Re: Keeps nudging up...
that brings up an interesting question. what makes a republican a republican? and what makes a democrat a democrat? is it just a title? or do you have to belive a certain way?
I think it would be fair to say that one's beliefs about how society SHOULD work (in an ideal world) tend to drive which party they identify with. The reality is that the vast majority of the US electorate is actually "centrist" (meaning they see good aspects of each party and see things in each party they do not like). However, to help you explore the many potential answers to your excellent question, I offer the following. It is a joke, but I think you can see from it how Republicans view government's place, and how many Republicans view personal responsibility:
<font color="red"> A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. She considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, but her father was a staunch Republican. One day she was challenging her father on his beliefs and his opposition to high taxes and welfare programs. He stopped her and asked how she was doing in school.She answered that she had a 4.0 GPA, but it was really tough. She had to study all the time and never had time to go out and party. She didn't have time for a boyfriend and didn't really have many college friends because of spending all her time studying. On top of that, the part-time job her father insisted she keep left absolutely no time for anything else. He asked, 'How is your friend Mary?' She replied that Mary was barely getting by. She had a 2.0 GPA, never studied, but was very popular on campus, didn't have a job, and went to all the parties. She was always complaining about not having any money, but didn't want to work. Why, she often didn't show up for classes because she was hung over. Dad then asked his daughter why she didn't go to the Dean's office and request that 1.0 be taken off her 4.0 and give it to her friend who only had a 2.0. That way they would both have a respectable 3.0 GPA. Then, she could also give her friend half the money she'd earned from her job so that her friend would no longer be broke. The daughter angrily fired back, 'That wouldn't be fair. I worked really hard for my grades and money, and Mary just loafs. Why should her laziness and irresponsibility be rewarded with half of what I've worked for?' The father slowly smiled and said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party'." [/COLOR]
In other words: There is a big difference between taking care of people who REALLY are in a (temporary) bad spot in their life, and taking care of people who simply do not wish to work to bring the fruits of liberty to their life. The Declaration of Independence speaks of
"the pursuit of happiness." That means all are free to pursue it. That does not mean that the government (or anyone else) owes anyone said happiness.
Again, a good question ruthless! While I "consider" myself a Republican with respect to my beliefs about fiscal conservatism, there are aspects of the Repub party I do not agree with and believe the Dems have the right answer. One example? A woman's right to have an abortion.
RMT
