Kent,

There are many differences and many similarities; there are many nuances of policy that appear to be the same, when at the same time are not. 

Unfortunately, both parties are chasing the same things to get to the same ends - money and power -and use similar means - collecting the most votes from the electorate - to travel down the road to the money and power.

Take my profession for example.  Many, many of my co-workers are republicans (I believe the perceptions of democrats and crime, i.e., weak on crime, watching out for consititutional rights, et cetera, are what fuels most of my co-workers to be republican) however, almost entirely all of the benefits my occupation has received have come from the democratic party and the philosophies of the democratic party - union laws, Federal money, salaries and benefits and other things. 

But where to begin?  I do not think there is any debate over the issue that the GOP is the party of business while the Dem party is the true party of people.  That is one reason.

A secondary issue is that of human rights and civil rights.  (I simply do not believe the GOP will ever "get" civil rights.  The other day Trent Lott made a comment defending the Iraqi abuse picture where a solider is frightening an Iraqi with a dog by saying something like, "As long as the dog wasn't eating the guy, I don't have a problem with it."  Now, did he ever think what a black American might have thought when seeing that same picture?).

Then there is the environment, labor law, Constitutional issues, health care and the like.

I hope these were enough for you Kent, but in ending, what I would really like to see is a National Party that says it will be the true promoter of democracy, freedom and liberties and that for the US to do business with your country it will no longer be turning a blind eye to human right abuses and repression just for a cheaper product.