What are the similarities between Democrats and Republicans?

In the
present (as of 11/6/2019) political
climate, with a Democratic House of Representatives getting
ready to impeach
a Republican president, this is a particularly difficult question to answer.

Levels of bipartisanship are at record lows in the American political system, with more
clear
blue water between the political parties than ever before. Under such
circumstances, it's
difficult to detect any real similarities between
Democrats and Republicans.

Nevertheless, and speaking in
the broadest possible terms, one could argue that the two
parties have
similar, if not identical, long-term goals but differ radically in how to
achieve
them. For instance, both Democrats and Republicans want the United
States to be a prosperous
country. However, whereas Democrats favor more
government intervention in the economy to bring
about this particular goal,
Republicans opt for a more hands-off approach, arguing that
prosperity comes
through government getting out of the way and allowing businesses to make
their
own decisions wherever possible.

Continuing with the
economic theme, one
could also say that Democrats and Republicans alike are
generally supportive of a capitalist
economy. Though a handful of prominent
Democrats, such as Representative Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, are avowed
socialists, most Democrats remain committed to the capitalist system,
albeit
one that is dramatically reformed to operate more effectively for working

people.

Traditionally the party of big business, the Republicans are
also
wedded to the capitalist system, which they regard as being the best
means of achieving
prosperity. However, even some Republicans have argued
that the current system doesn't work
effectively, which is why they've put
forward proposals that establish tariffs on some imported
goods, especially
from China, as a way of protecting American jobs and businesses.

Though such proposals may differ from those of the Democrats in terms of
substance,
they nonetheless share with the Democrats an impatience at how
capitalism has developed,
especially in relation to its impact on American
workers.