The difference between Democrats and Republicans

Sure there are many policy differences, but there is a fundamental difference in approach to politics between Democrats and Republicans. Retired General Wesley Clark summed it up succinctly in a recent interview with David Corn:

"Democrats," he complained, "fall in love. Republicans fall in line."

Why is this such a distinction? When the Bush administration started moving to do things that weren't in our country's best interest (Iraq War (no point and waste of American lives and money), Patriot Act (loss of civil liberties), torture of detainees (aside from being morally reprehensible, it puts Americans at risk of the same treatment), detainment without due process, etc. Wow, what a long list! Anyway, as the Bush administration started doing these things, Republicans fell into line and accepted them as necessary and critisized all who didn't as "unpatriotic". Compare this to the Clinton Administration. Bill Clinton's crime bill was widely critisized by Democrats for its expansion of the federal death penalty. He was also critizised by Democrats for his affair with Monica Lewinski, taking part in the war in Kosovo, and several of his pardons.

What we need is an electorate that stands up to its leaders and speaks truth to power. Right now this is the Democrats.