The Difference Between Elephants and Donkeys

What do you tell people who want to know the difference between the parties? Are you of the opinion that there is no difference worth mentioning, or could you stand on your soap box for hours on this topic? Personally, I think there are many profound differences between Republicans and Democrats, but they are not always easy to explain in stark, clear-cut terms.

I ask because last week before the election my students asked me what the difference was. At the time I refused to comment because it was not part of my lesson plan and they were just trying to get out of the work they were supposed to be doing. What would you tell junior high students if you had but one shot to make the differences very clear to them?

Here’s my example to get us started:

When the Administration approved a rebate of $600 for many working families in the Summer of 2003, Democrats were upset because low income families who paid no taxes would not get a refund on the taxes they didn’t pay.

I often struggle to hit the bull's-eye of my students’ understanding zone, but I did not have to point out to them the bizarreness of wanting to refund money to people who paid no money in the first place.

Anyway, that is my example of the difference between the parties. I am very interested in hearing examples from people on both sides of the aisle as each of us will probably be made to look silly for different reasons. In an effort to be more balanced, if I think of an example that makes Republicans look silly I certainly will post it. I know such things exist.