Some folks just don't get it

This past week two long-time Democratic county officials
defected to the Republican party.
I do not believe they are dishonest and I expect them to live up
to their oaths of office but they lost my personal respect.
Perhaps we as Democrats forget to explain what we stand for
because we are so busy filling a platform with issues.


We distract ourselves from party politics with emotional issues: abortion, gun control, prayer, abstinence education. While one party may claim an issue, these cross party lines. Many Republicans believe that women have the right to abortion. Many Democrats believe in personal prayer. Hunters reside in both parties. Everyone prefers that children abstain from sex. All are non-partisan issues and have no real bearing on the philosophy of the parties.

Then what is the difference between the parties? Republicans say that an elite few deserve preferential treatment to encourage investment and create jobs. Democrats say that those who do the work, deserve the money. Republicans say that only slouches and fools fail - devil take the hindmost. Democrats say that we're in this together. Sometimes you pull the wagon, sometimes you ride in the wagon, but no one gets left behind. The philosophical differences between the parties are absolute and unbridgeable.

In the way reasonable physical exercise strengthens our body muscles, the honest push-and-pull between the two parties strengthens our democracy. For me it is clear. I choose my party and I vote.
 
Naomi Sherer