There is a great deal at stake in the 2010 election. Bottom line, it comes down to what are our core values as Americans? What kind of people do we want governing us?
Americans are angry, frightened and overwhelmed. People have to dig for news and facts and when they don't know who to believe, many don't believe anyone or in anything. And they don't vote.
If the people who voted to turn Congress over to the Democrats in 2006 and the presidency to Barack Obama in 2008, don't vote for Democrats in 2010, then the Republicans win.
I went to the GOP website to look at their platform. I compared it to an analysis of what Democrats believe. There is a stark difference between the two parties. While the Democrats are not perfect, at least they believe that the government and society has a responsibility to all its people. Republicans simply don't.
I am often disheartened and overwhelmed by all of what's wrong in the world. My almost adult daughter has autism and intellectual disability. Without the laws guaranteeing her a "Free and Appropriate Education" (FAPE) through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the public school system, I don't know what her life would have been like. A Republican run government would have had us try to find an unregulated private school to try to meet her needs or rely on charity to educate her and only if individuals deemed it "worthwhile" to contribute. In the Republican view, she is not valued because she can't pull herself up by her own bootstraps. My family doesn't fit into the Republican world view. I don't want the Republicans back in charge of Congress. What we need is more and better Democrats.
My parents raised me by the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. My husband and I have taught that to our children. We're Democrats.
Read below and make your own comparisons about the two parties. What political party represents your best interests? Where do you belong?
What Do Democrats Believe? A Summary of Democratic Party Ideology
by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Although many Americans claim to be independent of either major political party, many more offer allegiance to one of two major parties in the United States – Republican and Democrat.
The older of the two major parties today, Democrats are those Americans who believe in government by the people. As stated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution, this nation’s government was founded to be by, of, and for the people. Democrats strive to support this idea and to protect it.
Individual Applications
Democrats believe in rights of the individual citizen. These rights include life, liberty, dignity, security, equality of opportunity, justice, privacy, and private ownership of property.
To summarize, Democrats believe that each American citizen should have the right to all of the above things without interference from other citizens or the government.
Democratic beliefs also honor the freedoms of the individual – freedom to worship as he or she may choose, freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, freedom of inquiry, freedom of expression, and freedom to participate in the political process.
These Constitutional rights are valuable to Democrats who defended them daily. These rights – called inalienable by the Constitution –stem from the rigid standards that prevented most under British rule prior to the American Revolution. Throughout the Colonies, it was common that some religions were allowed while others were not. Common assembly was expressly forbidden by law, as were most other freedoms that are dear to Democratic hearts.
By the tenets of the Democratic Party, each individual also has responsibilities toward society and the nation. Each one of us – by Democratic point of view – has the obligation to respect human life, to respect the rights of others, to be tolerant, to be honest, to have self-control, to respect property of others, and to participate in the democratic processes of this nation.
In short, Democrats support a more complex version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.
Working Role Of Government and Society
The Democratic point of view sets standards for American society and the role of the government in that society. The basic beliefs about society and government is that:
- Societies must have laws that the majority of the people support and accept.
- Dissenting minorities are protected and have the right to have an opinion different than the majority.
- The people rule and thus, the people rule elect government.
- Government should respect and protect individual rights.
- Government should also protect and respect individual freedoms.
- Civil liberties must be guaranteed for ALL citizens by the government.
- Government must work for the common good.
Most, if not all, of these solid Democratic beliefs are outlined and protected by the United States Constitution.
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VERSUS:
REPUBLICANS: What We Believe
We're fortunate to live in America
The Republican Party believes that the United States has been blessed with a unique set of individual rights and freedoms available to all.
You can be what you are, and become what you are capable of becoming
The Republican Party is inspired by the power and ingenuity of the individual to succeed through hard work, family support and self-discipline.
Helping those around you is worthwhile
The Republican Party believes in the value of voluntary giving and community support over taxation and forced redistribution.
Small government is a better government for the people
The Republican Party, like our nation's founders, believes that government must be limited so that it never becomes powerful enough to infringe on the rights of individuals.
You know what to do with your money better than government
The Republican Party supports low taxes because individuals know best how to make their own economic and charitable choices.
Free markets keep people free
The Republican Party is supportive of logical business regulations that encourage entrepreneurs to start more businesses so more individuals can enjoy the satisfaction and fruits of self-made success.
Our Armed Forces defend and protect our democracy
The Republican Party is committed to preserving our national strength while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
The Republican Party is guided by these principles as it develops solutions to the challenges facing America.
gop.com/
IF DEMOCRATS DON'T TURN OUT THE VOTE, THE REPUBLICANS WIN.
WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN.