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Devaclis
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 12:50 PM
I don't agree with ALL of this, but my wife is a Nazi so I HAVE to believe MOST of it:

A Democrat or a Republican?


by Larry Elder
Posted 01/17/2008 ET

What Republicans Believe, What Democrats Believe



*
Republicans believe hard work wins, and government should allow you -- to the fullest extent possible -- to keep what you earn.

Democrats believe that success results from luck, chance and happenstance, and therefore a just government takes from those who have and gives to those who do not.


*
Republicans believe in a colorblind society determined by drive, work ethic and talent.

Democrats want a color-coordinated society. This explains the support for race and gender-based preferences to "correct" past sins and to create "diversity."


*
Republicans believe discrimination to fix previous discrimination remains discrimination, and that all a government can be is just in its own time.

Democrats wish to use government to "rectify" past wrongs, which they hold responsible for today's "inequities."


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Republicans believe that government should empower the individual -- that a government that taxes least taxes best.

Democrats want individuals to empower government, and support policies that redistribute income from person A to "deserving" person B.


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Republicans believe that the playing field, while unlevel, requires an individual to do the best he or she can with the cards dealt.

Democrats consider life rigged, and that one's destiny rests on matters beyond the control of the individual.


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Republicans believe that those who cannot help themselves can and will be helped out by other individuals -- not government -- as a result of basic human compassion.

Democrats believe that because of one's misfortune, he or she is entitled to something -- via government -- from someone else.


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Republicans believe in peace through strength, and thus support strong national defense, and -- in this era of Islamofascism -- a proactive foreign policy.

Democrats believe in strength through peace, and believe they can better influence the behavior of enemies by demonstrating our good intentions.


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Republicans believe in the mutual benefits of free trade of goods and services.

Democrats believe in "fair trade," and support barriers that shield domestic industries against competition, reducing the incentive to innovate and change to remain competitive.


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Republicans consider the Constitution a contract, limiting the duties, powers and obligations of the federal government.

Democrats consider the Constitution a "living, breathing document," to be interpreted flexibly.

Republicans, for example, reject Roe v. Wade because the court based it on a right to privacy, not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. Democrats consider the right to privacy implied, despite the absence of any reference to it.


*
Republicans believe in the Second Amendment, and that it confers an individual right to keep and bear arms. The Founding Fathers wanted this right to protect against tyranny by government.

Democrats consider the Second Amendment an impediment to public safety.


Michigan, six years ago, became one of about 40 "shall issue" states that now allow citizens to apply for a permit to carry concealed weapons. At the time, law enforcement officials predicted an increase in violent crime. In fact, the opposite happened.

Woodhaven Police Chief Michael Martin said, "I think the general consensus out there from law enforcement is that things were not as bad as we expected. There are problems with gun violence, but I think we can breathe a sigh of relief that what we anticipated didn't happen."

So how did the president of the Michigan chapter of the anti-gun group Million Moms March respond? She called the statistics bogus, and argued that even if true, society still possesses too many guns.


And this brings us to our final observation:

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Republicans believe what they see, and Democrats see what they believe.
***



Mr. Elder is an attorney, syndicated columnist, syndicated radio talk-show host and author of Showdown: Confronting Bias, Lies, and the Special Interests That Divide Americ

Devaclis
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 12:50 PM
Gary, I think you know where I am comin' from :)

Sortarican
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 01:08 PM
Counter-Point:


Republicans seem to believe the role of government is about:

Having an intimidating military (so other countries are scared of us),
Imposing their own personal religious and social norms on everyone (i.e., abortion, "preservation of marriage", abstinence, 10 commandments), and
Getting out of the way of and/or helping big business and the wealthy (tax cuts, deregulation, rewarding campaign contributors).

In stark contrast, Democrats believe the role of government is:

To protect society and keep us safe (terrorism, defense, the "COPS" program, regulate businesses that might harm or take advantage of us, regulate safety issues, protect the environment so we can all not be poisoned by just breathing, etc)
To help the helpless and the average Joes and Janes (medicare, social security, OSHA, overtime pay, etc) and
Otherwise stay out of our personal lives (freedom of speech, anti-discrimination, right to privacy in your personal choices, etc)

If we can talk about this fundamental difference on the role of government, it will work to our advantage, particularly on the social issues that have been dogging Democrats in "swing" states. Democrats need to tell America that the Republicans want government to make all the choices for you on social issues, and business to make the rest of the choices. In contrast, Democrats believe that you should choose for yourself on personal issues such as religion, marriage, abstinence, etc. It's not that Democrats personally favor abortion as the preferred method of birth control or that they oppose any belief in God; it's that Democrats don't believe it is the government's job to tell you what to believe and do in those areas.
In sum, Republicans think it's okay for government to run your personal life; Democrats think you should run your own personal life. This is the real "social" issue Democrats need to focus on. It's time for us to turn the tables on Republicans, particularly on social issues.

Devaclis
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 01:10 PM
Do not come in here and "smart-up" my threads!!

Sortarican
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 01:13 PM
Do not come in here and "smart-up" my threads!!

Kinda hard not to.

Opps...just farted....IQ level went up again....sorry.

Suki
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 01:27 PM
haha, jeffay tooted!


that's all. :lol:

rapparee
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 01:54 PM
Gary, I think you know where I am coming' from :)

Yes, yes I do.

it's that Democrats don't believe it is the government's job to tell you what to believe and do in those areas.

They would rather just redistribute my money by force, then try to explain to me why it for the good of all, not much different from the con's these days. Vote with a gun.

Shea
Fri Oct 17th, 2008, 04:30 PM
Counter-Point:
Counter-Counter-Point (verbose)





Republicans seem to believe the role of government is about:
Having an intimidating military (so other countries are scared of us),
Imposing their own personal religious and social norms on everyone (i.e., abortion, "preservation of marriage", abstinence, 10 commandments), and
Getting out of the way of and/or helping big business and the wealthy (tax cuts, deregulation, rewarding campaign contributors).


1. The way I see it, a military that is capable and able to defend this nation's interest, at any time, around the globe, is far more a deterrent then the opposite. As such it needs to be funded well, the soldiers paid well (being an all volunteer force) and equipped with the best possible weaponry. Are you suggestiong Jeff that we strip our military and create a "hollow" force (akin to most European armies) so that the world likes us?

2. While I will agree that some do, I am a Republican and the only thing I want to shove down everyone's throat is liberty and freedom from tyranny. Saying all Republicans are right wing religious zealots is like saying all Democrats are socialist atheists.

3. Republicans (in general) believe in a market that is (relatively) free of government interference. Taxes should be minimal and not punish success.

Futhermore, Republicanism believes in the absolutism of law and the constitution. That individual freedom and responsibility trump any collectivist notions. You are free do to and live as you wish as long as it does not harm others or place an undue burden on your neighbor. You are free to enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, the flipside of this is that you are also free to fail...an unlimited upside and a steep downside.

Governments responsibility to it's citizenry is to stay out of the way, and adhere to those powers expressly enumerated in the Constitution.





In stark contrast, Democrats believe the role of government is:

To protect society and keep us safe (terrorism, defense, the "COPS" program, regulate businesses that might harm or take advantage of us, regulate safety issues, protect the environment so we can all not be poisoned by just breathing, etc)
To help the helpless and the average Joes and Janes (medicare, social security, OSHA, overtime pay, etc) and
Otherwise stay out of our personal lives (freedom of speech, anti-discrimination, right to privacy in your personal choices, etc)


1. The Democrat's take on this first issue is FAR-reaching. Ban transfats, punitive taxes on business (in complete ignorance of the fact that companies do NOT pay taxes, consumers pick up the bill), and regulations on nearly every aspect of our lives. They kill business with needless regulation, oversight and look the other way when business is run by their cronies (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Goldman Sachs, Lehmann Brothers, etc).

2. Helping the "helpless" is one thing (and I'm all for it) however, many of the programs help people that are entirely capable of helping themselves and create dependency on government...and thus creating powerlessness.
-Social Security=When did we decide that just because you reach 65 your neighbor is now responsible for your condo in Boca?
-Minimum wage=Government now inserts itself into, not only the economy in general, but into the relationship between employer and employee. If I CHOOSE to work for $3/hour, should it not be my CHOICE?
-Overtime Pay/Benefits/Employer Healthcare=Same thing as above. I am not a slave. If I don't like the compensation package offered by an employer, I can leave and find better. At some point, if the employer cannot find anyone to fill his position at his offered rate he will have to raise it or add benefits. Free market in action...but the Democrats think they should control that...

3. Yet another area where they have taken it to the extreme. You see that they want to stay out of my life Jeff, I see the exact opposite. They want to control my business, the kind of car I drive, what I spend my money on, what I can say, who I can hire, what kind of food I can eat, etc. All very personal and all very private. What I make, eat, drive is my own DAMN BUSINESS, not yours, Nancy Pelosi's or Barrack Obama's.

You contend that Republicans want to make all the choices in social issues. Fine I will agree with you to a certain extent. There are social conservatives (doesn't mean all Republicans as you argue) that do want to force their religious views on people. But the opposite side of that coin are the Democrats wanting to shove their religious views down my throat.

I will postulate that the Democrats want to make all the choices in terms of economics and business. As has been shown over and over again in history, an entire economy is simply to complex to centrally manage. If the brightest minds in the Soviet Union could not do it, what makes you think the braintrust of Pelosi/Reid/Obama will do any better?

Comes down to this Jeff: Who should have the power to run their own lives? Who makes the decisions about the economy? Who determines my destiny? Who should make the choice for my doctor, school, business, housing, transportation, family, etc?

Government or me?

CYCLE_MONKEY
Sat Oct 18th, 2008, 04:24 PM
Counter-Point:



Republicans seem to believe the role of government is about:
Having an intimidating military (so other countries are scared of us)

Having a weak military results only in capitulation. You know, like the French!:)

DanFZ1
Mon Oct 20th, 2008, 01:16 AM
Having a weak military results only in capitulation. You know, like the French!:)

Totally like the French. But don't believe for an instant that crap about Hawks and Doves. As a party, there are only Republican Hawks and Democrat Hawks. Only individual Congressman (on both sides of the isle) bothered to even speak out against the War in Iraq. At the party level, both parties wanted war.

Interestingly enough, It was President Eisenhower who first warned of the military industrial complex. I should think a five-star general (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_of_the_Army_%28United_States%29) who was the Supreme Commander (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Commander_of_the_Allied_Expeditionary_Forc e) of the Allied forces (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_II) in Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe), with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Normandy) and Germany (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_to_the_Siegfried_Line) and the first supreme commander of NATO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Headquarters_Allied_Powers_Europe#_Supreme _Allied_Commander_Europe_.28SACEUR.29) would be someone people should listen to.

So when people try to paint Democrats as being peace-niks I have to call B.S.

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

The bit about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is definetly worth scrolling down for.

Nobody is a dove at the political party level when push comes to shove.
After all, fighting is all politicians do to begin with.