by Jack (inspired by Tina and Libby…thank you both!)
As you know the Republican Party was begun by Abraham Lincoln and it was the ONLY party of the time that championed the abolition of slavery. Democrats were the ONLY party that defended slavery. A few decades later it was the Republican Party that championed w omens right to vote (suffrage) – And once again Democrats were on the opposing side. Now let me list some other differences below.
Republicans fear that the government has too much control over corporations. Democrats fear that corporations have too much control over our government. Okay, that’s fairly close..but you’ll never go wrong by limiting government! Limited gov = more freedom!
Democrats believe it benefits all of us to help the weakest and the poorest among us and that wealth sharing (robbing the rich to give to needy and greedy alike) is a legit means to that end. Republicans believe it benefits all of us when businesses thrive and people can rise to their full potential as creative, hard working entrepreneurs who create jobs and bring us the best in low cost, high quality products. Our car manufacturers were once the best in the world, but thanks to unions and costly over regulation, many went bankrupt and lots of good jobs were lost.
Republicans DO NOT believe large corporations will always do what is best for the American people if the government stays out of the way. Only a fool would think that. This is a myth 100% created by Democrats. Republicans at NO time have ever approved of corporations having unlimited power or becoming a monopoly that stifles free trade and competition. The Republican Hand Book as early as 1904 goes to great lengths to explain the difference between over-penalizing, over-regulating laws and laws that limit corporations from having undue influence and other ills. Democrats on the other hand are more emotion and less pragmatic. They tend to believe large corporations would disembowel you and sell your organs to the highest bidder if the government didn’t stop them! That is absurd as it is stupid, but many Democrats will swear its true.
Democrats believe everyone is entitled to health care regardless of their ability to pay and they are prepared to take the money from those who have wealth and use it to subsidize those who don’t, regardless of the reasons. Democrats don’t seem to be able to tell the difference between those who need a hand up and those who need a kick in the pants. Republicans DO recognize there are serious defects in the US healthcare system, but they also recognize a turn towards socialized medicine would damage the national economy and produce a healthcare system that is sub par compared to today’s standards. So, they seek to find a way to close loop holes to provide private, affordable health insurance to those currently in the gap, they are making too much money to be covered welfare and too little money to pay for private health insurance. Republicans have come up with many good healthcare plans that Democrats never let come out of committee.
Democrats believe too much of our money goes to crooked corporate executives who take government subsidies and pay themselves $80 million salaries. They are probably right too. But, Republicans don’t like that either..who does? Republicans are accused of being tougher on school teachers than corporate pirates, but its a lie and it’s another lie that they think too much of our tax money goes to teachers who make $30,000 a year. Sure, they DO believe that top heavy school systems and overpaid bureaucrats have impeded creativity and personal initiative and have virtually stolen money destined for the kids. They also see our finite tax dollars being wasted on too many incompetent teachers protected by unions. Republicans would rather spend tax money at the classroom level and on good teachers who need it and could put it to much better use. They like the idea of competition among schools to turn out a better product.
Democrats believe anything that helps the American people during a recession or a time of crisis is the true essence of patriotism, even if it’s pure socialism. Republicans believe anything that increases our indebtedness during a time of recession prolongs our misery and weakens the nation’s economy. They see no good coming from printing paper money in the trillions with nothing to back it up. They fear it risks inflation, weakens savings accounts for the individuals and runs up national debt that we can ill afford. Democrats don’t get it – they give themselves an unlimited line of credit and hope the bills won’t come due until they are dead and gone.
Democrats believe that we need to set the world’s highest standards for clean air and drinking water. Republicans believe we need clean and air and water too because they drink the same water and breath the same air, but they don’t want be reckless about it. They don’t think it’s necessary to draft irresponsible, draconian legislation that damages us far more than it helps us and weakens our position against the worlds competing economies.
Democrats say they believe the President and Congress need to work together to create jobs during a weak economy. That what they SAY…but not what they do. The President (democrat) digs in his heels, refuses to negotiate and place many budget items off limits even for discussion! Republicans believe that Congress should block any legislation that threatens freedom, leads to socialism and more government power and more debt. Democrats don’t see any problems here. The Republicans encourage the President to lead, but they are chagrined when he hasn’t even submitted a budget in the last 6 years he’s been in office. That’s not leadership and then he blames Republicans for gridlock.
Democrats believe that corporate polluters should be made to pay for the cleanup of their pollution, no matter how costly or unnecessary. Republicans believe that making corporations clean up their pollution is fair in almost all cases, but that purely punitive damages sometimes get so excessive it leads to bankruptcy and that serves nobody, but the lawyers doing the suing. When corporations go broke the cleanup costs are put back on the taxpayers and people suddenly lose jobs only to become another burden. Republicans think bankrupting corporations without seeking other solutions first is just plain stupid. Democrats middle name is stupid.
Democrats believe our health care system exists solely for the purpose of making people healthy, regardless of their immigration status or affordable cost. They would place the cost of this all on credit cards, rather than seek co-pay type solutions or ship the illegals out of the country. “Republicans believe our health care system exists solely for the purpose of making a healthy profit”, a total myth inspired by Sol Alinsky and the cold war propaganda. But, I threw it in because Dems actually say this !
Democrats believe high paying government salaries leads to high quality representation. They also like to segregate people of color into racial caucuses. They believe people working with their own kind can find solutions better solutions than multiracial efforts. Republicans believe in our great melting pot concept and think these that race based caucuses perpetuate the thinking along lines of color. They see this as keeping racism alive. Republicans would rather see a grass roots, citizen, based Congress and Senate and not career politicians. Republican’s embrace the grass roots like the Tea Party, Democrats embrace populism, which is quite another thing. In the latter they like people to think government knows whats best for them and then they buy their loyalty by using the people’s own money. Republicans do NOT believe corporations are the people, but they do recognize that people make up corporations!
Democrats believe that corporations have too much influence over Congress due to their lobbyists and huge campaign contributions. They should know too, because far more Democrats have been arrested for taking bribes than Republicans. Republicans believe the middle class needs more influence over Congress, but they too have been reluctant to take money out of political decisions. Both party’s are therefore guilty of allowing money undue influence and this needs to be fixed now!
Democrats believe we need to file lawsuits against corporations in order to correct some bad behaviors, but moreover it’s used to intimidate them into wealth shifting. Republicans believe we need to protect large corporations from frivolous lawsuits because we sue our jobs providers to death. They know we sue far more than any other nation in the world and it winds up costing everyone, especially the poor who can’t afford to pay even pennies more. Democrats don’t get it.
Democrats believe that the rich should be taxed until they resemble the middle class. Republicans think that steals away incentives to seek excellence and prosperity. They believe that government should get out of the way whenever possible and let people keep as much of their personal wealth as possible to spend as they see fit.
Democrats believe that too much money in politics produces corruption and destroys the American way of life. Republicans believe are ready to accept money as an undue influence and limit it’s access to politics. Again, both sides are guilty of abuses here (see above comments).
That pretty well sums our differences, although I see myself as a conservative and hope that my old GOP will return to support more of the traditional values I now embrace and our founders embraced.
Tina I borrowed heavily from the great things you say every day here and Libby…well, I’m just repeating what you say about the Republicans. There’s quite a contrast isn’t there? lol