There often seems to be some confusion over the differences between Republicans and Democrats. Some even argue that it does not appear there is much difference between the two parties. Some believe Republicans are for the rich even though there are more rich donors contributing to Democrat candidates then Republican candidates. Some also believe Democrats favor the common man even though there are more middle income people registered as Republicans in the country. I am proposing that we rename our political parties. The Republicans should be renamed the Republican Individualists and the Democrats the Democrat Collectivists. I believe these new names will eliminate much of the confusion and reveal the key philosophical difference in the two parties.
I am a science fiction fan and am amazed that what was yesterday’s science fiction often becomes today’s fact. Jules Verne, author of From the Earth to the Moon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea wrote about space travel and submarines long before they became commonplace. I grew up watching Star Trek where everyone carried personal communicators. Captain Kirk also recorded entries into his log using an electronic tablet device. Today most of us carry a cell phone and many, including myself, have a tablet computer. However, Star Trek The Next Generation perhaps made the greatest, although most likely unintended, prediction, which is my basis for renaming our political parties.
With the Klingons now allies of the Federation, the writers of Star Trek The Next Generation needed to come up with another villain. This is why the writers came up with the Borg. The Borg is an evil race that goes through the universe devouring everyone and everything in their path. The Borg see themselves as part of “the collective” and do not have any independent thought. When they take over a planet everyone on the planet is absorbed into the collective and loses their individuality.
You may be asking what this has to do with changing the names of our political parties. In Obama’s recent speech in Roanoke Virginia the President said, “There are a lot of wealthy, successful Americans who agree with me — because they want to give something back. They know they didn’t — look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own. You didn’t get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something — there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.” (1)
The President then went on to say, “If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.” (1)
This off prompter statement by President Obama reveals a deep philosophical belief in a collectivist utopia where everyone is equal and part of some great utopian collective. His recent tax plan raises taxes on those making over $250,000 per year (2) while keeping tax rates for everyone else the same and shows his desire to transfer wealth from the wealthy to the poor and middle class, thus making everyone in the collective equal in their net worth.
His policies are also expanding the dependent class in our nation so they can be more easily absorbed into the collective out of their need for government assistance through food stamps, (now 1 in 7 Americans) (3) health care (Employers dropping health insurance benefits forcing employees into government exchanges) (4) , and welfare that does not require one to work (5) . This is why I believe renaming Democrats as Democrat Collectivists is a more fitting label. The Republicans however are not collectivists but individualists
During the Republican primaries, we witnessed a great deal of infighting between the candidates. Many thought this was harmful to the party but it illustrated one of the major differences between Republicans and Democrats. The Republican Party is a collection of individuals each with their own set of values and opinions. As such, they have no desire to become part of some big government collective and instead want a smaller government that does not intrude on their desire to freely express their opinions and practice their values.
Mitt Romney was not my choice of a Republican Candidate and I actually voted for Rick Santorum in the Arizona Primary because his values and opinions were closer to mine. However, what Mitt Romney and I have in common is a deep love for this country’s liberties and freedoms. I know Mitt Romney has no desire to drag everyone under the umbrella of a big government and recently stated in a speech in western Pennsylvania, "Do we believe in an America that is great because of government, or do we believe in an America that's great because of free people allowed to pursue their dream?" (6)
If you are an individual with dreams and desires or if you value the freedom to speak, practice your religion, and carry a gun, then Mitt Romney is who you should vote for in November. We also need to elect members to the House and Senate who share Mitt Romney’s belief in individualism. Even though we may have our differences with President Romney, we must understand that this is the price of living in an individualistic and free society instead of a collectivist socialist one.
1. Ritz, Erica. IF YOU’VE GOT A BUSINESS — YOU DIDN’T BUILD THAT. SOMEBODY ELSE MADE THAT HAPPEN’. theblaze.com. [Online] The Blaze, July 14, 2012. [Cited: July 28, 2012.] http://www.theblaze.com/stories/president-obama-if-youve-got-a-business-you-didnt-build-that-somebody-else-made-that-happen/.
2. Payne, Amy. Job creators and taxes: Obama plan would hurt small businesses, jobs. jsonline.com. [Online] Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 12, 2012. [Cited: July 28, 2012.] http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/obama-plan-would-hurt-small-businesses-jobs-ii63g7b-162255025.html.
3. Ortega, Israel. Food Stamps: Getting Help from Mexico to Increase Government Dependency. blog.heritage.org. [Online] The Heritage Foundation, July 20, 2012. [Cited: 28 2012, July.] http://blog.heritage.org/2012/07/20/food-stamps-getting-help-from-mexico-to-increase-government-dependency/.
4. Senger, Alyene. What Are the Odds Your Employer Will Drop Health Coverage? blog.heritage.org. [Online] the Heritage Foundation, July 27, 2012. [Cited: July 28, 2012.] http://blog.heritage.org/2012/07/27/what-are-the-odds-your-employer-will-drop-health-coverage/.
5. Payne, Amy. Morning Bell: The End of Welfare Reform As We Know It. blog.heritage.org. [Online] The Heritage Foundation, July 18, 2012. [Cited: July 28, 2012.] http://blog.heritage.org/2012/07/18/morning-bell-the-end-of-welfare-reform-as-we-know-it/.
6. Associated Press. Romney Blasts Obama for Insulting Business Leaders. newsmax.com. [Online] Newsmax, July 17, 2012. [Cited: July 28, 2012.] http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/PresidentialCampaign/2012/07/17/id/445657.
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