Let's take the environment as an issue. The League of Conservation Voters is a well-known, national organization that keeps track of votes relating to environmental protection. Let's see how they rate the two parties

What does this environmental rating mean? It means that the vast majority of Republicans have voted against funding for alternative energy. They favor drilling for oil instead and have voted in favor of drilling under the Great Lakes, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in National Monuments.

Also, Republicans have voted to allow more arsenic in drinking water, to cut funding for farm preservation, and to cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, thus diminishing that Agency's capacity to enforce environmental laws. They voted against raising fuel economy standards for light trucks which would save 1 million gallons of oil a day, and also voted for fast track trade legislation which puts the environment at risk. Democrats, on the other hand, have generally voted in an environment-friendly manner.