...the GOP don't entirely consist of folks looking out for the welfare of Americans. Not everyone whose party registration card has a little elephant is a friend of the working class man.

The composition of the Democratic party certainly doesn't indicate these things either. As best I can tell the Democrats are somewhat like this:

75% - people with want and needs (have-nots)

Folks earning generally under $40,000 per year. Not necessarily the most educated folks in the world, these folks see nothing evil in socialized healthcare or government subsidies. Their perspective goes little further then their empty or partially full hand and their sense of entitlement. They are the blue collars, the welfare folks, immigrants (legal & illegal) and the lower level public sector (city, state and federal employees). A very small (probably 10%) portion of the middle class also are included in this group.

20% - people who know best

These folks are a mid-size sector of post-grads: lawyers, professors, assorted white collars. They believe that they see the totality of the situation and in their jobs often interact with the have-nots and feel since they are educated and make decent money, that the government is obliged to empty the pockets of others haves to establish more entitlements and handouts not necessarily to balance the scoreboard, but to give the have-nots more. These folks have assorted salaries - mostly upwards of $100,000 but the sky is the limit.

5% - powerbrokers

These folks are the parasites whose power and wealth comes from the public. Not lower level public sector, these folks may not even be employed by the government (i.e. Jesse Jackson) but they are "champions" for more entitlements, creating a more socialized government and the "poor and downtrodden". Most of these folks are so busy receiving attention from the media and cash perks from other organizations and companies who profit out of socialized schemes that they couldn't really care less about Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Detroit other than how they can use them as propaganda to empower themselves. Others cash and perks come directly through the government itself. These folks include most Democratic members of Congress and the Senate, various Governors, past Presidents (and their wives). All have in common a vested interest in a large lower class - because they are their sole constituents and power base. No poor people with hands out - no votes.

The GOP has a composition something like this:

70% Middle America

Folks earning upwards of $40,000 a year and perhaps as much as $250,000. None consider themselves rich, some consider themselves poorish/middle class. Most share a value of work ethic and a "you get what you work for" approach to life. Many post-grads are included in this group as well as almost the entire entrepreneurial sector and most of the farm owners. 90% of them feel they are overtaxed and generally know no tax relief ever comes from the Democratic party - only tax increases. Around 5% were at one point have-nots that see the light and realize the formula for success to a varying degree. They do not want socialized medicine or other entitlements because they know that it will just create a larger group of have-nots through excessive taxation and bureaucratic bloat.

20% The Rich

Folks earning upwards of $250,000 and the sky is the limit. CEOS, accountants, white collar professionals, Doctors, upper tier salespeople, etc. These folks are the ones the powerbrokers want to loot and naturally most feel a bit put off at the idea of someone taking their hard (or not so hard) earned cash and handing to folks who didn't lift a finger for it. They generally despise the powerbrokers, many of whom are filthy rich themselves and their exploitation of the have-nots and know that these folks will always be have-nots because the powerbrokers need them. Some are very generous and give much to charities - far more than the socialized schemes might collect from them. Some are meaner than mean and are totally absorbed in their own selfish desires. These folks give nothing and often feel they don't have enough. The majority of these folks become Republicans by default.

10% Powerbrokers

See above. However, these folks realize there is money and power to be made on the opposite side of the spectrum. Generally though, a higher percentage actually believe in the philosophy they have embraced.

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That's my take on it. Sure there are greedy bast--ds among the GOP but not more than there are in the Democratic party. And let's be quite blunt - the have-nots are greedy as well and their willingness to loot from others "the filthy rich" makes them opposed fundamentally to giving and are as a group some of the least charitable - they are primarily a class of self-oriented takers.

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