15 Differences

We always hear people say ‘both Parties are the same.’ That’s usually spoken by people on the right who know their Party is completely fucked in the head, but just can’t bring themselves to admit it. The closest they can get to admitting it is to make that claim of equivalence.

Yes, it’s true that there is some overlap – some Democrats take giant oil contributions, some Republicans believe it’s everyone’s Constitutional right to vote – but it’s what the majority of Party members stand for that counts. It’s what drives the Party as a whole.

I was working on a list that that points out the differences in Party ideologies, but someone beat me to it. Nevertheless, I want to highlight these differences. So, I’m just going to share the list created by Jeff (no last name) and posted on AddictingInfo.org. Many items on Jeff’s list were similar to mine – of course, mine had more ‘fucks.’

I’ll have a little something to say afterward. Enjoy…

1.

Republicans fear that the government has too much control over corporations. 
Democrats fear that corporations have too much control over our government.

2.
Democrats believe it benefits all of us to help the weakest and the poorest among us. 
Republicans believe it benefits all of us to help the wealthiest and most powerful among us.

3.
Republicans believe large corporations will always do what is best for the American people if the government stays out of the way.  
Democrats believe large corporations would disembowel you and sell your organs to the highest bidder if the government didn’t stop them.

4.
Democrats believe everyone is entitled to health care regardless of their ability to pay. 
Republicans believe everyone is entitled to jack squat if they can’t pay for health care.

5.
Democrats believe too much of our money goes to crooked corporate executives who take government subsidies and pay themselves $80 million salaries. 
Republicans believe too much of our money goes to teachers who make $30,000 a year.

6.
Democrats believe anything that helps the American people during a recession or a time of crisis is the true essence of patriotism.  
Republicans believe anything that helps the American people during a recession or a time of crisis is the true essence of communism.

7.
Democrats believe that we need to set high standards for clean air and drinking water. 
Republicans believe that standards for clean air and water are burdensome over-regulation.

8.
Democrats believe the President and Congress need to work together to create jobs during a weak economy.  
Republicans believe that Congress should do nothing to create jobs and then blame the President. [Applicable during Democrat presidential tenures only. During Republican presidential tenures, see previous belief.]

9.
Democrats believe that corporate polluters should be made to pay for the cleanup of their pollution.  
Republicans believe that making corporations clean up their pollution is burdensome over-regulation.

10.
Democrats believe our health care system exists solely for the purpose of making people healthy.  
Republicans believe our health care system exists solely for the purpose of making a healthy profit.

11.
Democrats believe Congress should be of the people, by the people and for the people. 
Republicans believe corporations are the people.

12.
Democrats believe that corporations have too much influence over Congress due to their lobbyists and huge campaign contributions.  
Republicans believe the middle class has too much influence over Congress due to their voting and paying taxes.

13.
Democrats believe we need to protect victims of corporate negligence by allowing Americans to file lawsuits against corporations. 
Republicans believe we need to protect large corporations from lawsuits by Americans who’ve been victimized by them.

14.
Democrats believe that the rich should be taxed more than the poor and middle class. 
Republicans believe that the rich should be allowed to keep all their wealth, except for the millions in campaign contributions they give to politicians.

15.
Democrats believe that too much money in politics produces corruption and destroys the American way of life.  
Republicans believe that money and corruption in politics are the American way of life.

Of course, there are many more. 

Original

Up at the top, I pointed out that it takes a majority of Party members to drive its ideological influence on policy-making. You might be thinking, “Bill, the Tea Party only makes up about 10% of half of the House of Representatives and the House is only one  third of the government. That is an incredibly small group within one Party that was able to orchestrate an entire government shutdown.”

Don’t be fooled. The Tea Party is a ruse. There is no Tea Party. The Tea Party is just the newest name for the extreme actions of the majority of the Republican Party. If they really were only a small group within the Republican Party and not the whole of the Republican Party, they would have little influence.

The Republicans do not believe a Democrat as President is legitimate. They never have. They see it as somehow unpatriotic, weak and abhorrent. That’s why whenever Republicans are voted for, they see it as “the will of the people,” and whenever a Democrat is elected, they claim, “the people have been tricked” or “the votes were stolen” or “the votes were bought” or “people just want the free handouts from Democrats.” They don’t see it as a legitimate action of the republic. There’s always a reason why Republicans win and an excuse why they didn’t. But Republicans have a solution to stealing votes: prevent the groups of people who statistically vote Democratic from voting.

Now, combine this belief that Democrats are not legitimate with a dark skin color. Wow. Now combine illegitimate Democrats, dark skin color – and the Middle Eastern name, “Barack Hussein Obama.” Holyfuckingshit. President. Head explode. Based on the fact that Obama is the President, Republicans like to proclaim that racism is dead. Ok, sure, let’s go with the logic that voting results equals cultural belief: That would mean that the 51% of Americans who voted for Obama are not racist and the 49% who voted against him are racist. Me, personally, I don’t believe that everyone who voted against him is racist, but it kind of goes by definition that if you did vote for him, you’re not racist. I’m not saying all Republicans are racist, I’m just pointing out that if you’re racist, chances are, you’re a Republican. 

Again, not all Republicans are racist. Some members are just stupid, like Canadian immigrant, Teabagger Ted Cruz. They are often junior members recently elected to office. They are completely inexperienced, unqualified and have no idea how the government functions, but they are excited and open and loud about their extreme ideological beliefs. That’s why Ted gets blamed for leading the shutdown. His inexperience at obfuscation is what shines a bright light on his extremism. That annoys the crap out of me. Cruz was loud, but it took a majority of senators to go along with him, and they ALL did. All Republicans, that is. All were complicit in the government shutdown. Not just a tiny fraction of Republicans.

On the other hand, there are experienced politicians who know how to hide in plain sight. Their media persona is vastly different than the one that plays out in their legislative accomplishments. That would be Chris Christie. Almost as extreme as Ted Cruz, but a much more savvy politician. New Jersey’s unemployment rate is much higher than the nation’s. Taxes have increased on the middle class – property taxes alone went up 20% under Christie’s reign. He gives massive tax cuts to corporations while cutting funding for schools. He opposes marriage equality for gays. He’s a right-wing extremist’s wet dream. But he demanded relief for Hurricane Sandy, so people think he’s great. Isn’t that what the basic function of governing a state is? What was he going to do, demand that no aid be given to New Jersians? But in the world of common right-wing extremism, doing the job you were elected to do seems bravely heroic – at least to liberals. The Republican party vilified Christie for sucking up to Obama. They started calling him all kinds of traitorous names. How dare Christie not let his people be homeless and jobless and foodless. He must be some kind of liberal socialist. 

Then, as was expected, Republicans who voted against Sandy relief for the East Coast, voted for tornado relief in their own Oklahoma. 

Empathy.

Republicans have none. They are unable to see the plight of others. If it’s not happening directly to them, it is not happening. It’s what allows wealthy Republicans to condemn poor people who need Medicaid while their very own eight children are also on Medicaid. They need it. Who gives a shit if others need it? THEN, it’s SOCIALISM!

Not even their Scientific Method - just their Method. For everything.

This fucked mindset is taking over the Republican Party. They believe that when they lose elections, it’s because their candidate wasn’t conservative enough. They decide they need to find an even more extreme right-wing candidate to win the next election. This stupidity is pushing them further and further toward complete Fascist beliefs – and obsolescence. This delusion is a problem that comes from only following one source of “information…” right-wing Hate TV & right-wing Hate Radio. Bill Maher calls it “The Bubble.” The Daily Show calls it “Bullshit Mountain.” I have referred to it as the “Republ-O-Sphere.” Whatever you call it, it’s a place where their own beliefs are reinforced over and over and no one ever challenges them or provides real-world context. Like I said, they have no empathy because they can’t see the plight of others. They only see what they, themselves want and need. Their only path up Bullshit Mountain is to become more and more extreme to the right.

The obvious fact of the matter is that their candidate was already too conservative.

It will be sad if the Republican Party disappears. In a country with only two viable Parties to begin with, it’s dangerous to lose one. Let’s hope they return to the principles of their founder. This totalitarian dictator-y Fascistic mindset doesn’t bode well for them. Or us.

So, yeah. The next time some ignorant fuckhead says both Parties are equal in order to try to hide the fact that they know Republicans are self-centered, Ayn Rand fiction-following, corporate profit-protecting scumbags but just can’t bring themselves to admit it, smack them on the nose, point in their face and say, “NO. NO. Bad mindless idiot.” Then laugh and walk away.

Journalist Carl Bernstein Corrects Bill O'Reilly on the Government Shutdown

Come back for my next post. It will most likely be a “both Parties are the same” conversation I’m currently in the middle of on Facebook. If it hasn’t concluded in time, I’ll post something equally as frustrating.

Good day.

Grab ‘em with your mouse and drop or toss ‘em! Fun for the whole family! 

CAT BOUNCE!