Philoscifi

Say a foreigner asked you, “What’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats?” You could say Republicans are pro-rich, pro-religion, pro-business, pro tax cuts and that Democrats are anti-rich, pro-regulation, and pro-spending. That’s a mouthful, and it’s not very accurate. You can simplify matters greatly by saying that Republicans are elitists and Democrats are egalitarian. Oversimplification? Yes, but this is essentially their philosophical difference, and it explains their behaviors more accurately.

Republicans tend to believe that the world is black and white, that their own beliefs are the standards that others should be measured, and that everyone should take care of themselves. Obviously America is “good,” and they are not afraid to use whatever means necessary to ensure that good “wins.” They are not pro-religion – they are pro-Christianity because it’s their own religion. It’s inaccurate to say that Republicans believe in smaller government since they spend hundreds of billions on the military. They give tax breaks to individuals and businesses because it’s their responsibility to take care of their own financial wellbeing. They are pro-rich and pro business because these are their fellow elites. Republicans trust them to help them improve society – that’s the logic behind things like “trickle down economics” and charitable deductions, etc.

Want proof that this is a better definition of Republican? Some people believe that Republicans are anti-black, but how can that be when the Republicans were the party of Lincoln? It’s not because they changed that radically. In 1860, there were Republicans that opposed slavery because it was “wrong,” but Lincoln opposed slavery because “every man deserves to reap the fruits of his labor.” The slaves could not benefit from labor because it belonged to the master.

Democrats tend to believe that world is grey, that businesses can’t often be trusted, and that it’s the government’s job to look after people who cannot take care of themselves. They spend a lot of time talking about mushy concepts like equality and fairness. They are willing to accommodate many different view points; consequently, the Democratic Party often seems more dysfunctional and chaotic compared to the Republican Party. Businesses need to be policed because of the corrupting nature of profit seeking. To pay for the large costs of their social programs, Democrats ask the rich to pay more because they can and also because they should “pay back” society for the benefits that they so greatly enjoy. Rather than have individual responsibility, the emphasis is on group responsibility.

Which is the better party? There is no clear answer because it depends on your personality and beliefs. Neither is “wrong.” They represent two very different American visions. What is clear is that good government needs both voices and that the best policies are often those that balance the two. Bloated, wasteful government programs are bad, but the “holier than thou” Lone Ranger routine gets you nowhere in today’s world. Unfortunately, politics often gets very personal and bitter, and people soon forget that they are all Americans. We need good leaders to remind us of this and channel our passions to achieve greater things.

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