What are the main differences between the republican and democratic parties?

[cali]

33. Not a stupid question at all- and I think I can give you a coherent answer

First the common ground: Both parties, alas, are beholden to big money, and that means corporate money from diverse sectors. the Republican party is more enmeshed with the corporate powers that be. It may seem a slight difference, but it's one that can't be discounted.

The Democratic party is far more diverse than the Republican party- in every imaginable way: It's more diverse ethnically, religiously and ideologically. To some extent, the democratic party is an urban based party whereas the repubs are a rural based party. that isn't wholly true. My state of Vermont, for instance, is very democratic and this is a rural state. But that's anomalous.

The democratic party is far more liberal on social issues than the republican party. Religion doesn't dominate as it does in the republican party.

The differences can be seen on such issues as voting rights, the social safety net, gun control, Federal and Supreme Court appointments, energy policy, environmental issues, and much more.

the above reflect differences between the bush era and the Obama era.

I get called an Obama hater on a regular basis here because I disagree with quite a few of the President's policies- from drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen and other places, to the TPP. I don't, of course, hate the President, but I do hate some of his policies.

Oh, and there are some truly liberal democrats like my Senator and Rep, Pat Leahy and Peter Welch. I'm fortunate to have Bernie Sanders represent me in the Senate, and although he isn't a democrat, he is supported by the dem party in VT.