What is the difference between an Republican and a Democrat?

[cbmttek]

Republicans are generally in favor of:
Less regulation of businesses in the US.
Lower taxes
Earning what you get, instead of getting handouts.
Punishment fitting the crime (death penelty)
Strong military and strong US presence around the globe

Republicans are generally against:
Welfare
Increase in social programs and handouts
Abortion
Talking with terrorists, and countries that are openly hostile to the US or our allies.

Democrats are generally for:
Government regulating as much of industry as possible.
Increasing social programs
Government providing services like energy and healthcare
Increased government spending
Increased taxes on the "rich" whomever they may be
A woman's right to choose an abortion
Environment outweighs economy
Diplomacy with everyone in the world

Democrats are generally against:
Death penalty
Free markets
Military power

The general thing to look at in the differences here is:
A liberal will try to make the world the way it "should be" whereas a conservative will live in the world the way it is.