Issue you disagree with the other party on the most

[Beet]

GOP-

1. Zealous, even religious support of the established and powerful, not just a lack of compassion but an ideological anti-compassion. This is what I hate most about the GOP and makes me a Democrat.

2. Ties to race-based elements. For example, their support of the Confederate flag in government, their alliance with the xenophobic groups who are some of their more extreme (if not more vocal) supporters. This ties with "issue" #1 as most aversive characteristic of the right.

3. Generally bitter outlook on others and a constant mentality of confrontation that they thrive on. For so-called Christrians, they seem to be always looking for different groups to hate for not conforming to this or that. In foreign policy this means an us-or-them, zero-sum attitude against anything resembling a principle that peaceful, mutual success is an inherent positive and which is a long term recipie for strife.

Democrats-

1. Support of programs and attitudes that undercut individual responsibility. For example, the idea that its bad for parents to discipline their children, that families should not be protected, that children's self-esteem is more important than accurate assessment of reality, and a condescending lowering of expectations towards minorities and other disadvantaged.

2. Religious/spiritual vacuousness. Every party likes to feel morally superior, but the Democrats dont even try to believe in or pretend to promote anything other than an animalistic, relativist universe. No wonder they find it harder to inspire impassioned commitment than the GOP.

3. Knee-jerk anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism (btw, this is what separates the liberals from the Left). The bizzare self-loathing of the far left and their convulted, condescending and  nonsensical explanations for these tendencies continues to baffle me whenever I encounter them.

[Beet]

GOP-

1. Zealous, even religious support of the established and powerful, not just a lack of compassion but an ideological anti-compassion. This is what I hate most about the GOP and makes me a Democrat.

2. Ties to race-based elements. For example, their support of the Confederate flag in government, their alliance with the xenophobic groups who are some of their more extreme (if not more vocal) supporters. This ties with "issue" #1 as most aversive characteristic of the right.

3. Generally bitter outlook on others and a constant mentality of confrontation that they thrive on. For so-called Christrians, they seem to be always looking for different groups to hate for not conforming to this or that. In foreign policy this means an us-or-them, zero-sum attitude against anything resembling a principle that peaceful, mutual success is an inherent positive and which is a long term recipie for strife.

Democrats-

1. Support of programs and attitudes that undercut individual responsibility. For example, the idea that its bad for parents to discipline their children, that families should not be protected, that children's self-esteem is more important than accurate assessment of reality, and a condescending lowering of expectations towards minorities and other disadvantaged.

2. Religious/spiritual vacuousness. Every party likes to feel morally superior, but the Democrats dont even try to believe in or pretend to promote anything other than an animalistic, relativist universe. No wonder they find it harder to inspire impassioned commitment than the GOP.

3. Knee-jerk anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism (btw, this is what separates the liberals from the Left). The bizzare self-loathing of the far left and their convulted, condescending and nonsensical explanations for these tendencies continues to baffle me whenever I encounter them.

Fabulous post, Beet. I agree completely.

I was trying to follow Storebought's advice of intellectual and emotional honesty as much as possible.

[Beet]

We have the challenge of explaining our complex positions.  Our problem is our positions are not black and white.  Simple minded people like simple minded positions such as "pro-life" and "tax cuts." 

This is the same tired old refrain that I've heard time and time again, but the truth is, often when one can't explain one's position it really means one does not know what one's position is. This was no small factor in destroying Kerry.