Opinion> Larry Elder> A Democrat Or A Republican

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A Democrat or a Republican?

"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 a syndicated radio talk show host and best-selling author. To find out more about Larry Elder, visit his Web page at www.LarryElder.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Comments

2 Comments | Post Comment

I am Sergeant in the US Army and have served proudly for 13 years.I am currently serving in Baghdad, Iraq for the third time. I have been around and thought I've heard pretty much everything, but your comments on the difference between Democrats and Republicans was to say the least laughable. Reading your tirade one can only assume Mr. Elder that you are a card carrying Republican, which by itself is not all bad, misguided but not all bad, what I have problem with is that your answer to the writers' question was pure opinion devoid of any facts and a bit disingenouis. Mr. Elder you have every right to try and promote the virtues of the Republican Party, but please don't try and pass your statements off as a legitimate answer to a legitimate question. Since you decided Mr Elder to leave out some important facts about the differences between Democrats and Republicans, I thought it was only fair that I attempt to answer the writers question honestly. FACT: Democrats are for a livable minnium wage, under a Republican lead congress every Bill sent up to deal with this moral issue was D.O.A., FACT: Democrats want to take care of our nations Veterans, Republicans have advocated increasing healthcare co-pays for Veterans and closing VA hospitals eventhough the demand for these services have increased 10 fold since the start of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. FACT: George Bush tried to cut combat pay for Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. FACT: Democrats believe that the Elderly in America shouldn't have to chose between heat, rent, food and prescription drugs. George Bush wanted to eliminate the LIHEAP program that provide funds to the Elderly to heat there homes in the winter time. The prescription drug benefit that George Bush signed into law has been a disaster. It leaves behind far too many Seniors and has increased the cost of drugs for those that do qualify and not to mention a winfall for the drug companies who frankly don't need any help from the taxpayers to increase there bottom line. FACT: Democrats believe that every American should have quallity health care. There are 50 million Americans without any health insurance. This is not just a health issue, but a moral issue. Republicans have repeatedly and consistantly sided with the drug companies and the insurance companies over the wishes of the American people, who when polled overwhelmingly support some form of universal coverage for all Americans. FACT: Democrats believe in the free market system just like most Americans, but we also understand that regulation and laws are the safeguards that ensure fairness in the system,is better for America and grows the middle class. It's when these safeguards are ignored or violated that you end with the Enrons' and the Tycos'. FACT: Democrats believe in the right to privacy and so does the Supreme Court. This issue has made it the court several times in the past 50 years and each time the Supreme Court has confirmed that the individual has a right to privacy and I think you know that Mr Elder. I could go on with a host of other issues Sir, but i trust i made my point.

Comment: #1
Posted by: lawrence jones
Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:17 PM

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Re: lawrence jones
"Democrats believe in the free market system", do they? I challenge you, Sgt. Jones, to name ANY issue on which Democrats prioritize the freedom of the market over government solutions to social problems. Democrats believe in punishing the rich with higher taxes, because they are rich and deserve to pay their fair share, in order to pay for government programs for the middle and lower classes. That is not free market, that is government redistribution of wealth. "Democrats believe that every American should have quality health care." That is NOT free market, that is government controls on the health care industry and government redistribution of wealth. "Democrats believe that the Elderly in America shouldn't have to choose between heat, rent, food and prescription drugs" and "Democrats are for a livable minimum wage". That is NOT free market, that is government interference in the market, government controls on prices and/or wages, and government redistribution of wealth.

If you want to argue that the system of redistribution of wealth that Democrats consistently propose is good for society, please do so, and probably you have many valid points on that score. Just please don't patronize us by suggesting that you have any respect for the free market that can't be ignored the next time you find a social problem that needs correcting. Democrats as a whole, as observed from the items you brought up in your post, are about trying to solve social problems, and not about preserving free markets.

Comment: #2
Posted by: JB Clark
Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:37 AM

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