A couple of items worth reading if you missed them:
1) Bruce Ramsey's column in yesterday's Seattle Times addresses differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. I don't agree entirely with his analysis, but he does have one very insightful passage that reveals a core differentiation between modern conservatives and most Republicans versus liberals and most Democrats. He notes the Constitution tells us what we have "the right to do things or be treated in a certain way," while Democrats support "rights to be provided with stuff."
In my mind, that essentially captures the generic difference between liberals and conservatives today, liberals believe in the right to be given things, conservatives believe in the right to equal opportunity. This is helpful. While in the room while I was watching the news recently, my six-year-old daughter asked me: "what's a Republican...and what's a Democrat?" I like Bruce's summary better than what originally came to my mind. Reader suggestions for answers to that question welcome in the comments.
2) This bit at MSNBC offers fascinating insight into potential get-out-the-vote activity in this year's campaign. Readers may remember 2004 saw extensive efforts on both sides in this arena, with a highly centralized GOP effort run through the RNC, and a massive, though less coordinated effort by various left-leaning groups including ACT, Move On, etc. Scroll down in this article to see a brief analysis of how that played. Short story: Democrats did well, Republicans even better. The MSNBC riff notes the potential disarray facing the Democrats and their allies this year. Pity.
I note this because for the first time since 2000, Washington will probably be the site of top-tier investment by both sides given the Senate race and the 8th Congressional district. If the trend in the MSNBC story holds, I won't be upset.
Posted by Eric Earling at July 13, 2006 08:00 AM | Email ThisYea. Maybe we should just sell all of the airwaves to Rupert Murdoch. Then we can hear, watch and read Conservative lies 24/7. The FoxNews channel has less content than my high school newspaper. Fully staffed with angry white men like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hanity.
It's sad someone like Ramsey, who works for the press, doesn't even understand the concept of a free press much less desire one.
Posted by: Jacob on July 13, 2006 08:48 AMI can guess what your definition of a "free press" is. Much the same as the state Dems define it something to be "managed in the public interest".
Why are you so afraid of a free debate of ideas, Jacob?
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on July 13, 2006 09:06 AMHe didn't describe public airwaves as "a Socialist concept", he noted that the Dhimmicrats stated position on the airwaves "...feels socialist to me, but maybe I'm just sensitive." (never trust a liberal to get a quote right)
It must be disturbing to see the once proud Dhimmicrat party crumbling before you, huh jacob?
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 13, 2006 09:11 AMR -- rights are intrinsic to an individual, and can only be exercised.
D -- rights are extrinsic and demands to fulfill those rights can be place on others.
Conservatives: The root of any problem is individual choices and behavior, ergo solutions must come from that individual.
Liberal: The root of any problem is societal, therefore solutions are the responsibility of the group.
Liberals look to external cause and effect, and want others to change their behavior to solve perceived problems, Conservatives believe that if everyone takes care of their own behavior and acts ethically with enlightened self interest, the marketplace of ideas will allow those who behave in a way that is good for themselves and their families to have a positive impact on society at large.
The problem is the partisan distortion of both perspectives, when conservatives (little c) work to constrain behavior they find objectionable, and liberals (little l) work to compel behavior they find desirable.
I propose an 11th commandment: Leave thy neighbor alone.
Conservatives tend to believe that the people are smart enough to make themselves happy. Liberals tend to believe that the people are too stupid to make themselves happy, and they are the only ones who can provide that happiness.
This leads to the big-government, small-government argument, which is the only real argument worth having nowadays. All political issues boil down to this one issue: do you want MORE or LESS government?
Liberals attract the parasites---the ones who demand people do things for them rather than barter like civilized people for goods and services. In fact, if it weren't for the liberals, the parasitical sub-species of humanity would probably have gone extinct long ago. It is because liberals are trying to make these people happy that they are still around.
I don't believe you will find many intellectually honest liberals running around with their hands out expecting people to give them something for nothing. What you do find are intellectually honest liberals who try to give people stuff because they think they know better than they do. This creates the other type of liberal who is running around with their hands out demanding people give them stuff for nothing. These other people, however, are not the politically elite within the liberal movement, but the pawns used to further their agenda.
Posted by: Jonathan Gardner on July 13, 2006 09:55 AMA Republican and a Democrat were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.
The Republican gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his business for a job. He then took twenty dollars out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.
The Democrat was very impressed, and when they came to another homeless person, he decided to help. He walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. He then reached into the Republican's pocket and gave him fifty dollars.
Posted by: New to the Sound on July 13, 2006 10:13 AM...that the United States were founded on the fundamental principle that individuals have certain rights and freedoms which cannot be infringed upon and may be restricted only to the degree necessary to preserve the rights of others.
Democrats believe...
...that our Founding Fathers did not really mean what they said when they guaranteed certain constitutional rights such as the right to freedom of religious expression, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to retain the use of private property.
Republicans believe...
...the money you earn is yours and that government in a free society has the right to take only as much as is needed to perform those limited functions, which are appropriate to it.
Democrats believe...
...government has a right to use your money as it sees fit to redistribute wealth, establish new spending programs in times of budget surpluses, and to return to you only that portion of your money which is politically expedient.
Republicans believe...
...the traditional family and the values it fosters are the foundation of American society and their preservation is essential to our Nation's continued success.
Democrats believe...
...American society must redefine its values and the role of the family to fit new lifestyle concepts, which have resulted from the 60ís counter-culture movement and an attitude that promotes an abrogation of individual responsibility.
Republicans believe...
...parents have the right to determine the values with which their children will be raised and to have the widest possible choice among public, private and religious schools and that competition will improve public education.
Democrats believe...
...the federal government has the right to determine the values which will be taught in public schools and parentsí choice of schools must be limited to avoid exposing public schools to competitive forces which would encourage reform and increase accountability.
Republicans believe...
...that the free enterprise system is the most effective engine of economic progress. ...that government regulation and federal control of economic activity can better distribute wealth and services to the American people.
Democrats believe...
...high taxes, runaway government spending, and over-regulation of business and farming punish initiative and stifle economic growth. ...penalizing achievement with higher taxes and increased government bureaucracy and spending will not stifle economic growth but instead guarantee prosperity for everyone.
Republicans believe...
...that with freedom comes responsibility and that individuals must take personal responsibility for their own actions and our criminal justice system must be based on this idea.
Democrats believe...
...individual behavior, including criminal behavior, can be blamed on "society" and that spending on social welfare programs and improvements in prison living conditions can combat crime.
Republicans believe...
...that your property is yours and you have the basic right to make use of it without unreasonable government restrictions.
Democrats believe...
...the government has the right to regulate the use of private property in accordance with narrow special interests without giving just compensation to owners.
Republicans believe...
...the preservation of our rights and freedoms must be entrusted to a strong national defense and of the ability of the United States to negotiate with other nations from a position of strength.
Democrats believe...
...we can afford to drastically weaken our military despite the threats present in an unstable, post-Cold War international environment and the United States must subjugate its interests to those of the United Nations.
Republicans believe...
...it is imperative today to re-affirm the traditional freedoms and values of America to preserve our great Republic.
Democrats believe...
...that America must adopt a politically correct, multi-cultural set of values which denies common American heritage and will further divide American society.
Republicans believe...
...there can be differences of opinion and that such differences such result in opponents, not enemies.
Democrats believe...
...that all whom oppose them are to be treated as enemies.
Republicans believe...
...that all of America's citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms of our country without diminishing the rights of others.
Democrats believe...
...that some must give up a portion of their rights and freedoms that others may enjoy those same rights and freedoms.
Republicans believe...
...that public servants, particularly those whom we elect to office, must be held accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
"If a man cannot be trusted with the government of himself, can he be trusted with the government of others?" [Thomas Jefferson]
Democrats believe...
...that loyalty to a discredited leader is a virtue and if other office holders have committed indiscretions, a sitting office holder should not be criticized for failing to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.
from: http://markshannon.com/RepublicanDemocrat.htm
or
A Democrat is part of the collective. A Republican is an individual.
Posted by: Jeff B. on July 13, 2006 02:48 PMWhile I took a tiny bit of liberty with context, I don't think that out of control spending is a wholly owned subsidiary of demco any longer. Every elected official can find it in his heart to pander and buy our votes with our money.
Posted by: Dan on July 13, 2006 07:39 PM