This is going to be harder than I thought and perhaps more difficult than you think. This is YOUR opinion. Think about that before you even read further and think about it again before you even think to answer. Think hard. Dig deep. Try not to edit or amend. Go with your gut and stick with it. I'm going to ask for no commentary and just see what you guys and gals come up with. THINK before you answer. REALLY think. Figure it out. Ready? No. Not yet. I have more preamble. There are criteria. Uh oh. Framing. What will you EVER do now?!?

Listen closely. VERY closely. It's not a trick. But let's find some common ground and see what we have here.

OK. Here we go. And if you parse out things outside of the spirit in which this is meant, you'll get called on it. Again - no commentary. Just LIST. Be brave. Stick with it.

Name the top 3 things we, as Americans, enjoy because of a direct effort from your party - Republican or Democrat or Independent that did not exist 40 years ago. I chose 40 years because that is a general standard to gauge a generation. Choose something that you feel YOU hand SOME kind of hand in. Or at least something you supported when it was being debated. No fair saying " slavery " or genuinely ancient stuff like that no matter how much we have built on it since then. Point to 40 year old or less policies that you are MOST proud of that wouldn't be in effect had not your party succeeded in implementing. Heck, take credit for it. I don't care. But let's keep it relatable regarding those that are alive today. I'm tempted to steer you away from some things that are divisive ( " No attacks since 9/11 " for example. But hey, if you count that in your top 3, so be it ).

3 policies.

THINK.

ADA
alternative lifestyle equalities
environmental issues

Democratic
Government in the Sunshine Act* (1976)
The National Voter Registration Act (1993)
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007)

Bi-Partisan
The Voting Rights Extension Act of 1982 (renewed 2006)
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act (1986)
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

*I was a six-year old in the sunshine :0)

Without thinking deeply, here are the 3 that just popped into my head, but have no direct involvement in because I couldn't vote yet.

Abortion rights, Roe v. Wade
Native American Rights and awareness
Lady Bird Johnson's programs: highway & DC flowers and beautification, support of Head Start (minor, I know)

I'm still thinking about the more recent 3 that I participated in.

(Digression: 40+ years but still hugely appreciate today: WPA)

I don't think I can go straight-party, to be honest with you. I am a registered Republican, but I see positives from BOTH sides that I think can't be ignored, but I will certainly try.

EPA
Breakup of Ma Bell
End of the Cold War

I don't know if we "enjoy" these things as much as they are all vitally important to us today.

Thinking about it...

Damn good question!

In no order:

The Internet

Social Security / Medicaid / Medicare / GI Bill

(Lumping together the idea of caring for the old, sick and veteran)

Food Safety, Work place safety, Product Labeling, Truth in Advertising, ...

(The idea that we've a right to know our real choices and not be exploited as people when building wealth for others)

The EPA is a good one.

So is the ADA. ( Do other countries have an equivalent of that? Or was that brought about mostly due to our uniquely litigious society? )

The Internet. This isn't a loaded question. But I ask it because I honestly don't recall from where it stemmed; Was that a government effort? Or was that more of a scientific venture? Or perhaps more of a business venture?

A little history of the foundation of the internet here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPANET

Great thread, CJ.

(Assuming we get commentary now... slap me big, if not!)

Started out with R&D, moved to DoD (DARPA), was expanded with more R&D to universities and academia, then was made public after that.

http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/brief.shtml

The open nature of it is really the key to it's growth and general utility. That particular issue continues to be something we've got to stay somewhat political on, or business will close it for their own ends.

That's part of why I listed it. I've been political regarding Internet issues off and on, for a long time. I mean writing letters, having meetings, shaking hands and that kind of thing.

That political involvement has paid back:

Let's take one simple real life value add:

Teaching the kids!

The Internet is just huge. Every parent reaches some limit where staying involved in their kids education comes into play. The Internet really does raise that bar very high!

It's a lot easier to stay relevant as a parent, with the Internet being generally available, open and such.

Another real life value is simply remaining relevant myself. A lot of what I do involves technical stuff, and knowing trends, getting at information, collaborating with others, etc...

It's totally possible to just get connected, learn stuff, meet people and build a career. Silly comparison, but the old Information Highway really is valid in that the kinds of core empowerment we see with the Interstate system are on par with those we see on the Internet.

1969 Moon landing
Roe V Wade
I would have to agree with the following:
ADA and the Internet

It is incredibly difficult I feel to pin down exactly who's party is indeed responsible for all things listed here though.

No commentary huh, my tongue is bleeding from biting it..... so I will avoid some that came to mind first.

Food stamps, Nixon's wage and price freeze, Grant money provided for college. (not loans, federal GRANTS PELL etc...that covered the cost of tuition)

The internet?, hmm, well we know who invented that!

I'd also agree that the space program that followed someone's "lets go to the moon" speech was a big impact on me.

40 years, thats the end of Johnsons presidency. How time flies.

I'll do bad first.
Demo bad.
1. After President Nixon signed the Paris peace accord, and the demo Congress ratified it. 2 years later, with Ford in office, and the NVA rolled south, the Demo congress refused to allow US forces to resupply South Vietnam, and fly airstrikes to stop the NVA armored assult into S. Vietnam.

2. President Carters intrusion into the rescue of the iranian hostages. If he had told the military what to do , and left them alone, it would have worked, Carter would have probably won reelection.

3. President Clintons refusal to allow the forces in Mogadsia(sp) to have 2 tanks, which would have saved a lot of rangers lives.

republican bad
1. President Bush should have put a special ops guy in command in Afghanistan from the start.
Franks in charge in Iraq was a great choice. But thte Afghanistan command structure was wrong.

2. Besides the obvious, Nixon should have burned those tapes!, Nixon should have required Henry to get a more detailed accounting of POWs.

3. President Reagon should have been more careful in his supreme court appointees.

The Good now, and I will go with Demos first.
1. Johnsons civil rights program was decades late, and I might note, witthout republican suport would never have passed.

2. Clinton breaking his campaign promise, and supporting don't ask, don't tell and defense of marriage act.

3. Clinton restored Lee's and Davis's citizenship.

Republican good
1. Reagon restored thh military to an effective fighting force, IE increased number of carriers, and army divisions.

2. Bush II, allowed the military to fight the afghanistan and Iraqi war, the way they thought right, Like Roosevelt in WWII, he appointed the generals, and let them do their job.

3. Bush I, rebuilt the CIA, and increased the DOD intelligence agencies.

3.