A Democrat is usually a liberal thinker who believes in progressive action. Democrats realize that you cannot go back to the 1950s because the world has undergone change that cannot be rolled back. We have a larger population and we live at a faster pace due to technological advances. Liberal means keeping an open mind and being ready to adapt to change. In a changing world this is crucial to survival. Progressive action is adaptive action based on where we are today and where we can expect to be tomorrow.Small government sounds good, but as populations increase, government is needed to maintain a balance between liberty and justice for all members of society. Government must be just large enough and strong enough to be up to the task of maintaining order while keeping the values and freedoms we have traditionally exhibited as a nation.Where many Republicans want to turn the clock back to a time when things were simplier , more cut and dried, Democrats do not believe this is possible. Our world is more complex than ever and change is happening at a near exponential rate.Democrats believe in strong national securityand are staunchly patriotic. A Democrat believes it is necessary to defend America from both external evil and internal corruption. Keeping America on the straight and narrow is an important part of keeping America safe. Democrats understand and accept the responsibility of keeping our country as honorable as it is strong.Democrats are maligned as tax-and-spend liberals because Democrats voted for tax breaks for low income people, credits for child care and founded many of the social and educational programs we have today. Horror stories of welfare abuse are used to make people think that social programs are bad. But seriously, abuses are going to happen in any system or program because there are always going to be criminals who lie, cheat and steal. This happens at all levels of society, not just among welfare moms. Look at those Enron millionairs who cheated thousands of hard-working people out of their pensions.Democrats, contrary to popular belief, balance budgets and believe in fair tax structures that do not squeeze the middle class out of existence.Democrats believe in science and listen to experts. Democrats believe that religion and science can co-exist. Many Democrats are religious people who believe that cherishing and protecting the earth that God created is a sacred charge.Democrats love America and they love our world. Democrats are fighting and dying in Iraq and Democrats are fighting at home to end the war. Democrats believe war is sometimes necessary but that the Iraq War and current occupation have made us less safe and have strained our proud military to the breaking point . Most military experts agree.If you want to know what a Democrat really believes, read the platform of the Democratic Party . Watch C-Span and see who is actually voting for what. It is very eye-opening to see Democrats propose legislation that will aid military families and veterans and then watch nearly every Republican Congressman and Senator vote against it.Watch and listen and learn. Don't close your mind and start believing the hype you hear from the hate-mongers. Learn about Democrats and about democracy.Above all, Democrats want people to be free to disagree and to hash out their differences. Democrats want people to learn and discuss and come together in the best interests of all concerned. People working things out together is what democracy is all about.