- Foreign Policy: Pro War VS Anti War.
- Trade: Pro TPP VS Anti TPP.
- Healthcare: ACA VS Medicare for All.
- Wall Street: Friendly VS Adversarial.
- Thematic Message: Identity VS Economic.
I beg to differ on the differences being immaterial or ridiculous to fight for. There's a big difference between our current system and the universal safety net this country requires. Small tweaks to the status quo won't draw in the hope for change voters. It won't help them enough to provide economic security, leaving them vulnerable to Trumpsters.
When trickle down ends the GOP, those differences will be the gap between the next Conservative Party and Progressives.
Anyways, as you ask "Are Democrats better?" We might want to know which Democrats you're asking for. Blue Dogs? Progressives? The Wall Street backed leadership? My point was that there is a variety and breadth to to term Democrat. And of course someone on the "Left" is going to say Democrats are better. But the answer is without nuance, as is the question you posed.