Given the Presidential debate will be occurring this evening, I felt compelled to write about some of the fundamental differences between the two main parties (note: these are my opinions and my opinions only):
Democrats vs. Republicans:
Economic Ideas:
Democrats: Favor minimum wages and progressive taxation i.e. higher tax rates for higher income brackets.
Republicans: Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market.
*Personally I believe all persons should be taxed equally. From my perspective, if you make more, then you will logically pay more in taxes. Given the increasingly growing gap between the upper class and the lower/middle classes, I feel it is irresponsible to give the ultra wealthy special tax breaks. In my opinion, the "working poor" should be given opportunities to succeed economically- we are a nation of one--not a nation of super wealthy vs. poor. To quote Ghandi, "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members".
Stand on Military issues:
Democrats: Decreased spending
Republicans: Increased spending
*While I feel military safety, training, etc. is important, I personally believe the budget allotted for the military is grossly inflated. It concerns me that more and more money continues to be set aside for military purposes at the expense of cutting funds from other areas. After all, what is the point in having a "super" military if our country (and its citizens) has fallen apart?
Stand on gay marriage:
Democrats: Support (some Democrats disagree)
Republicans: Oppose (some Republicans disagree)
*I feel very strongly about affording equal rights to all citizens. I have long been a strong opponent of mixing religion and politics (and in my opinion those who object to gay marriage do so based upon their own "moral"/religious reasons). Upholding the "separation of church and state" is of monumental importance to me (which is the primary reason I am not in favor of having prayer in public schools--as public schools are ran by the government). Private schools exist so that they may operate under different policies and procedures (i.e. prayer in school) and are therefore entitled to make these types of decisions at their own discretion (hence the term private). Furthermore, if religion and/or prayers were permitted in the public school system, who decides which religion is taught? I feel it would be extremely unfair for a teacher/staff to impose his or her (subjective) religious views (which may vary wildly from the child's family's religious views) onto the students they teach. As for gay marriage, I feel two human beings (who are of legal age) should be permitted to marry if they so choose. I feel it's a violation of human rights to pass moral judgment onto another simply based upon sexual orientation. This is (in my opinion) discrimination at its worst.
Stand on abortion:
Democrats: Should not be made illegal; support Roe v. Wade (some Democrats disagree)
Republicans: Should not be legal; oppose Roe v. Wade (some Republicans disagree)
*The subject of abortion has long been a hotly debated topic. Personally, I do not think I could make the decision to have an abortion, however, I do not believe that the right to choose should be criminalized. Abortions occur regardless as to whether it's legalized or not. In fact, some researchers report that abortion rates are higher whenever abortion is outlawed Furthermore, abortions performed illegally are much riskier and can pose severe health risks to the women who seek them. Regardless of health related risks, moral implications, etc. I do firmly believe in a woman's right to choose and that abortion should remain legal. In addition, I am a strong proponent of teaching sex education in schools- after all, teen pregnancy rates are statistically higher in schools who do not utilize a sex education curriculum. I personally find it ridiculous when a person states that allowing access to condoms in schools will only encourage a child to be sexually active. Having been a teenager myself (and in a Catholic school that did not provide free access to condoms) I can assure you that my peers as well as myself were sexually active. I do not condone premarital sex, however, if teenagers are going to be sexually active (and most of them will be), safe and protected sex is paramount.
Stand on Death penalty:
Democrats: While support for the death penalty is strong among Democrats, opponents of the death penalty are a substantial fraction of the Democratic base.
Republicans: A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty.
*This is a tough issue for me. At one time I did support the death penalty, however, over the years I have slowly begun to move to the other side. Personally I believe life in prison without the possibility of parole is a much more punitive sentence. Furthermore, although many victims families favor the death penalty, few appear to receive any real relief of closure once the death sentence has been carried out.
Social and human ideas:
Democrats: Based on community and social responsibility
Republicans: Based on individual rights and justice
*It is this area in which I think the true differences between Democrats and Republicans become most blatant. The following are some of the highlights between the two parties:
"Democrats appreciate collective interdependence in society. Republicans are all about the individual, protecting the individual from other people, and ensuring that the individual need not be burdened by collective issues surrounding them in society, nor the tax burdens that might be associated with dealing with these problems. But, this under-appreciates how we are connected to each other in such an intimate way; where an individuals success, in an economy, is dependent on the success and demand coming from other individuals in a society. Where someones own education is dependent on the society that fosters it, and the education of those individuals around them. Where someones health and safety are dependent on the sanitation, police forces, and social services available.
Republicans forget government is of, by, and for the people. Republicans often bash government and celebrate the individual over government, as if we don't live in a democracy, where government is of, by, and for the people. In a democracy, the government is not an oppressive monolithic figure. Instead, it is composed of elected officials and is, therefore, controlled and directed by the will of the people. To bash government is, therefore, to bash the citizens behind it."
While the above excerpt only begins to scratch the surface of the fundamental differences between the two parties on their social views, etc., it does (in my opinion) offer a fairly accurate summary.
I will now step off of my soapbox....may the debates commence
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