Government - #101 - #5 - What’s a “Democrat” or a “Republican”?

What’s a “Democrat” or a “Republican”?

How often have you heard the admonition? ….…
“Don’t discuss “politics”!!… It’s a forbidden subject!!
“It’s a “powder keg” waiting to blow up!!”

**********************

Let’s go ahead anyway!!

Well …What is a “Democrat”, anyway? …
(As a matter of fact) … What is a “Republican”, anyway?

Are we talking “exactly”… “precisely”?
Are we prepared to give a “mutually understandable definition” about what we are about to talk about?
Is the “powder keg” a lack of “mutually understandable definition”?
Do we “blow up” because we don’t know (or sometimes care) about what the other fellow really means?

Isn’t this, again, the basis of most misunderstanding?
Do you want a shouting contest?
Do you really want to understand the “other’ point of view, or are you just geared to shouting your opinions on what you think is the discussion?
And, isn’t it a fact that, if you continue to follow this shouting match, you will both remain as isolated (in ignorance) as you were before you had this “exchange”. Things will remain as they were!

(Might as well take a nice warm bath!!!)

I. Question: Isn’t it a fact that under the Democratic or Republican party there are people of vastly differing views as to what the “party” should stand for?
Query: Which person “is” or “is not” a Democrat or Republican?

II. Question: Who in particular; or, where in particular does it define a Democrat or Republican?
Query: How do you determine whether you are a Democrat or Republican?

III. Question: Does a single issue decide whether you are a “Democrat” or a “Republican”?
Query: Which issue? What exactly is the issue? Is there only one? Who decides?

IV. Question: Do you decide on your choice from the results that are already in place? … i.e. What do they call a particular group now and what do you think they stand for?
Query: Who determines what stand they should take on any issue? Is there some sort of “party philosophy” that determines the direction they take? Where is that written? Do we mutually agree on the definitions of that “party philosophy”?

V. Question: Is the only difference that the Democrats are the Labor Party and the party of the “poor” and, of course, the Republicans are the party of “big business” and the “rich”. …..Is that truly where we are?
Query: What about the Economy? Is this for the “rich” or for the “poor”? Is the motivation to “risk all”, to work hard, to self improve, to “get ahead”, or what? Is the price of “getting ahead” to give to the less “fortunate”, or the lazy, or the unmotivated?
VI. Question: Is the increase of the National treasure to generally defend the country, provide certain specific services as Law enforcement, roads, dams, etc., provide a safety net for the handicapped, and to insure an income for the unmotivated, the lazy, etc. Is there a place where a citizen can see a “Democrat” or a “Republican” philosophy towards these government concerns?

Or,….is it a matter of what’s happening now, what’s in the news, how can I be re-elected, I want social and governmental power, … etc.?

Query : Is this all hidden under the murky, non-understandable banner of “Democracy”. If your against something you’re either a “D” or an “R” or against “Democracy” itself!
Is the unwinding of this complexity now beyond human understanding? Is our thinking so confused that we don’t know if there are any other alternatives? Would we even allow other “alternatives”?
Is this the reason many have opted out of participating (i.e. voting), volunteering, or working for charity?
Is the overwhelming task of trying to understand, to make personal sense of, or unwinding this complexity, the reason for the present sense of frustration, despair, or “I don’t care! Let me alone!”?

Perhaps the real question is NOT whether the Author is a “Democrat” or “Republican” but whether the Author has given up trying to understand and he is hoping “things” will continue to prosper and we’ll remain a democracy…. somehow!

You have all heard …“ All I want to do is be left alone and make a living!”

Oh yeah! And what will you do if “things” begin to change?
Will you just hope that in your own personal lifetime it will not change drastically.
Let the next generation handle it!
O.K. next generation!… Handle it! (Whatever that means!)

Are you a “Demo” or a “Republican”?
Does it make any difference?
Is it worth discussing politics?
Is it worth trying to figure out what to do?
Do you know of a “successful alternative”?

But a meaningful, constructive discussion requires definition and reason.
It is not an exchange of personal opinion!
Perhaps this is the real problem.

Not who or what is a “Democrat” or a “Republican”, but how to exchange “mutually understood views”.
Conclusions take care of themselves!