Hello, readers. Last time I told you this blog would be about the race in Colorado 6th District; Coffman vs. Romanoff. Well, I changed my mind. I decided after three blogs of telling you to; “Pick your issue. Pick your side. Pick your party. Vote your party”, that I might want to “help” you pick your side.
To review there are two side; Republicans and Democrats. At this point in time, no other party matters. If you don’t get that, go back and read the first three blogs in this series. We’ll wait.
You have heard people exclaim that “There ain’t a dime’s worth of difference between the two parties” They are right. There is not a dime’s worth. It is more like a trillion dollars worth of difference. Let’s look at a few issues to illustrate this
Federal Government Spending
This one is my favorite. Republicans believe that we are spending too much money and that we have to stop spending more than we take in. The answer has to include a reduction in the GROWTH of social programs. Republicans are OK with spending more on Social Security, Welfare, Unemployment, Medicare, Medicaid, each year because the population increases and inflation decreases purchasing power of the dollar. But, they are not OK with making it so easy to get on these programs that it causes a disincentive to work. They are not OK with able bodied persons collecting Welfare, Disablity, and unending Unemployment, at the expense of their neighbors.
Democrats believe that the amount of money we are spending is too low. They believe there are people in need and it is the Federal government’s job to provide for the needs (no matter how “need” is defined) of the American people. To finance this we must tax the hell out of the rich and corporations.
We already have the highest tax rate in the industrialized west. Do you think that it’s an accident that many companys, like Burger King have sought to become citizens of another country? Do you think increasing that tax rate will make the Whopper American again?
We also have already exceeded our tax capacity. In the entire history of the US Federal Income Tax the feds have never collected more than 20.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GNP) of the country. The GNP is the worth of all the goods and services produced in the United States. It is how much we as a nation “make”. Raising the tax rate, i.e. saying someone making $1,000,000 must pay 30% instead of 25% does not mean that the federal government will collect that extra 5%.
To review there are two side; Republicans and Democrats. At this point in time, no other party matters. If you don’t get that, go back and read the first three blogs in this series. We’ll wait.
You have heard people exclaim that “There ain’t a dime’s worth of difference between the two parties” They are right. There is not a dime’s worth. It is more like a trillion dollars worth of difference. Let’s look at a few issues to illustrate this
Federal Government Spending
This one is my favorite. Republicans believe that we are spending too much money and that we have to stop spending more than we take in. The answer has to include a reduction in the GROWTH of social programs. Republicans are OK with spending more on Social Security, Welfare, Unemployment, Medicare, Medicaid, each year because the population increases and inflation decreases purchasing power of the dollar. But, they are not OK with making it so easy to get on these programs that it causes a disincentive to work. They are not OK with able bodied persons collecting Welfare, Disablity, and unending Unemployment, at the expense of their neighbors.
Democrats believe that the amount of money we are spending is too low. They believe there are people in need and it is the Federal government’s job to provide for the needs (no matter how “need” is defined) of the American people. To finance this we must tax the hell out of the rich and corporations.
We already have the highest tax rate in the industrialized west. Do you think that it’s an accident that many companys, like Burger King have sought to become citizens of another country? Do you think increasing that tax rate will make the Whopper American again?
We also have already exceeded our tax capacity. In the entire history of the US Federal Income Tax the feds have never collected more than 20.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GNP) of the country. The GNP is the worth of all the goods and services produced in the United States. It is how much we as a nation “make”. Raising the tax rate, i.e. saying someone making $1,000,000 must pay 30% instead of 25% does not mean that the federal government will collect that extra 5%.
The people making that million dollars did not get to that point by being dumb. And if they did, they can hire smart people to help shelter that money (legally) from the tax man. The “rich” already shoulder more than their fair share. The top 10% of the federal tax payers already pay 68.3 % of the money brought into the treasury. In 1981 that top 10% only paid 48% or the total revenue taken in by the federal government.
And even if you think the rich should pony up more, it wouldn’t fix the issue. If you took all of their money you still would not bridge the gap between what we take in and what we spend. And you can only take 100% once. The year after, why would they work?
Immigration
Republicans completely understand that America is a nation of immigrants; legal immigrants. Those millions of people who trekked through Ellis Island and other ports of entry, with nothing in their pockets, did it legally. They did not sneak across our border. They came at a time when this country needed cheap physical labor, and in return we offered the freedoms that their home countries did not; jobs (even if they were demanding), the ability to own property and control their destiny. America still offers those things, but times and technology has changed and we need far fewer unskilled people. Most of those unskilled people will end up at least being net tax receivers, if not out right being supported by the tax payers of America, via welfare in one form or another. Republican’s understand that to allow open borders and then a generous welfare system to anyone here illegally means a lower standard of living for the rest of us, as our earnings are taken in the form of taxes to support those who can not support themselves.
Democrats are blessed with economic illiteracy and all they know is that these people deserve to be free, damn the consequences. It doesn’t matter that schools have disciplined children for showing patriotism via an American flag, because it might offend those from another country. It doesn’t matter that with such a large influx of people from one culture we are dividing the country via the language we speak. It doesn’t matter that an open border policy at least gives, if not invites terrorists an easy entry point into our country. It doesn’t matter that rewarding illegal behavior via driver’s licenses, in-state tuition, and even amnesty invites more of that illegal behavior. All that matters is that the Democrats believe these illegal immigrants will vote for them, once they are amnestitized citizens.
Women’s Rights
Democrats believe that abortion should be available on demand and paid for as a right. Democrats believe that contraceptive is a right. Not a god given right, because God is touchy subject with Democrats, but I digress.
Republicans, except for the religious right, think an abortion is a woman’s choice. They also believe that contraceptives should be available to any woman who wants them. Republican’s don’t think that either should be paid for by your neighbor, by force. If your employer chooses to offer a plan that includes either of these, that is their choice. If they don’t, that is their choice, too. Republicans believe that the “right to choose” is not limited to abortion or contraceptive.
Democrats who rail about their opponents stand against woman, the so called “War on Women”, believe that the women voters they target are stupid. They believe that those women won’t notice it is hardly more difficult or expensive to get birth control than it is Sudafed. They believe that those women are ignorant enough to know that Roe v Wade is in absolutely no danger of being overturned and that legal abortion is here to stay. But, when you have nothing else going for you, yell “Fire!” and point at your opponent.
Gun Control
Democrats believe that if they legislate hard enough deaths from guns will disappear. Because Democrats must then also believe that criminals are law abiding citizens, hence completely ignoring the dictionary definition of criminal.
Republicans believe that felons and the mental disturbed should not own a gun. They believe that there should be a back ground check to see if they have been convicted of a felony. They have no idea how you weed out the mental disturbed, but neither do the Democrats, which is why we end up James Holmes and Adam Lanza. Republicans believe that a good guy with gun is the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun. Then you punish said bad guy with a long prison sentence insuring that he isn’t a problem anymore.
Democrats believe that if they made every gun owner a criminal they can also use the penal system to control the population via intimidation.
I’ve just gotten started and could go own for a few more thousand words and if there is time before the election, I just might. But, know this; on every major issue. Republicans stand on one side, which I generally (but not always) think is the right side. Democrats stand on the other. We have a great divide in this country. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can be said to have caused it. But, most issues out their boil down to money or freedom. Republicans want individuals to control both. Democrats think that the government can do a better job controlling both.
The nice thing is; you get to choose which way we go.
Pick your issue. Pick you side. Pick your party. Vote your party
And even if you think the rich should pony up more, it wouldn’t fix the issue. If you took all of their money you still would not bridge the gap between what we take in and what we spend. And you can only take 100% once. The year after, why would they work?
Immigration
Republicans completely understand that America is a nation of immigrants; legal immigrants. Those millions of people who trekked through Ellis Island and other ports of entry, with nothing in their pockets, did it legally. They did not sneak across our border. They came at a time when this country needed cheap physical labor, and in return we offered the freedoms that their home countries did not; jobs (even if they were demanding), the ability to own property and control their destiny. America still offers those things, but times and technology has changed and we need far fewer unskilled people. Most of those unskilled people will end up at least being net tax receivers, if not out right being supported by the tax payers of America, via welfare in one form or another. Republican’s understand that to allow open borders and then a generous welfare system to anyone here illegally means a lower standard of living for the rest of us, as our earnings are taken in the form of taxes to support those who can not support themselves.
Democrats are blessed with economic illiteracy and all they know is that these people deserve to be free, damn the consequences. It doesn’t matter that schools have disciplined children for showing patriotism via an American flag, because it might offend those from another country. It doesn’t matter that with such a large influx of people from one culture we are dividing the country via the language we speak. It doesn’t matter that an open border policy at least gives, if not invites terrorists an easy entry point into our country. It doesn’t matter that rewarding illegal behavior via driver’s licenses, in-state tuition, and even amnesty invites more of that illegal behavior. All that matters is that the Democrats believe these illegal immigrants will vote for them, once they are amnestitized citizens.
Women’s Rights
Democrats believe that abortion should be available on demand and paid for as a right. Democrats believe that contraceptive is a right. Not a god given right, because God is touchy subject with Democrats, but I digress.
Republicans, except for the religious right, think an abortion is a woman’s choice. They also believe that contraceptives should be available to any woman who wants them. Republican’s don’t think that either should be paid for by your neighbor, by force. If your employer chooses to offer a plan that includes either of these, that is their choice. If they don’t, that is their choice, too. Republicans believe that the “right to choose” is not limited to abortion or contraceptive.
Democrats who rail about their opponents stand against woman, the so called “War on Women”, believe that the women voters they target are stupid. They believe that those women won’t notice it is hardly more difficult or expensive to get birth control than it is Sudafed. They believe that those women are ignorant enough to know that Roe v Wade is in absolutely no danger of being overturned and that legal abortion is here to stay. But, when you have nothing else going for you, yell “Fire!” and point at your opponent.
Gun Control
Democrats believe that if they legislate hard enough deaths from guns will disappear. Because Democrats must then also believe that criminals are law abiding citizens, hence completely ignoring the dictionary definition of criminal.
Republicans believe that felons and the mental disturbed should not own a gun. They believe that there should be a back ground check to see if they have been convicted of a felony. They have no idea how you weed out the mental disturbed, but neither do the Democrats, which is why we end up James Holmes and Adam Lanza. Republicans believe that a good guy with gun is the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun. Then you punish said bad guy with a long prison sentence insuring that he isn’t a problem anymore.
Democrats believe that if they made every gun owner a criminal they can also use the penal system to control the population via intimidation.
I’ve just gotten started and could go own for a few more thousand words and if there is time before the election, I just might. But, know this; on every major issue. Republicans stand on one side, which I generally (but not always) think is the right side. Democrats stand on the other. We have a great divide in this country. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can be said to have caused it. But, most issues out their boil down to money or freedom. Republicans want individuals to control both. Democrats think that the government can do a better job controlling both.
The nice thing is; you get to choose which way we go.
Pick your issue. Pick you side. Pick your party. Vote your party
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