The Values of the Democratic Party vs. the Republican Party

What is better for our society... republican values or democratic values? With all of the strife we see on television today, it would be easy to say that republican values should be flushed down the toilet since that is what is creating all of this strife to begin with. Yet the results of the presidential election seem to paint a different picture of what the people want. After all, we heard more about what direction this country would go so incredibly much in the past 12 months from both parties, you'd think the public made an informed decision on this matter. Yet, here we are asking ourselves this very question. It is my view that republican values more closely adhere to the values of the founders of this great country, therefore it is these values that are going to have the most positive impact on our society. When examining the democratic values, we see a common thread running through them all: the overriding feeling of paternalism. In other words, the government will take care of you. 1) They will ensure the heath and safety of all of it's citizens. We saw that effort with Obamacare. It stripped a person of their right to not have health insurance, forcing them to purchase a plan, which drove costs up on a vast majority of the population. 2) They will provide quality and affordable education. We see this with common core. Forcing states and local districts to adhere to the "federal standards" or else be stripped of federal funding. At the same time, we have seen relatively no improvement in test scores.1 3) They will combat climate change. We see this with increased regulations that, in turn, increase costs that trickle down to basic necessities like groceries, even though a large part of the scientific community questions the validity of climate science regarding man-made climate change. After all, we have seen the e-mails that state a desire from top-level climate scientists to manipulate data in support of their claims.2 4) They will create good paying jobs. This translates to an increased minimum wage and more union jobs where employers are forced to pay higher wages, thus stripping the individual liberties of an employer. 5) They will create "economic fairness." This is in the form of increased taxation, as a percentage of income, to wealthier individuals. It matters not how hard one works to improve oneself to improve their own economic position. It only matters what the income level is and how it's "not fair" that someone else, no matter how hard they worked to get to that point, could make a lot of money compared to the other person. All of these values give government the power over the individuals. Government is "Big Daddy" taking care of it's children. Republicans don't believe in a "Big Daddy." Republican values promote the sanctity and liberty of the individual. By doing this, individuals can flourish. There is nothing to hold them back. Just because you're poor now, it doesn't mean that you can't work hard or come up with a great idea, then climb the economic ladder. Let's examine the values of republicans. 1) They believe in small government. This allows the people to have more of a say in how they are governed, and, in turn, how they are taxed. 2) They believe in a federalist government. This is where less power is given to the federal government and more power is allotted to the state and local governments. This allows for a more economical use of tax dollars. According to our constitution, the federal government only has a few responsibilities, and the tenth amendment dictates that the rest is "reserved to the States". 3) They are fiscal conservatives. This is diminished taxation and government spending. Put the people's money back in their pocket and not only will they be able to take care of themselves, but they will take care of each other. 4) They are for a strong national defense. This is one of the main purposes of a federal government. We must protect our borders and fight against tyrannical governments that threaten our existence. 5) They are for individual liberties and responsibility. Government preserves the freedom of the people, while people are responsible for preserving order. By allowing the people to take care of themselves, they empower them in all aspects of their lives, thus becoming great citizens. 6) Finally, they promote tolerance, inclusiveness, and optimism. I fully understand that the media doesn't characterize the republicans as such, but they are wrong. Of course there are some that don't show these characteristics, but those are the minority. Republicans are the party that abolished slavery. Republicans are the party that championed several civil rights bills in the 1960's. It is also the republicans who didn't march in the streets for months in opposition to the will of the people following a presidential election. It is not republicans who stripped the rights of other Americans to travel on roads or enter an airport by forming a chain in protest of an executive order they disagree with. Republicans are tolerant, inclusive, and optimistic that this country will return to the roots of it's founding. It is republican values that empower the individual and promote the positive feeling of self-reliance. It is republican values that allow individuals to climb the economic ladder, should they choose to do so. It is republican values that keeps a federal government in check, not overstepping it's authority which negatively impacts the vast majority of society. It is republican values that will produce a temporary safety net for people in need, while at the same time keeping it temporary so that the individual will get back on their feet to take care of themselves. It is republican values that will keep a country together for generations to come. Citations 1. "Reports show small gains after common core." www.usnews.com, 3/25/2015 2. "Climategate 2.0: New e-mails rock the global warming debate." www.forbes.com, 11/23/2011. Sources "2016 Democratic Party Platform"; 7/1/2016. "WSUCR: Basic Republican Principles"; public.wsu.edu; 1/31/2017.