What difference exists between the two major political parties, can be summed up as follows:

Republicans feel the best way to control the masses of the underclass is to remove all social safety nets -- from welfare and food stamps, to the minimum wage. The resultant abject poverty will force the poor to work for next to nothing and, more importantly, will make them completely beholden and subservient to their employers. The myth of the docile and contented slave, loyal to the kind-hearted, paternal slavemaster permeates the Republican mindset.

Democrats fear and wish to control the underclass as much as, and for the same reasons as, Republicans. The difference is that the Dems want to placate the poor. All the social programs, and the bureaucracies that administer them, are designed to keep the underclass just comfortable enough to accept the status quo. By employing many of the poor as the workers in these programs the Dems also create the illusion that the poor have a share of power, and an avenue out of poverty.

The fact is, neither party has any interest in eliminating poverty. The poor and unemployed are absolutely essential for the Capitalist machine to run.