[Moshineko]

Communism = living in a communal manner, with resources shared among all. As opposed to capitalism, where resources are not shared out, but left to those who earn them.


Democratic ("little d")= a system of power in which a referendum is taken for major decisions. One of the worst ideas known to man.

Republic = chosen representatives (chosen by different means, voting, oligarchy, chosen by council, etc.) make decisions on behalf of the people.

Republicans used to believe in what we now think of as "Constitutionalism", following the Constitution to the closest possible extent, having a small federal government, with few services and benefits. Democratic folks ("big D") believe in a more socialist government, with more federal government, more benefits, what Hazel and I would probably derisively call a "nanny state".


Republicans should be economic conservatives, but not social conservatives. I.E., they should believe in "lower taxes, less government", but not "right to life, gays are bad". True Republicans could give a shit less if you screw your gay partner with an aborted fetus that came from a group marriage, as long as the marriage and abortion weren't payed for by the state.

Democrats tend to want to paint Republicans as social conservatives, and thus the Republican party gets stuck with the support of fundamentalist groups, but, much like the Democrats, 99% of Republicans aren't as crazy as we think they are.

In reality, these days? Not much difference between the parties (notice I don't say between the philosophies, both are still quite different), as the democratic side of the U.S. has taken over to an unhealthy degree, and "The People" are kowtowed to, instead of being called out for numerous poor decisions.

U.S. is a democratic republic, not a democracy. Representatives are chosen by popular vote, and make decisions on behalf of the people.

So, yeah, nothing ever gets called what it really is, and never probably has. Ever since the word "Barbarian" (from "bar bar", or the sound that dogs made, as the Romans thought that germanic and celtic speech sounded like dogs barking), and probably long beofre that, terms have been subverted for use as emotional and political tools.

So that now, "Republican" brings up images of grumpy, church-going old mens and womens lynching black folks, and "Democrat" brings up images of gay, pot-smoking hippies living on welfare. Neither one is true, neither one is fair, but try telling that to anyone.