A Democrat or a Republican?

[bpmartyr]

A Democrat or a Republican?
By Larry Elder
Thursday, January 17, 2008

"I'm writing to you on behalf of my son. In the simplest form, what are the main differences between today's Democrats and Republicans? I get too complicated with my explanations. I don't think these kids really know the difference and just vote for a candidate because he is young, or female, etc. Can you help?"

Sure.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

Larry Elder is host of the Larry Elder Show on talk radio and author of Showdown : Confronting Bias, Lies, and the Special Interests That Divide America .

[sweet-physique]

This explains our tax system.

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 ( 22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D. Professor of Economics University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

[sweet-physique]

This explains how our congress works, or doesn't.

Uncle Jay Explains The News - "Congress Recess"

[LilPsychotic]

Well, todays politics a largely shifted to the left. Todays republicans are the democrats of the 60's, and the democrats today a mostly socialists. I call myself a conservative. Conservative values are what the republican party should be about. My core values as a conservative include smaller government and lower taxes. I don't believe the government should have the right to steal my money via taxes, to give to some welfare slob who wants to sit around smoking pot all day. Furthermore, I support capitalism and think that government should stay out of the economy, and let the markets dictate theories of supply and demand as well as economies of scale. Wasteful government spending is a problem in today's government even among republicans, which goes against the core beliefs of a true conservative. I am a strong supporter of protecting our borders, and preserving American culture, and keeping English as our language. In other words, I don't want to "press 1 for English." I don't want my country to turn into a tower of babel. I strongly support good family values, Judeo-Christian morality, and strongly oppose gay marrige. I think that a family consists of a Mother, a Father , and children; not two mothers or two fathers, farm animals, ect. I typically vote republican, but think the party is moving in the wrong direction, its more or less the lesser of two evils. These are some of the beliefs that I hold as a conservative, and here and there you'll find that in the republican party. There are still a few true conservatives like former senator Rick Santorum, and congressman Tom Tancredo.

Democrats are further to the left than republicans. The believe in more government control over your life. Basically, they think that your too stupid to make your own decisions. They are the party of entitlement. They think it is ok to steal your money to give to Joe Welfare Recipient, or Jose the illegal immigrant who is ruining your economy by steling money from it to send back to Mexico. Not to mention the illegals who come here soley to work the system. Liberal democrats are the party of minority rights, diversity and affirmative action, which are all forms of reverse racism. Anyway, I hope to elaborate some more, but I've got work to do. Hope this helps.

[In Hulk]

"proactive foreign policy", aka illegal wars that murder thousands upon thousands of innocents

Where do you locate all these ****e "articles"?

[bpmartyr]

Kool_AidMan.jpg

[LilPsychotic]

Kool_AidMan.jpg

Nice

[CryingEmo]

Well, todays politics a largely shifted to the left. Todays republicans are the democrats of the 60's, and the democrats today a mostly socialists. I call myself a conservative. Conservative values are what the republican party should be about. My core values as a conservative include smaller government and lower taxes. I don't believe the government should have the right to steal my money via taxes, to give to some welfare slob who wants to sit around smoking pot all day. Furthermore, I support capitalism and think that government should stay out of the economy, and let the markets dictate theories of supply and demand as well as economies of scale. Wasteful government spending is a problem in today's government even among republicans, which goes against the core beliefs of a true conservative. I am a strong supporter of protecting our borders, and preserving American culture, and keeping English as our language. In other words, I don't want to "press 1 for English." I don't want my country to turn into a tower of babel. I strongly support good family values, Judeo-Christian morality, and strongly oppose gay marrige. I think that a family consists of a Mother, a Father , and children; not two mothers or two fathers, farm animals, ect. I typically vote republican, but think the party is moving in the wrong direction, its more or less the lesser of two evils. These are some of the beliefs that I hold as a conservative, and here and there you'll find that in the republican party. There are still a few true conservatives like former senator Rick Santorum, and congressman Tom Tancredo.

Democrats are further to the left than republicans. The believe in more government control over your life. Basically, they think that your too stupid to make your own decisions. They are the party of entitlement. They think it is ok to steal your money to give to Joe Welfare Recipient, or Jose the illegal immigrant who is ruining your economy by steling money from it to send back to Mexico. Not to mention the illegals who come here soley to work the system. Liberal democrats are the party of minority rights, diversity and affirmative action, which are all forms of reverse racism. Anyway, I hope to elaborate some more, but I've got work to do. Hope this helps.

I don't think things are that simplistic. While no form of government or economic system is perfect, there does need to be some form of law, order, and regulation to be able to live in a civilized society. Take for example the post office, police department, libraries, school system K-12, trains, etc. These could all be considered socialist ideas because they are funded by the government. Although they are grossed underfunded in many areas, it would be very troublesome to live without them.

[VolcomX311]

Republican

[LilPsychotic]

I don't think things are that simplistic. While no form of government or economic system is perfect, there does need to be some form of law, order, and regulation to be able to live in a civilized society. Take for example the post office, police department, libraries, school system K-12, trains, etc. These could all be considered socialist ideas because they are funded by the government. Although they are grossed underfunded in many areas, it would be very troublesome to live without them.

Well, to some extent the government is going to have some role in our lives, but I think it should be as limited as possible. Obviously we need police and military, and schooling of some sort for people who can't pay for their kids schooling or school them at home. However, this government is becoming increasingly wasteful. We have a bunch of fake political hacks running the country, and it just keep getting worse. Dems and Repubs alike are just a bunch of empty suits, and I'm sick of it

[CryingEmo]

Well, to some extent the government is going to have some role in our lives, but I think it should be as limited as possible. Obviously we need police and military, and schooling of some sort for people who can't pay for their kids schooling or school them at home. However, this government is becoming increasingly wasteful. We have a bunch of fake political hacks running the country, and it just keep getting worse. Dems and Repubs alike are just a bunch of empty suits, and I'm sick of it

I agree about politicians and corruption. I think it is the lobbyists, and corporate influence in the government that is causing alot of the waste. Give a politician some money, and he will do you a favor. Alot of the money going to fund the war in Iraq, 1/3 infact, is going to private corporations who got the contract without bidding--mainly because of who they knew. The fraud, waste and abuse is what's hurting the system. That's not how it's supposed to work. Many ideas are good in theory, but not in practice. I think there are alot of things the US can do to become the world leader. I wish the rest of the world could see us as a leader and not as negatively as they view us now, however, most do have a bad history with us.


IMO the government doesn't have to have a huge role in people lives, it just needs to do some things very well. The system should be more paticipatory also. It doesn't feel like citizens really have choices anymore.

[Mulletsoldier]

You make me laugh BP. I hope one day you can be a little more open, a little less judgmental, it will help you learn.