Political divides
I know a few Republicans, but not that many. I get exasperated when I talk with them about politics honestly. When I think about the easiest way to describe differences between Democrats and Republicans I do it this way: Democrats believe that by working together we can make the world a better place. Republicans know that everyone will look out for himself.
Unfortunately, these days that statement is probably better a description of libertarians than Republicans. The Republicans have something of an identity crisis since the rise of Rovian politics of divisiveness and partisanship(maybe it started with Monica Lewinsky). The Bush administration has really brought the Republicans to a new low.
I think voting on the expected effect of macroeconomics policies is pretty difficult because no one can predict the economy and how it will really perform, it's far too complex for any analysis. There are too many variables and too many externalities, and even economists frequently disagree.
Voting on the effect of microeconomic policies is fine though. I won't fault someone for voting on McCain because they think McCain will lower their personal tax rate. I won't necessarily vote that way, but I am sympathetic to those who do, particularly struggling low income workers.
For me, the issue is about how the parties treat people. In general Republicans are cynical about the intentions of others. Republicans support a strong defense because they don't trust other countries, they believe in always having a military threat to enforce stronger bargaining positions. Bush is one of the most extreme of the group. Bush advisors personally drove in the war on terror, the unilateral decision to invade Iraq, the detention of enemy combatants at Guantanmo, torture, and unauthorized wiretapping.
I am an optimist and I like to believe that working together we bring out the best in people, but it's tempered by the realization that everyone has to look out for their own interests before they can work for the good of the people.
Go Obama.
Unfortunately, these days that statement is probably better a description of libertarians than Republicans. The Republicans have something of an identity crisis since the rise of Rovian politics of divisiveness and partisanship(maybe it started with Monica Lewinsky). The Bush administration has really brought the Republicans to a new low.
I think voting on the expected effect of macroeconomics policies is pretty difficult because no one can predict the economy and how it will really perform, it's far too complex for any analysis. There are too many variables and too many externalities, and even economists frequently disagree.
Voting on the effect of microeconomic policies is fine though. I won't fault someone for voting on McCain because they think McCain will lower their personal tax rate. I won't necessarily vote that way, but I am sympathetic to those who do, particularly struggling low income workers.
For me, the issue is about how the parties treat people. In general Republicans are cynical about the intentions of others. Republicans support a strong defense because they don't trust other countries, they believe in always having a military threat to enforce stronger bargaining positions. Bush is one of the most extreme of the group. Bush advisors personally drove in the war on terror, the unilateral decision to invade Iraq, the detention of enemy combatants at Guantanmo, torture, and unauthorized wiretapping.
I am an optimist and I like to believe that working together we bring out the best in people, but it's tempered by the realization that everyone has to look out for their own interests before they can work for the good of the people.
Go Obama.
posted by Hubert at 10/25/2008 09:40:00 AM
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