I have had a very difficult time coming up with the differences between the Republican Party and the Democrat Party. They simply have too much in common. Because both political parties continually seek control of Congress, the Presidency and the political agenda, they continually compromise their values until they are so diluted you really can't recognize who they are.
Independents, being in the middle, simply don't believe in principles and are willing to compromise consistent, principled values to gain power.
But why do people identify with being Republican? Why do people identify with being Democrat?
What are the principles that a Republican shares with other Republicans and a Democrat shares with other Democrats?
A moderate (Republican or Democrat) is simply a person that relates with the principles of their party, but would compromise almost all of those principles in order to get along (the less sinister outlook) or to cling to power (the more sinister (and the more realistic) outlook)).
An Independent chooses to not stand firm on any principle, but rather would like to compromise on a case by case basis. They look at themselves as a judge between two opposing and unrealistic principles. Their entire belief system requires them to believe all principles are wrong. Their principles and beliefs are based on human reason and political expediency based on how to get along.
This behavior rarely works long term. As much as people would like to get along, there comes a point where you must stand for something. You must draw the line somewhere.
There are no easy answers on any issue. In order to understand nearly any complex issue is to be a dog chasing his own tail. If and when the dog finally does catch his own tail, he soon realizes that to bite his tail is to hurt himself.
To understand why issues become increasingly complex, one simply has to understand mathematics. I can ask the question, "what number plus six equals twenty?" Very quickly we can determine the answer. But, if I say, "what two numbers plus six equals twenty?" The equation gets a little more difficult--and there is more than one answer. To make it even more confusing, if I add that of the two numbers, one is 2 more than the other one, you slowly make things more confusing.
This is illustrative of political issues. There are hundreds, thousands and even millions of variables. Nobody can really figure out the real answers, so people must start to figure out things by using principles that can be extrapolated onto the whole.
In this vein, I will try to explain the difference between a Republican and a Democrat.
A Democrat simply wishes things were different and believes that government can help make things better. A Democrat, for example, looks at millions of people born into poverty. A Democrat looks to government to try to eliminate poverty. If a Democrat is born into poverty, they know that it is in their power to change things. But if someone else is born into poverty, it is up to the government to help that person.
A Republican understands why things aren't different and believes that if things are to change, it can only change on an individual basis. For example, millions of people are born into poverty. A Republican can't do anything about that. But if I am born into poverty and want to get out, there are steps that I must take. If you are born into poverty, there are steps you must take.
Do you agree with this statement? If I want something, I must do certain things to get it.
Or do you agree with this statement? I am entitled to certain things.
This statement? I serve coffee at a coffee shop at the beach. My employer should pay me a livable wage so I can drive a Lexus, live in a nice apartment and have health care. If my employer can't pay for it, the government should pay for it.
Or this statement? I know nobody could afford a cup of coffee if my employer payed all of his employees enough money to drive a Lexus, live in a nice apartment on the beach and have health care.
This statement? It is not fair doctors gets paid so much money.
Or this statement? If I sacrifice, get really good grades so I can get accepted into medical school, attend school for 11 years, take out $235,000 worth of debt, I could become a doctor.
This statement? Insurance companies are greedy.
Or this statement? If competition drives down prices, and insurance companies are making so much money, wouldn't it make sense more businesses would sell insurance, thereby reducing the price of insurance for everyone?
This statement? Government should provide health care for everyone.
Or this statement? If competition lowers prices, encourages invention and increases efficiency, how could removing all competition lower prices, encourage invention and increase efficiency?
It is my contention Republicans are more logical and reasonable in approaching problems. We recognize that there are some problems that are not possible to solve--like poverty. Democrats believe that there are problems that only government can eliminate the role of government is to eliminate these problems.
The thing everyone has to understand is that government must take money from someone against their will and give it to someone else to solve problems. Republicans believe this is not the proper role of government. Democrats think it is. Independents and moderate Republicans believe as Democrats, only they wouldn't give as much as Democrats.
So where do you stand?
