their state.

Both of them have had high places in employment so confident and there is no talking to them as they seem to respect other managers who are also republicans.

They think Trump is a joke and awful but voting for the "R".