It seems that some are becoming enamored with my God-like elitist liberal wisdom, smug academic superiority, and intellectual snobbery, as today I was asked about the traits of the two political parties by this high school kid writing a paper for a civics class. The ensuing response is not particularly amazing, but worthy of a post nonetheless - and probably vastly better than the thought-free, controversy-free, debate-free, feel-good, don't-make-anyone-question-their-beliefs approach to civics education which prevails in the schools today.
Question: What are the good traits of the Democratic party?
My Response:
- It's the party of science, reason, and rationality; this stands in stark contrast to the GOP, which prefers mindless adherence to dogma, tradition, and delusion.
- It's the party which believes patriotism is actually about doing something to better the country, not just seeing who can wave or wear the greatest number of flags.
- It's the party that understands economics, as evidenced by the vastly superior performance of the economy under Democrats. In fact, there is not a single economic metric ever devised which hasn't shown this to be true. The Republicans believe that economic problems are the result of a rotten and immoral people, and thus tend to be unconcerned with economic policy.
- It's the party focused on the long run, responsible policy, smart public investment, and the development of real solutions; as compared to the GOP, which is the party of malignant neglect, selfishness, and immediate gratification. As Ronald Reagan said about his record-breaking deficits: "What do I care for posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?" Or maybe that was Groucho Marx...
- The Democrats believe that when the people at the bottom do better, the rich do better as well; I call this "empower up" economics. The Republicans believe that fostering the accumulation of more wealth by the already wealthy is where prosperity comes from; they call this "trickle down" economics, presumably because the average person gets urinated on.
- The Democratic party is the party of economic, social, fiscal, and environmental sustainability. The GOP is the party of spoiled 3-year-olds, expounding their infantile "Gimme it, it's mine! I want it all! Gimme gimme gimme NOW!" philosophy.
- The Dems acknowledge the benefits of the free market system, but also its shortcomings, and make policy accordingly. On the other hand, the GOPers grossly exaggerate the system's benefits to the point of utopian idealism, while pretending that its failures don't exist.
- The Democrats are much wiser on foreign policy and national security, and tend to better heed the advice of the founders, which is to use confrontation and the military sparingly, as the less our power is used, the greater it will be. When it comes to defense and foreign affairs, the Republicans resemble a drunk 17-year old who was just told his girlfriend is cheating on him. They hold fast to the delusion that the US, with 5% of the world's population, can rule the world through pure hegemonic domination.
- The Democrats love America in the way adults love each other - taking the good with the bad, and realizing that the actions of loved ones must at times be criticized or changed. The GOPers love America in the way that a 4-year old loves their mommy - mommy is always right no matter what, and anyone who criticizes mommy is a bad, evil man (or country).
- Along the same lines, the Democrats believe that black-and-white distinctions in morality and conduct are the exception, rather than the rule. The GOP is controlled by fundamentalist Christians, who implicitly refuse to acknowledge any "gray area" at all.
- The Democrats prefer our public discourse to be centered around the discussion and debate of public policy. The Republicans prefer our public discourse to be centered around the discussion and debate of inflammatory, divisive, ultimately inconsequential "social issues," such as gay marriage and abortion.
- The Democrats believe that, as a society, we have a responsibility to look after each other to some extent. The Republicans believe that Fortune 500 CEO's will look after everyone out of the goodness of their hearts, while government social assistance will only serve to make people lazy and immoral.
- Democrats view healthcare as a right to which everyone should be entitled regardless of their economic circumstances, and that this will lower costs for everyone, as people will no longer put off seeking treatment until they're faced with a medical emergency. Republicans view healthcare as a luxury which should be available only to those fortunate enough to afford its spiraling cost.
- In the most general terms, Democrats view each citizen - nay, each human being - as a unique and valuable individual entitled to certain inalienable rights, and that the highest duty of government is to protect those rights. We don't believe anyone - regardless of race, religion, class, or whatever else - is more valuable than anyone else. We don't believe in brushing people aside or leaving them behind simply to enhance the profits of corporations and the wealthy in the short-run. Republicans view each person as a cog in the machine, as a tool in production. The believe the ultimate purpose of government is to advance the interests of the state and the economic elite, and that the public should be subservient to that end. They believe in Social Darwinism - the idea that if someone has found themselves in trouble or fallen on hard times, it's because they didn't work hard enough or long enough, weren't responsible enough, or weren't morally righteous enough, and should therefore be tossed aside like some broken-down machine.
You may hear people complain about "Republicrats," and how they perceive there to be no difference between the parties. Me? I think the differences are crystal-clear.
Cross-posted at my (semi-)new blog, The Daily Elitist.